Shipping to the UK

[jb143]

Some one from the UK is asking how much it will be to ship one of my PS2 games. I havn't sold much overseas since the post office screwed around with international shipping and the last few times I tried, I underestimated the cost because I think I assumed I could use a cheaper service. Does anyone know which shipping service I need to use use?

Thanks...

[Bratwurst]

Hey hey, go here:

http://www.usps.com/tools/calculatepostage/welcome.htm

And choose the 'International' option, pick the country from a pulldown menu.

Off the top of my head, gonna run 7-8 dollars for airmail which is usually 2-3 weeks, 16-19 dollars for priority which is about 7-10 days. The UK is one of the few overseas countries Paypal will provide (domestic) seller protection for, but only if you get tracking/delivery confirmation, and you can only get that with priority rate when sending international. Bit of a double edged sword.

[jb143]

That's what I've been using to calculate it. Airmail hasn't been an option for some time now. It's all Priority Mail International and stuff like that now. The other times I've tried using that site the post office told me I couldn't ship with whatever option I used for the shipping quote. It's been a few months now so I don't remember what I was trying to use.

I'm not too concerned about getting scammed or anything, I just don't want to discourage customers with un-neccisarily high shippping charges. Although US dollar amounts probally look pretty good to overseas bidders now.

[Dragon Warrior Jasen]

JB, I do a lot of overseas selling (dollar sucks, euro and GBP are great, so they like buying from US people). I have always used Click N' Ship and it has been easy everytime. I would list it as international available, shipping dependent on location ask for a quote before bidding.

Priority International is the best option, and affordable! I sent a lot games to Sweden for around $15.

[Kitsune Sniper]

JB, I do a lot of overseas selling (dollar sucks, euro and GBP are great, so they like buying from US people). I have always used Click N' Ship and it has been easy everytime. I would list it as international available, shipping dependent on location ask for a quote before bidding.

Priority International is the best option, and affordable! I sent a lot games to Sweden for around $15.

...Yes, but you're in a military base in EUROPE. :P

Those of us in the states are screwed. Have you looked at the fees? $24 to send a one pound parcel via Priority. The costs are fucking NUTS.

Bratwurst: Priority doesn't have tracking. PayPal won't accept the label / customs number for it. EMS does have tracking, though.

[Dragon Warrior Jasen]

Kitsune, I use the FPO which still charges the same rates and it goes all the way from Italy to New York, then from New York to whereever its going... its just like its coming from New York though vice Calexico for example when calculating rates. I dont dare use the Italian Post office... i have a feeling it would get lost somewhere.

If you do your shipping from USPS.com, it creates everything for you on the fly and prints it out. Pri Shipping int'l doesnt have tracking... so make sure you tell them that if they dont want to pay for EMS!

Jasen

[jb143]

OK...so I was right about $24 shipping. It'd be $22 if I print it online though. I think last time I quoted the First-Class Mail International option which in this case would come to $4.60, the post office said I couldn't use that and I lost money on the deal. I certainly don't want to make that mistake again. I was always used to using Airmail for all my international shipments.

[Kitsune Sniper]

OK...so I was right about $24 shipping. It'd be $22 if I print it online though. I think last time I quoted the First-Class Mail International option which in this case would come to $4.60, the post office said I couldn't use that and I lost money on the deal. I certainly don't want to make that mistake again. I was always used to using Airmail for all my international shipments.

Uh, what? You can use First Class International for packages up to four pounds (and a certain width/height/length combination). As long as the box isn't too big, you can send it first class.

You got a screwy clerk there.

[jb143]

You got a screwy clerk there.

That is very likely. I think it was the same one that was treating me like a terrorist for wanting to ship a laser disk by media mail. First I had to explain to him what a laser disk was...then media mail.

So what would be prefered for a PS2 game that will more than likely not sell for more than $10?

[Kitsune Sniper]

That is very likely. I think it was the same one that was treating me like a terrorist for wanting to ship a laser disk by media mail. First I had to explain to him what a laser disk was...then media mail.

So what would be prefered for a PS2 game that will more than likely not sell for more than $10?

Stick the PS2 game in a padded bubble mailer (envelope) and send it first class. I send stuff like that all the time and I've never had problems.

[ryborg]

Stick the PS2 game in a padded bubble mailer (envelope) and send it first class. I send stuff like that all the time and I've never had problems.

Yeah, same here. I've sent literally tens of thousands of items this way and 99.99% of the time, it's arrived fine. It'll only cost like $3-4, too. No need to use PMI or EMS on an item like this. I only use it for $100+ items.

[Cornelius]

Just another option to keep in mind and will work for 1 or 2 PS2 games is a Priority Flat Rate Envelope, which I think runs $12 now. But it is no better than First-Class Intl. as far as Paypal protection goes, just a good option if the buyer would prefer a bit speedier delivery.

[Mayhem]

A single cased game in a bubble mailer to Europe via first class international will run about $6-8. Around $10 if you padded it well inside a small box.

[jb143]

OK...I offered them both first class and priority mail international. Thanks for all the tips. I'm trying to get back into ebay and everything's changed from when I was doing it full time.

[Bratwurst]

Bratwurst: Priority doesn't have tracking. PayPal won't accept the label / customs number for it.

I've shipped priority international to several countries using click and ship and have been able to pull up tracking info on the package's progress.

I think the weight limit for airmail is 13 ounces. Seriously, how much does this package weigh?

Edit: Airmail, first class, same thing.

[Cornelius]

I think the weight limit for airmail is 13 ounces.

that's the domestic limit for first-class. International goes up to 4 lbs.