posted on July 24, 2001 10:51:41 PM new
I had two auctions end tonight. The buyer lives in Brazil and paid with Billpoint, before I even knew they sold. Though not in my terms of service but listed in the ebay preferences, it says that I only ship to US and Canada. Oh well.
Is this a safe transaction? They have 2 feedback rating, but did buy 11 items from one person. Registered last week and have won and paid for 12 auctions. All items are from the same line of product. Anyone got some advice?
posted on July 25, 2001 07:04:32 AM new
Well, they actually added $11 per item. $22 to send something to Brazil. I assume they want it airmail. Should I insure it?
posted on July 25, 2001 08:49:43 AM new
AS with most foreign shipments insurance is not available..i just checked at the usps website and the only thing available is sending it registered for 7.75 more.
It cost 9.70 airmail to ship a pound over there. I don't know what your selling but if it weighs a pound or less you are coming out rather well on the postage.
posted on July 25, 2001 10:53:31 AM new
ATARI..I guess i learned something today also. there is ins. available for parcel post. I have never shipped parcel post because the cost is double of the regular airmail that i use.
no one i have sold to has ever requested ins. so i guess i never looked it up.
posted on July 25, 2001 11:38:14 AM new
Billpoint is one of the sloppiest companies around when it comes to detecting fraud. They will let the same customer using a stolen credit card charge over and over while the cardholder charges back every payment. They don't seem to care as long as the seller gets stuck with the costs, including the charge back fee. I am currently in contact with some reporters writing a story about this. Victims are invited to email me and I will put you in touch with someone who might be able to help.
As for this particular transaction, most credit card frauds don't look for $11 items. Then again, one of the warning signs of fraud is someone with a brand new ID who wants it in a hurry and is willing to pay extra to get it fast. I can't call it either way.
posted on July 25, 2001 11:46:08 AM new
Atari: actually, none of us can tell you if this is a safe transaction or not. And, safe in what sense? A safe buyer (no fraudulent credit card, no wacko after sale habits) or a safe destination to ship to?
If the bidder has only been on eBay for a week, then the positives they have received are obviously from sellers who post feedback upon RECEIVING the Billpoint payment, and not at the conclusion of the transaction. (Not passing judgment here, just an observation.) The point is: there hasn't been enough time for the other sellers to know if the buyer will do a chargeback after the goods are received, or even if a stolen credit card was used, or whether the package arrived safely, or if there were other delivery problems.
You may want to contact Billpoint and ask them to make further inquiries about this buyer. Don't get your hopes up too high, though. I've contacted them twice: once, they never responded, so I called the buyer myself (but that was Texas, not Brazil). The second time I received a prompt telephone call from a Billpoint customer service rep (almost went into shock) and they verified that for that particular buyer, the shipping address was indeed c/o a laundromat in Brooklyn (long story).
Anyway, it couldn't hurt to ask them what steps they have taken to verify that the Buyer's bona fides are actually bona fide. While waiting for them to get back to you, you can ascertain if the buyer sent you the correct shipping amount and if you can get insurance, either through the post office or through a company like u-pic.com (check their list of approved countries).
If you don't feel comfortable with this transaction, you do have other options:
1. Tell the Buyer your TOS say US and Canada only, so sorry, you'll have to cancel the transaction; or
2. Tell the Buyer that you'll make an exception to your TOS in his case, however, you will require payment by BidPay or international money order instead of Billpoint. Refund his Billpoint payment (I'd eat the fees, but that's your call) and wait for a BidPay or international money order to be in your hands before shipping the goods; or
3. Ship anyway and hope for the best.
Has the buyer contacted you other than the Billpoint payment? Can you gauge anything from their e-mail?
Hope this works out for you. It's a tough balance between being cautious and being open to new markets and buyers. Good luck.
posted on July 25, 2001 02:34:20 PM new
Misscandle:
No, the buyer hasn't contacted me at all. No message in the Billpoint payment either. They won 2 items for $12 each then added $22 for shipping but didn't even say how they wanted it shipped.
