CP international shipping rates

[realjazz-123]

Hi: Just found this site. I would like to know what other Canada eBay sellers are doing about VERY HIGH international shipping rates. About 6 months ago the cost to ship a single LP with tracking and insurance to Japan, China, etc, jumped from $23 to $75.The increase was  similar for Europe. On compalining, I was told by Canada Post that the new rates were still cheaper than any private courier company. Essentially I have lost all potential Asian/European buyers.

                What do other sellers do about issue of tracking/insurance for international shipping. Do you ship without these protections? Thanks for any suggestions on this issue.

[mr.elmwood]

Very few use tracking and insurance. Most of us "self" insure. Tracking is a waste of money. Tracking maybe can work, but, it doesn't really.

The number of parcels that have gone missing or damage dis ridiculously small. My calculation show that I have NOT paid out $11,500 in insurance costs over the last decade. That is $11,500 directly into my pocket.

I put in my listing "no tracking". It becomes an issue a couple times a year. A couple times out of one thousand per year.

I don't use either and don't want either.

[realjazz-123]

Thanks for reply. So you will send an item sold for, let's say, $100 or higher and not insure or track? I guess I do not have the same faith in the postal service (or international buyers) to expect problem free delivery. At what value of shipped item do you insure? Thanks.

[mr.elmwood]

I do not insure by value as that costs money. I take insurance when I use Expedited which is at 1 kilo or more.

I have a very high tolerance for risk. I managed an inner city liquor store. eBay is a day at the beach in comparison. Problems on eBay are non-existent compared to real life.

I believe I have reliably lost 2-3 parcels out of the last two thousand. Why would I spend thousands of dollars to insure $60-$90 total?

[realjazz-123]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful optimistic outlook.  I feel more encouraged to try your approach . Cheers.

[mr.elmwood]

Others should be along with a differing view. The nice thing about SC Canada is that differing options are presented in a more polite and informer manner than down south on dot com where they lay a back alley beat down on ya.

Some like insurance for peace of mind because their risk tolerance is not as high as mine. Mine is scary high and is not for everyone.

[recped]

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@realjazz-123 wrote:

What do other sellers do about issue of tracking/insurance for international shipping. Do you ship without these protections? Thanks for any suggestions on this issue.

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I sell records, I NEVER use trackable shipping services unless it's the ONLY option available due to weight/size.

Insurance is a sucker's bet, my historical loss rate is less than 1 in 1000 (average loss value $25), If I could buy insurance for 2.5 cents per shipment I would still only break even. If I actually purchased insurance I would have paid over $30,000 to cover less than $1000 in losses....not a very good return on investment!

There is a common fiction on eBay that shipments with tracking don't get lost or that shipments without tracking will result in fraudulent INR claims.....It's a MYTH!

[ricarmic]

Assuming I've done this right, here's a link to a thread I created on my experience self insuring.....

(this is first time so it might not work right)

http://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Central/My-experience-so-far-regarding-self-insuring-more-items/m...

[gifts_of_elegance]

I sell jewelry so my loss rate was high enough to stress me out.  After 9 years of shipping all over the world, I now sell only to Canada and USA.  My sales volume has not suffered, on the contrary, my sales have increased.

[realjazz-123]

The link  worked and led to others. Very informative so many thanks.

[reallynicestamps]

If you have an occasional item that is very valuable, you can use a third party insurer. Shipinsurance gets pleased mentions here fairly often for one-off shipments.

We have an annual contract with Hugh Wood International, a British company with offices in Toronto. But the annual contract also covers our B&M store against damages and shoptheft, our stock travelling to shows and at shows, and shipments in transit. The annual contract from this company, which specializes in hobbyists, both dealers and collectors, would be uneconomic for a part-time seller. (If you are not registered to remit taxes, you are too small to make HWI your insurer, economically).  If your stock or collection is substantial, you will find their rates and coverage much better than most of the big non-specialist companies.