dgfoster
Diamond
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2008
- Location
- Bellingham, WA
Just a note to report a recent positive eBay experience. The gist of the story is that I sold an 8" machiined casting (they have been very popular) to a guy for whom eBay had listed a Kentucky address. No big deal, I packed it up and shipped it USPS Priority as is my practice.
The surprising thing was a few days later I got a tracking notification that the casting had reached its Ky destination was now headed to the UK! So, I contacted the buyer who said he lived in Norway, the eventual destination, and he simply ordered my SE from eBay and they provided estimated shipping and duty charges which were acceptable to the buyer so he ordered. He said shipping was on the order of 40 dollars and duty was on the order of 50 dollars on the machined (132 USD) casting. I guess eBay has setup a US drop off for international shipping service.
I know quite a number of folks living in Europe, Australia, and NZ on this forum have wanted to buy castings, but shipping arranged privately has usually been a deal breaker. Perhaps purchasing through eBay may provide an more affordable alternative. Unfortunately I will not be able to provide a PM discount to eBay purchasers. And right now I am sold out of 18's and 36's with backorders on both. I do have a few 8's and a couple 26's and a 48 or two.
If some of you know more about this program, I'd like to know. How would it work for larger castings? Is it a viable option?
Denis
The surprising thing was a few days later I got a tracking notification that the casting had reached its Ky destination was now headed to the UK! So, I contacted the buyer who said he lived in Norway, the eventual destination, and he simply ordered my SE from eBay and they provided estimated shipping and duty charges which were acceptable to the buyer so he ordered. He said shipping was on the order of 40 dollars and duty was on the order of 50 dollars on the machined (132 USD) casting. I guess eBay has setup a US drop off for international shipping service.
I know quite a number of folks living in Europe, Australia, and NZ on this forum have wanted to buy castings, but shipping arranged privately has usually been a deal breaker. Perhaps purchasing through eBay may provide an more affordable alternative. Unfortunately I will not be able to provide a PM discount to eBay purchasers. And right now I am sold out of 18's and 36's with backorders on both. I do have a few 8's and a couple 26's and a 48 or two.
If some of you know more about this program, I'd like to know. How would it work for larger castings? Is it a viable option?
Denis