Why this aversion to international buyers?

[John Rogers]

A few years ago I sold a steering wheel and adapter from my 914 to a fellow in Canada. UPS had all the forms on their website and I did them all. The hassle came from US customs, not sure why, and they wanted to know if I had the "import" paperwork on the wheel since it was made in Italy? I noted it was made in 1970 give or take a year and I was probably the 5th or 6th owner and had no idea since it was probably originally purchased from a car accessory shop anyways. The lady said "well okay I guess it is okay" and approved the shipping. I have no idea why OUR customs should give a damn but I decided to not ever ship out of the county again.

Don't feel bad as we get that all the time when buying a gun, parts or ammo and wanting it shipped to CA. Some dealers will not even ship muzzle loaders to you or will want to use a FFL even though not needed!

[speeder]

I consider it too much hassle to list things on eBay and ship them domestically. That's why I have two storage spaces full of very sellable stuff, (including Porsche parts), that sits month after month. There is basically zero chance of my offering it internationally on eBay and spending one additional minute hassling with customs forms or other nonsense. The last time I did ship something internationally from eBay, there was not an affordable tracking option and the guy claimed that he never received it. I had to refund his $$ and kiss the item goodbye. I was using USPS.

Could I have researched it better and prepared for the international buyer better? I suppose, but I won't spend the time.

As for selling Porsches back to Europe and nationalism, I could make a counter argument. Not that it matters except to individual opinion, but we, (the U.S./California), bought most of the Porsches when they were first sold. 25% of the 911 cars sold in the world were sold in southern California. Not the entire state, just the southern part. Another large percent were sold in Northern California. This is data from the air-cooled era, not sure about now.

There would be no Porsche company without people where I live buying them when they were new and expensive. And yes, I'd like to see them stay here rather than leave forever and be taken out of the market forever to U.S. buyers just because of a cruel disparity in currencies for the last 10+ years. I don't care if someone in Europe who is benefitting from this likes my viewpoint or not. If and when I sell a collectible Porsche in the future, there will be a huge surcharge for foreign buyers or their weasels, (I mean flippers/hunters), in the U.S. Probably enough to ensure that the car stays with a U.S. owner for at least its next stewardship.

I'm about to broker a collection of early Porsches for the widow of a collector, they will be surcharged heavily for flippers.

[Joe Bob]

I've had good luck with international buyers except for a few occasions. One was a 356 owner in the Caribbean Islands. He has a big rep on the registry. We negotiated for awhile and we came to an agreement.

He sent a PayPal and then wanted to wank some more. I cancelled the deal and sent him back his money. He screamed bloody murder on the registry website. I got a 50/50 support. Told them all to bite my crank. The item was a set of five lug, Mahle gas burners. I no longer do business with anyone on that list.

On graphics, I always recommend using a local supplier. When they insist I tell them that shipping and insurance may be costly. If they agree....I will work with them. It's a matter of trust.

[scottmandue]

Itz cus ya'll talk funny

[VFR750]

Johan,

I used to sell model airplane drawings. Half my customers were outside of the USA. They paid via PayPal or check. When the check cleared I sent the package. Typically they were valued at $30-$50. Not too expensive, but a non-trivial amount of money to risk.

Never had a problem shipping packages or round mailing tubes. Europe, Australia & NZ, Asia, & Africa. Yes, I filled out the customs forms; no big deal. Shipping was more expensive, but I sent a lot via parcel post. It would take ~4-5 weeks to get there. But everyone got their package.

On the flip side, I deal with Gabriele David (Ebay - alfa1750) in Italy for Zenith TIN parts, and he sends stuff to me with no issues.

I'm sure for most, the perceived hassles is what they are dealing with. Payment, shipping, customs, risk. It is unfortunate. Can't speak to nationalism. Parts are not political; it is just not in their nature...

[H-viken]

Originally Posted by randy p

us 'mericans don't trust no furriner with our cars, especially with sweden being so close to nigeria..we're afraid of your funny money.

[scottmandue]

My mail order Russian bride took FOREVER to get here! And she looked nothing like the pictures!


But she built a vodka still in the garage so I'm letting her stay...

[porwolf]

Not shipping to the US? I find that attitude also displayed a lot on European E-Bay site offerings.

