Do you add Canada in your shipping options?

[Former_Member]

I shop A LOT on Etsy! In fact, I think I shop more on Etsy than real life shopping... other than groceries. lol.

When I shop on Etsy, I don't understand why many shops do not add Canada in the shipping options. I know the U.S. has the largest group of buyers, but I'd like to think that Canada is pretty up there in terms of customers.

I have to admit that I will pass by a shop if they don't have Canada listed in the shipping options unless it's something I absolutely have to have. I guess I'm just lazy to ask.

So, why do you or do not add Canada to your shipping options?

[Former_Member]

I opened my shop in Nov 2012, and committed to ship to Canada from the get-go.

Here are my reasons why.

First, In the early 1990's on a mineral buying trip to the Tucson shows, I befriended a young Canadian couple who lived in Banff and made jewelry. They sowed the seed for me about online retailing. Given their inland location in the Canadian Rockies, online selling was a necessity for them. At the time, I owned a brick and mortar store and put off online selling until my Etsy adventure. I am still grateful to them for their example and encouragement.

Second, as a bead supplier, I was encouraged by my mentor/Etsy store owner to sell to Canada because her customers had shared that bead shops don't exist in many areas of Canada. So, it was an easy win-win for me to include Canada.

Finally, I have lived in the US close to Canada in several different states, and have warm feelings toward our northern neighbors. There are so many ways our lives and politics intersect. As an environmentalist and bee steward (aka bee keeper) there are many, many issues which I follow, that also impact Canadians to the north.

Christina, thanks for asking!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Mystic Wheel. I really liked your story and reasons. I see you're in Portland. I absolutely love it there! If it wasn't for the great medical care in Canada, I'd probably move to Portland. Love Powell's Books!

[Former_Member]

Most shops that ship internationally will include Canada in their 'everywhere else' price if they don't have it specifically listed.

Since I was born and raised in the Great White North and have been shipping between Canada and the USA for over 30 years now it only seemed natural that I have a specific shipping rate for Canada for all my products.

With the latest increase in US shipping rates, its even more important for me to have Canada listed separately as the Canadian rate is much less than the rate for 'Everywhere Else' now.

[cindylouwho2]

there are people who don't ship to Canada?

;)

[sockysocks]

I'm in the UK and the cost of sending a small packet Airmail is the same for the US and Canada, so I don't imagine there are many Brits excluding Canada if they sell to everywhere else.
So presumably this question is really directed at US sellers.

[Former_Member]

I ship to Canada from Europe since 1999 on ebay, since 2009 on Etsy; shipped many jewelry, I have great customers, have no any shipping and/or delivery problem.

[Former_Member]

I've always had "everywhere else" as an option, but a few years ago a Canadian buyer said that didn't work for them - no idea why not - so I added Canada specifically. Being in the UK I'd be mad not to ship overseas

[Former_Member]

I am from Canada and yes the bulk of sales are from Canada and the U.S... I ask international buyers to contact me for a shipping rate so that I have everything covered.

[Former_Member]

you might be missing out though maggie, especially if there is a time difference. impulse buyers may move on rather than wait for a response. just my opinion, do whatever works for you of course.

[TigersandDragons]

Heather is right Maggie, the rates to the rest of the world aren't much more than the rates to Australia. It looks as if African countries have the highest rates, you can use Algeria in the Canada Post "find a rate" to get the highest quotes.

[Former_Member]

I'm an impulse buyer. I know that if the "everywhere else" shipping rate is too high, I just pass them by. I could ask for specific shipping, but sometimes I'm just lazy to ask. I usually buy right away when it has a separate Canadian shipping option.

[TigersandDragons]

Though the gap between USPS shipping rates to Canada and the rest of the world has gotten a lot smaller due to the price hikes.

[SimonesRoseBoutique]

I agree with Christina! I'm not really an impulse buyer but I also won't bother to ask for shipping costs if an item does not ship to 'everywhere else' or Canada. If I'm shopping - I'm ready to buy and don't really want to wait for someone to figure it out.. I really believe sellers are losing out when they don't figure it out ahead of time and add it to their shipping options.

As a seller I will ship to anywhere in the world - if I happen to lose a little bit of profit due to shipping, so be it (I will also know to adjust my listing for the future). At least I made a sale and possibly gained a repeat customer! ;)

[TigersandDragons]

It is a pain, but Ebay is much worse, I have pretty much given up shopping there because of the having to contact so many buyers to ask about shipping before I can bid...and rarely getting any response. Of course there are some nice sellers there, but I find on average that Etsy has a higher level of customer service.

[Former_Member]

I gave up on Ebay as well!

[WickedLaboratory]

I ship to Canada.. Just had my first orders from Australia and a few days later from New Zealand.. that was exciting, but Canada, definitely!

[Former_Member]

When I say Canada shipping, I mean Canada separate from "Everywhere Else".

[Former_Member]

I'm in Canada and I'm trying to target a Canadian market as best I can so I try to make Canadian shipping as cheap as possible. I even offer free shipping for 2 or more items combined.
I feel like we will always be at a disadvantage because I see US shops offer ridiculously cheap shipping within US and I just can't compete with my larger items.

So yes! Shop CANADIAN!!

[YummyPleasures]

Yes.. " )

[minouette]

I do, of course, being Canadian... but it's surprisingly common that Etsy sellers won't! 9/10 if asked, they'll add Canada... but I don't understand that 10th person who refuses to do so. It's not that much hassle to ship internationally, and if you have a customer willing to pay why not?

I list prices for Canada, US, EU and Everywhere Else. The last one might be under-estimated if I get a buyer from somewhere unexpected but unusally 'Everywhere Else' means Australia, so it's priced accordingly.

[ArabellaReason]

I have Canada listed!