American sellers on eBay.....

[Jacktal]

I'm a canadian model railroader who has developped a special interest within this great hobby.On top of running trains,I love collecting rare,unusual or simply weird items,specially big locos.

Since I model "N" scale,I found out that I don't have as much choice as,let's say,HO guys have.Even worse,model manufacturers make it a point to keep some models "unavailable" by under production policies so that even on the "new" market,you have to be incredibly lucky to set your hands on interesting models as they disappear quite fast.

So I turned towards eBay to see what I could find there.Not surprised at all,rare items on the "new" market are also rare on eBay,but what I find most annoying is that there also,there's a policy that's keeping me(and other non-american modelers) away from many great purchases.This is the "not shipping outside US" policy.

I do understand that the unit value of canadian dollar is way under the american buck's value,so I expect to put more of it in the bucket.More expensive shipping...that's OK with me too.In the end,I understand that I may not have such a great deal money wise,but if I'm willing to pay the extras to get what I'm looking for,where's the problem?There has to be a good reason for this way of doing...I'm just curious to know.

[simon1966]

I am afraid that the problem is buyer fraud. I personally have not been burned, but I know people who have shipped out of the USA to find that the buyer sent fake interantional money orders (Accepted by the bank at first) and reversed credit card charges. There is also the cost of currency transactions to deal with as well. It is much harder to go after someone outside the USA and get paid or the goods back. Also, problems with goods damaged in shipping are harder to resolve. For many e-bayers, it is simply not worth the risk or the hassle. Having said that, if you have a good e-bay rating and contact the seller before the auction, many will accept bids.

[Anonymous]

I'm on ebay and like you, I often buy weird or unusual items. I'm actually registered on ebay.ca rather than ebay.com, so the auctions of sellers that will "ship to United States only" don't come up when I look on ebay. This upsets me, too. Would you believe that I have actually seen a couple item located in Canada that say that? If the person will pay them whatever it costs to ship, who cares where they're from? A friend of mine has told me that he often bids on items that say they will only ship to the US and that he doesn't even bother asking them if they will send their items to Canada. He says that he's never had any problems. I myself wouldn't be brave enough to try that, though. However, there are many great American sellers out there who do ship to Canada, so don't feel too discouraged. I buy a great deal of items from the US. In regards to what simon1966 said about fake money orders, many sellers will only accept Paypal from buyers outside the US.

[Hudsonmike]

The post offfices here I am told want to see what is in the package if it is sent out of the US,So they want you to pack at the post office. Although I haven't had this problum.
Also some people don't live close to a post office and have to travel far to get to one.
One person I sold to does't get PO deliveries and has to go to the post office to get it.
and he only goes once a month.
So I think that the packing issue is a Local post office decission.
So E- Mail the seller and ask him if he will make am exception for you before you Bid.
And only buy threw Pay Pal
Mike

[StillGrande]

I think most people are unaware of how easy it is to ship to another country. They are afraid of the customs form and think someone will give them the third degree about the items. Usually if you ask and they accept Paypal then all the burden is on you as far as currency conversion. Heck, I even shipped to France because the guy asked nice before bidding. If you take the time to ask, I tend to give the bidder the benefit of the doubt.

Some people are also just lazy. You can get free priority mail boxes for shipping at the post office (have to ship priority though), but would have to find a box (or wrap a priority box in brown paper) to ship it out of the US).

I do think it is funny that a railcar to Canada is $3.75 (US) airmail, while the same item priority mail to my same state is $3.85 (US).

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: [i]
I do think it is funny that a railcar to Canada is $3.75 (US) airmail, while the same item priority mail to my same state is $3.85 (US).

It's the same here in Canada, it cost me less to mail parcels to the U.S. than it does within Canada. When I asked why at the Post Office they told me there are international agreements for "small packets" within many countries, and the prices are set at common (or whatever) pricing. Still seems strange to me too!

Bob Boudreau
Canada

[orsonroy]

Don't forget that Canada is a pretty strict import country, and that for items over $100, shippers may have to pay the Canadian equivalent of the VAT up front. Otherwise, Canada sends the seller a nasty gram and a tax bill (and does the same to the buyer).

Many of the larger US model RR sellers WILL ship to Canada without any problem. Just save those sellers to your "favorites" section and keep an eye on them.

But I do feel your pain. I'm here in the US, and use Peco code 75 track. Usually, it's cheaper for me to buy Peco 75 straight from the UK, but very few hobby shops over there will sell to me, or won't take off the VAT on my end. And most UK Ebay sellers won't ship to the US either...

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I sell on ebay quite frequently under the username of computersandmorepa also I have a few shops on my website http://www.pittsburghandohiorailroad.com click on the links and you will find the different store areas. There is a paypal only store there is a regular shopping cart store and soon an auction area on the site......also if you would like to direct order from me email me at [e-mail] with what you want and I will see if I have it in stock. When inquiring about what you want be specific with what scale, manufacturer, how many or roadname you like to have and I will search for that and get back to you as soon as I can with a price.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

Don't forget that Canada is a pretty strict import country, and that for items over $100, shippers may have to pay the Canadian equivalent of the VAT up front. Otherwise, Canada sends the seller a nasty gram and a tax bill (and does the same to the buyer).

You're way off base here. Shippers to Canada don't have to pay any taxes. They are collected from the buyer.

BB in Canada

[Anonymous]

I think the problem is shipping cost, a lot of sellers on Ebay overcharge on shipping. They are unaware of international costs and don't want to bother. I have never had a box opened at the P.O. for international shipping, but you do have to fill out a customs form of the contents in the package.

[Budliner]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dlwfan

I think the problem is shipping cost, a lot of sellers on Ebay overcharge on shipping. They are unaware of international costs and don't want to bother. I have never had a box opened at the P.O. for international shipping, but you do have to fill out a customs form of the contents in the package.

hay thats what UPS has us do (discribe contents)



the bud