@nvjacksontyler wrote:
Thank you for that very detailed response. It was very helpful.
I have a follow up question if you don't mind (this can be answered from anyone who reads it and feels they have had previous experience with this question)
Since i will be shipping an item valued in the $400.00 range that is brand new, still in the box to someone i don't know (i can only see the ratings left from previous purchases/sales) My question is;
What if they receive my item, break the seals that prove it was never opened, and replace that item with a previously owned broken one? - they then take my brand new item that is not broken, keep it. demand a refund for shipping a broken item and then are credited the full refund, leaving a negative score etc etc.
How does one protect one self from this potential situation?
As i'm starting to sell higher valued items, i just want to protect myself from all possible angles.
any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
You can't. You have to trust the buyer.
The bad news is, if someone is intent on doing that, there is little you can do. The good news is 99+% of buyers are honest.
Unfortunately you are selling a highly sought after item that scammers target so have a higher risk of fraud.
I never sell an item unopened, but always open and test the item. Then take the information down. Again, all of this may help deter someone, but in the end, it all comes down to your word over theirs in a dispute and in the case you describe, the buyer will be protected.
Ebay is aware of this, and they do try to filter out the scammers, but it still happens.
My recommendation is to sell only to Canada and the US. The item you are selling is not rare or hard to get. There is little reason for a person from another country like Argentina, Russia, France, etc. can't go to their local apple store or classifieds or ebay and buy the exact same item. Therefore, there is a much higher risk when selling an item overseas.
No matter where you send it, send it with tracking and over $250 send with signature confirmation. Ebay/Paypal rules have changed on $$$ amount, but I always use $250.
Xpress post to the US has signature confirmation automatically included.
http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGxpresusa-e.asp
section 7.5
Signature is automatically included in the service at no additional charge and is provided when available for Priority Worldwide, Xpresspost – USA (including Prepaid Envelopes) and Xpresspost – International Prepaid Envelopes
Pay the extra for insurance.
Unfortunately you can't do this with ebay, but with Apple's new icloud lock, I lock my items for sale to my ID. If I am selling locally, if the person decides to run with it, or it gets stolen, at least they can't unlock it, and you can put find my phone on it too.
If a buyer with 10+, 100+ FB buys it and has been a member for years, you are probably ok. Zero FB and a new member, likely they won't even pay for it, but you need to look out for them.
One way to filter buyers is to put a higher price with a best offer and a minimum price, but no automatic higher price. That way you can choose who buys the product.
