Any ever ship wheels/tires out of country?

gt350mike · 01-09-2011, 10:44 AM

I've dorked up when I listed a set of tires/wheels from my Dad's 2010 E350 on Ebay. I didn't set-up the profile that blocks an overseas buyer from bidding on my item and as luck would have it, a guy in Hong Kong (he has 215 transactions with ebay; all positive) was the winning bidder. Now before I go any further, I've heard of a few overseas scams so I'm very cautious about this transaction.

I plan on moving forward with the transaction but not until I have full payment to my Paypal account. My question is regarding shipping the tires; will the tires (mounted on the wheels) have to be shipping individually? In a box? or can they be wrapped with plastic-wrap together in pairs?

Seems like I'm the last one to hear about the latest scams so if anyone has insight to how I can be swindled out of my money ($1200 + shipping), I'm all ears.

A930Rocket · 01-09-2011, 11:43 AM

I shipped a set of four wheels/tires to Canada. It wasn't terrible ($50 a wheel?), but I got stuck paying the duty fees or what ever it was called as well. I had to open an account with FedEx to ship them, as neither UPS or the USPS wouldn't do it.

Is the buyer paying shipping? Have you looked into the cost?

I'd either get a wire transfer or get the Paypal and move the money out before shipping.

EarlyPorsche · 01-09-2011, 12:42 PM

I sold a Harley Springer to Spain and I believe a Harley rim/tire to another EU location (years ago). UPS would take it but you have to probably ship 1 at a time in a box.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Make sure he is responsible for any Duty fees and make sure he knows that he has to pay any & all shipping fees.. I sent a set of wheels to Canada, Fed-Ex like A930Rocket, and after the wheels were dropped off, they tried to bill me for Duty since the buyer didn't pay it. I contacted my Fed-Ex rep, told them that if they dropped them off in Canada, the buyer, not me was responsible (it was a few hundred bucks) and THEY are the ones who DROPPED them without collecting duty so there fore, I wasn't responsible, my Rep got them to agree.. A little more work to ship over-seas but not that much, just cover your bases..

gt350mike · 01-09-2011, 01:51 PM

Never thought about the duties associated with the transaction.....thanks! I sent the guy an email and told him that the items where listed to be shipped to the US only but I was willing to work with him and was open for suggestions. If he's not willing to pay for everything (tires + shipping+ duties) upfront, then I'll just walk away from it and risk the negative feedback.

It's been a few years since I listed anything on Ebay because I had a bad experience and almost lost my money. It has become very difficult for an individual to participate on Ebay just for the simple fact that there are so many ways to become scammed. I did chat with Ebay and they told me that I must set my profile to block overseas bidders if I don't want to ship outside the U.S. (Canada is a different story). More later as the story unfolds!

javadog · 01-09-2011, 07:01 PM

I ship a lot of crap overseas. Normally the USPS is cheapest. Their website will have info on shipping to any country you can name. Be sure to check the maximum sizes and weights for each type of mail service.

The customs forms are also no big deal. The post office has some you can fill out.

If you end up having to use UPS, Fedex or DHL, there is a company I ran across one time that will discount their prices. If you go through this particular company, it will be cheaper than dealing directly with the shipping companies. At the moment, I can't think of their name...

JR

gt350mike · 01-10-2011, 01:37 PM

Wow, the shipping to Hong Kong isn't going to be cheap....FedEx International Priority is $1587 and FedEx International Economy $1258. UPS is around $1680. I asked the guy why he wasn't buying the wheels/tires locally and he told me that it was cheaper for him to buy the set from me at $1200 and pay up to $2000 in shipping. BTW, there are no duties to be paid.

I sent him a message and provided the quotes so stay tuned!

javadog · 01-10-2011, 03:13 PM

At those prices, I really wish I could remember who I used.... It saved me about half od the quoted rates. I've been racking my brain and looking on the internet and I have come up with zilch, so far.

JR

gt350mike · 01-10-2011, 03:37 PM

Thanks JR. I checked USPS and I'm looking at $1100 but they're track record with me is not very flattering.

javadog · 01-10-2011, 04:30 PM

I've shipped about 10 things overseas with the USPS in the last couple of months. All went well.

UPS, on the other hand, couldn't get a motorcycle seat from Kentucky to Oklahoma. For some reason, they decided it was okay to leave the box on the porch of a house five blocks from where I live. Nothing on the name or the address matched where they left it. I have since found it and got it back, although they are still "looking" for it.

JR

Cranky1 · 10-03-2011, 07:39 AM

I have a set of heads from a 2.7 that someone in Denmark wants and shipping is 480 bucks and I don't know yet if there's more fees involved since UPS's web site went down before I got anymore info. I emailed the guy about that charges but haven't heard back from him yet. Seems like he could drive into Frankfurt and buy them a lot cheaper.....

slakjaw · 10-03-2011, 08:17 AM

Yes I have. We put them in a 55 gallon drum and shipped like that.

stomachmonkey · 10-03-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slakjaw

Yes I have. We put them in a 55 gallon drum and shipped like that.

Cleaver.

Normally I put some cardboard over the faces to protect them then strap/shrink a pair together.

Leave tires on.