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Post by ChrisLAdams on Sept 26, 2017 8:17:45 GMT -8
Chris, I am sure this is a bigger story. I don´t order items online because half of my orders never arrived here in Mexico. When I do have items shipped from the states via fedex (Items I bought and shipped personally), the boxes are opened and examined in customs and often I have to go and fill out forms in order to receive the items. Really puts a damper on online buying and shipping. Paypal probably took the easiest route rather then attempt to solve the problem. We are not customers anymore, we are just people international corporations fleece. So sorry to hear of your troubles. I don't know if its a 'bigger story' or not, but my takeaway was - quit selling outside the Continental US. I've experienced close calls with Canada, both shipping to and from, leading me to steer away from them because of extremely long shipping durations. I've never had an item not arrive to/from Canada, but have had to answer emails to the effect, "Yes, the item shipped; No, I have no idea how long it will take to get to you." Rather than pester the heck out of sellers I always have just hunkered down and waited it out, and it will eventually arrive. Now, the UK, I have bought books from and they arrive with no hitch, so they're not on my naughty list. Au is banned after the Paypal debacle - which was two-three years ago; won't be shipping anything to/from the land down under any more. The thing is you have to be careful when you list to only ship within your country (if that is your policy). After they do an update and its been awhile since I've listed an item, I on occasion have forgotten this and ended up in those situations. Now I just let the wife take stuff to the local flea markets and only use eBay as necessity dictates - which is rare nowadays. |
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Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055 
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Post by Ria Stone on Sept 26, 2017 12:04:34 GMT -8
Chris, I am sure this is a bigger story. I don´t order items online because half of my orders never arrived here in Mexico. When I do have items shipped from the states via fedex (Items I bought and shipped personally), the boxes are opened and examined in customs and often I have to go and fill out forms in order to receive the items. Really puts a damper on online buying and shipping. Paypal probably took the easiest route rather then attempt to solve the problem. We are not customers anymore, we are just people international corporations fleece. So sorry to hear of your troubles. I don't know if its a 'bigger story' or not, but my takeaway was - quit selling outside the Continental US. I've experienced close calls with Canada, both shipping to and from, leading me to steer away from them because of extremely long shipping durations. I've never had an item not arrive to/from Canada, but have had to answer emails to the effect, "Yes, the item shipped; No, I have no idea how long it will take to get to you." Rather than pester the heck out of sellers I always have just hunkered down and waited it out, and it will eventually arrive. Now, the UK, I have bought books from and they arrive with no hitch, so they're not on my naughty list. Au is banned after the Paypal debacle - which was two-three years ago; won't be shipping anything to/from the land down under any more. The thing is you have to be careful when you list to only ship within your country (if that is your policy). After they do an update and its been awhile since I've listed an item, I on occasion have forgotten this and ended up in those situations. Now I just let the wife take stuff to the local flea markets and only use eBay as necessity dictates - which is rare nowadays. Chris, glad you investigated various aspects of shipping outside the US. |
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Post by djmills on Sept 26, 2017 19:23:05 GMT -8
"Au is banned after the Paypal debacle - which was two-three years ago; won't be shipping anything to/from the land down under any more."
What Paypal debacle?
I am in Australia and use Paypal all the time. Get paid by Smashwords. Pay for images from different sites, such as pixaby, dreamstime, pay CreateSpace for postage of Proof copies, pay for US or UK courses in writing or art, buy upholstery material, books from BookDepository, etc. Also transfer money to a friend in US to purchase things they won't sell outside US, who then uses my money to post to me. :-) All works fine.
Oh, and I used to sell cartoons and illustrations via old website using paypal buttons before I shut it down (over 12 years ago).
I must have been too busy writing to learn about a Paypal debacle. :-)
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Post by ChrisLAdams on Sept 27, 2017 5:38:45 GMT -8
I must have been too busy writing to learn about a Paypal debacle. :-) Good answer! You may have missed the earlier post - it was an Ebay transaction, sent jewelry to AU. Insured. Recipient claimed they never received so Paypal made me refund them $200. Then I found out expost facto that the so-called insurance I bought only extended to the US border (my bad there). So Paypal refunded, and sunk me -$200 even after I produced proof of shipping, insur, etc. Not being a happy camper about having done everything I could and ending up out of the jewelry (was selling for the wife) and now $200 in the hole - they're banned. Shipping to/from Au from the US is ridiculous anyway. A guy had some books I wanted. $20 book, $40 shipping. Thanks, but I'll pass. I'm surprised you didn't catch it on the news, DJ. |
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Post by Ted on Sept 27, 2017 12:32:57 GMT -8
Same problem with shipping costs even from US to Canada. International shipping sometimes doubles the bill. My friend might buy 40 worth of wool in the US and end up paying more than it costs here in Canada. If you can't find it in your own country then you have to bite the bullet and pay international shipping rates.
Some of my friends in Canada have stuff shipped to a vacation property across the line and then just pop down there to get it. Vacation property could be a trailer sitting on a pad costing them $20/month.
When you add up the difference in the price between the US and Canada of booze, cigarettes, some clothing, some food, or some household items then a $20.00 monthly fee is paid by 1/2 carton of smokes alone.
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Post by djmills on Sept 28, 2017 2:06:01 GMT -8
Oh, Chris, that is so bad! I wonder if Australia Post has it somewhere, and when the Postal employees finally decide to actually work they might forward it to the purchaser. I hope the purchaser pays the money again if he/she receives the jewelry.
Yes, Australia Post costs are totally ridiculous and way over-charged, but until we get some competition like FedX, or Amazon opening here and starting their own postal service, we just have to put up with expensive postal costs.
When I purchase books from Book Depository in England, they say it is post free, but the cost of the post is already included in the price of the books. I have to put up with it, because from USA the same book may be cheaper, but the cost to post is much higher.
And when I post something, I pay to get a signature from the receiver every time. It is a little more cost, but I know when the parcel has been received. No arguments from anyone.
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