shipping ebay items from U.K. to abroad

Am interested in above.
Getting interest from abroad but am a bit wary.
Any experiences?

Davex.

I live in Spain and I had some problems with a couple of sellers, but most of them are OK with me, my PayPal account is registered in the UK but my eBay address is registered in Spain, some will only ship to your Paypal address but I inform them before I buy, as long as you send signed for you should have no problems.
Jack.

Why be wary. I just don't understand the reluctance regarding selling abroad.

Just follow the next rules.

* Be honest about the item you sell.
* Take good quality pictures to show.
* Give a very accurate description of your item.
* Use a reliable and internationally well known shipping method.
* Don't try to make a extra profit on shipping fees.
* Use paypal only and ship to confirmed address only.
* Be careful with requests to send to other persons as the one who is paying or sending to PO boxes. (here usually starts the trouble)
* Keep in good communication with the seller, and keep him updated with personal mail, explaining him the progress. I.E, payment received, item send etc....( this is highly regarded, believe me.)

This is the way I always work and in the ebay listing I always mention:
No shipping to: Countries like Nigeria, Indonesia. Thailand and some former Russian republics. Mainly to corrupt customs and known for scamming practice.

I have sold a lot of gear to the UK, USA, Canada, China, Taiwan, Hongkong, Most of the EU countries, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Not once with selling or buying it went wrong. Just use your common sense.

Martin.

I've shipped plenty of items abroad to various countries - with no serious problems.

For valuable items, use Royal Mail Airsure to countries where it is available, otherwise International Signed For. These have limited use, but still it's possibly some extra security for only a few pounds extra. See the Royal Mail website for details.

For low-value items to safe countries, just use standard Airmail to minimise cost and attract buyers.

I've heard of problems with Italy, so you might want to be wary about shipping there. I would not worry at all about France, Germany, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia - well, any more than I would worry about posting to a UK address.

Sent a lens to Italy last week, buyer asked if I could sent it with no insurance to reduce the price, I of course refused.
Anyway he paid, I sent and he receive it within 4 days. Quite impressed considering the horror stories I have heard about Italy.

Had another one in the UK 2 days ago, bid and won a Pentax M 50mm f4 then turned round and said he mistakenly thought it was an A series lens despite title, description and the bloody great hi res photos of the front, back and sides.

Regarding PayPal "confirmed addresses": Many buyers have an "unconfirmed" address for technical reasons. PayPal recently changed the rules to provide seller protection for unconfirmed addresses, so don't worry about that unless there is some other reason to be suspicious.

You still have to send it to the address on the Paypal payment slip I believe? (although it no longer has to be confirmed)and it has to be sent by a trackable online method.

That's right - to qualify for seller protection. I don't usually use a trackable method* for a £10 item though, for example, so I take the risk myself.

* Airsure costs £4.50 + normal Airmail postage.

Davex, you have nothing to worry about. Have done plenty of selling abroad. Its just a matter of making you you have the confirmed payments before despatch, but thats the same no matter where you are selling to.

However, i always make sure I send via International Signed For so there is no way delivery can be contested.

Best wishes

Martin, I only have a PO Box address.

Many thanks for advice

Will give it a go.

Davex.

I know Jack, and I wouldn't hesitate to sell and send over something to you or any one else for that matter. Knowing the circumstances, of course. But you have to agree a lot of the scamming involves obscure PO boxes, non working e-mail addresses and third party involvement. In the grand scheme of things all those things together smell fishy.....

Martin.

Yes Martin I completely understand what you are saying that's why I always notify the seller about my circumstances before I buy, I only have had one guy would just not send to Spain, not because of the PO Box but because he wouldn't send anything outside the UK, which to me is his loss.
Jack.

You will not always be able to obtain a copy of the signiature for proof of delivery with International Signed For, so it may be contested.

For 80p more, Royal Mail Airsure is a more secure and tracked service (for the countries it is available for). You can also print a stamp for it online via RoyalMail.com or PayPal.

For anybody reading, please don't do this. Support your local Post Office by buying your postage at the counter and don't give the Government further excuse to close any more - before you know it we'll have none left...

Sorry Pete, I agree with the rest of what you said but online postage just happens to be my personal hobby horse.