[afterburn 549]

I just went through this
A Pcar guy wanted my part, He offered a lot less..so to get it out of here i said yes.
THEN
he said he would send most the money and to cover the shipping he would send the rest....
OK
first real red flag
next he said the money would be here by such and such date, he had made arrangements for the box to go out that day. (B4 the payment got here) an other red flag
Again I told him nothing gets shipped with out full payment.
His money got here 10 days late...and in the course of action i had relistd the part.
He saw that and got all huffy.......
But I never opened the envlope, I had just sent it back.
i dont want to deal with the hassle.
He said i was a big and awful problem to him. The worst he had to ever deal with
As far as i can tell....some people are too hard to please
He never got the cash here in a timely manor
Wanted stuff sent B4 cash arrived.
I am just saying NO from now on.
If i cant use something simple like UPS
i am done

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by H-viken

I have again been denied a purchase with the excuse "I don't sell to international buyers" and now I want to understand why this aversion exists. My hope is that by understanding the "why" I can educate at least a few so that they in the future feel comfortable selling across borders.

Is this from private sellers or retail?

If retail, I can tell you that easily 1 in 4 orders we get online are fraudulent and using stolen credit-cards or hacked paypal accounts. Seriously at LEAST 1 in 4. So for any significant order particularly from certain countries we insist on a wire transfer the first time.

The good news is, for the most part, the criminals are not very sophisticated and our fraud detection system catches them....

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Johan, I may have missed it, but what did you want to buy but were denied?

I ship about $50K+ of 911 parts every year, much of this overseas. If you use USPS, you not only get the best price, it is CAKE using the web site to create waybills. Never had a problem.

Though USPS wouldn't take this crate to Thailand.

[H-viken]

Originally Posted by porwolf

Not shipping to the US? I find that attitude also displayed a lot on European E-Bay site offerings.

I'm sure it is not isolated to the american market, that is also why I didn't mention any countries or nationalities in my original post. I prefer to look at it as a general issue.

[H-viken]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Johan, I may have missed it, but what did you want to buy but were denied?

I ship about $50K+ of 911 parts every year, much of this overseas. If you use USPS, you not only get the best price, it is CAKE using the web site to create waybills. Never had a problem.

Though USPS wouldn't take this crate to Thailand.

Hi Shaun

How are things?

In general it is small stuff, which makes it extra annoying. That being said most often it is not an issue and the transaction goes off without a hitch.

And I fully agree - in my experience USPS is the way to go. I tend to ship a bunch of stuff "From: ME, To: I" when we visit family in the US and USPS is by far the best option. Pallets etc need to go as cargo though (LCL sea freight or airfreight, which is a lot cheaper than you'd think)

So when the USPS clerk saw your box he/she pulled out the measuring tape stating: "Sir, this has a total measurement over 108"

/Johan

[H-viken]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

My mail order Russian bride took FOREVER to get here! And she looked nothing like the pictures!


But she built a vodka still in the garage so I'm letting her stay...

Did you have to pay import duties?

[H-viken]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Itz cus ya'll talk funny

I'll be sure to speak nice and sloooooow to you, ok?

[WPOZZZ]

International? Hell, people don't even want to ship to Hawaii!

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by mikesride

I wanted to order some retro lounge shirts off line. The company (based out of the USA) would not ship to Canada claiming issues with customs???? A quick internet search brings me to another US company. There only response to my shipping question was...international shipping is this much (not much for two shirts) and if they get tagged at customs you will be responsible for any extra taxes or duties. Awesome customer service and I will be shopping there again!!!!

Your old tv show is taking a dump without you. I wouldn't doubt if it gets canceled next season.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by H-viken

Hi Shaun

How are things?

In general it is small stuff, which makes it extra annoying. That being said most often it is not an issue and the transaction goes off without a hitch.

And I fully agree - in my experience USPS is the way to go. I tend to ship a bunch of stuff "From: ME, To: I" when we visit family in the US and USPS is by far the best option. Pallets etc need to go as cargo though (LCL sea freight or airfreight, which is a lot cheaper than you'd think)

So when the USPS clerk saw your box he/she pulled out the measuring tape stating: "Sir, this has a total measurement over 108"

/Johan

Doing well thanks, starting on my next car this week, so if you ever need anything, please just let me know.

They gave you problems on the crossmember?

Did you sell your RarelyL8 headers?

[H-viken]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Doing well thanks, starting on my next car this week, so if you ever need anything, please just let me know.

They gave you problems on the crossmember?

Did you sell your RarelyL8 headers?

Do you have an electrical speedo in KM/H?

Everything went smooth with the crossmember. Thanks again!

Still have the headers. Want them?

/Johan

[Shaun @ Tru6]

All gauges are sold, sorry, but I will see what I can do.

I do want the headers but won't be able to until March, so if they are gone, my loss.

good to hear on the crossmember!