Need help with auction re: shipping/Ins

[madeka19]

The template requires that I put in a fee for insurance but how can I do this when I don't know how much the auction is going to end at? The fee for insurance changes depending on the amount it is insured for.

Also how can I put a fee in for international shipping when it will be different for each country I ship to. I want buyers to email me for a shipping quote.

The template doesn't allow me to leave these fields blank. What do I do? Thanks for any help.

[biggfredd]

You figure insurance based on the expected selling price. If it sells for enough more to justify insuring at the next bracket, be tickled you got more money and take the buck out of your pocket.

In either case, insurance is not optional, since it protects you, not the buyer. Any time a seller gives me the option, I pass, because they are still liable for loss or damage.

[gypsumoon]

If you use calculated shipping, you can't get the insurance to adjust depending on the high bid amount. If you use flat shipping, you can. Why Inkfrog doesn't fix this is beyond me. I don't mind paying the extra insurance if an item goes over $50 - I'm grateful! - but it does seem strange that IF can't or won't fix such a small thing.

As to your second question - are you sure that the international shipping rates will be different depending on the country? The only positive thing I've noticed about the rate hikes/international shipping changes that took place in the USPS this past May is that first class international costs the same no matter what country it's going to - if it weighs 2 lbs. and costs, say, $9.50 to ship to England, it's going to be the same to any other country, except for Canada and Mexico. So I just stick in my shipping terms what the rate would be to Canada, and then to any other country. And I say in the shipping terms that international buyers should e-mail with any questions before the auction ends. Does anybody actually read this? http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/lol.gif Yes, some of them actually do.

Cindy at Gypsum Moon
http://stores.ebay.com/Gypsum-Moon?refid=store

[madeka19]

Thank you for your response. How do you get it to adjust using flat shipping? Also, what I am shipping is heavy and has to go priority international so the rates are different by country. I checked on USPS website. I also checked FedEx and UPS, they are cheaper but the price still varies by country.

[gypsumoon]

Well, dang, madeka19, I said it backwards - my bad!

With calculated shipping, the insurance will adjust. Look to the right of the drop-down menu where "Optional" is your first choice, and it says: Calculated based on the final item price. It's the flat shipping that won't change the insurance amount. Remember that you can charge whatever you want for insurance, so if you're expecting the item to go higher, and you don't want to pay the difference, just put in the insurance amount that corresponds to what you think the item will sell for. Or, if you're using calculated shipping, don't worry about it, it'll adjust itself after the auction ends.

For your international shipping, you can select "will ship internationally", and then just don't offer any shipping options/services down under International Shipping. Tell them in your shipping terms that they have to e-mail you, giving you the country that they're from, for a quote. But don't be surprised if you have a few international folks who go ahead and bid without checking with you ahead of time - it always happens.

Cindy at Gypsum Moon
http://stores.ebay.com/Gypsum-Moon?refid=store

[madeka19]

Thank you for your help!

[doublv]

Ewe really have this figured out, huh!http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/cool.gif

ViVa

Life is a dream.

[biggfredd]

I also checked FedEx and UPS, they are cheaper but the price still varies by country.
Just a side note which is true with UPS (dunno about FedUp):

UPS is only cheaper to the seller. When they hit the border, they charge something like $35 to walk the item through customs. Buyers who look up the cheaper rate don't know about this, and you're the one who catches hell when they're socked for $35 to get their package.

[twisttolife]

For your international shipping, you can select "will ship internationally", and then just don't offer any shipping options/services down under International Shipping. Tell them in your shipping terms that they have to e-mail you, giving you the country that they're from, for a quote. But don't be surprised if you have a few international folks who go ahead and bid without checking with you ahead of time - it always happens.

Another option is to set your international shipping cost to the same rate as for Germany and you are covered for all...for USPS.

[itzbruce]

you're the one who catches hell when they're socked for $35 to get their package.
Or...even worse...
The buyer can refuse to pay the UPS/FedEx brokerage fee and still receive their package.
Several months later, you will receive an invoice in the mail!
This happened to me ONE TIME and I have NEVER used either company for international again!

*****************
Bruce

[msmikee]

I really appreciate the UPS info. They stuck it to me 6 years ago and wouldn't pay off on insurance for an expensive guitar amp they damaged and I haven't used them since. I recently called a UPS store in my area for a quote, but the kids in the shop were goofy, so we didn't use them.

I only insist on insurance if the item is over say $50. and then, depending on the profit margin, we pick up the cost. We have been having too many problems with international buyers so we stopped selling outside the U.S. We still get the occasional person buy from us anyway, and I usually let it go as long as they pay promptly and the shipping is covered and isn't a hassle.

We use stamps.com for shipping and their insurance is cheaper than USPS and they have paid off with no problems when there was a damage issue. I have had a few issues with stamps though, so it isn't always rosy going with them; however, overall, stamps works best for us because we don't have to leave home to buy postage.
ship.