But don't despair. Not all Web marketers are based outside the region, and many that are ship overseas. With the Internet's dizzying rate of change, it's a good idea to keep checking sites that interest you in case they start long distance delivery. The price of delivery is a critical part of figuring out whether an online purchase is worthwhile. While geography is no barrier to wandering the virtual marketplace, long distances can make it expensive to deliver the goods.
Many sites provide charts showing prices for different weights and destinations.
The well-known delivery services they use are particularly expensive when the item is cheap. Fraser notes, however, that her unstructured parafoil kites fold up for cheaper shipping. It may be worth a steep delivery charge, however, on an item that is unique. The typical shopping site provides an electronic catalogue with product photos and descriptions, and an order form that allows credit card purchases. There is still much room for improvement in the instructions for overseas ordering.