Selling on eBay - Getting Items Delivered

If you are looking to sell items on eBay you have two options when it comes to the delivery of your products:

1. You can ask the buyer to organise their own delivery – this is the easiest option for you as a trader, but you risk your customer purchasing the product from another seller who includes the delivery as part of their service.
2. You can organise the delivery yourself, which makes your product more attractive to a potential buyer, and thus more competitive in the market.

It is a well-known fact that most eBay buyers look for the easiest option when it comes to buying a product and this for many means purchasing a product from a seller who includes the delivery of the item. In fact, many eBay traders are now including free delivery in the price of their product to make them more competitive and attract more customers. Therefore, in this blog, we will look at the things you need to know as an eBay seller when it comes to the delivery of your products both domestically and internationally.

Regardless of where you need to send your product to, as an eBay seller you want to provide a reliable delivery service for the lowest cost possible – especially if you are including free delivery for your customer. - Therefore the first thing you need to find is a cheap reliable parcel delivery service that can deliver your products to your customers’ location. In addition, your courier should also be able to provide the following:

• A signed for delivery service
• Online tracking
• Real-time scan information and delivery signatures
• A wide range of delivery services including, same day delivery, next day delivery, timed delivery, international express delivery and international economy delivery
• Additional insurance options
• Money back guarantee options
• An easy to contact customer services. Do not opt for a courier that doesn’t have a phone number as you could be in a pickle if you need to query something urgently.
• A strong track record of positive feedback from existing customers on an independent review site, like TrustPilot for example.

Assuming you have already chosen a courier that can provide all of the above, we will now look at the shipping process itself.

Packaging your goods for transport via courier

It’s important to note that if your goods arrive damaged, it’s your liability and the buyer will return the goods and you will need to refund them for the goods and the shipping charges. For this reason it’s really important to ensure that your product is packaged sufficiently for transport via courier. This means wrapping your products with internal packaging materials before cushioning and suspending your product inside the box. This is essential to avoid any damage in transit from minor impacts, bumps, jolts and vibrations that are normal in the shipping process. It is also important that you use a strong box or container with rigid sides and corners, as your external packaging.

Always place a copy of the shipping label inside your parcel and write the delivery address on the external packaging so the courier knows where your parcel is going in the event that your shipping label is torn or comes undone during transit.

Delivering Shipments within the UK 

When sending a parcel within the UK, you need to be aware that the Channel Islands, including Guernsey and Jersey, have separate regulations to the rest of the UK when it comes to shipping. The Channel Islands are classed as a non EU destination and therefore requires customs clearance when shipping from the UK. Refer to the guidelines in the ‘International Deliveries outside the EU’ section below if you need to send a parcel to the Channel Islands.

For all other UK deliveries, organising a collection and delivery with a courier is easy and straightforward.

International Deliveries within the EU

When you are sending a parcel within EU, you do not have to produce a customs  invoice. This means that there are no additional duties or taxes for your receiver to pay for importing the goods into their country.
Arranging an EU delivery is as easy as arranging a UK delivery, albeit a bit more expensive. You will also have to check that your goods are not prohibited for import into the country you are shipping to, but your courier should be able to advise you on this.

International Deliveries outside the EU

Shipping to destinations outside of the EU, including the Channel Islands and Canary Islands, requires a little more effort, as you will have to provide a shipping invoice for customs clearance, with your parcel.
The customs invoice is used by customs in your destination country to determine the level duty and tax to apply to each product you’re sending (it is standard practise in shipping for the receiver to pay any applicable import duty and tax). Every product has different levels of duty and tax, and this is determined by the ‘tariff classification’ for each of your items. You don’t have to research this, but if you’re sending a high value shipment it’s best to do so.

For help working out the tariff classification/s for your goods, you will need to check with the customs authority in the destination country (Or you can simply give the buyer the option to look into this if they wish as ultimately they will be the ones having to pay any charges). Most countries have a customs website or helpline where you can get this information from. Once you have established the tariff number for each of your products, you can list this on the customs invoice alongside each of the products you’re sending.
It’s also important to note that if the receiver refuses to pay the duty and tax, then you will be liable. You can request the goods are returned, but you will be liable for the return shipping charges, and it’s at customs discretion whether they release the goods, if they chose not to, then the only way you will be able to get your product returned if by paying the duties and the return shipping charges. For this reason it’s important you check everything out before shipping.

