This week's Blog Carnival is brought to us by JAC-BER CREATIONS and she gives us options of talking about "Down Under". I have never had the opportunity to visit any countries in the southern hemisphere, but I have had the pleasure of shipping some of my items there. In fact, I had to learn a hard lesson recently about shipping to Australia! 
I received a rush order recently for an order to Australia. The buyer was willing to pay the extra for Express International shipping, so everything was set. The USPS website said it should arrive in 3-5 days, so it would get there in time. Apparently when it says 3-5 days, it really means 3 days to whenever they decide to delivery it. The item sat in customs for over 10 days! And then I was informed that in order to get guaranteed 3-5 days delivery, I would have had to mail it Global Express...which would have cost $90!!! So not only am I out my shipping cost, but my customer didn't get her item in time either! This was a hard lesson to learn, but now I am well aware of how International shipping works! And I know not to guarantee any international deliveries!
I received a rush order recently for an order to Australia. The buyer was willing to pay the extra for Express International shipping, so everything was set. The USPS website said it should arrive in 3-5 days, so it would get there in time. Apparently when it says 3-5 days, it really means 3 days to whenever they decide to delivery it. The item sat in customs for over 10 days! And then I was informed that in order to get guaranteed 3-5 days delivery, I would have had to mail it Global Express...which would have cost $90!!! So not only am I out my shipping cost, but my customer didn't get her item in time either! This was a hard lesson to learn, but now I am well aware of how International shipping works! And I know not to guarantee any international deliveries!
Luckily I had a great, understanding customer! She could tell from the tracking info that I had shipped it when I said I did and that it left the US within 3 days. She was very nice and understanding through the whole process and has finally received her item :)
This may have been a hard lesson to learn, but I do love shipping International orders :) I love knowing that my items are traveling the world, even when I may not get to.
Have you learned any lessons lately that you'd like to share?
I hate having no control like that--so glad your customer was understanding and received her item finally!
ReplyDeleteI just paid $45 dollars to ship an item I charged $24 for shipping because I had NO CLUE that because of the size of the box it was REQUIRED to go Priority International... huh? Live and learn...
ReplyDeleteOrangies Attic
Ugh. What horrible lessons to learn. I have heard horror stories with international shipping because it is harder to track. Luckily, I did not have any problems when I sold bags.
ReplyDeleteWow..thanks for this. I will definitely keep this mind if I ever ship internationally.
ReplyDeleteI shipped a package to Thailand and sent it Priority Mail which was supposed to take 6-10 days. It ended up taking 21 days and arrived just in the nick of time as my customer was there temporarily and leaving for Denmark the next day!
ReplyDeleteShipping international sucks in that there isn't a way to track packages unless you pay crazy shipping costs. I had a similar experience recently with Express shipping to Australia. It says 3-5 days, but my package didn't even reach the country until 7 days after it was shipped! Lame. I wish there was better way to accommodate rush orders to other countries.
ReplyDeleteOh my! I am glad that you had an understanding customer. The ability to track and confirm and order can be a life saver some times. I have been looking into international shipping and am thinking it is time to go through with it, but I must admit it is stories like this that make me hesitant.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I've heard horror stories about customs and international shipping. It's lucky you had an understanding customer!
ReplyDeleteglad you had an understanding customer. I think we all are getting used to waiting for things through the mail! {:-D
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I haven't been fortunate enough yet to sell to someone down under, but now I know to warn the client about timing. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm glad your customer was so understanding! I've shipped to Australia, but only with First Class International. It always makes me nervous since there is no tracking, but, knock on wood, no problems with any international shipments so far!!
ReplyDelete