posted on December 18, 2000 09:04:42 PM new
If someone from another country bids and wins an auction, how do they pay? Do they have to have their money converted> or does an international money order work? How do they take care of their payment?
posted on December 18, 2000 09:21:38 PM new
Most of my international customers send me cash in US dollars. The next most popular way is BidPay, where they pay by credit card & then BidPay sends me a western union money order. The next most popular way after that is international postal money order.
posted on December 18, 2000 10:18:23 PM new
Overseas bidders know that they will need to make payment in U.S. dollars and they do arrange to have their own currency converted to U.S. dollars.
- Cash is the favored way for making small payments. The larger the cash enclosed, the more likely it is sent via registered mail. (For example, I received $40 cash via registered mail from a Japanese bidder last week.)
- BidPay is popular for larger amounts. BidPay charges the buyer a minimum of $5.00 so a buyer will probably prefer to risk cash if the amount owed is small e.g. under $10.00.
- I've received checks drawn on U.S. banks as well (one a couple of weeks ago from a Scottish bidder)
- Money orders (not through BidPay) may also be sent but very rarely - they are very expensive to purchase
posted on December 18, 2000 11:36:26 PM new
Dont forget Western Union! I have many winning bidders from all over the world sending me western Union International money orders. Here is something to remember: if an international bidder sends you a money order that is not drawn on either western union or a bank that is located here in the states, you may be charged a fee by your bank to cash it! I learned the hard way. So now I only accept International Money orders drawn either a bank that is located in the states or Western Union or suggest they use Bidpay.com. I hope this helps!
posted on December 19, 2000 05:05:53 AM new
95% of ours use International Money Orders; 4% use credit cards directly through us, and the other 1% send cash (which I constantly warn against).
On one large purchase I had one customer do a wire transfer.
posted on December 23, 2000 04:13:31 AM new
We sell into about 15 different countries. Many Europeans will E-Mail and ask for my banking info. They then swift transfer direct to my account. This is common and if your item is $200 or more do not hesitiate to ask for payment in this matter. People in many countries are not hooked on credit cards.
posted on December 23, 2000 05:47:02 AM new
After taking some time to read the "fine print" on PayDirect, PayPal, and our own Merchant's Account, we are going to change our policy and require foreign customers to pay via International Money Or BidPay MO, or on large purchases a Wire Transfer.
There are just too many problem possibilities with credit card payments from foreign customers, and little way to defend such a charge back.
[ edited by jwpc on Dec 19, 2000 05:06 AM ]