Strange answer about eBay shipping Q...

[chambrenoire]

So I need a rubber hood for my Mamiya 645 Super 80mm f/2.8 lens. I found one for $12 on eBay, but in the U.S. I'm in Sweden. Shipping would be $9USD! So I sent an e-mail to the seller, to ask if that really is the shipping price, I thought it sounds an AWFUL lot for a simple rubber hood that can't weight >100 grams.

Here's his answer:

That includes packaging, labor and a substantial number of packages
overseas getting lost in transit.

What?

substantial number of packages
overseas getting lost in transit

Isn't this a strange thing to answer? I dunno but why should I pay for his failures... I found it very odd.

[MartinP]

It sounds like some sort of registered or signed-for mail price. Sticking it in a normally stamped envelope would be cheaper, but probably not worth the stress for a sender (as there is then no proof of delivery). Within the EU we have the EMS service for example.

[Jamie Pillers]

Actually that's not a bad price for shipping from here (U.S.). The time that it takes me to fill out the customs form, package the thing, and drive it to the post office is AT LEAST an hour. My time is definitely worth more than $9/hr. My absolute minimum to ship anything outside the U.S. is $10.

[chambrenoire]

It's a rubber hood so it's not that large, and a simple small paper envelope would be fine with me. From Sweden to USA, normal letter about 10x15x2cm = 26 SEK = $4USD. Not registered.

[johannielscom]

Originally Posted by chambrenoire

It's a rubber hood so it's not that large, and a simple small paper envelope would be fine with me. From Sweden to USA, normal letter about 10x15x2cm = 26 SEK = $4USD. Not registered.

It seems all your arguments are valid, at least for you. So, don't buy it, just order one from your local camera shop.

[colyn]

Originally Posted by chambrenoire

It's a rubber hood so it's not that large, and a simple small paper envelope would be fine with me. From Sweden to USA, normal letter about 10x15x2cm = 26 SEK = $4USD. Not registered.

I've done this at the request of the buyer. When the item arrived damaged he demanded his money back.

Can't insure if mailed in a paper envelope..

[chambrenoire]

Will have a look tomorrow.

[johannielscom]

Originally Posted by chambrenoire

Will have a look tomorrow.

I'm pretty sure the camera shop will charge you more than the item price and shipping combined.

You will return home gloating about how much you have actually saved buying from the US!

It's all a matter of perspective, you see...

[varjag]

Initially I thought you were joking..

[chris00nj]

Not nearly strange as the answer when I recently asked about a Leica IIf !!!

I asked:

Q: Does the shutter fire well? (You should be able to wind the knob on the right and then fire the shutter release.) If you want to set the shutter speed you have to do it after it is wound. Try firing it at all speeds. Also try it after unscrewing the lens off and watch the shutter curtain move.

His answer:

A: you know wath men I did need it some money yesteday butnot today, so so lomg . Good by, wiseyheclown... Look at you now you FFFFF

[HuubL]

Originally Posted by chris00nj

Not nearly strange as the answer when I recently asked about a Leica IIf !!!

I asked:

Q: Does the shutter fire well? (You should be able to wind the knob on the right and then fire the shutter release.) If you want to set the shutter speed you have to do it after it is wound. Try firing it at all speeds. Also try it after unscrewing the lens off and watch the shutter curtain move.

His answer:

A: you know wath men I did need it some money yesteday butnot today, so so lomg . Good by, wiseyheclown... Look at you now you FFFFF

Giggle...,,,

[Thardy]

Originally Posted by chris00nj

Not nearly strange as the answer when I recently asked about a Leica IIf !!!

I asked:

Q: Does the shutter fire well? (You should be able to wind the knob on the right and then fire the shutter release.) If you want to set the shutter speed you have to do it after it is wound. Try firing it at all speeds. Also try it after unscrewing the lens off and watch the shutter curtain move.

His answer:

A: you know wath men I did need it some money yesteday butnot today, so so lomg . Good by, wiseyheclown... Look at you now you FFFFF

That answer sounds like a language translation gone bad.

[peterm1]

A lot of eBay sellers overcharge for P&H. Helps add to their bottom line of course and covers risk of an item selling below his preferred price. I simply make it a point not to deal with these people if I cna possibly avoid it.

[elshaneo]

International Postage is Expensive, even from Melbourne, Australia to anywhere in the World, and most of the times, it's not about the size of the item, but more of the price range that the postage office set for the postage prices...

[astroman]

I never charge extra for my time as some member state.
If your wanting to sell something its just part of doing buisness
I just dont think its right to add extra for standing in line or driving
to the post office
But thats just me

[HuubL]

That seems to be a normal price for shipping packages from the Netherlands to the USA also. I just checked TNT Post (the Dutch postal service). Packages up to 500 g by "Priority Mail" cost 10.45 euro to send across the Atlantic! I wonder if it would be possible to put the hood (folded) in a padded envelope and send it as a letter.