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International shipping suggestion for economical method? Need tracking, POD, insurance...
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International shipping suggestion for economical method? Need tracking, POD, insurance...

Original Question
techfanatic2010 (125 ) View Listings
techfanatic2010
(1 of 6)
International shipping suggestion for economical method? Need tracking, POD, insurance...
Jan 9, 2013 06:34 PM

I sold a camera for around $250. I charged $25 for shipping and he wants the cheapest way. He even asked for it to be marked as a gift (but that's a big no-no), so I told him no (avoiding fees probably) and to insure for a low amount.

 

I want to insure for full value of the item, want tracking and proof of delivery.

USPS First Class Mail is obviously the cheapest, but not reliable. However, would this be enough with Customs Declaration # + Insurance and/or Registered Mail?

 

or... Priority Mail Flat Rate with Customs Declaration # + Insurance.

Was considering Fedex but that would be $67, yowza.

 

Thanks for your help in advance. Just want to play it safe and not get fooled.
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techfanatic2010 (125 ) View Listings
techfanatic2010
(1 of 6)
International shipping suggestion for economical method? Need tracking, POD, insurance...
Jan 9, 2013 06:34 PM

I sold a camera for around $250. I charged $25 for shipping and he wants the cheapest way. He even asked for it to be marked as a gift (but that's a big no-no), so I told him no (avoiding fees probably) and to insure for a low amount.

 

I want to insure for full value of the item, want tracking and proof of delivery.

USPS First Class Mail is obviously the cheapest, but not reliable. However, would this be enough with Customs Declaration # + Insurance and/or Registered Mail?

 

or... Priority Mail Flat Rate with Customs Declaration # + Insurance.

Was considering Fedex but that would be $67, yowza.

 

Thanks for your help in advance. Just want to play it safe and not get fooled.

1 person has this question.
fab_finds4u (226 ) View Listings
fab_finds4u
 
(2 of 6)
Re: International shipping suggestion for economical method? Need tracking, POD, insurance...
Jan 9, 2013 06:44 PM

Hello, the SELLER sets the terms of the shipping, not the buyer. Since the total purchase is over $250 I would send it Global Express to get signature delivery. The buyer should have found out the shipping costs before he bid. 

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fab_finds4u (226 ) View Listings
fab_finds4u
 
(3 of 6)
Re: International shipping suggestion for economical method? Need tracking, POD, insurance...
Jan 9, 2013 06:46 PM

Oh, and you can't ask them to pay for insurance. It would have had to be built into the item cost or your shipping cost. Also, if you don't get signature DC (global express) they can claim they never received it and end up getting the camera and their money back. 
inceptions (11203 ) View Listings
inceptions
 
(4 of 6)
Re: International shipping suggestion for economical method? Need tracking, POD, insurance...
Jan 9, 2013 08:38 PM

Do not ship via any carrier expect USPS. The other carriers charge a brokerage fee (this is in addition to customs duty) and your buyer will be very unhappy with you.

 

As advised, you are the seller. You set the terms. It doesn't matter whether the buyer wants cheap shipping or not, you want seller protection. Therefore you need to ship with tracking. For that price point I would ship with Global Express as well. The buyer will either pay it or you can open an unpaid item case.

 

BTW...this statement is troubling...

 

I charged $25 for shipping

 

If you have already invoiced the buyer, you may have undercharged. If you did, you'll have to eat any additional shipping. Did you research rates before you invoiced?

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gardensculptures (6412 ) View Listings
gardensculptures
 
(5 of 6)
Re: International shipping suggestion for economical method? Need tracking, POD, insurance...
Jan 10, 2013 03:47 AM

the only 2 services offered by USPS for international mail that have tracking are REGULAR Priority (not flat rate) and Global Express. Both are expensive, and are probably double what you charged for postage- but you do not want to risk this package having a claim against it-so you need tracking. You can insure for full value, with shipping through a 3rd party insurer like U-Pik, Shipassurance, etc.

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inceptions (11203 ) View Listings
inceptions
 
(6 of 6)
Re: International shipping suggestion for economical method? Need tracking, POD, insurance...
Jan 10, 2013 04:49 AM

Tracking is available for Priority Flat Rate packaging with the exception of the small FR carton and the FR envelope.

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