Question:
I just sold a couple of cross stitch pattern books to a buyer in Japan. I've not had a lot of international sales, matter of fact 1 to Italy, 1 to Germany and a couple to England.
I know that some of you sell a lot of fabric to Japanese buyers so I am asking for some advice on shipping so that I can send an email with a final price.
The USPS site quotes Global Priority Flat at $9 and air letter at $3.50. Naturally I will give the buyer both choices but wanted to ask here first if I will run into any problems about the air letter at the USPS with an 10x12 envelope.
I'm kind of excited at this sale! Not much in money but it's always fun to sell to someplace new!
~~arkay
Answer:
arkay, I can't think of any reason why you would have a problem with Air Letter Post for the pattern books. I might pack them in a padded envelope instead of just a paper one but that's just me. I offer both Air Letter Post or Global Priority depending on how much fabric they buy. I'm pretty flexible and will even ship Surface which a lot of fabric sellers won't. Until I have a problem I will continue to ship any old way the buyer wants!
Congrats on the sale!
Answer:
You should not have any problems shipping Air Letter Post. Most will choose this method, especially on lightweight items like booklets. Heavier items will ship cheaper Ground, and I have shipped many things this way - lately my jigsaw puzzles to Scotland, Australia & Germany. I do seal all my items in plastic bags for the trip, just in case.
I just sold some cross-stitch booklets that are going to Iceland and Australia, and shipped Air Letter Post.
When I put up novelty feedsacks or other fabrics, I do get bidders from Japan. Most know that a yard of fabric can be squeezed in a $5 Global Priority envelope.
My International buyers keep my stuff movin'. It isn't much extra trouble, just a custom form to fill out, and I can't just put in my mailbox, but have to make the 3-mile trip to P.O. I try to combine all my shipping together, so I don't have to make too many runs, tho it is not a bad drive. Kinda nice really...rolling foothills through farms and such, and the little P.O. is very small and friendly....no parking problems and hardly ever a line more than 2 people (I usually have to ring the bell to get someone to come to front).
Well......guess I'd better dig out my Christmas fabric and get my pictures done.
Congrats, arkay. Keep up the good work!
Grace
Answer:
Thanks!
She wants airmail letter post.
I wrap all of my books etc up in waxed paper before
putting them in an envelope. And then I try to use
Tyvek envelopes (need to get some more of those).
I would never have thought of that but I got a couple
of books from a big mystery store in NY wrapped that
way. Waxed paper doesn't tear as easily as plastic.
I was really surprised.
~~arkay
Answer:
I never thought of using waxed paper, I thought it would be less strong and waterproof than plastic. Guess I learned something.
I just sold 2 of my regular feedsacks (not quilting fabric ones, but 100# feed ones) to a buyer in Japan. She used BIN and wants me to ship by ship. I had given her an invoice for Global Priority at $9, but I guess that was too high. Ground will take up to 2 months sometimes, but it is only $4.70 for the 2 bags.
Answer:
Were they floral feedsacks?
I'm trying to decide whether or not to list some feedsacks or if I should piece a top (to sell after it's quilted) or cut/sell sack quarters. The main thing is to get the highest price, as the sacks are 'owned' by the women's group at church and the money goes to them or to MCC (relief agency).
I also need to take into account my time...I won't have a lot of extra free time the next few months. But I could wait to do anything until next year, I guess.
I did some searches for feedsacks last night on ebay, but I just got more confused overall. Anyone here have an opinion?
Elaine
Answer:
Elaine-
I will freely admit that I know absolutely NOTHING about fabrics!
I have 30 to 40 pieces that I want to put up for sale but since I am absolutely ignorant about them, they languish in boxes.
Maybe I'll get brave this winter.
Good luck on your feedsacks!
~~arkay
Answer:
I don't think I'd use waxed paper, unless you mean the coated freezer paper.
I do think strong plastic bags (new ones, not recycled shopping bags) are much more water-tight. I use them as the first layer on nearly everything I ship, especially books.
But maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean Arkay.
Also, what's a big mystery store? (miss curious wants to know...)
Elaine
Answer:
Originally Posted by ~~arkay Elaine-
I will freely admit that I know absolutely NOTHING about fabrics!
I have 30 to 40 pieces that I want to put up for sale but since I am absolutely ignorant about them, they languish in boxes.
Maybe I'll get brave this winter.
Good luck on your feedsacks!
~~arkay Well, take some pictures and let us help.
We like a challenge! Just be sure at least one of the photos are close-up with a quarter or something on 'em so we can tell scale and weave....
Elaine
Answer:
I guess that was a little mysterious huh?
I read mainly mysteries so it was a mystery book store
that was actually called the Mystery Book Store.
Close down .
And no, it's just regular waxed paper. Two wraps with
it and it is very impenetrable and I haven't had any
problems with wetness. Of course, I haven't sent a package
anywhere yet that it might sit out in the snow and sleet
etc so I may change how I ship for the winter months.
~~arkay