Are the exchange rates affecting your buying - good or bad?

[English Paul]

As the title asks - is your buying affected in anyway?

3 months ago I was doing quite well winning auctions in the US as the pound was very strong against the dollar, and subsequently what might have seemed average priced in the US was an absolute bargain for me. Now it sucks and i'm getting priced out of everything I bid on even though the prices of figures in the US is unaffected but my money isn't worth as much.

Is it looking better for you guys in the US buying from the UK or Europe? Are you spotting deals on our side of the Atlantic that may have previously seemed unattainable?

[palitoy]

Being a Canadian, I have loved the exchange rate hovering around par. Now that it's gone up or down, I'm waaaaaay more cautious.

Luckily I had saved every money order or cheque in US funds during this period, I knew the US dollar would eventually bounce back. It always does....

[Wee67]

Most of my purchases are made here in the U.S. and Canada, but I will most likely open back up to purchasing from European sellers. I had backed off, simply because my dollar was losing auctions to those with stronger currencies. I might be able to win some again as the dollar strengthens.

[vulcan2074]

I haven't Bought anything from outside the U.S. in a Very Long Time. If I do see a Great Deal, I would Definately Give it a Shot
Sammy

[toys2cool]

I still look once in a while at UK auctions for Warrior items,but the shipping alone sometimes makes it to difficult to buy the item

[kryptosmaster]

Heck, the shipping some of these sellers in the US charge is outrageous sometimes. It's amazing how the same figure can cost anywhere from $2 to $15 with the same type of shipping and has no bearing if it's one state away or clear across the country.
I can't imagine what the same type of circumstance would translate to in overseas shipping costs. Scary!!

Rich

[English Paul]

Heck, the shipping some of these sellers in the US charge is outrageous sometimes. It's amazing how the same figure can cost anywhere from $2 to $15 with the same type of shipping and has no bearing if it's one state away or clear across the country.
I can't imagine what the same type of circumstance would translate to in overseas shipping costs. Scary!!

Rich

Yeah, to get single figures to the UK can vary between $10 and $30. The biggest problem I encounter is the `shipping calculator` as it tends to give parcel rates when standard letter rate will usually do. Those with $30 get overlooked straight away because they tend not to like it when you question the high cost.

[starsky]

yeah, international shipping cost turns that "great" deal into an average deal.

[kryptosmaster]

My rule of thumb is if the shipping rate is too high and they list Priority as the only choice, I have two options. I skip the auction completely or if there is enough time to send an email I will ask if they will ship parcel post or something that costs less.
8 times out of 10 the seller will work with you and offer you the option to ship for less.
Some of them are kinda snotty about it and others say things like "I've found that it's only a dollar more usually".
My other rule of thumb is that if I'm willing to pay the shipping cost (but seems a little padded) and they still only list Priority then I will bid and if I win I will ask if they will do the parcel post and lower my total cost. Most will work with you. Those that don't are usually profiting from the shipping and I just don't patronize them anymore if I get the package and I paid more than what it's stamped. And I take into account any packaging they may have to purchase but Priority has free boxes.
Rich

[Drain]

Not if it comes from Australia or New Zealand.

No, I still like to buy things out of Australia and New Zealand. It is fun to bid on them in Australian Dollars and have the final total plus shipping converted to US dollar as less then your bid, (US $ stronger than AU $). A lot of times it is cheaper to ship something from Australia and New Zealand then it is to have it shipped accross the USA. I also found that almost all the sellers from that area are very very honest about shipping and will refund any extra shipping charges that was not used.
My next favorite place to order from is the United Kingdom. I know the exchange rate stinks, (British pounds stronger than US Dollars). However, I just get a kick out of some of the names/villages on the return address. I save one that I got a ebay win in, sometime ago. The town of the return address is (Heddon on the Wall Newcastle upon Tyne). How cool a sounding name it that. I live in a town called Drain.

[kryptosmaster]

The town of the return address is (Heddon on the Wall Newcastle upon Tyne). How cool a sounding name it that. I live in a town called Drain.

LOL!!

Rich

[Captain]

Definitely dangerous times to be buying without checking the exchange rates first! The difference a day (or sometimes even a couple hours) can make in the value of not just the Canadian, but pretty much any currency is amazing.

[Drain]

Heck, the shipping some of these sellers in the US charge is outrageous sometimes. It's amazing how the same figure can cost anywhere from $2 to $15 with the same type of shipping and has no bearing if it's one state away or clear across the country.
I can't imagine what the same type of circumstance would translate to in overseas shipping costs. Scary!!

Rich

I know what you mean. I once ran away an auction in which the seller wanted $150 for shipping. Compared to the amount of stuff in this lot this would be reasonable. However the seller, (in Salem, OR) was less then 75 miles from were I lived. I Pm the seller through Ebay, to let them know I was interested in bidding on the lot, but asked if I won, can I pick the item(s) up, being that I live so close. The seller's reply was no, all items had to be shipped, no pick ups. So, I didn't bid on the item and the winning bid was less then what I was going to bid. I did win a $.99 auction from the seller with a $2.00 shipping, which was mailed from Salem, OR.

[cjefferys]

As someone who lives in Canada, but works in the US and gets paid in US funds, I'm always pleased to see the US dollar go up against the Canadian. The recent period of near parity made things a bit tighter than I was used to. But, the rate changes in last month or so makes it seem like I got a 20% salary increase (but then again that can always change either way from week to week, it's the nature of the game). So right now, I could have a bit of extra cash to spend on the hobby, but it's actually for other reasons I've cut back on toy spending for awhile anyway.

I'm always aware of various exchange rates, because between my wife and I, we have bank accounts and savings in Canadian, American and Japanese currency, and we try to take advantage of things during the ups and downs of each of these three currencies.

[fallensaviour]

Being Canadian I haven't bought anything from the states or UK in the last 3 months.
Just too darn pricey right now...(with the exception of a few deals from the marketplace ofcourse)