bjboswell
|
posted on January 20, 2007 04:14:12 PM new
I have a piece of pottery listed this week. It is hovering around $1000 and still has 8 days left. I am quite certain it will sell for alot more. My question is what is the SAFEST form of payment for me to accept? If its a credit card or paypal I don't want to hear in 6 months I never bought or received that pot. Has anyone used eBays escrow service?
|
agitprop
|
posted on January 20, 2007 05:27:16 PM new
Safest form of payment for a SELLER is cash (provided you check that's it's not counterfeit). However really only good for in person transactions.
For online transactions I prefer bank transfer as it leaves a good audit trail and is irreversible; in many countries it's the accepted payment method and is surprisingly cheap (or free). For USA customers, I prefer money orders as they can be confirmed as genuine by a simple phone call or SWIFT inquiry.
Home of the best eBay auction fee & PayPal calculators: http://auctionfeecalculator.com
|
hwahwa
|
posted on January 20, 2007 07:04:03 PM new
Do you offer credit card and Paypal in the listing?
If so,you cannot turn down either if the bidder chooses to use them.
The bidder needs protection too!
|
toybuyer
|
posted on January 20, 2007 09:40:22 PM new
Wire transfers are the best. Cashier's check are okay but most people don't know even those can be cancelled but you can always call the bank to make sure its cleared. I did that on a recent $2000 transaction. You can't ask for cash under eBay policy but that would be nice to receive. Credit card chargebacks are always a possibility and hurt on large dollar sales. What did you list in the auction? Probably should have asked this question long before you listed it.
|
dejapooh
|
posted on January 20, 2007 11:44:02 PM new
Give us the Auction number. I would love to check it out.
|
photosensitive
|
posted on January 21, 2007 05:51:11 AM new
If you are worried about a claim of non delivery you could send it Registered Mail with enough insurance. That requires a signature and is tracked and signed for at every step of the process. We sold an antique for several thousand and the buyer was worried about delivery (which is worrying because he works for the USPS). When I asked at my post office they told me that Registered would not get lost because of the way it is handled at each step. Not sure if this is correct but it did get there with no problem.
Our major problem was finding the paper tape that is water sealed and not self stick. It was required to have this type of tape on every open edge of the box. Most of the paper tape now is self stick gummed. We ended up buying a gigantic roll of paper tape from Stapels. More than we will use in a lifetime. Maybe I should offer it by the inch on eBay.
If you worry is a "not as represented" claim when I guess this is no guarantee.
Good luck with the purchase.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
|
cashinyourcloset
|
posted on January 21, 2007 05:54:59 AM new
If you get paid by PayPal, be sure to follow ALL of the rules:
1 - A single payment for the entire amount
2 - Shipping ONLY to a confirmed US address(Canadian & UK addresses are okay also, theoretically, but I don't like to accept them)
3 - Signature required
4 - Ship within 7 days (don't cut it close)
Wire transfer -- wait for the notification from the bank; don't just see your balance go up by the indicated amount. There's a potential scam involving deposits of bad checks for the exact amount by an accomplice.
Money Order -- take it to the PO before shipping and cash it
Congratulations on your good auction.
|
birgittaw
|
posted on January 21, 2007 06:37:52 AM new
Hwhahwa is right. You do accept PayPal, and so you have no choice but to take whatever payment you advertise including off line credit cards, personal checks and money order.
For the two first methods, you got good advice in how to protect yourself in getting the item to the buyer. Looks like you have bidders with some longevity history on eBay and good feedback -- hard to tell these days though with the bidder one and two bit. And since you haven't met reserve yet, you have some time to think about how to protect yourself from a possible switch.
I've never used escrow, but that certainly is one possibility in this case. Do you have to indicate on the listing that you will use an escrow service before it launches?
Good luck, it's a great piece, well described and with super photos.
B/
[ edited by birgittaw on Jan 21, 2007 06:56 AM ]
|
pelorus
|
posted on January 21, 2007 09:36:25 AM new
I only accept cashier's checks or money orders for large $ items, and wait for them to clear. Since they have to be bought with money, they can't bounce unless they are counterfeit. Easy for the buyer, and you avoid PP fees. I don't see any downside to these payment methods.
|
birgittaw
|
posted on January 21, 2007 10:00:25 AM new
Agreed that those would be the preferred payment methods here, but since the OP is offering PP as well as off line credit cards on her current listing, that cannot be changed for this auction.
