View Full Version : Just taking precautions: am I at an advantage or disadvantage as a seller here...?
nintendokid
02-22-2006, 10:36 AM
I recently sold a lot of 4 GCN games and allowed international shipping for the first time since someone emailed me repeatedly because he really wanted it. The address is in Brazil and it's the one they place in the transaction details on Ebay and PayPal.
I want to ship it with tracking but to my knowledge, there are no international shipping services that use tracking, at least not Global Priority. I'm guessing I have to do Global Express and/or Global Express Guaranteed and by the name of it, sounds darn expensive plus, I'm not even sure they have tracking. I charged $10 for international shipping and I don't plan to spend more than $10-12. I'm planning to tell the buyer that international shipping w/ tracking is no longer and option and go for Global Priority.
In the unlikely event that the package does not happen to get there for whatever reasons (God help me please), do I have the upper hand in the dispute or does the buyer (please say ME!)? Need help fast, since I will be shipping by tomorrow. Thanks for any advice/comments or all-out "You're Screwed!" jokes.
With no DC you'll lose a PayPal / eBay dispute everytime. I don't even ship to Canada anymore because of this.
nintendokid
02-22-2006, 10:40 AM
With no DC you'll lose a PayPal / eBay dispute everytime. I don't even ship to Canada anymore because of this.
:puke:
csidegamer
02-22-2006, 11:01 AM
Check to see if you can insure the package.
(Depends on the country)
At least then you have a backup without the dc.
Some countries also allow for Recorded Delivery and Return Receipt.
Check with the PO.
nintendokid
02-22-2006, 11:17 AM
Check to see if you can insure the package.
(Depends on the country)
At least then you have a backup without the dc.
Some countries also allow for Recorded Delivery and Return Receipt.
Check with the PO.
thx just called, they said if I insure it, receiver has to sign a return receipt that mails back to me. But doesn't that mean it'll cost me an arm and leg?
nintendokid
02-22-2006, 11:23 AM
Oh dear...Air Mail w/ Insurance and Registration starts at 2 lbs base price of $20. I am never ever going to freakin' deal with non-Americans ever (no pun). Now what am I suppose to do? Ask the freakin' buyer to nicely add $10? Fuck
Puffa469
02-22-2006, 11:42 AM
I recently sold some stuff on Ebay and the winner was in Brazil. I sent the games out airmail parcel post, but I added insurance and international delivery confirmation. The insurance was a couple bucks, and the international delivery confrimation was another $1.50 or so... well worth it imo when your shiping something out of the country. If I had had any trouble with the buyer, I would have won any paypal dispute.
In my auctions I mention I will ship internationally, but to mail me for a quote. When I send out quotes, I always tack on an extra $5 to cover those insurance and dc expenses. I wont ship without dc...
The Successful Dropout
02-22-2006, 12:00 PM
I won't ship anywhere outside of the US...not even to Canada. It's too much of a hassle. Canadians won't get the hint either. Regardless of the fact that I include in my auctions that I won't ship outside of the US, I receive about 3 messages for every auction I put up with Canadians asking how much to blah blah in Canada? I don't even respond to them. Damn Canadians!
According to CAGer Haggar an international buyer can't file PayPal chargebacks. Although I know Canadian buyers are able to do so.
Personally I think you should refund the buyer if it doesn't get to them, and w/o tracking you have to take their word on it. But that's me. Does the buyer have really good FB?
nintendokid
02-22-2006, 12:03 PM
THis has been a great experience for me, since I charged $10 for shipping and I have to pay $20, I'm actually losing more money than if I just sold to US bidders! From now on, I'll allow international bidders on my auctions, under one condition they pick it up in Minnesota.
nintendokid
02-22-2006, 12:08 PM
According to CAGer Haggar an international buyer can't file PayPal chargebacks. Although I know Canadian buyers are able to do so.
Personally I think you should refund the buyer if it doesn't get to them, and w/o tracking you have to take their word on it. But that's me. Does the buyer have really good FB?
