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how to protect yourself selling to overseas buyer?

is there a way to protect myself when selling to an overseas buyer to make sure i dont get stuck? i would assume paypal is the only way to go, but i do not feel confident with overseas. does anyone have any experience with this? i wouldn't even know how long to hold any type of funds besides paypal to make sure its clear. lets use shipping of wax boxes to australia as an example here. i already know the common stuff regarding paypal like confirmed addresses dc under $250 and sign conf over $250. i just am clueless about foreign sales. any help is appreciated.

Comments

  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    I stopped doing it over a year ago.

    PayPal is starting a new scheme that WILL protect sellers
    on ALL overseas orders. If you do not see the program on their
    website, call them and they will explain the process.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • I've sold hundreds of items overseas and I've almost had no problems at all. Just make sure to follow the shipping rates and rules closely, since they do varie from domestic rules. Shipping overseas can be very expensive and you come across some buyers that think you are trying to rip them off when you send them a quote. The only problems I've had has been sending items to Italy, I've had 4 items never make it and quite a few items "opened" when the buyer receives it. I shipped a factory sealed box of 07' topps basketball a few weeks ago and the buyer emailed me complaining that he received the box with the factory seal gone and 1 pack open. I've decided to no longer ship items to Italy because of all the problems. It's the only country I've had problems with. If you don't mind a little extra work selling overseas can payoff nicely.


    Mike
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    I just looked all over PP to find details on the new overseas SP.
    It is not there, OR I could not find it.

    The details were in the EBAY press-conference on the day they
    announced the fee-hikes and FB changes. The PR says that the
    new PP scheme will apply to PSers that maintain high DSR scores.

    ALL of the US/CA/UK rules will apply, but the protection will be
    extended to countries that do NOT have "confirmed addresses."

    The protection will NOT cover INR/SNAD claims. It will cover ONLY
    the claims outlined in the current SP plan. It appears, based on
    USPS policies, most items will have to be shipped Express Mail
    to be insured against claims NOT covered by PP's SP.

    More than 90% of PP claims against sellers shipping overseas
    involve INR. Insurance is the ONLY way I know of to cover that
    problem.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • EagleEyeKidEagleEyeKid Posts: 4,496 ✭✭
    I no longer sell overseas.
    Many overseas country DO NOT scan registered
    packages, so it's no good.

    Best way to protect yourself is to either not sell overseas,
    or only accept international money orders.
  • Don't sell to them!

    Giovanni
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,432 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think it would be OK to sell to APOs?

    mike
    Mike
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "I think it would be OK to sell to APOs?"

    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    Absolutely.

    Those folks know the consequences of dishonesty.
    I have NEVER had anything but VERY positive sales
    to them.

    BUT, if sellers check the block-box: "Countries To Which I Do Not Ship,"
    APO folks that have signed up in their foreign station are automatically
    blocked. MANY such buyers were registered stateside, and are NOT
    blocked. They often do not have confirmed addys, but I have shipped
    anyway and have never had a problem.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • I've had a bad run lately of overseas packages not showing up or getting damaged. I've decided not to sell overseas in the future. Too many headaches.
  • I sell a lot of high dollar items (4 figures and up) to a lot of overseas buyers. Other than the price difference to ship, the process is exatly the same and it is a misconception that it's a big deal.

    What makes you think that your fellow countrymen are anymore trustworthy - per capita, they are more likely to screw you.

    Of course, I'm not talking about redflag countries like Nigeria with their mail repackaging scams.

    Provided the buyer is willing to pay for the shipping costs I will ship to Antarctica. I use courier, not the postal service. UPS, FEDEX. Fully insured for the full amount with sig. required upon delivery.

    If you want to save the buyer any customs or duties, tell the guy at the store you want to insure it, but that it is a return item and they will give you a return form. This will eliminate any and all duties that the buyer has to pay as they will think it's originally his. Usually they wont mind paying the extra shipping if you can help them out with the duties like this, and you don't have to lie about the value this way either.

    As long as you pay for all the bells and whistles you're not going to get into any trouble. It's really no different than selling to the guy next door except that there's a little more paperwork. To be honest, I prefer these guys to the homebodies who want 3.00 shipping on the 1000 dollar item.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    For TONS of anecdotal evidence on the perils of OS shipping,
    visit the sundry EBAY boards:

    seller central
    stores
    shipping and packaging

    search terms:

    overseas shipping
    europe shipping
    italy shipping

    MANY small/medium sellers have totally given-up on OS.
    That is why EBAY/PP are preparing to add the new SP.

    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.


  • << <i>I've had a bad run lately of overseas packages not showing up or getting damaged. I've decided not to sell overseas in the future. Too many headaches. >>



    Tell me about it. I received a dual autograph card recently that I purchased in 2006, I think it was China or something, not positive. It comes to me in 2008 image

    But at least I got it! image

    Giovanni
  • i simply dont sell overseas, and only occasionally sell to our friendly neighbors up north.
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