First time seller, how to ship?

[adrian996]

Hello!

I am trying to get the item in my listing shipped but the highest bidder for my auction is located in Russia. I'm shipping my item with Canada Post with my international shipping option ticked off on my listing as "Canada Post Tracked Packet - USA". I've also discovered that Canada Post's Tracked Packet option doesn't go to Russia either. How would I go about shipping my item?

[momcqueen]

Er. You’re going to need tracking to Russia, preferably with signature if this item is valuable.

[momcqueen]

Canada Post Worldwide Pack is what you want to use. Costs about $75 CaD. Whatever you do, do NOT choose surface shipping. That takes months and you lose all cases filed against you for Items Not Received.

[reallynicestamps · Accepted solution]

Please think twice.

It is usually not a good idea for new sellers to ship internationally even to the USA.

And Russia is a pit.

Fortunately you do not have a shipping price listed for Russia.

Here is the Canada Post website.

https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/business/findARate?execution=e1s3

While I would suggest cancelling the Russian bid (and yes, it hurts but not as much as it might), you can see that the cost of shipping WITH TRACKING  and AIR MAIL will vastly exceed the price you get for the coffee machine.

Only International Parcel Air seems to offer any coverage- and that is only $100 while shipping will run around $130-$150.

When your Russian customer sees that, well, we will be here to guide you through winning an Unpaid Item Dispute.

[reallynicestamps]

If the Russian has actually won, quote the highest shipping you find and add on  enough for self-insurance.

Because you will not get postal insurance.

Tell him that you are willing to cancel the transaction.

You want him to agree so you can cancel at 'Buyer Request'.

Do NOT cancel for any other reason, or you will get a Defect.

You really don't want one of those.

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

I would recommend that as a new seller you only ship to Canada & the US until you get more experience.  And then send only smaller items to the US by Small Packet Air or Small Packet Tracked & for larger more expensive items Expedited.  Some countries are not worth sending to because it is too expensive & it takes too long to get there or they have problems with their postal system. For the buyer in Russia I would tell him how expensive it is & that you don't ship there & you are going to cancel the transaction & refund him.

[reallynicestamps]

& that you don't ship there & you are going to cancel the transaction & refund him.

ACKKK!

Be careful with that.

The best reason for cancellation would be Buyer Request.

If the buyer finds the cost (price plus shipping) too high and asks that the transaction be ended.

The other good reason is "Problem with Address". And you do not ship to Russia.

But if you cancel for any other reason, you will get a Dreaded Defect.

[ypdc_dennis]

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@adrian996wrote:

I am trying to get the item in my listing shipped but the highest bidder for my auction is located in Russia. I'm shipping my item with Canada Post with my international shipping option ticked off on my listing as "Canada Post Tracked Packet - USA".

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You should have that shipping option set only for the country of USA.multiple shipping options for outside Canada

Canada Post's view of Russia:

https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGIntDestDetails-e.asp?table=tblCountry&txtLetter=RU

[momcqueen]

"For the buyer in Russia I would tell him how expensive it is & that you don't ship there & you are going to cancel the transaction & refund him."

Technically speaking, unless the seller has specifically blocked that country in their Seller Preferences, they do ship there and simply have not taken the time to specific the service and cost. 

[adrian996]

Hi there,

Thanks for the help! I managed to cancel my auction and had the item relisted with new conditions (only shipping to Canada and the US).

[momcqueen]

You cancelled the bids first?

[hyperrush]

Be careful send to Russia, the postal system is delayed and often package is stuck in post office. Tracking is fundamental here.

[tobyshitzu]

Have shipped tons of stuff to Russia (mostly video games and hockey logo'd shirts and hats). Never tracked, never a problem, never hear complaints of being slow. Being tracking adds $20-$30 for small packet, most things aren't worth it. Most of it sent with piles of stamps covering the package.