ebay: trying to figure out best way to ship beyond CONUS

I've asked this question on one of the eBay community forums but did not get much useful info.

Up until now, I've only sold on eBay in the 48 states. That is, I do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, foreign locations etc. I usually offer free shipping and then include the shipping cost in the starting price. A lot of what I ship is computer/electronic components which are too big for any sort of flat rate box, so I usually use USPS Parcel Post or FedEx ground.

I am thinking about expanding beyond the 48 CONUS states. For starters considering AL/HI and Canada. So some question to those of you who have sold bigger computer/electronic items on eBay.



1. Does it even make sense? That is, when you sold stuff, did you get many buyers from AL/HI, Canada and/or other foreign locations (So America, Europe, Asia)? AL, HI don't seem to me to be huge computer equipment markets, where we are talking about vintage or newer equipment. But I might be wrong. With places like Europe you have the issue of 220 vs 110v but maybe it's not such an issue after all. And of course, the shipping cost...
2. How do you set up shipping in your auctions? Flat rate to some locations, variable to others? Something else?
3. How do you handle insurance, tracking etc when you ship internationally? Canada any different from places farther away?

Thanks!