The customs invoice must contain the following information:

1. The shipper’s address (collection address)
2. The receiver’s address (delivery address)
3. The ‘sold to’ address (address of the buyer if different from the receiver’s address)
4. The goods description for each item you are sending (IT Equipment, clothing, toys, ceramic mugs)
5. The value of each item for customs purposes (you must assign an overall value to parcel you are sending, and you must also provide a value for each item you are sending inside your parcel).
6. The reason for export (in your case, as an eBay seller, it will be: ‘Sale’)

It’s important that you provide a breakdown of the contents of your parcel on the invoice. For example; instead of just writing IT Equipment, you will need to list all the items.

Also note that some products are prohibited into certain countries. For example used clothes are prohibited to some South American countries, so it’s always worth checking with your courier to ensure the items you’re sending are not prohibited for the country you’re shipping to.

It is also important to be aware that your receiver might have to obtain an import licence from their local authority in order to successfully clear the goods through customs and this may take extra time to obtain, and result in additional clearance delays. As the shipper you are not liable for any such delays, as it is the sole responsibility of the importer to ensure that they are eligible to import the goods into their country.

It is worth knowing that the transit time quoted by any courier is always ‘pending customs clearance’. This means that the goods will be delivered within the quoted transit time, providing there are no delays with customs clearance. This is because customs authorities are local government bodies and couriers hold no authority over them.

A Final Consideration 

Regardless of which country you are shipping to, it is worth paying for additional insurance with your courier in the unlikely event of any loss or damage to your parcel during transit. You may however chose to give the buyer the option for additional insurance, but remember if they don’t take the insurance and the goods are damaged in transit, ultimately it your liability, not theirs.

Joanne Reader is a freelance writer

Let Fuel Take You Further | Improve Fuel Consumption

The day I started writing this post, the UK average price for unleaded was 139.84p, diesel 146.34p, and by the time you’re reading it, they will likely have increased again. The price of petrol in the UK has been causing disputes and headaches for UK motorists and businesses alike for decades, but is proving with every rise that UK motorists have few options or alternatives to driving, and could be considered a captive market…

It would appear that UK motorists are still far too dependent on their cars to mount any kind of significant protest against rising fuel prices. The price per litre has risen this year by around 6.24p since early January, adding around £3.12 to the cost of filling a typical 50-litre tank. It’s a significant and worrying increase, but most of us are at the mercy of the pumps and would sooner find ways of cutting back on other daily expenses than giving up our cars. However, whilst you can’t beat the rising fuel costs, you can avoid some of the impact that price rises have on you by using some of the following tips for getting the most out every penny in your tank, increasing your mpg and helping your fuel take you further.

When Buying:                                                                               
1.       Shop around – Using the internet to find the best fuel price in your area is straightforward, and the savings will add up considerably over time, although…
2.       Don’t overdo it – It’s not worth driving miles out of your way to save a few pennies. Plan when and where to fill up and think about the most economical way to do it.
3.       Petrol offers – Your local supermarket may offer discounts or other deals on their fuel if you spend enough in store. Look into and cash in on them.
4.       Buy fuel during the coolest times of day – Or at night. This is when fuel will be at its densest, meaning you’ll get more for your money, since fuel pumps measure in volumes.

When Driving:
5.       Lighten the load – Don’t carry anything unnecessary in the car. It’s estimated that for every 250 lbs. extra you carry, you lose 1mpg in fuel economy.
6.       Drive at a constant & moderate speed – Slow acceleration and breaking over longer distances is, second to buying a more fuel efficient car, the best way to improve your running costs. It’ll depend on your vehicle, but a motorway speed of around 60mph is a safe bet for close-to-optimum mileage.
7.       Don’t idle – For more than 30 seconds. Switching off and back on your engine does use a burst of fuel, but still less than letting the vehicle idle for too long.
8.       Take it easy on the throttle – If you avoid accelerating quickly and braking sharply, you’ll not only save on fuel, but also but on wear and tear on your brakes too.

