Thought provoking (not-so) hypothetical involving an interesting Ebay situation.
p8nt
Posts: 2,947 ✭✭✭
The facts: This auction of mine ended last Sunday. It was won by a bidder from Canada. I do not ship to Canada (nor have I ever for various but irrelevant reasons) as is stated in the auction.
(Part 1): Do change my terms and adapt (thus completing the transaction) for this buyer or not?
More facts: I am rather happy, no, extremely happy with the ending price
If it were not for this bidder, the winning bid would have been $300, which is still a nice amount, but $500 is much better 
(Part 2): Do I have some sort of subconscious debt to this bidder? Please explain.
Final facts: The bidder contacted me shortly after the end of the auction and requested that I ship the coin in a plain envelope without any values or markings on it.
(Part 3): Do I complete the transaction? if so, at what terms? If not, why not?
(Part 1): Do change my terms and adapt (thus completing the transaction) for this buyer or not?
More facts: I am rather happy, no, extremely happy with the ending price
If it were not for this bidder, the winning bid would have been $300, which is still a nice amount, but $500 is much better (Part 2): Do I have some sort of subconscious debt to this bidder? Please explain.
Final facts: The bidder contacted me shortly after the end of the auction and requested that I ship the coin in a plain envelope without any values or markings on it.
(Part 3): Do I complete the transaction? if so, at what terms? If not, why not?
0
Comments
<< <i>Final facts: The bidder contacted me shortly after the end of the auction and requested that I ship the coin in a plain envelope without any values or markings on it. >>
This is the deal breaker. The buyer is asking you to commit fraud. Tell him that if you can't send it with the proper customs forms, the deal's off.
<< <i>(Part 1): Do change my terms and adapt (thus completing the transaction) for this buyer or not? >>
Your call. If you're thrilled with the bid amount and his money's good, go for it. If he pays via PayPal, what's the difference? You can make him pay a little bit more for shipping, but shipping to Canada is not that much more expensive.
<< <i>(Part 2): Do I have some sort of subconscious debt to this bidder? Please explain. >>
Nope. If you don't wanna do it, don't. Just remind him of your terms.
<< <i>(Part 3): Do I complete the transaction? if so, at what terms? If not, why not? >>
Sure, go for it. He might've requested the plain, unmarked envelope because of a concern about nosy neighbors, teenaged crackhead sons who might steal it, anything. I don't necessarily see it as a red flag. Just make sure his money's in hand first, and in US funds.
Edit to add: flaminio has a point. You do need to fill out the proper customs forms. If he doesn't like that, tough. He shouldn't have bid. To have bid when your terms excluded him in the first place, he's already in a bad position to ask you any favors. But if he is willing to do it with the proper customs forms attached to the envelope, etc, and you want his money, take the deal.
<< <i>
<< <i>Final facts: The bidder contacted me shortly after the end of the auction and requested that I ship the coin in a plain envelope without any values or markings on it. >>
This is the deal breaker. The buyer is asking you to commit fraud. Tell him that if you can't send it with the proper customs forms, the deal's off. >>
Or just send them with the documents. Let's play it out:
He wins the auction (against your terms)
You adjust your terms and agree to ship to Canada (now he has no basis to back out)
He asks you to commit fraud (that wasn't ever part of the deal, but a contract was made)
I say he bought it at the price he won it for, and the customs forms should reflect that.
<< <i>His feedback looks ok and you got an extra $200. I'd ship it. >>
I would to, but with a properly filled out customs form.
<< <i>
<< <i>His feedback looks ok and you got an extra $200. I'd ship it. >>
I would to, but with a properly filled out customs form. >>
That goes without saying. Just ship it the normal way.
I would wait for payment to clear and wouldn't use Paypal.
<< <i>Hmmm.. winning bidder: invisiblemanfromhongkong
I would wait for payment to clear and wouldn't use Paypal. >>
I'd agree about not using paypal when going to another country (even canada)...besides, are the canooks trustworthy?
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
How is he/she paying?
I agree.
<< <i>tell him to give you a US contact to send it to and let his contact commit fraud instead. >>
Right. in other words, open yourself up to a conspiracy to commit fraud, which in the eyes of the law is just as culpable as committing the fraud directly
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
Asking you to use the plain envelope goes over the line.
Bruce
<< <i>I hope you tell him that you only mail items insured - Delivery Confirmation! Or at least I hope you learned that by now. >>
All Ebay transactions come standard with DC/SC and insurance now
Properly completed customs form, and insured. If he doesn't like it, no sale. If you a revengful, and a neg at 89.999 days.
<< <i>The facts: This auction of mine ended last Sunday. It was won by a bidder from Canada. I do not ship to Canada (nor have I ever for various but irrelevant reasons) as is stated in the auction.
(Part 1): Do change my terms and adapt (thus completing the transaction) for this buyer or not?
More facts: I am rather happy, no, extremely happy with the ending price
(Part 2): Do I have some sort of subconscious debt to this bidder? Please explain.
Final facts: The bidder contacted me shortly after the end of the auction and requested that I ship the coin in a plain envelope without any values or markings on it.
(Part 3): Do I complete the transaction? if so, at what terms? If not, why not? >>
I sell worldwide. I get better prices by doing such. What is the reason for not selling to Canada???
"The buyer is asking you to commit fraud"
Another way to look at it is... Unfair Tariffs on American Goods...
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
Got to question his handel... "invisiblemanfromhongkong"..."-)
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
<< <i>This is kind of like a Coinguy hypothetical and one of those annoying math test questions combined. My head hurts.
So True......
TorinoCobra71
<< <i>Another way to look at it is... Unfair Tariffs on American Goods... >>
Oh, I absolutely agree. However, such battles are fought in the legislature, and in the courts. Not with a dweeby eBay buyer.
There is a certain risk, but I have sent coins there without problems.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Since your listing states Ships to: United States, did this function fail or do you not have it set up?
Just curious..........
The name is LEE!
<< <i>For the extra bucks you got, ship it Registered! >>
There is no Registered Mail to Canada.
<< <i>Isnt there an option in Ebay to block bidders that are "Registered in Countries you do not ship too"? >>
Yes, there is.
Ben,
Whatever you do, heed the advice not to accept PayPal. The vast majority of foreign addresses are not confirmed, which means you would have no protection if the bidder decides to shaft you with a chargeback.
Russ, NCNE