International shoppers get US discounts with International Checkout

A recent article in the Inc. magazine called ‘The Next Big Thing’ caught my attention. It features interview with Saskia Stick, CEO of International Checkout, number 61 on the Inc 500 list. I am always curious about new companies and new ideas but this one looks especially relevant. As we all know but not always appreciate, American consumers enjoy a great many decent products at very competitive prices.
 
When you travel in Europe, Latin America or Japan it is hard not to make parallels with what the same things cost there vs. what they cost in the US. Typically such comparison is not in favor of these countries when it comes to electronics, shoes, accessories and many other products. Internet was supposed to change this trend with global appeal but due to issues with customs, methods of payment and other obstacles in order fulfillment this barrier is not yet entirely broken.
 
Comes Saskia Stick, a Netherlands native, and offers a very elegant and simple solution. You as a customer can come to any of the internet sites partnering with International Checkout, place your order in your local currency and wait. The company will take your order information, push the order to the merchant using local address and US credit card, ship it to their distribution center in LA and eventually ship it to your door via Fedex or UPS. The company also makes sure on the customer behalf that the product is as advertised before it gets shipped overseas.
 
The company puts customers first, provides service in multiple languages and makes sure it is a total win win for everyone involved. Both customers and merchant can access their accounts online and get a full picture of their orders, shipments and status. What’s not to like? 
 
 
Valery Zelixon
Comments: 0; Published: January 26, 2010; Permalink
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