B/
|
ST0NEC0LD613
|
posted on January 21, 2007 10:29:48 AM new
Dump PayPal NOW. Even if you have it in your listing. Or cancel the auction and relist it without PayPal. Their un-protection policy already doesn't cover you with that large amount.
Credit card is very safe as long as you send it with signature confirmation. You pick the shipping company you are most comfortable with, but go out of your way to make sure it says, signature required. And then let your buyer know they will have to sign for it.
I have don't many of these large auctions and have never had a problem with the credit cards. Remember, the credit card companies will actually investigate where PayPal simply gives the money back.
Looks like you have a hot item there. Good luck.
|
hwahwa
|
posted on January 21, 2007 11:09:03 AM new
It has been my understanding as a buyer and seller that if a merchant accepts credit card payment,he has to allow for return.
As a buyer I once bought a piece of jade carving from a store and when I tried to return the item,the merchant refused to accept the package.
I filed complaint with my credit card issuer and produced proof of return,I not only won the case,I also get to keep the carving.
As a seller with an internet store which accepts credit card thru my own merchant account,my customers will return items with proof of return,and I have to issue them a refund .
I thought it is credit card industry standards that a merchant will accept return no matter what the store policy said as long as it is in same condition and within reasonable period of time.
Some of you who have their own merchant account and /or operate a retail store may want to shed more light on this issue.
|
ladyjewels2000
|
posted on January 21, 2007 11:54:20 AM new
Can't you still add to the description that you will only take paypal with prior approval and perfer such or such? Ebay can't force you to take paypal.
|
bjboswell
|
posted on January 21, 2007 02:02:24 PM new
Thanks everyone for your ideas and suggestions. Who ever said "ya shoulda come here first... was right!" Good ideas and my auction page would have been alot "cleaner"
I added the suggestion about registered mail good proof... and that I would MUCH prefer to use my personal merchant account rather than paypal. I will let ya know. the auction # is 150082936575 Thanks Brig for the compliments on the photos I worked hard on those. I really have owned this peice for a long time and the lady I spoke of was a dear friend. I know she is smiling knowing that I am going to use the money to pay a credit card off OFF yippie. I will dearly miss that little pot but I hate this monthly never ending bill + interest!
|
ladyjewels2000
|
posted on January 21, 2007 02:22:59 PM new
What a nice piece and a great story.
I saw a piece appraised on the ARS and they said that he never wanted to sell just a piece or two - would only sell in groups or collections - sounds like a guy who would do just what your dear friend said.
I would hold shipping longer than 10 days for a check - they clear fast but it takes forever for a return check to get back to you. Make a copy of the check and call their bank before you ship. Even then some banks won't tell you if it's cleared or not.
|
bjboswell
|
posted on January 21, 2007 05:25:21 PM new
Lady Thanks for the advice,I will follow it.. CYA is my motto! I don't have many of those big $ items left at this point so I intend to be very careful with this one. I really do want to pay that card off and I know Chris is saying in her funny (and boy was she!) way, you go girl. Don't let the "man" take your money every month! I was closer to her than my paternal grandmother. We traveled and did shows together. I learned alot about pottery and glass from her in my "younger days" Also learned alot about life really now that I stop to think about it.. she was a hoot.Everybody should love life even half as much as she did.She made the most of everyday.
|
mingotree
|
posted on January 21, 2007 07:31:11 PM new
Holy ceramics, Batman ! It's a George Orr!
bjboswell, you are one lucky dude!
Got any more???????
Got any of his "vulgar" ones?
|
ST0NEC0LD613
|
posted on January 21, 2007 08:35:26 PM new
It has been my understanding as a buyer and seller that if a merchant accepts credit card payment,he has to allow for return.
At least this is better than the PayPal unprotection policy. The one where the buyer doesn't have to return the item and still get the refund.
|
bjboswell
|
posted on January 22, 2007 09:31:32 AM new
Stone Actually if the person who buys this pot wants to return it I will gladly accept a return inside 30 days It will always be worth money, always.
