E-bay sellers. Any of you people sell outside of the USA?

Bosox48 · February 4, 2007 5:37AM

I've been selling for awhile. Wondering if I'm missing out by not selling outside of the USA. Is there a market for US coins in other countries? Can you insure? what about DC? Any advise, pro's, con's. lmk
Thanks,
Jim

Russ · February 4, 2007 5:49AM

Nope. There's certainly a market, but I'd rather not get screwed with a PayPal chargeback that is impossible to win since overseas addresses are rarely confirmed.

Russ, NCNE

mackdriver · February 4, 2007 5:54AM

I have sold to Japan,Thailand,Taiwan,Germany,England and some others i can't think of right now.I never had a problem yet.I always make sure thier feedback is up to par first and i always send Global Express insured thru the USPS.

airplanenut · February 4, 2007 5:55AM

I only do if I'm selling foreign items. For instance, I just sold 75 rare French/French Colonial pieces (mintages 104 each) which has a large foreign market. I shipped internationally on those.

Jeremy

291fifth · February 4, 2007 6:01AM

I've sold many coins outside the US on eBay but admit to being uneasy. Many of the addresses are unconfirmed so I tend to rely on feedback and length of time on eBay. If you are selling foreign or ancient coins you really have to sell outside the US because that is where much of the market is.

So far, I've never had a problem sale outside the US on anything, but I do try to be careful.

Russ · February 4, 2007 6:11AM

"I've never had a problem" are famous last words. I used to say them all the time. Then, back in 2001, I got screwed on a nearly $2000 sale, (not coin related). That's when I decided I'd rather miss a sale or two then take it up the wazoo on a fraudulent chargeback.

Russ, NCNE

messydesk · February 4, 2007 6:17AM

Look into third-party shipping insurance and only ship to countries they cover. International insurance with USPS is not worth buying. Also, insist on a confirmed address if you're taking PayPal. Study the buyer's feedback and state that you reserve the right to cancel their bids if you don't like what you see.

ebaytrader · February 4, 2007 6:22AM

I used to sell globally and did a ton of business but in the long run I found it to be not worth the bother. A lot of npb.

Never had any problems with payment because I didn't accept PayPal. I would only accept BidPay (WU money orders).

Russ · February 4, 2007 6:24AM

<< Also, insist on a confirmed address if you're taking PayPal. >>

So few overseas addresses are confirmed that this would have essentially the same effect as not allowing overseas sales at all.

Russ, NCNE

Bosox48 · February 4, 2007 6:31AM

<< I've been selling for awhile. Wondering if I'm missing out by not selling outside of the USA. Is there a market for US coins in other countries? Can you insure? what about DC? Any advise, pro's, con's. lmk
Thanks,
Jim >>

What about Canada? Same as other countries, don't bother.

Dennis88 · February 4, 2007 6:38AM

I live in the Netherlands and find it very frustrating that some sellers won't ship outside the USA. I will always give several references of reputable coin firms and although I pay with paypal most of the time I will always take the risk of shipping. Even then most sellers won't ship to here...

My advice? It might be strange to hear from me, but at first glance say that you will only ship to the USA. When someone is really interested (like me most of the times) they will send you an e-mail asking if there are any exceptions made. Check their feedback, say that everything is at their risk and ask for references in the USA. That way, I don't feel any problems when shipping outside the US and you should be completely covered.

Dennis

planetsteve · February 4, 2007 8:36AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the UK and Canada are both eligible for Paypal's Seller Protection Policy. I took BidPay when it was around to take payments from other countries for camera equipment. In fact, I would have cost me a significant amount of prices realized to restrict sales to the USA.

Of course the real issue for me now is: are buyers outside the USA typically willing to pay more for USA coins?

mrpaseo · February 4, 2007 8:42AM

You people?

Russ · February 4, 2007 8:51AM

<< Correct me if I'm wrong, but the UK and Canada are both eligible for Paypal's Seller Protection Policy. >>

Only if shipping to a confirmed address, and very few are confirmed.

Russ, NCNE

BlindedByEgo · February 4, 2007 9:05AM

It's a pain. Usually list US only, but I have been emailed and made the occasional exception. Like Airplanenut, usually darkside.

puritan9 · February 4, 2007 9:15AM

I do not ship internationally because of Pay Pal's verified address policy. I will always protect my investment.

mirabela · February 4, 2007 9:17AM

Only when I am contacted by a potential buyer first & have a chance to check them out. I have had a couple of very positive experiences recently selling USA-Philippines items to buyers in the Philippines. I make it clear that I am unable to insure, so they will be buying at their risk. In turn, one of these buyers acquainted me with the "Global Flat Rate Priority Mail" service, even emailing me a pic of the mailer. Very helpful & cool.

Similarly, when contacted about it by a prospective bidder, I have sent items to Canada and to Great Britain. On my listings, though, I say I only ship within the US.

So far, so good.

granpagraf · February 4, 2007 9:40AM

I just sold a few IndianCents to a guy in Austria and got his paypal payment 2 minutes later!
I just hope they arrive safely. They were cheapies. He seem to be very excited to get them.
I made sure the coins were very properly packaged!

Djord · February 4, 2007 9:54AM

<< I live in the Netherlands and find it very frustrating that some sellers won't ship outside the USA. I will always give several references of reputable coin firms and although I pay with paypal most of the time I will always take the risk of shipping. Even then most sellers won't ship to here...

