Tim B Posted June 12, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 12, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm trying to sell Leica equipment via the classified section. What is members' experience with shipping overseas? I would prefer to avoid it and it is not something of which I have experience, but have had an offer from overseas. Thanks for suggestions. Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Hi Tim B, Take a look here Recommended international carrier from UK?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andyedward Posted June 12, 2012 Share #2 Posted June 12, 2012 I sent a lens via Parcelforce to Germany last week, without problems. I had the parcel insured (for 300euros) and tracked, and wouldn't have sent it without either. All this for just £13. Obviously you need to receive payment before shipping. I gave the buyer my IBAN and BIC details in order for the money to be transferred. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 12, 2012 Share #3 Posted June 12, 2012 Fedex. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted June 12, 2012 Thanks, guys, I'll look into your suggestions. My item is of somewhat higher value than yours, Andy, but it is only a matter of scale, I suppose. Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted June 12, 2012 Share #5 Posted June 12, 2012 Just make sure it's properly insured, signed for etc etc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 12, 2012 Share #6 Posted June 12, 2012 My item is of somewhat higher value than yours, Andy, but it is only a matter of scale, I suppose. Tim, do be aware that the conventional carriers do not typically provide or offer insurance. What they offer is declared value which usually costs 1% of that declared value. This isn't insurance and simply means that the carrier accepts a greater potential liability than the standard derisory amount. In the event that Fedex or UPS lose your parcel you will still have to persuade them that they were at fault and owe you compensation. Having said that, I've used Fedex many times to send Leica bodies and lenses and they haven't mislaid anything yet (touch wood). An exception to this is DHL who do offer an insurance option at a cost of 1.5% but you will have to ask for it. I'm not sure what exactly it is that Parcelforce offer but I do know that the maximum compensation limit with them is £2500. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted June 13, 2012 Share #7 Posted June 13, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Tim, I've used Mail Boxes ETC, which has high street shops in larger towns and cities. They are a type of carrier broker and will find the best deal from a collection of carrier/courier companies. I used them to send my M8 to Solms for the upgrade but beware of the potential insurance catch: most courier companies (in 2008) would only offer insurance cover up to £1200. Mailboxes ETC are bound by the carrier's T&C's so it's proabaly worthwhile clarifying before sending if it's a high-value item. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted June 13, 2012 Share #8 Posted June 13, 2012 The big problem is "insurance" for high value items as has been stated above by wattsy. The other problem is getting recompense if anything does go wrong; admittedly a small chance but it has to be considered. So make sure it is insured for the full value and that the courier knows that value. Oh and there is the issue of "glass" which some companies will not "insure". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted June 13, 2012 Share #9 Posted June 13, 2012 Best would be door-to-door courier. If from Europe, suggest DHL or TNT. From US, FedEx or UPS. You will need to declare price and pay appropriate insurance cover. I am sure most folks paying a several on lens, would not mind paying a 100 or 200 on courier. And they can have fun tracking the delivery route. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted June 13, 2012 Share #10 Posted June 13, 2012 READ THE SMALL PRINT! I'm pretty sure that Parcel Force, for example, do not accept responsibility for anything with GLASS in it which gets broken - so I assume that their insurance won't cover this either. Most companies have their T&C on line so its worth wading through them to check exclusions. For smaller items I tend to use Royal Mail International which can be tracked/signed for and/or insured (I opt for insurance which costs extra) and is available at any post office. It can be well worth shipping several items in different packages to save cost and provide full insurance as lower individual values can work out cheaper to insure fully. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted June 13, 2012 Share #11 Posted June 13, 2012 Royal Mail/Parcelforce is the simplest ..... you can do it all online and print off the labels etc and just dump at a local PO .... my local PO keeps the receipts for me and I pick them up later. You can do this with UPS too .... although drop-off depots are rather sparse and organising collection involves being at home unless you use your work address.... Main problem is the limits on insured value.... above 2k (and less for Parcelforce) it all gets difficult/impossible/expensive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 13, 2012 Share #12 Posted June 13, 2012 READ THE SMALL PRINT! I'm pretty sure that Parcel Force, for example, do not accept responsibility for anything with GLASS in it which gets broken - so I assume that their insurance won't cover this either. Yes, most of the T&Cs I've read do exclude damage to items made "predominantly of glass". I think the intent here is to exclude mirrors, bottles, drinking glasses, etc. but you can easily see how a courier playing hardball might also exclude a lens. However, IMO the principal risk when shipping is theft or loss rather than damage. If you package up a lens properly (with a boxed Leica lens it is already contained in a cushioned leather case within a further couple of inches of high impact polystyrene before you even get to putting it in another box with foam peanuts or bags of air) the risk of damage is very low. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted June 13, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 13, 2012 Remember to take photos of the item before and during packaging because they may be the difference between success and failure if you need to make a claim or pursue the carrier further. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted June 14, 2012 Thanks, guys for all the advice. It is very helpful. It seems like a real hornets' nest. I said in my ad. that I preferred not to ship, but one potential buyer is overseas (Scandanavia). And on top of the expense (I would expect the buyer to pay) is the paperwork, customs declaration etc., packaging to courier's specifications and as has been pointed out - insurance. I will look into all your kind suggestions. Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted June 14, 2012 Share #15 Posted June 14, 2012 Tim, That's a lovely, pristine 0.58 silver MP you're selling. If I didn't already have a BP 0.72 MP I'd be seriously looking at yours. Best of luck with the sale. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 14, 2012 Share #16 Posted June 14, 2012 I've used The Royal Mail and mostly been OK apart from the time one package went missing, even though it was sent signed for and insured. Ever tried making a claim? They strung me along for months. The phone line for claims is ALWAYS engaged and I only got a positive response after sending a letter to the home addresses of the board of directors. Honestly! So don't count on them honouring their insurance without a fight! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 14, 2012 Share #17 Posted June 14, 2012 It seems like a real hornets' nest. I said in my ad. that I preferred not to ship, but one potential buyer is overseas (Scandanavia). And on top of the expense (I would expect the buyer to pay) is the paperwork, customs declaration etc., packaging to courier's specifications and as has been pointed out - insurance. Tim, if it's EU Scandinavia (ie not Norway) it is a very straightforward process in terms of paperwork. Even shipping outside the EU, it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to complete a commercial invoice (most of the shippers have online templates). In your case I'd advise using Parcelforce – their compensation scheme is sufficient (up to £2500) and you can drop the item off at your local post office. The Parcelforce airway bill is also convenient in that it doubles up as the customs declaration. Just package your camera up in a box with some foam chips in it and it'll be fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 14, 2012 Share #18 Posted June 14, 2012 That's a lovely, pristine 0.58 silver MP you're selling. If I didn't already have a BP 0.72 MP I'd be seriously looking at yours. Yes, likewise. It does look like it is in super condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share #19 Posted June 14, 2012 Thanks, Ian, that's very helpful and encouraging. Pete, I'm sure that you really need a .58 to go with your collection - get in touch before I ship! Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted June 14, 2012 Share #20 Posted June 14, 2012 Pete, I'm sure that you really need a .58 to go with your collection - get in touch before I ship! I've always felt that two kidneys is far too many so that might be a way to provide your MP with a new home, Tim. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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