Is it worth selling abroad, or is UK only easier, cheaper and safer?

[whataboutbob]

As a beginner, I'm wondering if it's worth listing stuff internationally eg America and Europe. It seems the postage fees increase exponentially when you send abroad, and you can't track.
On the other hand, maybe it's a shame to limit your potential market.
I have some antique books I'm thinking of selling (not rare enough for the rare book market, I've checked) and similar ones are listed in the US so I suspect they might find a buyer there.
Are there any places you would NOT sell to?
Sorry if this is a "how long is a piece of string question"

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

You can track by sending international signed for.

Germany and Eastern Europe are good ebayers, never had a problem with them. You have to be careful with the US because of import duties (likewise out of Europe generally I imagine)

I have listed stuff before just on German ebay, so much less hassle than UK buyers! (They love Boden if you have any of that hanging round!)

[whataboutbob]

Good tip re Boden, have kiddie stuff hanging around, thanks!

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

I missed your "any places you would not sell to" bit.

Italy. (I am here )

They just don't get it. They want something for nothing, then when the something turns out to be used, they complain. I have had a case opened against me (I won) when a woman who bought the trainers said they were the wrong size. Because she didn't want the size I was selling, but bought them anyway!

Although Thomas trains fetch an absolute bomb having said that!

[whataboutbob]

Thomas trains!!! I have an entire Tidmouth shed's worth which boys have lost all interest in. Thanks!

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

I literally paid for Christmas about 5 yrs ago thanks to bloody Thomas!

It was ridiculous, I was getting about £3 each more than I'd paid for them!

Italy, Spain, Eastern Europe, they were chugging off all over!

I think I made £300 in total for about 30 trains and a plastic set of track.

[whataboutbob]

And no confusion or delay? They really must have pulled together!

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

[springalong]

Can I ask a quick q about German Ebay - did you sign up separately for that or did you restrict your listing option to Germany only. thanks

[BrendaBlackhead]

Has anyone used the ebay service whereby you post to them and they post on the item? I don't quite understand how it works, but they say they handle any import duties and liability.

I have had no trouble with Eastern Europe either, but agree with Italy. My family live in Italy and it's 50/50 whether they ever receive anything you send in the post and often a parcel has been opened or rifled through. Their post office seems to be staffed with thieves.

[doradoo]

I have a german and a uk ebay account - a lot of uk sellers wont post to me in germany, so I have used my mums address.....

German ebay is very straightforward - although not everyone uses paypal so you could have some difficulty with payment - even when I've listed things as paypal only, people will often bid and then want to pay by bank transfer (the most common way of doing things here)

Stuff that goes well:

boden/next and george stuff (esp knitted dresses)
playmobil & lego hold their prices well
anything you can market as being "english"

books not so good.

Oh and postage in germany is way easier than the UK too..... prices are much easier and more defined.