posted on August 11, 2001 07:43:17 AM new
Good morning all! Well I've decided I'm going to take the plunge and click the "will sell internationally button". (Mainly because bidding seems to be way down...at least for me!) I know I can get shipping quotes from the USPS web site and there will be forms to fill out when I ship..but..what else should I be aware of? Should I sell to all countries? If not, which countries would it be best to steer clear of? I have done 2 international sales..one to Germany and one to Japan. The bidder in Germany was nice enough to ask before hand..great transaction...the one from Japan didn't ask..realized they were in Japan after the fact..but all went smooth. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
posted on August 11, 2001 07:55:31 AM new
Most places are great to ship to. ABSOLUTELY avoid Indonesia! Rampant fraud there...Some others, I'm sure, will advise you of a few other places that have big problems with fraud but Indonesia is the biggie. You're pretty safe with Western Europe, UK, Canada, Japan...
posted on August 11, 2001 08:33:05 AM new
there are also american expatriates overseas,you can tell from the way they speak through emails,or just ask them.
they could still have their us bank checking account which they use to make payments.
posted on August 11, 2001 09:27:18 AM new
Go to billpoint, paypal, bidpay's home pages. They all have a list of places that they advise that you should steer clear of.
THey also have some great tips on what to do or not to do. Check them out.
[ edited by gs4 on Aug 11, 2001 10:35 AM ]
posted on August 11, 2001 02:54:18 PM new
Good Luck and have fun. If you sell low value lots, I guess you will have no problems with fraud. I have sold to 24 countries with no problems, all paying US$ cash. Costa Rica will soon be added. This is not my trading name.
posted on August 11, 2001 04:47:31 PM new
Thank you all for your replys! But I'm kind of leary about asking people to send cash. My German buyer did...and it arrived here safely..but I still wouldn't feel comfortable recommending it. So I should say something along the lines of "US funds only"? I do accept PayPal..so thanks for the heads up..I'll check out their site.
posted on August 11, 2001 05:14:41 PM new
Just a thought. Your buyer sends you US$ cash in mail. You send the winning lots in mail. Who is more at risk?
posted on August 11, 2001 06:04:46 PM new
UK I don't think I quite understand what you mean. To me we'd both be at risk. What if the buyer sends cash and I happen not to receive their payment? They say they sent it, but they have no proof....I say I didn't get it, but I have no proof. It could damage my credibility as a seller, don't you think?
posted on August 11, 2001 06:56:06 PM new
Well, although it's nice to have cash in your hand, I wouldn't encourage buyers to send cash. Too many problems could arise as you have already imagined! I have received cash from the UK and Israel and had no problems and was very appreciative of their payment but I still would not encourage it for the reasons you already mentioned.
