Hey gang! Rant time. As you all know I sell a lot of stuff on EBay. I had a buyer from Italy ask me if I shipped to Italy through the messaging system on EBay for a high dollar item. I politely explained how I do not because I have had problems with packages going to Europe and not arriving. This was several days before the auction closed... well guess who just won the bid on my auction for a $1,900 plus coin... Now I have to cancel the transaction and relist the coin... No way am I sending a $1,900 coin overseas to a random EBay bidder. How frustrating!!
Yeah, that would suck. I hate it when people done listen, I know how you feel. I sold something on eBay the other day. The listing said it was basic shipping but after winning the auction he wanted like next day. You want me to spend more on shipping even though the auction said basic? Come on people. Rant over.
Next time, perhaps, when you field a question prior to the end of the auction like this, you might block the potential overseas bidder before they can bid.
I think you can restrict settings to exclude overseas sales. He would never had seen your auction. I also include "Sales restricted to mainland USA. Paypal only.
It's one thing if the winner didn't read the entire listing showing you don't send to Europe, but to specifically ask you and to specifically be told no and still place a winning bid would make me very frustrated as well.
Matt I guess some people just don't want to hear the answer you give them . The idea about blocking overseas sales does sound doable in the future though .
Well, I've sold items (not coins) to just about every country, and all were paid in USD. And regardless of how you list an item (U.S. bidders only), there are always bidders who disregard that stipulation. It's very irritating, it messes up your shipping info, and with coins, well, you just don't want to be sending a high ticket item to parts unknown.
I have seen a lot of auctions, not just coins, that specifically say they will not do business with people in Italy as a result of packages going missing.
Quite right Peter. I have myself allowed (non coin/note related) items to be shipped to Italy, but interestingly, at the request of the Buyer, to send the package by Registered Mail so that they would know if someone opened the parcel before it reached the Buyers possession. Sometimes the Buyer is not a suspect, and are just as concerned as are Sellers in items traversing these destinations.
My god I share your frustration. Had to send a vintage Leica Camera to Taiwan and UPS quoted me 125. Went to ship, and had to repack for customs. Then I was told it would cost 268 to ship!! The guys adress had to be translated into english.
You could send a second chance offer to the next highest bidder, it's probably not that much lower and it would save you the hassle of relisting. Just a suggestion...
I have had some trouble shipping to Italy (although I've shipped tennis rackets rather than coins) and no longer ship there. The Italian government has been pushing restrictions on 'antiquity' exports for years, and their customs office seems to take a very handsy attitude. I also have a problem with the border being a one-way door.
There are a ton of dunder heads in this world and some of them are on ebay. You have to check the box on every sale you make, better luck next time. Dang them dunder heads!!
Tom: We have control of the mail going into Italy. Godfather: Now let's see Barzinni get a card delivered to his mother in Salerno.
In the past, I've requested the equivalent of a money order from overseas buyers. That way, they have a vested interest with equivalent risk/reward. Delivery confirmation with insurance is all you do after that.