Shipping to Spain, Netherlands, and Israel

[yukiruri]

Hi ebay community, I have been a long-time ebay buyer and a newbie ebay seller. The things I sell are all personal fashion items. I am comfortable with shipping to Canada and US, but recently I've received 3 different inquiries regarding shipping to Spain, the Netherlands and Israel. Since the items themselves are nothing too expensive ($20-$30 range), I feel bad asking the buyers to fork out $20+ for shipping. But I also want to make sure that I am not setting myself up for potential scams if I go with shipping options that does not have delivery confirmation. Does anyone have any experience with shipping to those countries, or advice on what shipping methods to use? CanadaPost is pretty confusing with their shipping services/prices (e.g., online vs instore) and I would appreciate any help available. Thanks!

[halo_toy_collector · Accepted solution]

I find it does not mater where the buyer is from, it's all the same.

You just have to protect your self and reduce risk by understanding the different shipping options available to reduce shipping charges to be competitive and familiarize yourself with Shipping insurance and the claims process.

Canada Post's rates and services are not Globally or domestically competitive or desirable to buyers so if you have more margin on your product you can compensate by absorbing some of the cost of shipping to be more competitive and to make the sale.

The cost of Canada Post Tracking is ridicules but you can try ad satisfy the customers concern by mentioning the shipping insurance.

I hope this helps. Take care.

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

First you can comfortably use Small Packet International AIR. This is not "tracked" but is insured against loss or damage in transit up to $100. In the price range of your products, this would be fine.

I have sold to all three countries. In my (limited) experience Netherlands is no problem Much of Canada's European mail goes to Holland first and the postal system is very efficient (and the country is small.)

Spain has nice people and a horrible postal system. Make sure your customer knows that the parcel is coming air mail, give him a pessimistic arrival date, mention it is insured, and mention that holdups in customs are not uncommon.

Israel is questionable. I think a lot of Americans have immigrated there without really taking in that they are not in the USA and being serviced by USPS. Any delays will lead to complaints. Like most Americans, they are... litigious.

Personally, I will ship anywhere, but I always shudder when I get an Israeli order. No real problems yet. Just grumpy emails.

[yukiruri]

Thanks szp-8 and femmefan for the answers and the (much needed) advice.

I now feel fairly comfortable with the two buyers from Spain and Holland, as their ebay profile shows that they are located there. I have presented both options of Small Parcels AIR and GROUND (since it appears that if I purchase online, there is complimentary insurance for the first $100 of merchandise for both) and have advised the buyers that they should choose the shipping method they prefer but is liable for their own decision. However the buyer asking about Israel shipping is located in the US - which may actually not mean much but I am cautious; so I will only offer the AIR option. 

Again lots of thanks. I'm very impressed by the amount of supper on the selling forum!