posted on October 2, 2000 05:18:05 AM new
This is really kind of embarrassing but I've been selling on ebay for 3 years and I'm still baffled by what I should tell International bidders regarding acceptable payment methods, etc.
I have honestly never had any problem in the past - the International Customers I've had have always sent something that was cashable at my bank - but lately...
I've had a rash of new bidders sending me things I've never even seen before! Checks with funny chicken scratch marks - not one word in English - or checks in their currency when I have US FUNDS plastered all over my auctions and emails.
I have re-worked my emails to make it as plain as possible but have noticed there seems to be a new strain of International Bidders on ebay lately - those that can't read or don't get the US FUNDS thing.
So what are the options you offer? I know about Bidpay, International Money Orders, etc. How do you get the point across to the International set?
posted on October 2, 2000 05:39:04 AM new
Hi,
As a seller and buyer from Australia I can empathise with you.
As you point out it seems to be newbies.
This prompts me to ask if are you clearly stating the terms of international payment within the body of your auction or are you not giving the information until you email your buyer?
As buyer it makes life easier if I can quickly see what payment methods you accept before I bid.
posted on October 2, 2000 06:33:11 AM new
I like to keep my TOS pretty simple but I do state - "International Bidders are welcome - payment in US FUNDS only". I have a Bidpay link for International Bidders.
As I said, I've pretty much used the same terms for the past 3 years and never had any problems until the last couple of months!
I've seen so many end of auction emails with paragraph after paragraph of ALL the forms of payment a seller doesn't take - ie, including chickens, foreign stamps, gift certificates to other countries, etc. I've always laughed at these.
I was hoping I would never have to adopt the 'storybook' end of auction email but it's starting to look like I might have to for all the "special folks".
