Question about selling

[charlesu]

Why do people in the US say Con US only? More specifically, what is the concern with selling and shipping to someone in Canada?

[yeamans17]

Why do people in the US say Con US only? More specifically, what is the concern with selling and shipping to someone in Canada?

Shipping outside the US can be a pain in the ass sometimes. There is extra paperwork, customs fees, USPS wont issue a delivery confirmation number outside the country. Its generally cheaper/easier to just sell within the country.

[TimeTraveler]

I always assumed it referred to Alaska and Hawaii-they aren't considered part of the continental US.
Canada isn't US at all is it?
I shipped an item to Alaska once and it was a real kick in the ballbag,price-wise.

[88Wally]

I'm glad someone asked that question. Our U.S. friends should be interested in selling north of the border. Our dollar is strong so we can absorb higher shipping costs and you expand your market by 30 million people.

Here is a tip...use USP Worldwide Saver. It's the most expensive but there are no brokerage charges. Tack on a little duty (depending on where it is made) and a little GST and you will have you purchase in 2-3 days...door to door. Fully traceable and you can see the delivery receipt online.

[Bruce_Bird]

I have a different question on selling from someone who may have done an international trade...

If your doing a swap/trade of lens/cameras, how does it work? who sends what first? Im concerned with sending something and getting nothing back. I've bought several items off here, but with the trade there are some excellent trades to be had.

[tommykjensen]

Shipping outside the US can be a pain in the ass sometimes. There is extra paperwork, customs fees, USPS wont issue a delivery confirmation number outside the country. Its generally cheaper/easier to just sell within the country.

I don't know how much paperwork is involved so can't say if its too much of a bother.

But the cost excuse. I don't get that. If buyer is willing to pay what it costs and accept any risks involved then what is the problem ?

[tommykjensen]

I have a different question on selling from someone who may have done an international trade...

If your doing a swap/trade of lens/cameras, how does it work? who sends what first? Im concerned with sending something and getting nothing back. I've bought several items off here, but with the trade there are some excellent trades to be had.

In my opinion it really dones not matter if it is a straigth sale or a swap. Someone needs to be the one that initiate the transaction. Unless you use a third party to do the actual swap-over.

For me if I sell seomthing I want money first before I send anything. When I buy I accept that seller wants money first. I really have not done any swap but so don't know how I would do that.

Reagardless of method there will always be a risk you need to assess before initiating a transaction.

[charlesu]

So I still don't have a good feel for this. I am selling a body and have interest from Canada, but am unclear on any risks. If it is just shipping and the buyer will pay that then is there really an issue?

[88Wally]

So I still don't have a good feel for this. I am selling a body and have interest from Canada, but am unclear on any risks. If it is just shipping and the buyer will pay that then is there really an issue?


The buyer may also have to pay brokerage, duty and tax. You just make it clear to the buyer that those are his responsibility. We (Canadians) are well aware of the associated costs. Package it up and ship it...done!

Hope that helps.

[asysin2leads]

I usually sell CONUS, but would be willing to ship to Canada or even OCOUNUS if the buyer is pays actual shipping charges and any charges associated with it. We had a package come today from Canada (Leapster games) that got hung in Customs for some bizarre reason. They were suppose to be here on Monday, but just got here today. Anything can happen.

[MDJAK]

Finally something I have experience with. At least I think I do.

Well, I don't have experience shipping to anywhere outside the Con US. For me, it's just not worth any hassle doing so. I price my items so competitively, meaning low, that they sell immediately and I don't need to expand my audience.

Second, I never use the USPS. Their tracking is a joke compared to Fed Ex or UPS.

Third, I bought a lens on Ebay. It was expensive but a good deal. I paid $4,200 for the Nikon 200-400 f4. That was when the lens sold new for $5,000. The listing explicitly said I'd be responsible for duty. About two weeks later I got a bill from UPS for over $300.

I later sold the lens for $5,000 so I made out on the deal anyway.

Michael Reichmann, of Luminous-Landscape.com once listed many of his items for sale. I emailed him (as I do regularly to point out typos) and indicated I felt he was not fully disclosing the fact that US buyers would have to pay duty. He's located in Toronto. He told me there is no duty to be paid. I'm still wondering if UPS ripped me off.

mark

[88Wally]

Finally something I have experience with. At least I think I do.

Well, I don't have experience shipping to anywhere outside the Con US. For me, it's just not worth any hassle doing so. I price my items so competitively, meaning low, that they sell immediately and I don't need to expand my audience.

Second, I never use the USPS. Their tracking is a joke compared to Fed Ex or UPS.

Third, I bought a lens on Ebay. It was expensive but a good deal. I paid $4,200 for the Nikon 200-400 f4. That was when the lens sold new for $5,000. The listing explicitly said I'd be responsible for duty. About two weeks later I got a bill from UPS for over $300.

I later sold the lens for $5,000 so I made out on the deal anyway.

Michael Reichmann, of Luminous-Landscape.com once listed many of his items for sale. I emailed him (as I do regularly to point out typos) and indicated I felt he was not fully disclosing the fact that US buyers would have to pay duty. He's located in Toronto. He told me there is no duty to be paid. I'm still wondering if UPS ripped me off.

mark

Mark,

Under NAFTA there shouldn't be any duty on camera gear but sometimes the border will charge it by mistake. My guess is you got charged brokerage by UPS which is why I always use UPS Worldwide Saver. There are no other fees charged by UPS. You should have also received a breakdown of exactly what you were charged with.