Why this aversion to international buyers?

[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.

Payment - as long as you receive the money up front, what's the problem? This part is probably "scarier" for the buyer than the seller.

Shipping - You need to fill out one extra form - the customs form. It is not very hard and the person behind the counter will most likely be kind enough to help you if needed.

Risk - This is assumed and shared by both parties. Never use a service where you can't track/insure the shipment. The more expensive an item, the more sophisticated a shipping method should you be using (this goes for national and international shipments). And to be honest the risk of losing something just because it is sent internationally is not necessarily greater than shipping domestically.

Nationalism - Sometimes you read "I hope this car stays in this country". Why is that? Does the seller hope to be able to buy it back some day? Or does the seller hope to keep seeing it driving down the street when going to work in the morning? Or is it simply because the seller is not comfortable with foreigners? I sincerely hope it is not the latter, because my friend, unless you live in Germany (or in the odd case Austria) you should probably find yourself another car manufacturer as your hobby.

Anything I missed?

/Johan

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by H-viken

Shipping - You need to fill out one extra form - the customs form. It is not very hard and the person behind the counter will most likely be kind enough to help you if needed.

I prefer to ship FedEx ground (have an account with them), and that isn't an option with international buyers. FedEx International is expensive and buyers typically don't want to pay it, especially if it is something large. Instead they'll suggest USPS. Not worth my time or energy to hassle with the post office. Extra forms, standing in line, hit-or-miss tracking. Nationalism doesn't have anything to do with it. Extra paperwork and extra time/hassle does.

I've also had broker/duty/etc charges come out of nowhere when I've shipped or had things shipped to me international. When I ship CONUS, I pay once and that is it.

[Geronimo '74]

It all depends on the seller, is he willing to go through some extra hassle or not.
If it is a sale between Pelicans, I have no problems doing a little extra paperwork.

[onewhippedpuppy]

There's also the Nigerian scammer angle too. Lots of international emails are scams, it makes people paranoid.

Shipping has been an issue for me as well. I expend significant effort with an international seller only to have them balk at the high shipping cost. Seems like that should be assumed.

[fred cook]

Other than the extra cost and having to fill out the customs form, no big deal. I have sent my fuse panels all over the world including countries such as Australia, Germany, England, Canada, etc. The customer picks up the tab for the extra shipping costs and I make certain that the parts are packed extra carefully. In this case, Paypal is definitely the way to go.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by H-viken

Anything I missed?

Yeah, some people are just stupid and lazy. They make decisions based on the wrong information, because they are too lazy to actually learn anything about the subject at hand. These are the same morons that pack things poorly, use whatever box they can get for free, etc.

Shipping internationally isn't hard and companies like Ebay make it even easier, if you want to take advantage of everything they offer. Shipping companies, the USPS, etc. also have free accounts that you can set up to streamline the paperwork you have to complete.

Some people are just worthless.

JR

[KNS]

I can sort of agree with your "Nationalism" point. I like seeing old 911s on the road. The fewer cars here and that are leaving the states means the less I'll see out and about. Older 911s, particularly long hoods are already being tucked away in garages, coveted by collectors rather than being used for the purpose for which they were originally sold (back in 1973, etc).

With time that would happen anyway but it seems to have accelerated with the current market frenzy.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I prefer to ship FedEx ground (have an account with them), and that isn't an option with international buyers. FedEx International is expensive and buyers typically don't want to pay it, especially if it is something large. Instead they'll suggest USPS. Not worth my time or energy to hassle with the post office. Extra forms, standing in line, hit-or-miss tracking. Nationalism doesn't have anything to do with it. Extra paperwork and extra time/hassle does.

I've also had broker/duty/etc charges come out of nowhere when I've shipped or had things shipped to me international. When I ship CONUS, I pay once and that is it.

This exactly. Its just the hassle factor.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by greglepore

This exactly. Its just the hassle factor.

From eBay:

"If your item is located in the US and you're shipping to an eligible country, you may be able to use our Global Shipping Program. With the Global Shipping Program, you ship the item to a US shipping center, and international shipping experts manage the international shipping and customs process for you."

