You know what sucks about Ebay?

Barry · September 7, 2003 10:26AM

I know... lotsa things... but here's one of my pet peeves.
I specify shipping to US only. Auction ends. Winning bidder is in Japan.
On the feedback page, it lists the country of registration. Why can't Ebay automatically block bidders when not in the geographical area specified? Seems like a simple bit of programming.

Lakesammman · September 7, 2003 10:27AM

Couldn't agree more. Maybe if you listed it in Japanese, they would know not to bid.....

JohnZ · September 7, 2003 10:33AM

Your auction wasn't translated into Japanese.

braddick · September 7, 2003 10:34AM

Barry, consider opening up your auctions to allow for worldwide bidding. Your auctions will then be featured on eBay worldwide and as long as they pay the shipping cost, why care where they're from?

JohnZ · September 7, 2003 10:35AM

What braddick said. The customs stuff at the PO is no big deal.

Bustman · September 7, 2003 10:51AM

Some people, like myself, just prefer to deal in US only. I know its not that big of a deal to ship, just seems like I have had more problems when dealing outside of the US.

Lakesammman · September 7, 2003 10:58AM

I sold a collection for a guy with many foreign coins and found dealing with multiple countries difficult. There were communication delays, exchange rate questions, difficulty figuring out insurance, language barrier issues, waiting for funds to clear, etc. If you have the time, it's no big deal I guess but for me it was a real hassle.

LincolnCentMan · September 7, 2003 11:02AM

I'll tell you what I hate about e-bay... people bid on the coins I want... and I have to compeat for the coins!!! What's up with that???

David

Barry · September 7, 2003 11:34AM

Braddick and JohnZ - I used to list all my auctions worldwide. I had a few bidders freak out on me when they found out they had to pay customs duty on their end. They said they would refuse delivery, have item returned to me, then reverse the Paypal payment (which, BTW, takes a nice extra chunk when converting a foreign currency). Others have asked me to declare some trivial amount to avoid customs, but then the item can't be insured for its true value. Then what if it's lost? I'm the one screwed.

After those experiences, I specify US only for most items. Certain items that I think would have an international appeal (Euro sets for example), I do list internationally (and those usually wind up with US high bidders, naturally!)

mojorizn · September 7, 2003 11:38AM

What I love is getting paid in Canadian funds. Or someone in Italy not quite catching the "international bidders pay actual shipping, please email for total" clause.

Mojo

Bikingnut · September 7, 2003 11:41AM

The thing that annoys me is the emails I receive stating item not won, similar items found. The only thing similar about the items in these emails is that they are all coins. I guess I could always go in and update my email preferences.

Russ · September 7, 2003 2:18PM

<< <i>Some people, like myself, just prefer to deal in US only. >>

Ditto. As one who used to ship worldwide for my real business I can tell you that it is simply not worth the risk.

Russ, NCNE

SarasotaFrank · September 7, 2003 2:37PM

I sold an item and my auctions clearly state - I only ship in the 48.

Sure enough - winning bidder - Quebec.

Cost an extra 20% and a pain with the customs docs - but the buyer paid in US Cash.

She overpaid by six cents - so I sent her six cents in Canadian coins.

redcents · September 8, 2003 2:10AM

"Ditto. As one who used to ship worldwide for my real business I can tell you that it is simply not worth the risk."

There exists a fee to fairly compensate you for the "risk" and "inconvenience" and the extra time you may have to expend to deal with it (int'l shipping). You just need to decide what it is.

MacCoin · September 8, 2003 2:40AM

ebay is ok but I like shopping in person seeing the coin myself.