Ming I do have another Ohr and some dated signed pre 1905 Van Briggle.. I collected serious pottery for a number of years. I have sold alot but still have the best. Its always been my savings account. I suspect we all do that. PS I'm a "dudette" 
|
mingotree
|
posted on January 22, 2007 11:01:39 AM new
Well, you're one smart dudette! Great "savings account".
|
dejapooh
|
posted on January 22, 2007 11:27:21 AM new
Honestly, this is not the best way to sell this. I sell Olympic stuff (usually pins) and found a guy in Eastern Europe who had several Olympic Torches. I bought them for about $500 each plus shipping and listed them on Ebay. The 1972 torch usually sold for $1200 to $2000. I sold my last 1972 torch through a reputable sports auction house. They got $3400 (well worth the 22% buyers and sellers fees). The 1980 Moscow torch usually sold for $900 to $1400 on Ebay and got $4100. Generally, with something like this, I would find a High Powered auction house that was going to have an auction specializing in pottery (especially if they have several from this artist). That is where you will get the most interest.
|
profe51
|
posted on January 22, 2007 07:41:12 PM new
I sold a chair last year for almost 6 thousand dollars. The buyer was very agreeable to a bank transfer, which we arranged over the phone, after I verified her name and address. We delivered the chair in person. Piece of cake.
|
bjboswell
|
posted on January 23, 2007 05:23:04 AM new
Deja, I agree about the auction houses. I am getting ready to sell a painting we own. It is by a very famous itenerate Scottish artist. The last painting of his sold by Sotheby's went for enough money to pay off our house. This one is as good if not better. I have decided with this piece a major auction house IS a MUST.I have it narrowed down to 3 such places.
Prof, I have decided that the best way to deal with the end is exactly what you did call the buyer and talk about the next step.
[ edited by bjboswell on Jan 23, 2007 05:26 AM ]
|
dejapooh
|
posted on January 23, 2007 09:05:22 AM new
My suggestion is to look for a sale with Similar paintings and sell it at that sale, no matter which of the three auction houses is doing the auction. I had a coin that I bought back when I was in High School. It was a colonial Die Trial Washington Cent in Brass (the regular issue was in Copper). A Friend of mine, Walter Breen, was writing an Encyclopedia of American Coinage and he confirmed that it was one of the two made. I put it into the American Numismatic Asso. Auction, and put a reserve on it of $1500. The bidding went to $1400 and stopped. I then put the coin into an auction specializing in Washington Colonial Coins and put a reserve of $1500. It sold for $15,000.
Also, if it is a HUGE item, they may be willing to negotiate on the commission. If it is an expensive item, they may be willing, but in my mind, Commission is secondary to selling it with like items.
|
aintrichyet
|
posted on January 29, 2007 03:27:18 PM new
Congratulations on finding the "right buyer" on this treasure! ... ebay can be 'very good' sometimes. !
|
bjboswell
|
posted on January 29, 2007 04:24:09 PM new
Dear aint... I had the best month I have ever had on ebay in Jan. I am very grateful. I hated HATED packing that p[ot up this morning but... the man who bought it and I spoke he is very interesting and is thrilled. I did find the right person. All my anxt about payment was for not but I learned a few things that I plan on using the next time.
|
aintrichyet
|
posted on January 29, 2007 04:28:13 PM new
that's fantastic to hear! ... yes, if you own more pieces of this artist, use/spend them wisely ... you are blessed to have them as an asset ....
edited to add, don't forget to put a big chunk of that on your credit card, like you promised yourself
[ edited by aintrichyet on Jan 29, 2007 04:31 PM ]
|
roadsmith
|
posted on January 30, 2007 09:02:43 AM new
Can you post the item number so I can see what we're all talking about? (And congratulations!)
_____________________
A person who is nice to you but rude to a waiter is not a
nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.) ~Dave Barry
|
ladyjewels2000
|
posted on January 30, 2007 04:28:52 PM new
That was great - was the sale price your reserve?
|
bjboswell
|
posted on January 30, 2007 05:56:54 PM new
auction # 150082936575
Lady it was my reserve. I now wish I had had another $500 on it. He told me after the close that he had a snipe in for quite a bit more! OH well... he can still send me a bonus I told him that he laughed ...
|
