Supermarket / eBay shipping questions and tips?

[herpsky]

I don't really know if this thread is appropriate for this subforum.

Question #1)

USPS has revamped the International shipping options on May 14th.

According to USPS, though the shipping cost has nearly doubled,

USPS Priority International (formerly known as Global Priority) now provides tracking to most countries.

Has anyone been successful at using their tracking system. or is this a load of crap?

question #2)

I've browsed through a number of supermarket posts and seen that a lot of US-based users ship internationally at an additional cost of ~10 dollars.

With the EMS service (the ONLY trackable way) costing over 35 dollars, how the hell are you guys shipping items to..say.. Europe for 10 dollars more.

Are you guys using bullshit shipping methods i.e. no tracking ?

I'd like to use inexpensive services but don't want buyers complaining about lost packages.

How can I protect myself while providing the best service I can?

[ddohnggo]

regarding question 2, i've found that shipping items such as shirts (or something not very bulky) overseas using global priority envelopes works wonders, which is something that my girlfriend suggested i use. Not only is it super quick, but it is a lot cheaper than say EMS as it costs $11 total. downside is that it does not provide tracking (although i've never asked for it).

[herpsky]

I fear paypal charge backs...

[herpsky]

I guess if you are completing a transaction on eBay, you must always use shipping methods that provide tracking.

I don't know if paypal sides with buyers who complete transactions on message boards.

[readytoignite]

re: tracking, it's not required for seller protection on paypal. i believe signature is required for coverage above a certain amount ($250?) but since it only applies to shipments to confirmed accounts it's not too useful for int'l anyway.

ebay coverage is separate and supplementary to paypal coverage so i'm not too familiar with it

from what i recall of global priority, tracking services are not provided by the foreign PO. for that you would need EMS. tracking is highly overrated IMO and seems to serve only as a placebo for anxious buyers who are concerned about getting ripped off. if you want actual security for your item, you should stick with registered parcel post but nobody's ever asked me for it.

the annoying thing about international delivery is that parcel post has a weight restriction so above a certain weight you have to ship global priority. this happens to be right about the weight of a pair of double-boxed sneakers. i don't know if it's a new thing or not but it bites all the same

[goldengloves]

Every time I have shipped international, I use airmail with no tracking. Most of the time the buyer is willing to risk it if they only have to pay half or less than half of what Express mail would be.

I also usually put a 'buyer beware' kind of thing in terms of shipping letting international buyers know, if they order through me and want the cheapest shipping, it's not my fault if thier package never gets there...

...so far so good though.

[retrored]

Registerd International Mail is another option. Although the package may not be checked online, it can be checked internally by the post office.

[herpsky]

I got screwed before by shipping ebay items by usps global priority.

[Tarmac]

With international buyers there are inherent risks. I charge through the roof for intl customers, $40 or more, it's up to them if they still want to buy the item. Its my own form of insurance.

[holeinthewall]

does this mean it will cost more than $8 to ship an LP from the East coast to France?

[herpsky]

Apparently Global priority is now trackable:

What you can do:

1) Call USPS int'l inquiry center @ 800-222-1811

You need:

-Mailing receipt number or item barcode

-Names and addrs of the mailer and the addressee

-date of mailing

"The center will corrspoind with the respective post in the foreign country"

They will see if the item went thru the customs and etc.

I don't know how detailed the tracking info is but it's a start.