Trading with VFers overseas

[bubbles76]

Originally Posted by daisysunshine

I trade with anyone who wants to trade w/me

I don't know how it works in the states, but can't you grab a ton of custom forms at the desk and fill them out at home, and then just go to the post office and get them to stamp it and drop it? that's what i always do.

Yep That's what I do. But some people don't like going to the post office. Or it's difficult to get there.

[Laura S.]

I always think it's pretty cool to trade overseas. I've traded with France, England, Israel, Malaysia, Australia, Japan (and probably others). A couple of years, I was a Secret Santa to someone in another country, which was fun. I've never had a problem with an overseas trade and don't think the incidence of problems is any higher than in the U.S.

Some weeks it can be hard to get to the post office. For some who don't go regularly, I can see how it would be something they would prefer not to do.

[herya]

I've had some nice trades with US and Canada and the post was surprisingly quick (e.g. 2 days). Never lost anything and never had to wait long, a couple of days at most, with the same for my trade partners. I appreciate the extra effort involved and I am usually willing to trade multiples to make up for it!

Are US custom forms cumbersone to fill? Mine is just a sticker where I need to scribble "gift not merchandise" and "$15 worth", and my name.

[Vee]

I used to live in India and now I live in Malaysia. Thank you so much to all VFers who traded with me!

[lynnem3]

I lived in Indonesia for a few years and greatly appreciated VFers who were willing to make overseas trades (IIRC, Deja Deb traded with me multiple times). It does require an extra step and may take a little longer, but it definitely lifted my spirits and helped me maintain my connection to VF. After that experience, I am very willing to trade with people who are overseas.

[Ellinis]

I live in Greece. I,too, want to thank all the people here who have traded with me. It's been such an exciting experience for me meeting you on this forum! I am also very thankful to all the posters on this thread for their understanding and their politeness towards overseas traders!

[Eibhinn]

As a Canadian trader, I appreciate all those who trade internationally, but I also understand why some people don't. I know some people stopped when they had multiple international trades not arrive, and decided (probably correctly) that it had something to do with their local post offices not dealing with the packages correctly. I also know that for people on a limited budget, extra postage can make a difference. I've never traded outside of the US/Canada, and I'll admit that I would worry about the cost involved, given Canada Post's high shipping rates.

One thing I would like to request for those who do not ship internationally --- please indicate so clearly at the beginning of your trade list/post to save us international people time. There are only two things more annoying than reading all the way through a post and being about to send a trade offer before noticing the last words on the page are "US Only": sending the trade offer off only to have the person reply that they won't trade outside the US, but just didn't bother saying so, or never receiving a reply at all (PS - Why do people do this?! It's incredibly rude).

[daisysunshine]

or even in the titles, Ebby.

[Nelly G]

I live in the Netherlands and I am very thankfull for people who traded with me and hopefully who will trade with me in the near future. Thanks for that!!!

Here in the Netherlands there are not much work out dvds to buy.
We had here Tae Bo as video, Zumba dvds, some little yoga and pilates dvds.
They do not know barre at all.

When I want something I have to buy it via the USA/UK.
As most people go to gym, there is not a market for workout dvds.

If I have a dvd I want to sell it or trade it, I cannot do it here because there is no interest for. Also some companies like Fluidity do not sell to abroad sellers-maybe next year, I hope. Or companies have shipping cost which are so high that it is to much like 15-25 dollars so they can put money in their pocket because it is not so high.

So yes I am very glad some of you want to trade with us VFers overseas!!!

[DejaDeb]

I sorta get a kick when getting an international package -- I love looking at the stamps! Maybe I should just ask them to include extra (unused) stamps in the package, as I do peel them off and they sometimes tear!

Yeah, the customs form is a bit of a drag, but it doesn't cost a whole heck of lot more than within the US, esp. if you use DC on your US packages. And I generally go in person to the PO with my packages, so it's usually not a big deal for me.