posted on May 2, 2005 10:11:09 PM new
I'm selling (on consignment) some expensive fishing rods which I expect to close in the $400-500 range. I put the following TOS statement in my fishing auctions....
"Paypal to confirmed U.S. addresses only.
Outside the U.S. I would prefer payment via Bidpay, International Money order or wire transfer. Paypal only on sellers authorization."
Now a buyer from Australia emailed ask a seller a question stating "Hello, l am considering bidding for one or more of your hardy rods, but living in Australia, am l able to use PayPal rather than BidPay etc. Thanks in advance ... Trif."
He only has a feedback rating of 3. With no sales in the US that I can query about his payment history.
So...How would you reply to him without turning him off the auction completely? Can Austrailian use Bidapay? Would it be the fee he's objecting to? If I offered him say $10.00 off his shipping if he used Bidpay. I'm not to keen on giving into the paypal option.
posted on May 2, 2005 10:52:01 PM new
Personally, I would have worded the auction to exclude any possibility of Paypal for international transactions. It's O.K. if you are willing to risk the loss on your own items, but on a consignment item, you are at double risk. You are liable to your consignor to remit their funds as soon as it sells. If the Aussie gets nasty, you will be the only loser in the transaction. He will win and so will your consignor. Why would you want to put yourself in this position? There are many safer methods of payment to take than Paypal on an international transaction. If he doesn't like your terms, you don't need him as a customer. Anyone who can produce a credit card to open a Paypal account can use that same card to make a Bidpay payment, unless it's a MC, in which case they can get a cash advance at their bank to mail to you, assuming the card is not stolen.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on May 3, 2005 06:16:29 AM new
I would set up my Paypal preferences for "US only". That way, you can tell bidders, "sorry, my Paypal is set up to only take US buyers". That way, it doesn't look as if you are against a particular country or buyer. If buyers ask me why, I explain that I am not covered by seller protection for any other country.
posted on May 3, 2005 03:46:07 PM new
If you accept PayPal from an Aussie (or any International buyer) you are not covered if they want to pull the classic chargeback or PayPal reversal scam, even if you ship Registered, Insured or Signature Airmail etc.
BidPay is safest and easiest for you, followed by bank draft in US$ drawn on a US bank, Western Union money orders in US$ (available at larger Aussie post offices), or US cash (bank notes only). Ship insured so you're covered against breakage, etc. - always a problem with older wooden fishing rods.
