FAQ

Getting your goods to Geovalent
Selling your goods
Storing your goods
Shipping your goods
Geovalent stores
About Geovalent




Getting your goods to Geovalent
Who owns the goods I ship to Geovalent?
The goods remain your property until they are sold and shipped to the end customer. 
What happens if my goods are damaged in shipping to Geovalent?
We inspect goods on arrival and will inform you immediately so you can contact your insurers.
How do I get my goods through EU customs?
There are two options: for small shipments, you provide the appropriate paperwork on your end and ship the goods to us. We will handle customs clearance, taxes and tariffs, which will be charged to your account. For large shipments, you may choose to ship to our duty-free zone warehouse, where goods can be stored without crossing the EU border. In this case you pay clearance, tax and tariff as your goods sell. This means that unsold items can be returned to you without having been imported.



Selling your goods
How do I get paid?
At the end of each month Geovalent pays out to the bank account number or paypal account you gave us in your contract. 
What if my goods don't sell?
We can ship goods back to you at any time.
Do I need to worry about EU sales taxes?
No. Geovalent takes care of all EU taxes and paperwork. You will be charged import tax and duty when your goods enter the EU, that's it.
Can I sell software, e-books, or other downloadable goods?
Yes, Geovalent has a special module for this. 
Can I sell other manufacturers' products in my store?
Yes, but be sure to check if they are registered trademarks in the EU. If they are, you may need permission from the manufacturer.
What kinds of goods can/can't be shipped?
Geovalent does not accept illegal, dangerous, or restricted goods. All goods must be legal for unrestricted trade in the EU.
What about COD orders that are refused?
In our experience this happens very rarely - about 1% of all COD packages are returned. UPS does not charge a return fee. Of course you are free to choose not to offer COD payments in your stores.



Storing your goods
Where are my goods stored?
We have two secure, insured warehouses in Barcelona. Goods coming from outside the EU are stored in our duty-free zone warehouse, so you don't pay import taxes or duty until your goods are sold. Goods from within the EU are stored in our main warehouse.
What about theft?
We are insured against theft, fire, and flooding. Your goods are safe in our warehouses. Goods are insured by UPS for transit to your EU customers.







Shipping your goods
How much does shipping cost?
Due to our high volume we can offer shipping at 50% of UPS posted rates.
Why do you use UPS?
We have tried virtually all European shipping companies, including national postal systems, and have founds UPS to be the most reliable. Their automation is also superior: Geovalent stores connect directly to UPS servers each morning, entering package details so the driver knows exactly what to pick up. Your customers also receive tracking information at this time, all automatically.
Why not use the post office?
International shipping via state postal systems is not reliable. Packages disappear as they are handed off across borders, tracking is not always available or reliable.
Do you carry shipping insurance?
All UPS packages shipped by Geovalent are insured against loss and damage.
What about shipping outside the EU?
Yes, we can ship outside the EU. Depending on the location, costs can be significantly higher, however.
How can I track my orders?
Your control panel displays UPS tracking links for each package the moment they enter the UPS system.
Can I use another shipper besides UPS?
At the moment, Geovalent ships exclusively by UPS. If you are doing high volume or unusually large or heavy items, we can discuss other shipping options.
Can I do the shipping myself?
Yes, you can choose to ship goods yourself, it's called drop shipping. Please contact us for more information.
What about damages and losses during shipping from Geovalent to the customer?
All UPS packages shipped by Geovalent are insured against loss and damage.