Easy enough?

There are other options.

JR

[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!!!!

[widebody911]

I have this one!

[mreid]

Cool shirts! Care to post a source?

I've shipped used Porsche parts all over the world and I think most people think payment scam, shipping hassle, lack of control, too much packing care, etc. adding it up and deciding its not worth it. The reality is it is not bad and the educated buyer expects there to be extra cost.

[mikesride]

[QUOTE=mreid;7886947]Cool shirts! Care to post a source?


A Daddy-O's- bowling shirts, rockabilly, swing, retro shirts, lounge clothing and 50's clothes and dresses.
Very good on line customer service

[RANDY P]

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.

Payment - as long as you receive the money up front, what's the problem? This part is probably "scarier" for the buyer than the seller.

Shipping - You need to fill out one extra form - the customs form. It is not very hard and the person behind the counter will most likely be kind enough to help you if needed.

Risk - This is assumed and shared by both parties. Never use a service where you can't track/insure the shipment. The more expensive an item, the more sophisticated a shipping method should you be using (this goes for national and international shipments). And to be honest the risk of losing something just because it is sent internationally is not necessarily greater than shipping domestically.

Nationalism - Sometimes you read "I hope this car stays in this country". Why is that? Does the seller hope to be able to buy it back some day? Or does the seller hope to keep seeing it driving down the street when going to work in the morning? Or is it simply because the seller is not comfortable with foreigners? I sincerely hope it is not the latter, because my friend, unless you live in Germany (or in the odd case Austria) you should probably find yourself another car manufacturer as your hobby.

Anything I missed?

/Johan

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.

[faverymi]

Because I lived in so many latitudes, I would not do it because is unpredictable. I'm a enthusiast so my resources are limited. No volume, special discount, frequent customer privileges, special plane, container. Nothing. Nada.

Risky shipping happenings:

1. Just lost while in transit.
2. Damaged while in transit
3. Lost by the non efficient local custom.
4. Lost by local mail system
5. Items being dissected by local custom to search for illegal substances. I had a set of cosworth pistons cut in half. Im serious about this one.


So really…… to try to help somebody somewhere in world…… Something happens and I have to go through the aggravation of the endless emails, phone calls, and refunds.
Not worth my time.

No thank you……

And yes this happens today in 2014. Not in colonial time, columbus time, crusades , wild west, clippers, mayflowers and sunken ships by U-boats.

[scottmandue]

Nothing to do with nationalism... I have bought watches from Australia, Philippines, Hong Kong (some of the coolest watches can be had from Hong Kong) and just found a site on ebay of a guy in Israel that sells antique watches.

I have also been scammed on the Internet by people in Calif. when shopping for a car.

[mattC2993]

I ran into this a few times.... "I'm not comfortable shipping to Canada". It was a $100 item to be thrown in the mail????? I don't understand where the issue was. On the other hand, I have had a problem exporting when a customs broker was required. It was a large item going LTL freight. The buyer played stupid (couldn't understand English when it was convenient) and I did all of the customs broker work and got stiffed for $120. Maybe he will read this

[javadog]

Originally Posted by faverymi

A whole bunch of crap, followed by "Not worth my time."

I've shipped a few hundred things to overseas countries in the last five years. Canada, Mexico, all over Europe, Asia, Australia, etc.

Not one thing failed to arrive.
Not one thing was damaged.
Not one complaint from any of the buyers.

Maybe I'm just lucky. Or maybe I give a **** "enough" to pack things properly, label things properly, fill out the customs forms properly, etc.

It's not hard. I'm not lazy.

JR

[azasadny]

I blame it on the Nigerians. Too many scams...

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by javadog

From eBay:

"If your item is located in the US and you're shipping to an eligible country, you may be able to use our Global Shipping Program. With the Global Shipping Program, you ship the item to a US shipping center, and international shipping experts manage the international shipping and customs process for you."

Easy enough?

There are other options.

JR

The fact that eBay now rapes you with fees, the last thing I'm going to do is use another one of their "services". I'll stick with selling mostly CONUS and shipping via fedex.