posted on August 3, 2001 10:34:27 AM
Just curious if you sell to other countries around the world? And if you accept credit card orders or if you go MO only?
I was thinking of expanding but I always read that CC fraud is more likely for international orders. I was thinking of going with MO or BidPay only for out of country.
posted on August 3, 2001 10:35:43 AM
I specify BidPay for International buyers. Actually I'll take a regular money order from Canada, but not from anywhere outside North America. I have UK buyers actually send me US cash, but only for $5 items
posted on August 3, 2001 10:31:09 PM
I love selling overseas. You need to be open to "what ever works" for payment. (I don't do paypal, so the CC thing isn't an issue for me.)
I've gotten International Postal money orders from Canada, Italy and Japan (cash 'em at the post office). Western Union Money orders from Austraila, Cash ($150 once) from Austraila, New Zealand, Holland, Finland, France, Switzerland, and England, personal checks on US banks from people in France and Honk Kong (the one from Hong Kong worried me a little, but it was good as gold), Lots of Bidpays from all over Europe, and South America.
posted on August 5, 2001 09:15:36 PM
I really like international customers. I have been know to merely barter with those customers - have them send my something unique to their country instead of money. It becomes a wonderful lesson for my girls!
posted on August 6, 2001 05:07:24 AM
I sell antiques and collectibles on eBay and I believe that generally speaking the rate of all types of fraud is low. I've accepted international CC payments through PayPal without a single problem. If you are selling something like computers I think that you'll need to be more cautious. Here is a URL to a site that covers credit card issues. http://www.cartserver.com/americart/faq-fr.html
[ edited by iowaantiques on Aug 6, 2001 05:08 AM ]
posted on August 6, 2001 08:54:01 AM
well with cash, I don't ask them to send it. I give them the normal options and then they usually email to ask if it' s ok for them to send cash in US dollars. If it's for a small amount I guess they don't really care if it gets lost. I've had several buyers from the UK say, I'll send cash if it's okay and I'll make sure it's wrapped up well. It usually comes in a brown envelope of some sort and arrives fine.
Of course as a buyer Im leary of sending cash, but I guess some people arent'
posted on August 6, 2001 09:22:14 AM
American Dollars are universally available, universally accepted, and I usually get a letter once a week from Japan or Australia with a few bucks in it. It depends on the value of the exchange. Most of my auctions are $20 or less. For international auctions, I charge $2 plus any cents needed to make an even dollar amount (if the bid is $9.99, shipping is $2.01. If the bid is $9.01, shipping is $2.99. Either way they come out with an even dollar amount). I do accept paypal, and usually wait a week or so before shipping (and I will not ship to Malaysia or eastern europe on paypal as that is where most of the fraud is comming from). About 10% of the time someone sends international cash, they send it registered or certified. Kind of a pain since I have to go to the post office to get it. Many countries have international money orders available in U.S. Dollars (Japan and Australia again). My motto is, let them bid, then let them figure out how to pay. I make it easy for them to pay cash, but I will accept any payment. I had one person wire the money by Western Union. I had to go to the nearest Rite Aid drug store (about 500 feet from my house), give them the transaction number and show ID.
posted on August 6, 2001 01:58:01 PM
I frequently get US Dollars Cash from folks in Europe. No problems. Evidently it costs more for them to get a money order in US$ than to simply get US$ Cash.
posted on August 6, 2001 02:03:15 PM
Why not utilize Paypal or BillPoint? They cover a lot of international countries. But I also accept BidPay, cash, or Visa/MC. There are varying levels of risk for each payment type, but my average sale amount is pretty low so its not a big risk for me.
posted on August 6, 2001 02:15:13 PM
I accept all the same payment methods for international buyers as I do for U.S. buyers, although my auctions do specify the payment must be in US funds. Never had a problem with international buyers. Of course, if I was selling high-risk items - mostly hi-tech stuff - I'd be more cautious.
I've received money orders in U.S. funds, checks drawn from U.S. banks (mostly from Canadians), PP, BP, and Bidpay money orders are popular with the international crowd. I've also had many send cash, including large sums - fortunately they've had the good sense to send those via registered mail.
If you sell collectibles, it can be very lucrative to open up to international markets. A lot of items that are ho-hum here can attract some truly ridiculous bids in some international markets. I've had some Japanese buyers purchase things from me for many times what the domestic market would bring - and after the postage and other expenses, they still have room to mark 'em up and sell them over there for a profit!
posted on August 6, 2001 04:02:14 PM
I have traded with 24 different countries for US$ cash. These are all small value lots and I have never had a problem. I sell my $ to friends going on holiday to USA. I now get Paypal from around The World. In the last 24 hours I have had bids from Costa Rica, Ireland, UK & USA. And this is for six lots! I sold to USA on Sunday, they used Paypal and their lot was in the mail 12 hours later. This is not my trading name.
PS If you win a lot of mine for total $9.56,
please send a $10 bill and I will send you interesting change from UK.
[ edited by GreetingsfromUK on Aug 6, 2001 04:06 PM ]
posted on August 7, 2001 07:47:19 AM
p.s. if you win a lot of mine totaling $9.56 please send a ten dollar bill, US, and I will send interesting Canadian change.
Mom, near the border, always eyeballin my change received!
