I see a lot of auctions saying that they won't ship overseas - and they are pretty adamant about it, as in "I won't do it, so don't ask". One of the last BMX items I sold on ebay, back in early 2007 was a set of flights and the winning bidder was in the UK. He paid shipping and I got paid - no problems.

Is it just the hassle of doing it or is there some other reason, like a scam I don't know about?

TIA,
GRIZZ

The only thing that I can think of is correctly calculating the proper shipping almost requires taking the package to post office to get it weighed & measured then contact the buyer, getting paid securely then going back to actually ship it. This is the only way I feel comfotable. So I guess it comes down to double trippin aka "the hassle factor".

or you might use some Standard USPS international box.
Once you start selling/buying worldwide, you get a rough idea about what cost what to send.

Trouble is more with Paypal and disputes that sometimes lead to absolute nonsense!
But having a problem with a few "characters" doesn't mean putting a whole continent under the same rule..

As an european, I'm always very happy to get my american cousins sending me stuff here.
And I ship worldwide too!

I am in this boat. I know of very few who will not bat an eyelid shipping overseas and I do get the occasional curt "NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING." It is like I invited these guys to take a swing on the gallows or something. Only a few have shipped with no questions asked. Darren Chan is one of them. Bill Ryan is another. It is not like people overseas are out to cheat you guys. I know that there are some cheating a$$ holes out there but not all of us are.

The other one that gets me is when someone has a bad deal with a non US buyer, and then say "no mopre overseas shipping". You never here the msaying "wont ship to anyone in the US" when they go wrong within the US.

Exactly what I had in mind when replying earlier, Neil.
One sour deal shouldn't put the blame on a whole bunch of potentially nice people

I sold a bike to a guy in Aussie and sent it USPS. It was effortless transaction, however once the box leaves US customs, the tracking number becomes null and void and you can't track it any longer. If it gets lost the "customs" number is the only way to track it and that can be an issue.

I was a nervous about the whole thing and wasn't "okay" with it until the buyer emailed me stating he got it and my packing job was excellent.. I was then happy and I'd do it again. Keep in mind of course, money here isn't the same as there and I know a few that sold a bike for 1500.00 US.... not AU... Also to ship a bike that far away in that type of box costs allot....anywhere from 125-200 in some cases. Communication x 10

I am at the PO almost everyday (my business has a PO Box) so that is no biggie for me.

Thanks for everyone's response.

GRIZZ

I wrote this up in the past. might be slightly outdated, but the point is that it's painless.
and unless you get ahold of a foreign scam artist that manipulates paypal, it's safe.

http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index....amp;hl=shipping

Agree^

I remember your right up and it applies still for the most part.

Not that I advocate "not" shipping overseas....but I understand why some don't.

I sold a complete Torker to an overseas buyer a few days ago (Thailand). After getting it all packaged up in a cut down Bicycle box, I was unable to ship the box due to some USPS size requirement. Not sure if its Thailand specific rules, but you can not ship a box to Thailand with a total circumference of 79"

Not only do I have to try and get more shipping $$ since my original quote of $160 wasn't enough , I now have to break down the box and pack it in 2 separate boxes...which I'm pretty sure is going to be even more $$

I stopped shipping overseas mainly because once the package left my hands, there was no way to track it or prove that it had arrived, unless the bidder was willing to pay for express mail, which nobody ever was, except a few guys in Japan. This left me uncomfortable, especially when I shipped expensive items. International bidders are also notorious for not understanding that large, heavy packages can cost a small fortune to ship, especially to countries that have size limitations. Finally, after being called a thief, liar, crook, scam artist, etc. a few times by stupid, impatient bidders who could not accept the fact that surface shipping, which they requested because it's cheaper than airmail, takes 4-6 weeks to arrive and not 4-6 minutes, I said "enough is enough". With a few exceptions, I haven't shipped internationally since then, and I don't miss it. And although it wasn't a factor at the time, I can't print USPS labels at home for international shipments, which would force me to wait in line at the Post Office. So no, I don't ship internationally, and no, I don't have any regrets about it.

This topic always rages when it comes around...I've had 2 problems (out of about 300 transactions) in about 4 years and the rest have been totally smooth sailing...I have bought and sold to just about everywhere in the world, and perhaps because I'm in Australia and we are fairly isolated it is nice to think that there are no real borders...In saying that, clear and proper communication, insurance, tracking, along with comprehensive packaging is a must....

I love this...just love this...thanks for sharing the same feeling Alano...We are not one of those out there.

Not sure if ever dealt with Bill before but Darren is great guy to deal with.

Cheers
Natty

This is another one....it is true..."In saying that, clear and proper communication, insurance, tracking, along with comprehensive packaging is a must...."

I know the guy who just bought that Torker....Talk to him and explain to him about the issue.

I have bought few complete bikes recently from the States and they arrived in one box (complete bike box) with no problem...not certain sure if you could not go further 79" box.

Cheers
Natty

I ve bought TONS of stuff from around the world and have only had 3 things go missing or (outright cheated) and they were all members here. 2 deals were on ebay and one was here in the for sale section.

IF its high price then pay for tracking and insurance!!!! If you want it same day delivery from 1/2 way accross the globe, then GET on a PLANE NOW.

THE UNSUNG HEROES are the Bro's who will receive goods from shippers that refuse to post outside USA and the repack properly and ship to us international collectors!!

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!!!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

X 1000000000000000000000000

Thanks Bret, Chip, StevenBven

Every time I tried shipping overseas, it was always that I was too high or there was a regulation for a certain country, blah blah blah. I had one dude in Canada complaining over a couple of bucks. I do all my domestic shipping at work and going to the post office is not worth my time. Factor in ebay listing fees, final value fees, and paypal fees and it's a added pain that I would rather not deal with.

So you guys just give up on the rest of the planet cos its too hard?? You will always get a better "end price" if you whip worldwide. If Darren Chan can ship worldwide everytime within 24 hours, he must have a trick....

You guys dont have to go to the post office twice!!!

www.usps.com has a great calculator for ANY postage in the world and if you measure and weigh your items properly is VERY acurate.

waza speaks the truth. and that truth has been stated over and over yet it'll fall on deaf ears. don't you love some of us americans?

by the way, USPS prices have gone up a lot for US shipping. I just had to switch to Fedex for larger items. their site is not nearly as friendly as USPS but I'm hoping that changes. probably need to figure out if and how they handle worldwide shipping. (example, an 11 pound efficiently sized frame box costs close to $40 to ship halfway across the country now, but fedex is approx. 12 bucks.)

Well, I decided to allow international bidding and sold my flights to 'retrocycles' in Oz. Good communicator and has already paid. I have the box packed and postage is on it and it will go out in the morning. I will continue to sell internationally unless I run into someone with bad history.

Thanks again,
GRIZZ

Why not say that if things go wrong, you wont sell anything more to THEM - why tarnish everyone that doesnt live in the US just because you have one transaction go pear shaped. This just does not make sense to me.

Because it is such a royal pain when a transaction goes "pear shaped" that after it happens a few times, most people don't want to take the chance that it'll ever happen again.

speaking of shipping overseas.....hey waza, just tonight I was cleaning out ancient boxes of my old junk and found a nos set of kos cruiser decals still in the sealed bag and the winners' choice sticker on the front (750-011).

do you by chance need a set for your collection? PM me if interested.