My advice? It might be strange to hear from me, but at first glance say that you will only ship to the USA. When someone is really interested (like me most of the times) they will send you an e-mail asking if there are any exceptions made. Check their feedback, say that everything is at their risk and ask for references in the USA. That way, I don't feel any problems when shipping outside the US and you should be completely covered.

Dennis >>

I agree with you. As a rule I do not ship out of the country, but have when contacted by a interested buyer. I will ask for a shipping address and will supply them a shipping price at that time.

sonoranmonsoon · February 4, 2007 10:17AM

I must agree with Russ and some of the others on this. I no longer ship coins Internationally, however I have done so in the past. Most transactions went well, however I did get screwed out of about $1000 worth of gold bullion grade $10 american eagles shipped to Singapore. It was a stolen credit card paid through PayPal. I shipped 2 days before I got the charge back. Of course, as most International buyers, the address was not verified; so I had no recourse but to eat the loss. I decided a few months ago to finally drop the International thing. I decided the risks of unverified addresses, difficulty insuring, and customers complaining about custom delays or duty charges, simply were not worth the extra sales. Most of the International sales were with the gold coins, which I do not sell much of anymore. I do not think I gave up much sales exposure with my other coins, by dropping International shipping.

sonoranmonsoon · February 4, 2007 10:20AM

<< I live in the Netherlands and find it very frustrating that some sellers won't ship outside the USA. I will always give several references of reputable coin firms and although I pay with paypal most of the time I will always take the risk of shipping. Even then most sellers won't ship to here...

My advice? It might be strange to hear from me, but at first glance say that you will only ship to the USA. When someone is really interested (like me most of the times) they will send you an e-mail asking if there are any exceptions made. Check their feedback, say that everything is at their risk and ask for references in the USA. That way, I don't feel any problems when shipping outside the US and you should be completely covered.

Dennis >>

Dennis; You make a very good point. I have made an exception here and there by doing exactly what you are advising. Strong positive feedback ussually wins me over everytime.

basestealer · February 4, 2007 10:22AM

<< I've been selling for awhile. Wondering if I'm missing out by not selling outside of the USA. Is there a market for US coins in other countries? Can you insure? what about DC? Any advise, pro's, con's. lmk
Thanks,
Jim >>

I sell to international buyers--never had a problem (except with one Aussie who was a former scammer/auction interferer). However, I don't accept Paypal on foreign transactions unless I know the buyer personally. Cash or money order only on those.

Coinhog · February 4, 2007 11:30AM

The few times I have sold outside of the USA, the buyers have always asked me to lie on the customs forms as to the value of the item. When I refuse, they always get pissy. So I stopped. Not all people seem to know the value of integrity.

BobaFett72 · February 4, 2007 11:42AM

Cant track it or insure it through traditional methods, correct? If there was a better way, I'd consider, it, but its really not worth the risk.

flaminio · February 4, 2007 12:22PM

I'll sell to anywhere in the world, pretty much (except US embargoed countries like Iran and Cuba). Yeah, maybe I'll get screwed someday. It's my opinion that locking out 95% of the world's population is not good business. Even if they don't win many auctions, they help push up final values. Just MHO, and YMMV...

nickel · February 4, 2007 10:57PM

For items "not received" paypal usually sides with the buyer
Our store started using Global Express Mail , which costs
a lot , but can be tracked as delivered. Many complain on the
price , many still purchase because the item is not available
locally .
While insurance claims work, it's a long drawn out process

Barndog · February 4, 2007 11:18PM

I will sell to just about anyone, anywhere

nencoin · February 5, 2007 4:51AM

If you take the right precautions, you can safely open up your auctions to non-U.S. bidders. You would have to make the determination if the hassle involved is worth the potential for higher prices realized/more sales. We've been selling on eBay to non-U.S. bidders for quite some time, and have made so many changes over the years to our terms and policies, all in an effort to protect ourselves yet continue to sell overseas. We have gained too many customers, and sold too many coins that might not have otherwise sold, to NOT sell overseas. Here are some of our terms, which might help you decide if you want to deal with the hassle:

1) no credit cards on non-U.S. orders (since the address cannot be verified)
2) shipping to Confirmed addresses only, if payment by Paypal (opens door to Canada, UK, and Australia).
3) no bidders from Asia, with exception of Japan (too many bidders in China were choosing not to, or were unable to, read and/or understand our shipping and payment terms)
4) shipping by Registered Mail ONLY, with absolutely no exceptions made.
5) payment options for those who cannot confirm their address are: check, money order, or wire transfer (U.S. funds only).

For those who cannot comply with these terms, or who simply do not want to, then we don't mind missing out on their bids. But we get enough bids from folks overseas who DO read and are willing to comply with our terms, that has definitely made the hassle worthwhile. We probably have a few more terms listed that you might find helpful, Bosox48, so PM me if you'd like a link to one of our eBay auctions.

seemyauction · February 5, 2007 5:31AM

Until December of 2006 I shipped world wide, anything and everything not just coins. But in the month of December I was burned for $2500 worth of overseas buyers claiming they never received their item. They filed a complaint with pay-pal and got there money back. One of them even sent me a message stating they had received the item before they filed a claim. Sent a copy of the message to paypal and they still gave them their money back...... NO more overseas for mee's.....

AL

CarlWohlforth · February 5, 2007 5:54AM

I sell to Canada frequently. I have shipped to many APO addresses. I used to ship worldwide, now I limit that to a few countries in Europe. I used to strongly suggest buyers pay for Registered mail. I am about to change that to making Registered mandatory and not shipping anywhere that doesn't have Registered mail.

E-bay sellers. Any of you people sell outside of the USA?

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