eBay

cartoonchicken · ‎06-24-2014

Hello all,

I'm really sorry if this has been asked a trillion times before, but I tried looking on the board and couldn't find the answer I need. 😞

At the moment I'm listing/selling some basketball cards on ebay, and due to the high (traceable) shipping costs for international shipping, I've listed my items as Canada and U.S. only.

I did stated it in the description and set the exclusion lists in the listing so that only Canada and US bidders are allowed. However, I did not set the paypal setting to accept US paypal only as it will block out my potential Canadian customers.

So, a buyer end up winning 5 of my auctions. While he has a primary US address from ebay (and hence I sent the invoice with the charges for US shipping), after he's paid the shipping address become an address in China (his paypal confirmed address?).

What should I do in this situation? I've tried to call ebay, and it wasn't too helpful other than confirming with me that the seller has a primary US address and a China shipping address......

Should I ask for a cancellation? or suck it up and ship it to China with tracking out of my own pocket? Just checked online and the cheapest way to do it is by xpresspost, which still costs around 70 bucks.

ricarmic · ‎06-24-2014

It it were me, I'd advise the buyer that they were able to bid/win the auction because they have a primary US Address. If they want it shipped to the address in China, then your policy is that tracking is required which requires an additional $70 (or whatever the exact number is) shipping charge. Alternatively it is no problem if they want to cancel - if they cancel, make sure to use the "buyer made a mistake or changed mind" option....so you don't get a defect......

reallynicestamps · ‎06-24-2014

Ask the customer if he has a US shipping address.

Many, mostly Asian and Caribbean, customers use a trans-shipment company, based in the USA as their address for eBay.

The seller ships to the US address , the company accepts the shipment (with or without Delivery Confirmation - seriously, they don't want 'stuff' they want money) and then when enough bulk or value is accumulated they send it on to their customer.

It's slow, but quite secure. Mostly I've seen it for Japan and South Korea. Recently reports of Chinese buyers have appeared.

You are not required to ship to a non-Paypal address. You are not required to ship to an overseas address for the same price as North American mail.

reallynicestamps · ‎06-24-2014

My goodness, I just noticed the value of some of your previous sales.

Definitely use a tracked and insured service, wherever you send your item. Priority Post might be worthwhile. That will run him* about $148 CDN including tracking and insurance to China. Or about $80 to the USA.

If he decides he doesn't want to pay that, he can either give you a US address or ask for a Mutual Cancellation.

*Remember the buyer pays the shipping, not the seller.

cartoonchicken · ‎06-24-2014

Thanks for the reply!

That's another problem...

It was really hard to get in touch with him. The only two times he replied to my messages was when I messaged him 14 days after the first item ended (which he said he'll pay in 2 days, but never did)

and after I actually opened a non-paying case for all five items (that his account is limited and need another 4 days to pay, while he keeps getting positive feedback from other sellers... ). End up taking him 27 days to pay (for the first item, or 9 days after the fifth item ended)

If he actually agreed to pay for the extra shipping, how do I charge him for the cost since he has already paid?

ricarmic · ‎06-24-2014

Uggghh. You are already getting lots of "warning signs" of problems with this buyer! Like reallynice, I hadn't looked at what you are selling, big ticket stuff makes it another reason to worry a bit more. If he doesn't give a US address and agrees to pay the shipping, all you have to do is send a paypal invoice to the email address he used to pay for the shipping amount, then you've got the tracking aspect you need.

femmefan1946 · ‎06-25-2014

Frankly I'd be inclined to let sleeping dogs lie.

If he takes that long to pay, he may forget the whole thing.

And Chinese sellers do keep telling their buyers that it takes months for purchases to arrive in Canada, eh?

Refund him. I'd be inclined to send a refund after the 60 day period for feedback.

And of course, Blocked Bidder List.

If the value of the items is anything like some of your listings, you may be better off with a neg than a loss.

maximus7001 · ‎06-27-2014

You can not be expected to ship to china. You invoiced the buyer with a US address then the address changed to china. Just refund everything and block.

If you ship the items you will loose them and the money.