I have been doing auctions on 2 or 3 different sites for the past five years.
I have found that all countries can have problems with "failure to deliver". I have lost items posting to just 30 miles away and to Australia and most points inbetween.
Most of my "losses" are small in value and represent less than one half of one percent.
For orders over £15 I insist on sending Tracked Signed For which costs an extra £5.00 on top of the actual postage costs.
I always get a proof of postage certificate from the post office so I can claim the postage costs from Royal Mail.(Sometimes they just send me 6 x First class stamps)
Once or twice with regular Stamporama customers we have agreed to credit them with the losses against future purchases.
It is annoying when something goes missing but I have met some very nice interesting people through this wonderful hobby of ours.
It also pays to be extremely methodical with your paperwork, so you can keep track of every order and payment.
I hope this helps you in your decision and the best of British Luck.
Bob,
sending FROM the US, I've never had a problem with successful delivery to any country (Canada takes forever, but is reliable, eventually).
I do not engage in the paperwork that Ian does; but I'm a penny ante seller, mostly, and can't be bothered.
I have different experiences from the company for whom I work; their international delivery record is far spottier, but sent in very different ways, and with thousands of pieces, so it's apples and oranges. I can share privately if you like.
David
I would agree with your wife as well (selling since 1985).
Thank you for your responses. They've helped me form some tentative plans. Question for Webpaper: Can you please explain why, specifically?
Bob
Sent you a PM.
I am thinking about selling stamps & covers in the Stamporama auction, but I have some concerns/questions that I'd like to discuss. I'll start a new thread for each specific topic. Here's the first:
Service to countries with dubious postal reputations:
I know that some professional dealers refuse to sell from residents or citizens of various countries which have proved to have less-than-reliable postal security. Are there countries that Stamporama sellers refuse to accept orders from? (The only restrictions I found in perusing various Stamporama auction offers was that some dealers will sell only to U.S. or Canadian clients. I'd hesitate to do that, but my wife thinks I should to make things simpler. Your thoughts will be welcomed.
Bob
re: Thinking about selling stamps & covers in auction
I have been doing auctions on 2 or 3 different sites for the past five years.
I have found that all countries can have problems with "failure to deliver". I have lost items posting to just 30 miles away and to Australia and most points inbetween.
Most of my "losses" are small in value and represent less than one half of one percent.
For orders over £15 I insist on sending Tracked Signed For which costs an extra £5.00 on top of the actual postage costs.
I always get a proof of postage certificate from the post office so I can claim the postage costs from Royal Mail.(Sometimes they just send me 6 x First class stamps)
Once or twice with regular Stamporama customers we have agreed to credit them with the losses against future purchases.
It is annoying when something goes missing but I have met some very nice interesting people through this wonderful hobby of ours.
It also pays to be extremely methodical with your paperwork, so you can keep track of every order and payment.
I hope this helps you in your decision and the best of British Luck.
re: Thinking about selling stamps & covers in auction
Bob,
sending FROM the US, I've never had a problem with successful delivery to any country (Canada takes forever, but is reliable, eventually).
I do not engage in the paperwork that Ian does; but I'm a penny ante seller, mostly, and can't be bothered.
I have different experiences from the company for whom I work; their international delivery record is far spottier, but sent in very different ways, and with thousands of pieces, so it's apples and oranges. I can share privately if you like.
David
re: Thinking about selling stamps & covers in auction
I would agree with your wife as well (selling since 1985).
re: Thinking about selling stamps & covers in auction
Thank you for your responses. They've helped me form some tentative plans. Question for Webpaper: Can you please explain why, specifically?
Bob
re: Thinking about selling stamps & covers in auction
Sent you a PM.