How many times have you had a problem with First Class international shipping?

[ShineBrightVintage]

I've always offered flat rate envelope service as my cheapest method, because I thought I was getting tracking. Then I found out that I'm not, and I just can't get over my fear of not having tracking on my deliveries. I was JUST starting to heavily gear my etsy store in the direction of international sales, but I'm too afraid to ship first class, and I feel like I shouldn't even bother putting a lot of effort into international sales if I can only offer a super expensive shipping service.

Can anyone help me get over my fear? I decided to bite the bullet and offer first class shipping to Canada for my less expensive items.

I feel like my fear is mostly illogical because I've shipped lots of items thinking I had tracking when I actually didn't, and I didn't have a problem once.

[GoTo]

LOL--so you are your own proof. :)

You can at least insure International First Class--and then you can have a little relief. These will help with that:

Shipping Insurance
www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2009/11/13/shipping-insurance

What is Self-Insurance?
www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2012/10/17/what-is-self-insurance



International First Class is pretty easy to set up too:

Getting a Handle on International Shipping
http://www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2008/02/21/getting-a-handle-on-international-shipping

[PatchHappyPauper]

I explain that I can provide proof of mailing but not delivery on international shipments. My proof of mailing is my receipt from the post office along with my copy of the customs form. I only give it in the event that the package does not arrive and I only send a copy.

Unless the package is fragile I do not pay for insurance. Unless the item is over $50 I do not require that the buyer pay for proof of delivery.

But the biggest thing is that it is all in writing in your policies PRIOR to having an issue. I have had a couple of packages not arrive over seas. The buyers were OK with accepting responsibility because I pointed them to my policy page prior to their purchase.

It sounds a little harsh when it is written here but I cannot be responsible for mail systems around the world. Businesses just don't run well that way.

[GoTo]

As a buyer I would be turned off buying from Etsy if a seller did that to me so those kinds of policies hurt us all. A buyer shouldn't pay good money and receive nothing.

You are lucky your buyers didn't take action on the missing packages--if they paid through Paypal, Paypal would have refunded their money if you had no proof of delivery, and if Paypal gave them a hard time:

If they had paid by credit card through Paypal, they could have done a chargeback which would have cost you $25 plus the refund.