to post to the USA or not?

[clickbaitoz]

This is one of those ;what would you do?' posts.....

i completely forgot i even had items listed but amazingly someone in the USA bought an item on Monday, i have msged them saying i don't know if or when i can post it but will let them know. I've been recovering from bronchitis so don't want to go out to shops etc more than necessary. But posting it is not too much of a problem as i found i had a prepaid postage label so i can go & post it in a red post box instead of having to go into a post office.

BUT since nothing is really predictable & some borders have already shut down with possibly more to come, i don't think i could be sure they will even receive it? From what i know items posted within Australia will still get through border blocks as post is an essential service, but i'm not sure about items going overseas

i cant really afford to lose the $27 total they paid me if it gets lost or turns up to them in 3 mths time etc. Should i take the risk & post it or just issue them a full refund?

[porcelain_dolls_by_me]

We are posting letters and small parcels to USA every second day of so and no problems at all.  Delivery may take up to a week longer though

[ramcycle2010 · Accepted solution]

The United States is not currently one of the countries listed by Australia Post, which are known to have delivery service delays. If it were me, I would send it.

[kopenhagen5]

I have always found posting to USA very good.

Only lost one in a hundred plus.

On average 7-10 working days.

[tentrees123]

I've struggled with that dilemma also and took the reluctant step and shut down international shipping. I can't really afford the reduction in sales - nearly 50% of orders are international - but I can't afford the angst either and customers can't be blamed for wanting to get what they paid for.

With international flights severly reduced and some stopping end March I think already slow deliveries will stall for a while - so says my crystal ball. Package posted on the 13th March still hasn't left Australia (going to USA). EBAY may help with slow delivery/item not received claims at this time -may- but if you aren't shipping with tracking you are vulnerable.

Decided to cancel and refund an Etsy order today as shipping is untracked and I'll be able to afford refunds even less in a month or so.

Sorry to be negative but personally I would cancel and refund -don't forget to have transaction cancelled otherwise you'll be paying the eBay fees but since its been days you won't be refunded your PayPal fees 😫

[tentrees123]

I've never hesitated to ship to USA in the past but these are different days

[tentrees123]

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@ramcycle2010 wrote:

The United States is not currently one of the countries listed by Australia Post, which are known to have delivery service delays. If it were me, I would send it.

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Out of interest have your packages been moving? My 13th March shipment still hasn't left Australia, tho one sent on the 16th has at least been scanned and origin post preparing shipment (think I'll stop posting anything on a Friday from my little rural PO) 

SOrry -I meant this for the post above yours!!

[ramcycle2010]

I was just about to reply to you, I've not been experiencing any delays so far, but I realise this is likely to change. Recent orders sent to the USA, UK, Japan & New Zealand have all been delivered on time in the last few days. 

[tentrees123]

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@porcelain_dolls_by_me wrote:

We are posting letters and small parcels to USA every second day of so and no problems at all.  Delivery may take up to a week longer though

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Are your packages moving? One of mine is showing nothing after 13 days 😥 another took 10 days for the 'preparing shipment' scan so at least that's something

Keep safe and well everyone and please look out for each other

[clickbaitoz]

i am tending to think same, there's no saying what is going to happen in the USA, its changing daily. Also i hate to say but i find American buyers to be a bit demanding at times, and they also don't reply to msgs much either. I would love to be confident that they would be patient enough to wait for longer than normal for their item but if they're not & file a dispute i lose my $.

Also forgot to mention before that i am sending Economy Airmail as a large letter so there is no tracking. I sell magazines usually for less than $20 so sending with insurance etc really isn't worth the hassle, occasionally if i sell items on auction & they go over $40 i will offer it.