Pros/cons/help on international selling

[use2bnew]

Hi guys. Am thinking of starting to sell international...does paypal handle all the currency conversions, postage calculations and any other thing that I might need to do that I don't know about? Any advise is appreciated.

[mewgoods]

Hi - I just made my first international sale a couple of days ago. I listed the cost of the item in my local currency (GBP) and the money came to me via paypal in my local currency so I didn't have to worry about any kind of currency conversion. I did calculate the shipping costs to various different countries using the Royal Mail postage calculator - I am sure there will be something similar for the US.

Hope this helps.
Marion

[TiasTreasures]

PayPal converts to U.S. funds, it's totally invisible to us. The charge for the service is listed on their website as 2.5% (.025). That's in addition to their regular fees, of course.

[darklisruthven]

yes, you can accept payments from anywhere in the world and have it all converted to your currency in Paypal, its very simple.

[haveigotacomicforu]

Hey there, as the others have stated, PayPal is indeed an easy way to sell to International clients.

:You will want to make sure that the postage payment is correct. Recommend trying to send the item(s) via International Priority FLAT RATE from the U.S.P.S.

Make sure if at all possible to use the flat rate if at all possible, because it is safer and easier especially with all the various sizes available.

Gets to your clients a LOT quicker and safer, and in most cases if need be can be protected via insurance.

International shipping also requries an extra piece of paperwork, a customs form, but can make your product available to a whole lot more people.

Of course when selling you have to calculate the cost of shipping and figure if the people will want it after all costs are calculated in.

If it is something 'unique' or harder to locate in some countries then the 'sellablity' will be high, if on the other hand, it is realitively easy to get in

another country, at a cost at or below yours ( including shipping) then it might be wise to concentrate on selling it in the U.S.

Sorry about the 'rambling' and I hope I helped at least a little.

[TiasTreasures]

Insurance is not included or available for the International Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope or Small Flat Rate Box, so be careful about using these for high-value items.

[adruml]

Hi guys. Am thinking of starting to sell international...does paypal handle all the currency conversions, postage calculations and any other thing that I might need to do that I don't know about? Any advise is appreciated.

Howdy neighbor!

Pay Pal is very easy to use domestic or International. Even the Customs forms are preprinted and you just need to print them out sign them and attach to the package with the see through label pouch (available free at your Post Office) Once packed, weighed and labeled you just drop off at your Post Office and your done, extremely easy. I'm not sure what your shipping but just watch different countries restrictions and regulations and you won't have any problems.
I have had very good luck with USPS International I wish I could say the same for using them Domestic.

[burgyeb]

Howdy neighbor!

Pay Pal is very easy to use domestic or International. Even the Customs forms are preprinted and you just need to print them out sign them and attach to the package with the see through label pouch (available free at your Post Office) Once packed, weighed and labeled you just drop off at your Post Office and your done, extremely easy. I'm not sure what your shipping but just watch different countries restrictions and regulations and you won't have any problems.
I have had very good luck with USPS International I wish I could say the same for using them Domestic.

Hi Adruml, thanks for this post. I would like to ship internationally without going to the Post Office if possible. A great time saver. Can you ship "first class international" also with Paypal? If you print the customs label online, can you bypass the counter at the Post Office?

[adruml]

Hi Adruml, thanks for this post. I would like to ship internationally without going to the Post Office if possible. A great time saver. Can you ship "first class international" also with Paypal? If you print the customs label online, can you bypass the counter at the Post Office?

The Post Office "rules" state all International shipping must be handed to an employee of the Post Office. Once you get to know the folks at the Post Office though they see you with a prelabeled package and just wave you to bring them the package and you don't wait in line.
Before I realized the rules I did put a few small packages in my home mailbox and they were delivered with no problems at all but as far as the official rules go you must hand the package to a clerk. They always ask if there is anything liquid or parishable or explosive in the package which I find hilarious. If you are mailing a bomb do you think you would tell the post office clerk exactly what's in the package?

[abyorkie]

Hi,
If the Post office in the uk pulled people out of turn out of a queue there would be a riot!!!
That is a realtime saver for you. Over here you have to queue, sometimes it seems to take forever but to get an accurate Postage for overseas we have to do it!!
When we post to the USA we have to put a customs label on the package with details of content. Does that speed up delivery or slow it down?
I am sure i saw a posting that said they had had (in the US) some packages opened prior to delivery?

I know postage to the US has shot up recently from the UK.

Cheers, Alan
Please have a look at my shops, you may find something you like!!
http://abyorkies-old-manuscripts-ancestry.ebid.net
http://archibald-thorburns-birds-prints.ebid.net
http://abyorkies-stamps-cigarette-cards.ebid.net
http://antique-prints.ebid.net
http://collectables-and-everything-else.ebid.net