Sending Item to China

[i*m-still-here]

I want to send a $300 item to China and it will weigh about 50 grams and it's well under 2cm. thick.

I'd like to ship insured, but my faith in TPIPs is so low right now.

Does anyone know of a better way to do so than the $70 Expresspost method?

It's so small........... there has to be a better way.

No?

[i*m-still-here]

Oh....... and this was kinda funny......... I had to call paypal because they messed the address up and I was afraid something was off with the bidder.........

The CSP I spoke with suggested that the problem was because CPO does not ship to China.

Go Figure........... 

[i*m-still-here]

Has anyone used Registered Mail?

[ggsale27]

We have used registered mail to China. It works very well, and you can access the Chinese Post Office to track the item also. For a $300.00 item though, I would use Express Post, just for the insurance. Better safe than sorry.

[i*m-still-here]

On line it says that Registered mail can be insured and it's a signed for service.

I should be able to insure for $300 ................ or did I get that wrong?

It looks it's the cost of the stamps plus about $15-$20.

[toby_le_pue]

On line it says that Registered mail can be insured and it's a signed for service.

I should be able to insure for $300 ................ or did I get that wrong?

It looks it's the cost of the stamps plus about $15-$20.

I do not believe Registered mail is recognised by paypal as delivery confirmation.

[i*m-still-here]

It's no a paypal service, and I just learned that it can only be insured for $60.

So, I guess it's back to TPI and small packets or express post.

[i*m-still-here]

toby..............Oh....... I see now .......... you said that it doesn't qualify for seller protection.

[recped]

What is the item and how trustworthy do you think the buyer is?

[bb_cool_stuff]

Three hundred dollar item.

Not sure i would send it anywhere without tracking. Pretty risky.

Bottom line, would the margins still be there if you sent it overseas with the expensive shipping rate ?

[i*m-still-here]

I was making enough on it but I hate wasting money.

In these situations my left and right brain sides tend to battle it out.

The left side tells me that it's a waste of money to ship any way other than the least expensive as long as the customer gets equal service ........... I've done the math too and I know it's true.

The right side plays out all the "What If" scenarios and often wins out and I ship with insurance and all the bells and whistles.  

Making decisions based on fear makes no sense but I'm not evolved enough (yet) to operate above that level.

[bb_cool_stuff]

Making decisions based on fear makes no sense but I'm not evolved enough (yet) to operate above that level.

Sounds like you have already made your decision.

Still pretty risky, one I wouldn't take. Of course that is my opinion only.

Maybe just make this item available to the US & Canada.

You will end up with even higher margins since tracking will be a lot more inexpensive than the one you would ship overseas.

[i*m-still-here]

No......... I would have shipped either with TPI or Express Post.............

I operate and make these decisions based on fear................ the money I spend is for peace of mind and there is no value in it.

I received a reprieve this time.

He has an American address which I wasn't aware of when I posted here and only showed up after he paid.

I love my overseas customers and they are well worth the extra effort.

I think I'll have to find a way to trust TPIPs again.

Buying a little peace of mind for $6 makes much more sense than buying a lot of it for $60.

[i*m-still-here]

But one nice benefit of selling higher priced items like this off-ebay is that there are no or low FVFs.

That gives a lot more leeway and freedom to play with high shipping costs.

Makes a difference.

[rose-dee]

Making decisions based on fear makes no sense but I'm not evolved enough (yet) to operate above that level.

Actually, fear in the form of prudence is a good thing.  Keeps you from making risky decisions based on monetary factors alone. 

Although you were fortunate enough to have a U.S. address this time, in my opinion the CYA value of Xpresspost is worth it for a $300 item to China.  In that situation, I might only charge my buyer $40 and absorb the rest of the cost.  It's worth it for the peace of mind, both to ensure your buyer gets the item, and to protect you if he/she doesn't.  Registered is fine for some things, but I wouldn't risk sending a pricey item to China without full tracking.

I also find that having step-by-step tracking for expensive items going overseas allows me to inform my customer once the parcel is shown entering their country.  I usually send a quick email letting them know the parcel is in the hands of their postal system and should arrive soon, once it's cleared customs.

When you refer to "TPIPs", I assume you mean Third Party Insurance Providers?  Personally, I'd rather deal with Canada Post unless there's no other option.  I feel they are better equipped to deal with overseas postal systems in the event of a problem. 

[i*m-still-here]

I understand what you're saying, and that reasoning is why the insurance companies are making a profit.

(In my case.......I never charge actual shipping.  I charge shipping so that it in no way hampers the sale of my items, and usually that means FCI rates or Free.

It's well worth my while to pay the rest out of pocket, but others may insist that buyers pay for upgraded shipping methods.  It's just not my way.)

However, I don't agree that making decisions to ship via these upgraded methods is in any way prudent in a practical sense.

For example............ If I have 10 $500 items to ship to China and I opt for Express Post so that I can insure etc., then the cost to me will be around $800 for shipping in total for the 10 packages.

These packages could be shipped for about $100 - $150.

To make that worthwhile more than one item out of the 10 would have to go missing or get damaged en route, and we all know that the real numbers are 

NOT EVEN CLOSE TO A 10% LOSS!!!!!

That's what I'm talking about.

A wishy washy approach is to use TPIPs to take the edge off, but even that is money wasted unless you consider the stress-reductions value.........

And that is nothing to be scoffed at either.

For me it's always a hard decision that I hate making, but that's because my eyes are wide open that I'm throwing money out the window.........

The decision is probably much easier if you truly believe the money is well spent.