They don’t call it the”world wide web” for nothing. If you aren’t cashing in on international buyers you are losing money to put things bluntly. Some people think it’s too difficult, and others think people from other countries ‘aren’t trust worthy’ for whatever reason.
I’ve been buying, selling, and trading merchandise online for many years off, and on. I started doing it because I loved trading cards. I would mail collectibles back and forth to people, and it gets to be pretty fun. I’ve sent mail to virtually every state in the US, and many countries. I’ve made friends in places like Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and Canada. Even though I’ve yet to visit those places.
When I started selling on eBay I easily saw my profits double just by doing one simple thing. I offered international shipping on my items. This may involve the simple task of filling out a claims form, but that’s really about it. You can easily calculate international shipping just like domestic. If you really don’t want to deal with it they also have interational priority flat rate boxes - just like the standard ones.
Some of the best transactions I’ve had have been with people in other countries. It’s been a rich experience being able to talk, and do business with those people. I really wish I’d have been keeping a list all those years ago just to see where all my stuff has gone to. I know that I have sent many packages to the Netherlands. They seem to be big ebay shoppers there.
Some things to watch out for..
*Varying rates
Rates vary from country to country (I know Autralia is particularly expensive). Put up a shipping calculator on your website or ebay listing so people can get their own quote before buying.
*Package weight/size
If boxes weigh over a certain amount, or are oddly shape you may be required to pay extra. Be aware of any weight limits on shipping methods. Some are only good for packages under a certain weight.
*Transit time
Be aware that transit time can be unreliable. It’s best to have a tracking number to know where things are. It could take a couple of weeks for something to clear international mail. Most buyers will be well aware of this time frame, and very patient.
*Customs forms
You may need to fill out a customs form. This is no big deal though! These include information like where the package is coming from, who it’s going to, value of contents, and what’s inside. Basically, the idea is to be alerted if there’s any potentially hazardous material inside.
*Product taboos
Be aware of the types of material you can send into other countries. There are strict customs laws on certain items such as flammable things, food, and live cargo. If you’re sending clothes, books, or anything else harmless this should not be a problem for you.
*Regional information
Make sure your listing specifically includes important region information. Certain electronics like DVD players, or game systems may not be univeral for all countries. Make sure to state anything that will be important to international buyers.
Related Posts -
Garner A Big Interest Rate With P2P Lending! I'm always on the look out for interesting investment opportunities, and I may have found it with P2P lending. This venue is still fairly new, and not for the feint of heart, but the interest rates could make some drool. When banks are offering a pathetic rates for a CD...... - Make money from home - Sell affiliate products using facebook ads! Everyone knows facebook now a days. Even your 80 year old auntie is probably working the night away playing farmville! There are many mixed opinions about facebook, but one things is certain – the audience is huge. It's also very diverse! Using some targeted ads, and the right product you......
-
Lessons learned from struggling entrepreneurs in other countries I've never been a fan of traditional charities, because you can never be sure where the money is going. Kiva is an organization working with micro lenders world wide to help people better themselves. All of these hopeful business people are quite inspiring, and may have you wondering what's...... - Using the Internet to Find Your Niche This is a guest post by Theresa Truscott The Internet is a wonderful place where users can find a great deal of information. However, many are not aware that the Internet is also where some savvy entrepreneurs can find lucrative business opportunities. Internet niche marketing is just one example of......
-
Buried under paperwork - How to start a business the right way I recently did another article where I mentioned starting a home based business instead of falling for one of those product job scams. I was very interested in this for a long time, and did a lot of research on it - So I thought i'd share for anybody......
Related Websites - 10 Ways To Make Money Online Starting From Scratch Whether you are brand new, or you need to go back to the basics and start from scratch, we will look 10 ways to make money online in this article. Making money online is easy to do when you approach it correctly. 1. Build an email list and promote products......
-
Get Out of Business Liquidation Sales: Not A True Bargain Liquidation sales appear to be a place where you may find a lot of great deals. But recently, I came upon some eye-opening facts about the liquidation business. Some of you may already be aware of this but I don’t think everyone necessarily knows about the truth behind some of...... -
Yoga for Busy People Too! Do you think you are too busy to exercise? Can't fit in a lengthy yoga session every morning? Don't worry, there is yoga for busy people too. Here is a quick and easy yoga sequence that you can do at home, in the office at lunch or whenever you need...... - Kiva: A Microfinance Story for the Digital Age (Our Kiva Review) Although Microfinance initiatives have been around for some time, they did not gain significant notoriety until Matt Flannery and Jessica Flannery (Jessica Jackley) founded the organization we know as Kiva in October of 2005. Nearly five years after the organization’s founding, donors have loaned more than $117 million to entrepreneurs......
-
Learning About Hidden Credit Card Charges It is very tempting to get an offer for a new credit card with a low interest rate, but make sure to read the fine print on the application or you could find they are charging you fees that were hidden in the small print and that you are subject......
Recent Comments