posted on March 2, 2001 03:43:30 PM new
Since Yahoo started charging I tried Bidlessville which is absolutely pathetic!!
It's like a ghost town. Nobody goes there!
HOWEVER, in desperation and while scanning every other possible site I happened to note that all of Yahoo's foreign sites are FREE and give you 5 RESUBMITS of 10 days each! Now I know there are people who are afraid to deal with foreigners or have been burned in foreign deals, but I say to you that there is a fantastic market out there! I require $$$ sent in cash by registered mail or payment through BidPay. It works!!! I have had foreign bidders pay $10 shipping costs for a $4 magazine!! When someone really wants something, cost doesn't seem to matter. Would love to hear any other experiences or suggestions in this area from you. This is a great crowd. I love to read your comments. Walt
posted on March 2, 2001 03:51:01 PM new
I've had a lot of overseas sales and all went extremely well. One bidder of mine from three years ago still keeps in touch! He just sent me a picture of his new baby boy.
There's nothing wrong with international sales, as long as you know to keep within the law as far as customs is concerned. Many times bidders ask sellers to lie on the customs form (price) when they ship, to avoid paying customs fees. Never do that, because you're the one caught and you can go to prison.
Good luck to you! It's a lot of fun selling international.
posted on March 3, 2001 06:26:40 AM new
Remingham ~~ I don't know of any free sites overseas. But I have looked at overseas sites such as stuff.com.au and at rocket.com, I don't quite understand rocket.com but that's probably just me. But I have conversed with the owner of stuff.com.au. I wouldn't hesistate for a moment to register, buy, and sell with an overseas site. All sites in my opinion have their quirtks, and issues. They are doing their best to remedy those issues, whatever they may be, it is in their interest to do so, if they don't then their doors will close in a heart beat! It really shouldn't be any different that a domestic sale or buy.
Folks are basically the same no matter where you live, there are some cultural differences but that just adds flavor to the transaction and you get to know abit about the folks your dealing with! and remember the seller sets the terms of sale, and sometimes that can be negotiated.
I had many sales from the US to foreign buyers in a number of countries, Of those I still do receive receive email like Lynne above. The cost of shipping can be high depending on how it is being shipped, and where. Just remember that not all items that can be domestically sold can be sold overseas and that the proper paper work must be fill out correctly. You can get into big trouble.
Mtnmama ~~ How you doing Lynne? Good to see you! You are more than correct about the customs forms. I'd rather lose a sale than put my tail in dutch with the customs people!
Edited because I am spelling impaired!
Bill (elecdata1 here and everywhere else)
[ edited by elecdata1 on Mar 3, 2001 06:29 AM ]
posted on March 4, 2001 12:55:25 AM new
Now correct me if I am wrong about this...
Say for example somebody in Zimbabwe buys a laptop computer from me and I send it marked as a 'gift'. Why would US Customs give a hoot, as it is the Zimbabwe Customs who would be collecting any tariffs? And I hardly think I can be extradicted to Zimbabwe on such a matter! The most that I understand that could happen is that the item would be returned.
Needless to say the 'gift' thing is almost impossible to disprove. Especially as I never put any paperwork into overseas packages!
However, if I were to be sending a Stinger Missile, the issue would be much different, as I would be violating US Export rules, which is very much the business of US Customs and not those of Zimbabwe!
posted on March 5, 2001 12:57:52 PM new
snakebait: " the'gift' thing is almost impossible to disprove"
Well, it all depends. First of all, its probably likely that the "burden of proof" would effectively be on the receiver to show that it is a gift, not viceversa - its pretty easy for the customs agencies to just say "you owe us, now pay!" and let your customer try to explain your magical "gift" to them ("we've become very, very close in the 5 minutes that we've known each other.. " ). And if they ever get wind it came via ebay or another auction, the proof that you were lying would be right there, in black and white.
Second, and I admit I don't know this for sure, but often there is a lot of interest in agencies like US customs helping out other countries, due to interest in reciprocity. I think there are actually US laws on the books about it, but even if there weren't, a customs agent may well be more sympathetic towards enforcing other countries customs laws than helping you out.
You'd better be sure that the "worst that can happen is that the item would be returned", since you are betting on that being true if you do this type of thing.
