American traders/sellers

[Crosby 87]

This is primarily a question directed toward but Canadians can also chime in too. With the recent big hike of shipping prices to Canada have your trades or sales decreased, stayed the same or increase since then. If trading have your trading habits changed? I would say the trading has decreased significantly for me as im not able to make many big lot trades to canada to make it worth it. Wonder if this is just me or if anyone else has noticed this.

[MattDMC]

I only make a couple of trades/transactions a month and the increase hasn't stopped me from making a single trade.

It is what it is if you want a card in a trade are you really going to turn it down because of a little shipping increase? I know I don't turn anything down due to postage.

[adamslogik]

I find personally that alot of americans who I approach about a trade for inserts have told me it's not worth it because of the cost of shipping.

I don't think it would stop them if THEY wanted something small from me, but I'm finding that if they don't either a) get a nice PC item out of it ...or....b) come out ahead on the deal....then they won't bother.

I'm not saying I blame them, I'm just saying that the increase in shipping costs has made it alot less appealing for them to help a fellow collector out.

[centrehice]

My 1-4 card small trade with a BV of less than $10.00 to actually help somebody out, is probably gone for good.

It's just not feasible. I can still send out in a reinforced PWE at 85 cents to Canada for 1 card, but have not encountered that as yet.

[adamslogik]

My 1-4 card small trade with a BV of less than $10.00 to actually help somebody out, is probably gone for good.

It's just not feasible. I can still send out in a reinforced PWE at 85 cents to Canada for 1 card, but have not encountered that as yet.

I don't blame you, shipping costs are getting so high that it costs you to help someone out.

[Fred Bear]

I try hard not to notice the difference to Canada.

As an American hockey card collector, shipping to Canada is a necessity and a requirement of the hobby (at least in my opinion). You count yourself out of too much by ignoring the potential deals to Canada. The 'nice guy' deals might not happen as often, but they still get done. Ultimately, regular shipping is only about $1.50 more to Canada than anywhere in the States and if I get to the point where that's enough to stop me from picking up cards I need, I've probably got other problems. I have quit shipping sets and bulk lots to Canada, though, as it is nothing but trouble (at least on eBay where you are seemingly doomed to a chargeback or a '1' for shipping costs).

Where I've felt bad is on overseas transactions... I recently had an offer for two cards I needed and at a great price, but faced with $6+ in postage, I had to decline. I could pick up one of the cards on eBay for less than postage costs overseas! Like I explained to him, I'm not going to make someone trade that heavily in my favor, but, like adamslogik pointed out, unless the trade end is in your favor or its for rare/PC cards, its tough not to notice...

[centrehice]

My eBay and private sales to the domestic United States market are down by 82% since 2003.

My eBay and private sales to Canadian and Europe are only slightly down by about 7-9% since 2003.

The prolonged recession has really hit discretionary spending by many American consumers.

[Crosby 87]

It is what it is if you want a card in a trade are you really going to turn it down because of a little shipping increase? I know I don't turn anything down due to postage.

It would depend on the cards seeing as I am primarly low end collector who likes to trade for inserts & parallels most likely.Spending 3.50 + to ship to canada for cards that may book in the $10-$15 range yeah i most likely turn it down. Shipping to canada and get $50-$100 back no problem but those trades are rare for me.

[Tivo32]

My eBay and private sales to the domestic United States market are down by 82% since 2003.

My eBay and private sales to Canadian and Europe are only slightly down by about 7-9% since 2003.

The prolonged recession has really hit discretionary spending by many American consumers.

Wow those numbers are eye opening. Do you primarily deal in hockey cards? Do you think those numbers have more to do with the NHL lockout and the decline of American attention given to the NHL?

[Crosby 87]

My 1-4 card small trade with a BV of less than $10.00 to actually help somebody out, is probably gone for good.

It's just not feasible. I can still send out in a reinforced PWE at 85 cents to Canada for 1 card, but have not encountered that as yet.

I've been lucky enough to make a couple 1 card trades after explaining the difference. But like you said the $10-15 trade to canada is almost going the way of the dodo bird. After reading some of the responses im just glad to know it's not me too.
(Im sure the rates will be raised probably again in the fall.)