New member, about 40 feedback, all positive. Well, it's not lost yet or anything. Haven't even shipped it yet. Just taking precautions. But I will have to get insurance and registration to track it, so I get a signature and I can win dispute if it arises.
Geez, so much for globalization.
MightySlacker
02-22-2006, 12:09 PM
International users can and will file chargebacks. And 99% of the time you will lose. EMS I beliewve is the only way to get tracking thats acceptable for a paypal disouter because you have to be able to check it ONLINE to see if the package was delivered. Airmail Parcel w/ insurance is still pricey (I think it STARTS at $14 or so for a LB), and you'll still lose a chargeback, but you might eventually get your $ back.
Some people don't ship internationally due to this, and if you don't sell a lot I really couldn't blame you. I sell quite a bit and think the risk is just part of doing business. International buyers tend to drive bids up by quite a bit, and overpay for hard to find promotional stuff they can't get in their own country. I always put in my auctions for international users to contact me before bidding/buying so i can scope out their feedback and look for any warnings.
Also, PRINT YOUR LABELS so it is clearly legible - if for some reason your handwriting sucks or your package gets wet, it may go to the twilight zone.
One more piece of advice - Global Priority Mail, especially the flat rate envelopes, have a very high success rate of getting to their destinations. Its also possible to bluff some low feedback buyers that the serial numbers are actually tracking, thus scaring them out of a potential chargeback.
Dave
nintendokid
02-22-2006, 12:39 PM
I just found out a catch! The direct ebay member lives in Massachusetts, but wants me to deliver it to Brazil, as a gift for a family member without even the same last name! He/she's using me as a postal service! No can do! I'm going to push that I send only to MA, and if he/she refuses, I'll refund and take a negative hit. Shoot...this smells funny. It'll be even funnier if I do send and I get an email from PayPal saying "You sent package to the wrong person, not the Ebay member. REFUND THE MONEY EVEN THOUGH PACKAGE ARRIVED!"
MightySlacker
02-22-2006, 02:24 PM
Yes, that's another automatic lost - not sending to the exact confirmed paypal address.
Please throw up a link to the auction.
Dave
Puffa469
02-22-2006, 02:40 PM
I just found out a catch! The direct ebay member lives in Massachusetts, but wants me to deliver it to Brazil, as a gift for a family member without even the same last name! He/she's using me as a postal service! No can do! I'm going to push that I send only to MA, and if he/she refuses, I'll refund and take a negative hit. Shoot...this smells funny. It'll be even funnier if I do send and I get an email from PayPal saying "You sent package to the wrong person, not the Ebay member. REFUND THE MONEY EVEN THOUGH PACKAGE ARRIVED!"
You should only ship to the confirmed paypal address. You are in the right here. Its on the stupid buyer to ship a present to Brazil. If he won your auction, just ship to the confirmed paypal addy and you will be a-okay. Just make sure to get a delivery confirm.
nintendokid
02-22-2006, 02:57 PM
What happened was that I saw the Worcester, MA address at checkout. Then, I got a different address when I went on PayPal to check out the transaction information.
Near the end of my auction, I underlined quote "If paying via PayPal, please make sure you have a confirmed address on your account or you will have to use a different payment method." I should be able to defend myself.
I know it's for privacy sake, but I'm going to post the auction anyway! Help save a fellow CAG'ers 100% positive feedback! PLEASE
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8259005621
m0dem
02-22-2006, 03:56 PM
I just found out a catch! The direct ebay member lives in Massachusetts, but wants me to deliver it to Brazil, as a gift for a family member without even the same last name! He/she's using me as a postal service! No can do! I'm going to push that I send only to MA, and if he/she refuses, I'll refund and take a negative hit. Shoot...this smells funny. It'll be even funnier if I do send and I get an email from PayPal saying "You sent package to the wrong person, not the Ebay member. REFUND THE MONEY EVEN THOUGH PACKAGE ARRIVED!"
Paypal wont ask you to do it they will do it for you