ScarsdaleCoin · September 8, 2003 4:02AM

dealing with foreign countries can be a big pain....I agree if you want to sell US, then you can blow off the winner....however some of the Japan buyers are Americans living overthere and some Japan buyers have you ship it to friends who live in America and then the friends ship/bring it over....good luck

ScarsdaleCoin · September 8, 2003 4:03AM

by the way when I first read the thread...my answer was "Everything"

Barry · September 12, 2003 5:23AM

Interesting post-script to this thread.
The bidder was in Japan, on this auction which I specified US bidders only. However, he is going to be in NY next week. So, from Japan, he Fedexed $922 CASH (neatly tucked inside a magazine - crazy huh?), and I shipped to his friend's address in NY.

poptopsRus · September 12, 2003 5:29AM

I'm the same way, not worth the hassle or the time dealing with overseas shipments. I list in my auctions USA ONLY in big bold letters - but every year I get a hand full of people out of the country that bid (I guess they can't read english). Drives me crazy!

Furtrapper · September 12, 2003 11:31AM

In defense of those of us with foriegn addresses that collect US coins; it is often difficult to find quality US coins other than on e-bay.

Having said this there are a few common courtesies that one should follow (since we are kind of crashing the party).

1. Always pay in US funds (US currency is single largest traded currency, there is no excuse for Cdns).

2. Alway ship payment via priority post or other like method (payment arrives within 3-5 business days).

3. I always send additional $10-20 for shipping and handling (additional cost of shipment plus paperwork). Obviously impacts the coins I am willing to purchase in this manner.

4. For those of us that live in Cda (always offer to provide a US shipping address (most of us have friends and/or relative in the US).

Generally a little commmon courtesy goes a long way.

I hope if I bid on your coins one day, you will not be offended by my address.

Regards,

Ron B

islemangu · September 12, 2003 3:46PM

Hey dont forget about us loyal Americans who are overseas but still in the USA !!

I sold an item and my auctions clearly state - I only ship in the 48.

The only time the above restriction is meaningful is when you are not shipping via US Postal Service ie; Fed Ex, UPS, DHL ect. for they do charge big differences the farther away from mainland,
However, if shipping via US Postal Service restrict foreign country hassels by indicating shipping to USA only. Then our overseas APO and territories can play too and the shipping expense and reliability is really about the same as inside contiental US for small coins and stuff.

canadiancoinguy · September 12, 2003 6:35PM

There is no excuse for anyone to pay in anything but the specifed auction currency unless there have been previous arrangements.

Syracusian · September 12, 2003 7:30PM

(on the subject of shipping worldwide):

I live in Greece and I'm always disappointed when I see sellers not willing to ship worldwide.Currency exchange is not a problem,if the transaction takes place via PAYPAL. Customs is a very serious problem,and keep in mind that for any parcel sent by Fedex,or USPS insured (above $100) , there will be a VAT,according to the country of the recipient.

Tip: Always send your parcels registered ,but NOT insured.If possible ,send it Global Priority too.It won't get lost (at least in Europe).

If the buyer insists on a Fedex shipment,remember to mention something other than coins in the description,because coins fall into a special category and the buyer ,probably ,doesn't know that.
When I send slabbed coins (from Europe to the US),"samples" is the word that's proved more helpful than any other.

Besides that,I agree with Barry: the Japanese buyer could have contacted him in advance (I do it all the time),and he could have assumed responsibility if the parcel gets lost (which it won't 99.99%-if registered).
The last response from such a seller was: "I can ship them to the moon if you pay the fees"

Barry · September 12, 2003 9:04PM

Syracusian - If not shipped insured, then what if the package is lost? Who is responsible? If the buyer paid with Paypal, he can claim non-delivery and get his money back. The seller is the one out of luck, and that's a risk I'm not willing to take.

As an amateur radio operator, I've sent a lot fo mail around the world (with a dollar bill or IRC for return postage and a QSL card in it). With the exception of Canada, Japan, and most of western Europe (which does not include Greece and Italy in this case), I can tell you from experience that most of the rest of the world's post offices are far from safe. Also, sometimes mail passes through an unsafe country on the way to its destination. For example, mail to Mongolia is always rifled in Russia. However, if you address the envelope Mongolia via Japan, it makes it most of the time.

I know a coin dealer in Greece who was driven into bankruptcy and out of business by all the thefts of Euro sets he was shipping.

You know what sucks about Ebay?

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