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Last Post Aug 10, 2009 1:57 AM by: americanfs
Replies: 185
laylas@ebay.com
Posts: 42

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Feb 28, 2008 2:31 PM
Hi Everyone:

We would like to share some suggested Best Practices for high detailed seller ratings (DSRs)

Selling internationally is a growing trend among eBay sellers. Here are some suggestions to help you create more international appeal for your products, minimize questions from international buyers and improve your ratings.

Describing your item
Provide global sizes and other product specifications when available. Include foreign sizes for clothing and provide measurements in metric units. Some electronics and media may not work in all countries due to differences in voltage, plugs, or formats. Offer this information prominently in your listings to avoid confusion or buyer dissatisfaction and avoid listing your item in countries where the item will not work.

Clearly state any international limits to your return policy or warranties. For example, if you don't cover international return postage or have specific warranty limitations, spell it out in your listing and other communications.


Research trade restrictions. It may not be legal to trade your item in some countries or you may need a special license, especially for foods, weapons and some branded items. Please review eBay's policies on prohibited and restricted items as well as the UPS Global Advisor and the USPS International Mail Manual for more information.
Communicating

Be clear about international response times. Mention in your communication policy that it may take a day longer to respond to buyers in different time zones. Use the Time Zone Converter to help customers gauge your business day.

Communicate more with your international buyers. Go the extra mile and make sure your communications address common concerns such as shipping time. Consider having a special email & FAQs for your international customers.


Emphasize your international experience. International buyers are looking for sellers who are experienced with international selling. If you have expertise in selling to certain markets or specialize in any international services, make this clear in your listing.


Include an international section in your listing. Presenting your international trade, shipping and other details in one easy-to-find, prominent area can help attract more buyers, minimize confusion, and help with a smooth transaction.


Take care with your terminology and avoid slang. Keeping your descriptions clear and simple makes it easier for your international buyers to understand and translate.
Shipping time and charges

Specify shipping destinations and rates. Be clear about the specific regions or countries you ship to, and your international shipping costs, in the "Shipping Details" section of your listing. Use eBay's Global Shipping Calculator to make country-specific pricing easier and more visible. Listings with shipping costs specified in the Shipping details have higher conversion rates and receive better detailed seller ratings (DSRs) for shipping and handling costs and shipping time.


Explain customs, duties & tax responsibilities: Let international buyers know they may be responsible for customs fees and experience longer shipping times due to customs-related delays. Let them know they can find more help with customs forms from the USPS, UPS, and World Customs Organization sites.


Represent the value of the item (closing price) accurately on customs forms. And don't mark an international item as a gift on customs forms. It's against the law.


Offer multiple shipping services. Some buyers will pay more for fast, trackable service, while other buyers may prefer a longer shipping time to save money. Offering a trackable service can dramatically improve the customer experience, especially for international buyers.


Offer trackable shipping services for higher priced goods. Tracking can provide an extra layer of protection on higher priced goods. Buyers feel more confident when you provide them with an electronic delivery confirmation, which is required for PayPal's Seller protection program. Shipping services that provide international tracking numbers include USPS (both International Priority and International Express), UPS (all services), FedEx (all services), and DHL (all services).

Other international trade best practices:
Use PayPal for international payments. With coverage against unauthorized charges in over 190 countries, PayPal makes international payments safer than ever.


List on eBay sites in multiple countries. While international buyers often come to the U.S. site to buy, they are also often browsing other eBay sites for the item. Listing in all your main trading markets gives you greater exposure and more bidding activity. Your eBay ID works on all eBay sites, and PayPal allows you to list in 17 currencies. When selling across borders, be aware of country regulations and restrictions.
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aleks-02
Posts: 1
(40 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

May 2, 2008 5:49 AM
Hi.
I from Russia. Can I be the seller on www.ebay.com?
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robmorrison
Posts: 34
(41 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

May 2, 2008 9:47 AM
I found the catch-22 with International Priority. Insurance is not offered for flat rate envelopes. Flat rate envelopes is what all buyers want, since the rates are cheap, about $11 for the large size (for which you can print a label through the Paypal system). Insurance is only offered for normal packages, and the rates for them are almost as high as for Express Mail. So no real advantage. I'm waiting for a quote from DSI.
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frances5888
Posts: 204
(42 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

May 9, 2008 8:25 AM
for international tracking with customs tracking number.
my post office discards them It was not helpful to me. check with your post office, see if they are kept, copy of the customers tracking number.
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mickey1878
Posts: 1
(43 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

May 14, 2008 8:42 PM
With the new hike in shipping prices I feel that international buyers anr been driven away.
I think they feel we are trying to make an extra buck on shipping.
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jamiw702
Posts: 1
(44 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

May 15, 2008 10:24 AM
I want to start shipping internationally ( Canada UK only right now) but I have no clue about customs etc. I also only want to use DHL ( Have an account and was told they are best internationally)

Some one PLEASE help Me .

