two part question

[realjazz-123]

Hi: Two questions that might have been covered in past discussions. I ship to about 6 countries and Italy is not one of them. 1) Someone is asking about shipping costs to Italy. I thought my listings would go only to the 6 countries I send to. Do my listings go to all eBays wold wide ? 2) Is shipping to Italy by small packet untracked airmail especially risky?. The item is not an expensive one. Thanks for your shared experience.

[femmefan1946]

The problem with Italy is not the customers, who are no better or worse than anywhere else, but the abysmal reputation of the Italian customs and postal systems.

If you feel that you would not be too upset if this inexpensive item goes AWOL , go ahead. You could 'self-insure' by adding some small amount, perhaps the original cost of the item, to the shipping cost, just to make you feel more comfortable.

Or , you could politely tell the customer that you don't ship to Italy and add her to your Blocked Bidder List, just in case.

[rose-dee]

Unless you have your buyer requirements set to block buyers who live in countries you don't ship to, you may get this happening now and then, even though you've excluded certain countries from your "ship to" list.  (Go to "Account-Site Preferences-Buyer Requirements" and click on "Edit" on the right side of the screen.  You'll see the buyer shipping block (sorry -- it doesn't look exactly like this because the bots removed the HTML, but you get the idea):

Buyers in locations to which I don't ship

Block buyers whose primary shipping address is in a location I don't ship to.
	This requirement can help you avoid buyers who agree to purchase your items without realizing you don't ship to their location.

 I know it doesn't seem logical to have to double up on the blocking information, but eBay obviously considers the shipping exclusions and buyer blocks as separate topics.  Setting it up like this is the best way to ensure you don't get an accidental buyer from a country you don't ship to, especially if the buyer makes payment.  Then you're more or less obliged to ship. 

Fortunately, it sounds as if this Italian buyer contacted you in advance.  As for your second question, I have used Small Packet Air to Italy without any issues other than being a bit slow.  If it's a lower-priced item, you can take your chances.  Still, I would be overly cautious about the delivery estimates you give the buyer -- I'd add another week to the estimate from Canada Post. 

[realjazz-123]

Your advice like that of FEM before you are is helpful. I will send shipping info to the potential buyer from Italy and ship as a first time if necessary.. As per being paid by someone from a country not on my ship to list, there is no need to ship item. In the past, eBay help has told me that if someone wins and pays and is from a country to which I do not ship, then bid can be cancelled after case is opened. Buyer agreed to cancel so it worked. If buyer does not agree, eBay will still  stand by seller as long as the country involved was not on ship to list.

[rose-dee]

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@realjazz-123 wrote:

Your advice like that of FEM before you are is helpful. I will send shipping info to the potential buyer from Italy and ship as a first time if necessary.. As per being paid by someone from a country not on my ship to list, there is no need to ship item. In the past, eBay help has told me that if someone wins and pays and is from a country to which I do not ship, then bid can be cancelled after case is opened. Buyer agreed to cancel so it worked. If buyer does not agree, eBay will still  stand by seller as long as the country involved was not on ship to list.

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You know, if you have real concerns about loss of the item, and if you don't want to self-insure, you could quote the shipping charge for Xpresspost International (with signature confirmation), and the Italian buyer would probably not want to bother after all.  It's up to you whether the sale is worth the risk I suppose.

With respect to the reassurance from eBay concerning shipping to buyers from countries you've excluded, I wouldn't rely on eBay's largesse or the buyer's understanding (and willingness to cancel) in every case.  Also remember that a cancellation doesn't prevent a buyer from leaving FB.

It's just my advice, but I'd set up the blocks in "Buyer Preferences" as I noted above.  

[recped]

2) Is shipping to Italy by small packet untracked airmail especially risky?.

Almost every seller who tells you Italy is very risky and the postal service is terrible doesn't actually ship to Italy.

Delivery times to Italy have always been a bit slower than most of the rest of Europe, for many years (2006 - 2009) it really was terrible, with 4 or more weeks being the norm. I don't find that to be the case anymore, my shipments get to Italy almost as fast as anywhere else in Europe and usually faster than the current Euro slow spot (Germany).

I've sent over 500 records to Italy over the years and not lost a single one.

If you sell records and don't ship worldwide you are seriously missing out on a lot of potential buyers. 

My breakdown of sales.......

Canada 5%

USA 30%

Overseas 65%

If I was selling primarily jazz and classical I would expect the overseas portion to be even higher. I sell a few jazz titles from time to time and almost 100% of those go overseas.

[realjazz-123]

Yes, you are correct in that jazz and classical lps are of greater interest to overseas buyers. I am slowly gaining more courage in shipping overseas without tracking and insurance (since the HUGE CP rate increase). I am becoming more at ease when value of item is under $50 but above that my  risk alarm causes me trouble. How do you send costly records overseas ( ie; starting bid over $100 and higher)? Are you still shipping untracked and uninsured?