Maintaining Your Vehicle:
9.       Check tyre pressures regularly – Maintaining your tyres at the manufacturer-recommended pressure can increase fuel economy by as much as 3.3%.
10.   Filters – During your MOT it can be worth getting a service, or even just the air filters on your vehicle replaced. Recent research suggests dirty air filters can cost motorists up to 10% on their fuel economy.
11.   Keep your car in good working order – Following manufacturer recommendations on servicing, oil replacement etc. will not only maintain your car’s health, but can maintain its optimum fuel economy.

One potential, though expensive solution to expensive fuel costs is to purchase a hybrid or electric car. The potential fuel economy of these vehicles is improving all the time, however, there are some genuine concerns you should look into over the environmental and monetary impact such a purchase will have on you in the future; that new technology is still developing and so is more likely to encounter problems and cost you in repairs, and the battery acid in electric and hybrid vehicles is not only environmentally damaging but expensive to dispose of, and to replace when they eventually need to be.
These are important things to consider before going out and buying the greenest, most fuel efficient motor you can find, since as always with motoring, there are going to be unexpected costs. If you’re a driver of a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, or a Bentley Continental GT, then it’s likely that a change of vehicle might be the way to achieve decent mileage. On the other hand, for all drivers, the costs involved in purchasing a new vehicle will often outweigh a few years’ worth of potential savings on fuel economy.

All of the above tips can help you increase the number of mile’s you get for your money, but the fact is that driving is becoming more and more expensive every year. From hiking insurance and tax costs to congestion charges, the modern, savvy driver will be taking every opportunity to beat the system and save money, from using comparison to sneaking out at midnight to buy denser petrol - it’s really up to you how far you want to take the ‘economy drive’, but it’s likely that we can expect the cost of driving to get worse before it gets better, if ever it does.


This article was written by David Rendell, content writer for the car insurance comparison site, Confused.com

Shopping in the North of England

Mid-season sales mean only one thing: shopping, and lots of it. Mini-breaks dedicated solely to shopping have become increasingly popular, with fashionistas travelling across the country to find their favourite brands, vintage boutiques and new trends. British fashions are acclaimed as some of the best in the world, so it isn’t surprising that shopaholics are eschewing the famous shopping cities of New York and Milan in favour of stylish cities on our own soil. London is a popular choice for many seeking retail therapy, however it is easy to forget that there are shopping havens outside of the capital. This guide will look at what shopping destinations are available in the North of England, where to stay and what to expect.

Manchester

 

Manchester is one of Britain’s best shopping destinations, boasting two large shopping centres in addition to the eclectic delights of the Northern Quarter. The Manchester Arndale centre in the heart of the city is a fashionistas dream, as it is the largest inner-city shopping mall in the United Kingdom. The centre has hundreds of highstreet and designer stores, as well as being a short walk to Harvey Nicks and Selfridges. Moreover, for hungry shoppers, there are lots of restaurants to satisfy and regenerate. In addition, the Trafford Centre (located just outside of city-centre Manchester) is equally as vast. With marble floors, fountains and giant chandeliers, this centre is classy and sophisticated meaning you can splash your cash in style.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a famous shopping destination that is renowned for its glamorous women (and not just WAGs and celebrities!). With a huge range of shopping districts within the city, Liverpool has enough shops to satisfy even the most determined shopaholic. The exclusive Metquater is a WAG favourite and is packed with designer stores. Moreover, the relatively new Liverpool ONE centre has over 160 highstreet and designer shops, meaning the “shop ‘til you drop” phrase is often in danger of coming true! Beauty salons are also a speciality in the city, so it is an absolute essential to stop for a quick manicure in between searching for that perfect LBD.

So, two of the best British shopping destinations have been showcased but the question remains: which one to choose? The fact is you don’t have to choose. You can have the best of each of these shopping havens by choosing a central hotel in between the cities, taking advantage of a city-escape hotel and retreating from the bustle after a hard day’s shopping. One option for this would be choosing a hotel in leafy Cheshire - there are plenty of hotels in Warrington and the surrounding area that fit the bill perfectly.

If you wish to head further up north, then the bustling, metropolitan cities of Leeds and Newcastle also provide numerous great shopping opportunities, as well as a vast array of bars and restaurants for you and your friends to unwind in after a busy day hitting the shops. So, with four great Northern cities to choose from, London soon loses its status as the shopping capital of England. The only question left for you and your friends is: when can you all get away?

Many thnaks to guest author Lauren who writes on behalf of The Gullivers Hotel in Warrington, Cheshire.