I sell scrapbooking supplies which I hear are popular to buy on ebay from abroad b/c of dollar and huge markup in europe.
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station-de-fashion
Posts: 2
(45 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jun 2, 2008 6:55 AM
I'm selling internationally but my buyers always complain about the long shipping time which is not controlled by me.I've already indicate how many days it takes for shipping day in the description but most of them never notice it and just leave me negative rating..I feel it's very unfair for sellers.
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wishywashy71
Posts: 21
(46 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jun 6, 2008 7:59 PM
EBAY needs to re-think their DSR RATING SYSTEM Big time!! I can't have a 4.7 or 4.8 rating for ship time or shipping fee's unless I send them priority for $11 to $35 dollars and EAT THE SHIPPING FEES!! You can give all the advise you want about HOW TO KEEP HIGH DSR RATINGS SELLING INTERNATIONALLY but its all a bunch of bla bla bla!! I think EBAY needs to lower the standards on shipping time & shipping fees if the seller offers INTERNATIONAL shipping. Someone somewhere didn't have all of there marbles when they thought of this so called "wonderful system"! I'm sorry if I sound bitter but in order for me to keep my DSR up.. that would force me to stop selling to International buyers. GUESS WHAT?????????? EBAY CAN TAKE THEIR 5 OR 15% FINAL VALUE FEE DISCOUNT AND KEEP IT!!! I'm holding back on what I'd really like to say. I'm not about to ship for free just so EBAY can profit on my final value fees and give me a little percentage of my own money!! HILARIOUS!! I've done the math and that percentage off from final value fees isn't as much as my normal shipping! I tried shipping for free on a few auctions and I'm losing left and right!!! THE ONLY ONE WHO PROFITS FROM THIS NEW DSR RATING SYSTEM IS EBAY. ANY EBAY EMPLOYEE WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT??????? I DIDN'T THINK SO. I've been in accounting most of my life, so I can add up the totals very easily. Someones making some fat cash & Its not me. I guess what I'm trying to say is Ebay is really squatting on the sellers and moral is WAY DOWN!! HAVE YOU SEEN HOW MANY SELLERS HAVE PACKED UP AND LEFT EBAY?? I HAVE!! SAD BUT TRUE!! Ebay will find out soon enough that there are competitors that are just waiting to create another web site to knock Ebay off the chart.... & guess what?? Your making it really easy for them by making all of the dedicated sellers furious with Ebay!! Hmmm... someone needs to really re-think a few things. From all of the postings I've seen today.... Wow!! I don't feel so alone now!! I guess I'm not the only seller who feels stepped on, pushed around, and basically treated like a peice of %^&*. WITHOUT THE SELLERS... THERE WOULD BE NO BUYERS?????? THINK ABOUT THAT ONE.
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lategr8
Posts: 15
(47 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jun 9, 2008 7:27 AM
International Priority does NOT offer tracking
IT ONLY GIVES YOU A CUSTOMS # >>>NO TRACKING AND NO CONFIRMATION
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dtmedin
Posts: 1,172
(48 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jun 9, 2008 12:05 PM
International Priority does NOT offer tracking
IT ONLY GIVES YOU A CUSTOMS # >>>NO TRACKING AND NO CONFIRMATION


What you say is true of International Priority Flat Rate Envelope. The other grades of Priority *sometimes* offer Delivery Confirmation. However, you are nowhere near assured of adequate DC to meet Paypal's SPP, at time of mailing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
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**golden**bubbles**
Posts: 11
(49 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jun 11, 2008 9:26 PM
I spent the last month in purgatory (**Lowered Search Ranking**) as my eBay reward for shipping internationally the last eight years.

With the potential DSR penalties, it's not worth it for small and mid-sized sellers... regardless of all the love in the room from eBay pinks trying to encourage it.
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summerdayss
Posts: 267
(50 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jun 15, 2008 5:03 PM
I'm in the U.S and I have a buyer that wants me to ship to Canada. Package will be approx 3 lbs.
Buyer will pay between $275.00 to $450.00 for the item, as there is an opening bid and a buy it now price.
How can I ship this itme so I can track, and Paypal will approve? The buyer will pay through Paypal.
Thank you so much for your time.
Summer
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mtkuna
Posts: 7
(51 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jun 21, 2008 5:57 PM
As a seller the best thing you can do is. DONT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY unless the winning bidder is willing to fork over the high price of express insured delivery with tracking. I sold an item to a guy in france and he only paid for regular airmail. I offered express with tracking and insurance which he declined. I sent the item out and he stated he never received the item and now wants to go to paypal for his money back - Even though my auction clearly stated that the buyers assume all shipping problems with regular airmail. THE BEST THING A SELLER CAN DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES IS . DONT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY. GETTING BURNED 1 OUT OF 100 TIMES IS ONE TOO MANY.
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gardenadude
Posts: 9
(52 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jun 22, 2008 11:41 AM
Use PayPal for international payments. With coverage against unauthorized charges in over 190 countries, PayPal makes international payments safer than ever.

I disagree with this statement. It is safe for buyers to use Paypal for international payments, but until Paypal or Ebay confirms international addresses, sellers are without any protection or recourse. I quit selling high priced items internationally because of the lack of protection.

I appreciate the rest of the information - it is helpful but the Paypal statement is very misleading.
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dgtalenterprises
Posts: 120
(53 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jul 2, 2008 3:20 PM
Ok, so I'm a Powerseller and I already have the Expanded Seller Protection when shipping Internationally. However, if I ship internationally I risk my DSR's going down.. and if they go down to under 4.5 I would lose my Powerseller status, therefore I would lose the Expanded Seller Protection... which will in turn force me to stop shipping internationally... this doesn't make any sense.

I agree with you all guys, the DSR's requirements should be a little lower if you ship internationally.
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sinaifloyd
Posts: 2
(54 of 185)

Best Practices for International Trade and High DSRs

Jul 10, 2008 2:35 PM
There have several recent Chinese advertisers as Drop Shippers, etc. Has anyone had any experience either good or bad with the following companies?

Tai International Trade Company Ltd
Rongchao-technology

Should a contract be agreed upon before any business is done?

Thanks everyone!
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