Geovalent stores
Which languages do you offer?
We can translate to and from all European languages. Our stores support all UTF-8 character sets.
Which countries can I ship to?
Any country within the EU: Austria. Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Holland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom. We can also ship to EC member countries that have maintained customs/tariff barriers: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Andorra, etc. Shipping to this last group of countries is slightly higher.
Can I add more stores to my network?
Yes.
Can I remove stores from my network?
Yes
Which currencies can I accept?
All European currencies: the Euro, British pounds, Norwegian Krone, Polish Zloty, Swedish Krona, Danish Krone, Czech Koruna, and Hungarian Forints.
How can customers pay?
Credit card, Paypal, Bank Transfer, Cash on Delivery. You select the payment methods you want to support for each store.
Do customers need to log in?
No, customers can buy from your Geovalent stores without creating an account. We find that this speeds up purchasing and increases sales. All customers must provide their full name and address, plus a valid email address, of course.
Can each store be in more than one language?
Yes, for example in Belgium you might choose to offer French, Dutch and English.
Can I create combination offers?
Yes, via your control panel.
Can I group products into a product package (e.g. gift set)
Yes, via your control panel.
I don't have suitable photos. do you offer photography?
Yes, we work with freelance photographers based in Barcelona, who can provide web optimised photos as well as high resolution images (for printed brochures, for example).
I don't have suitable text. do you offer copywriting services?
Yes, we work with freelance copywriters who can provide copy in English, which is then translated into other languages.
How do I manage inventory?
You have real-time access to your inventory at all times via your network control panel. You will receive email notifications when stock runs low.
Can I change prices?
Yes, via your control panel.
can I change the way my store looks?
Yes. You may upload new store graphics and product graphics at any time via your control panel. You may also add banners, create pages, and change colors.
Can I change product text?
Yes, via your control panel.
Can I change the way products are organized?
Yes, via your control panel.
Can I put items on sale?
Yes, via your control panel.
Can I hide items?
Yes, via your control panel.
Is there a minimum price I must charge for products?
No.
Can I mass-email my customers?
Yes, your control panel has a mass-mail function. You may write to them about your products and services, provided you respect customers' wishes to be removed from your mailing list and provided you promise not to rent or sell their details to third parties.
Can I place ad banners on my stores?
Yes, you can activate this service by placing a tag or script from your chosen provider on the pages of your stores.
Is there a limit to the number of items I can sell?
No. We can set up a custom package for any size operation.
Are there weight or size restrictions on items I can sell?
Geovalent follows UPS weight and volume restrictions: 70kg (150lbs) max weight, 419cm (165in) max length + girth combined.



About Geovalent
Who started Geovalent?
Josh Merrow and Guy Spriggs started Geovalent in 2009.
Where are you based?
Barcelona, Spain
How can I speak to someone at Geovalent?
We're available by phone at +34 93 368 3399 or by email at info@geovalent.com. You may also use the contact form.
Do you have an uptime guarantee?
Excluding scheduled maintenance our servers are available 24/7 with a guarantee of 99,9% up time. In the event that your store is completely unavailable for more than 4 hours due to a fault in the Geovalent software (and not third party causes), your monthly fee will be credited.
Can I get support?
All customers receive email support via our helpdesk included in our package [fair use policy]
Is there a way I can try Geovalent out, to see if it works for me?
Our Starter package lets you start with a single domain store (1 pallet, 20 skus), for 3 months. See pricing for more information.
Do you offer SEO/SEM services?
We do. We have dedicated SEO/SEM people on staff, and they are very good. See the case study page.
Who pays for Adwords?
If you choose to use Google Adwords for online marketing, this can be conveniently charged to your credit card (you specify a maximum monthly budget and cost per click). You can choose to manage the Adwords account yourself or have our SEM team do this for you (fees apply).
Do you do translation? How much does it cost?
Geovalent can provide translation to and from all European languages. Costs start at approximately $0.10 per word, depending on the amount of text and specific requirements.
Why not use Ebay or Amazon?
Geovalent offers you a way to tell your products' stories in a local voice, through online stores tailored to each European market. Geovalent also offers a host of features that Ebay and Amazon do not: customer service, fast reliable shipping, a human touch, and a sales environment that isn't crowded with your competitors.
Why not just ship from outside the EU?
Shipping across the EU's borders is expensive and can be tricky: fast customs clearance cannot be guaranteed, taxes and tariffs can vary. Packages can get lost or held up and returns are very difficult. We have found that European buyers often hesitate to buy from outside the EU for these reasons.
Can I accept the customers' payments?
If you wish to run a Geovalent store network yourself and handle the shipping, customer service, etc., you can accept the payments. Please contact us for details.
Can Geovalent ship for me without a Geovalent store?
No, our shipping services are reserved for Geovalent store customers. 
Can Geovalent do wholesale distribution?
Yes, our infrastructure has been designed from the outset to support this. Please contact us for more information.
Are you insured?
Yes, our secure storage facilities are fully insured, as are your goods during shipping via UPS to your EU customers.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Geovalent accepts all major credit cards. We normally require a minimum balance of $500 in your Geovalent account to cover ongoing sales cashflow.