posted on April 20, 2003 11:38:30 PM new
I occassionally receive unusual emails, but recently I received an email from a person in Korea wanting to purchase everything I had so that they could resell in Korea. I pretty much gave them an outrageous price, and they offered to buy it. After some thought, I decided not to go for it, just in case of fraud. They offered to pay with paypal or bidpay, which of course is a red flag for international payments. especially when they are in the $2000+ range. bidpay won't even accept a payment unless it matches an actual auction.
has anyone had experience with situations like this?
posted on April 21, 2003 07:09:43 AM new
I used to sell a line of items that retail at about $25 in the US but go for up to $80 depending on style in Japan. I would get numerous requests and never had a problem honoring them.
posted on April 21, 2003 07:27:58 AM new
There surely must be a way for you to receive certified funds before shipping ... maybe you could talk to your bank? I would think they could wire the $ to a pass through clearing account or something like that so you wouldn't have to give them account info but could have the $ in hand before shipping.. good luck!
posted on April 21, 2003 07:38:33 AM new
Rusty - If they are willing to pay thru Bidpay and you are ammenable to that option, why not offer to toss up a three day BIN auction for the items and let them purchase it so that BidPay will be enabled?
posted on April 21, 2003 07:58:55 AM new
Just get them to purchase 4 separate international postal money orders (or 5 or 6 however many it takes to get that amount).
Then, cash them, and if you have no problems in 10 days from that time mail them the items.
Wouldn't that work? I hate taking Paypal from international bidders even for my low end items because of all the potential for problems. I usually request money orders in US funds.
posted on April 21, 2003 11:37:52 AM new
If Bidpay approves the transaction and says they are sending you the Money Order, you are in the clear. Bidpay will honor it even if it turns out later to be fraud because they investigate it on the front end. There is no potential for loss if Bidpay approves it.
posted on April 21, 2003 12:46:35 PM new
Bidpay is safe, but they do have a maximum limit. So, if you're interested in selling to him create a $500 (or whatever Bidpay's max is) BIN auction, make it a pre-approved bidder auction with only his ID preapproved. If he wins and honors the auction then you can set up additional auctions to sell him the rest of your stuff.
posted on April 21, 2003 05:35:50 PM new
I'VE GOT IT! HOW ABOUT A WESTERN UNION WIRE TRANSFER! -------- They send you the money, you collect it first in CASH before sending the items!
Or have him bid on each one of your items separately, have him pay you with bidpay for each auction seperately. DO NOT use PAYPAL for international transaction!!!!
I have sold successfully to Korea, hong kong, japan and even russia! I think if this guy is on the up and up, he will be willing to go the extra mile to pay you. If he/she is a slimey person, then don't deal with 'em. You'll find out soon enough.
posted on April 22, 2003 04:14:40 AM new
Wire transfer is going to be your safest bet, I think. I deal with a lot of overseas wholesalers and I send them payment through Western Union wire transfers. It's the only way they will accept payment. Have them wire you the money, wait 7 days or so (just to be safe) then ship. The one drawback with the wire transfer is that they will have to have your bank account number. If that makes you uncomfortable, open another account at your bank (most are free) with the bare minimum and use that account. That way, once the wire transfer is completed you can close the account. I know it's a PIA, but that will keep your main bank account numbers out of their hands.
posted on April 23, 2003 04:35:43 PM new
When I have accepted wire money, I pick it up at a local western union location which is usually inside a mailboxes etc or a drugstore. I never an asked for anything but my id, the transfer number and sometimes the password if the sender has asked for that. The password is sent to me in an email by the buyer.
Cheryl