On that other site, I recently ran a comparison of feedback on shipping time and shipping changes between my United States and non-US customers. (Disclaimer - I live in the United States, near Washington DC).
For 73 ratings, I have score or 4.8 for shipping time and 4.8 for shipping changes from my US based customers, and 4.2 for both attributes among my international customers.
Since my international rates are pretty much calculated by the online shipping tool, I'm just passing along United States Postal Service rates. USPS rates are shown publicly at http://postcalc.usps.com/. Rates are fully transparent.
I mainly sell comics and ship them in stiff envelopes and double cardboard. One comic in the sort of packaging is about 7 ounces, and minimum cost to the UK using First Class International mail is $7.15 cents. This is the slowest method.
They go on to say: First-Class Mail Large Envelopes are subject to First-Class Package International Service prices
if any one of the following apply:
The Large Envelope is too Rigid – does not bend easily
The Large Envelope is NOT Rectangular or Square
The Large Envelope contains items that cause more than 1/4 inch variation in thickness
Because I want my comics to not bend in shipping, I always make them rigid. The post office says I will be charged for sending a package,instead of an envelope. It now cost $12.75 to ship, even though its the same weight and takes up the same space. I cannot tell you how many times I had to eat that difference.
Want it faster? Then I have to use Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope, which costs $23.95.
Want tracking? You can't use Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope. You have to use Priority Mail International, which is $42.00, or Express International, which is even more expensive.
I had to chuckle at the discussion about Royal Mail to Europe, because its the same stuff the US Post Office is pulling here. My sentiment is the same - I want to offer my products to people overseas, but the cost and risk is not worth it. If do not offer tracking, I can have money taken from my account. But who is going to pay $42 to have a $5.00 comic book shipped to them.
Personally, as a seller, I am embarrassed at what the USPS charges for shipping around the globe. However, if you are a buyer, please understand, global shipping is slow and expensive. Neither of those is the fault of the vender.
Any US sellers have any suggestions or recommended alternative shippers?