International Shipping

Hi long time reader first time writing.  Anyway in February a guy in Brazil won a bid I had on ebay even though I had it listed as no international buyers.  A month later i emailed him asking for a feedback with no reply.  A week laster I went ahead and left him a feedback hoping to receive one.  I got feedback alright in the form of a case saying he didn't receive the item and now wants a full refund.  Anyone else ever have the same problem?  Also if you have you list your item stating NO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS and they buy anyway how do you deal with them?  Never a dull sale on feebay!  Thanks

I can say I know quite a bit about international shipping.

My first international shipment to Canada I used UPS to ship some software, UPS uses a private company to open the packages for customs and assigns a value to it for tariff purposes. Even though I only sold it for $40, the buyer was charge tariff's fees based on a $200 value. I refunded the guys money to cover the tariff fees and he rated me positively on Ebay.  So a word to the wise, never use Fedex. UPS or other private shipper for international shipments unless you make the buyer understand he is responsible for all tariff fees. What I usually have done since is say the item is a gift or repaired merchandise to help the buyer avoid tariff fees shipping via the postal office.

Over the years I've accepted Foreign Checks, Foreign Mail orders and Paypal transactions. I've always made it clear that the funds have to clear before I ship, for international checks it's generally 2 weeks. I never had an issue with any International postal shipments to Europe, I even shipped to Brazil and Singapore. The last international shipment I sent to Mexico never arrived to it's destination. I ended up received the package back after over a month with a few of the star war figures missing. So as a rule of thumb, no more international shipments for me.  

Would I ship packages internationally again for an EBAY auction that stated no international shipments? Sure, if the price is right, but next time I would only use UPS or FedEx and make the buyer aware that any tariff fees is his problem. I just don't trust the postal service in some of these third world countries anymore.    

In my case the buyer was much more understanding. How long has it been since you shipped? Any insurance? Will the package be returned to you if undeliverable? Out of maybe 20 international shipments I really only had an issue once and I did get the package back eventually.

in February a guy in Brazil won a bid I had on eBay even though I had it listed as no international buyers.  A month later i emailed him asking for a feedback with no reply.

I ran into this scam with some buyers from Russia. They were registered for only a month, had a dozen or so positive feedbacks, and on the surface seemed okay initially. In both cases at exactly 32 days they filed a did not receive item claim. In both cases they said they tried contacting me through email and I was unresponsive. This of course was complete BS since buyers do not get my email address. In both of those case I called eBay and got them to refuse the refunds mostly because the track record of these buyers was suspicious. Apparently they did this same thing to several buyers and a pattern emerged. So now the Russian Federation is on my excluded ship to countries list.

You have several big mistakes here. First, your listing can be setup to only allow domestic shipping, so in order for the guy to buy you would've had to have international shipping turned on. Secondly, once he won and you realized he was international, you should've canceled the transaction and refunded his money, while selecting 'buyer is from a country I don't ship to' as the reason. Third, there are services that will track international packages door to door. If you used one of these then eBay will not allow the refund if the tracking shows the package as being delivered. Fourth, if a buyer does not feel legitimate in any way then cancel the transaction, citing a reason a simple as you no longer have the item.

I just had someone from China make a best offer on an item from me who's first eBay purchase was 4 days ago, with me potentially being the second purchase. I did not hesitate to decline that one because I was not comfortable selling to him, plus because of another pending offer I couldn't change the shipping method to a door to door tracking method.

I only ship to US and sometimes Canada.  I will do APO's and other military addresses.  I had one auction that the winner was from Mexico.  I had only "US shipping" so I knew he had to of found the listing on the US servers.  However, he paid with a note to have the item shipped to a address in New Mexico.  That I could do and did.  I've had people from Canada buy my US only shipping auctions before.  We used the ebay Q&A section to iron out details.  Not had any problems with Canada as they have good tracking.  With the changes to Ebay's rules about tariffs and such that should help sellers out.

As far as shipping to China, Middle East, etc. - not going to happen.

I'm not to ticked off about this whole learning thing with interational.  I have done it in the mailed items in the past with other countries had little or no problems.  The item I sold didn't cost me anything and if he wins I will only be out of $25 profit and $5 shipping.  I just have a gut feeling that it is a scam.  I don't mind a good haggling but he doesnt respond much.  Guess we will both ride it out and see what ebay/paypal verdict turns out to be.

Guess we will both ride it out and see what ebay/paypal verdict turns out to be.

Unless you can show tracking information that the package at least reach customs in Brazil or that the buyer has a pattern of scamming sellers, you're not going to win and will have to give a 100% refund, including shipping.

I only ship to US and sometimes Canada.  I will do APO's and other military addresses.  I had one auction that the winner was from Mexico.  I had only "US shipping" so I knew he had to of found the listing on the US servers.  However, he paid with a note to have the item shipped to a address in New Mexico.  That I could do and did.  I've had people from Canada buy my US only shipping auctions before.  We used the ebay Q&A section to iron out details.  Not had any problems with Canada as they have good tracking.  With the changes to Ebay's rules about tariffs and such that should help sellers out.

As far as shipping to China, Middle East, etc. - not going to happen.

I'm with craig on this one.  Been on eBay since 1996 (almost since the beginning) - and have shipped to USA ONLY for many years.  Still get the occasional international buyer who REALLY wants the item, but I handle on a case-by-case basis.  Most times it's not worth the hassle (or the risk).  Now even Canada makes you fill out all the paperwork.   

Been screwed to many times I will not ship anything outside the USA. I will let a foreign buyer bid but has to ship to a USA address then it there problem to get it out of the country.  Be aware that lying on a customs form is a felony that includes understating the value or  saying it is a gift when it is not.  I had many want the value put at some nominal low value but they want it insured for what they paid or want you to lie about what it is on the form. Had a friend get a $5,000 Rolex refused because the buyer did not want to pay duty. It tied up his paypal account for 3 or 4 months till he got it back that is how long it took for it to show back up.   I know some items will bring a lot more if you ship to international addresses. I always get Canucks wanting to buy stuff from me and they act hurt that you will not sell it is still an international address.

Been screwed to many times I will not ship anything outside the USA. I will let a foreign buyer bid but has to ship to a USA address then it there problem to get it out of the country.  Be aware that lying on a customs form is a felony that includes understating the value or  saying it is a gift when it is not.  I had many want the value put at some nominal low value but they want it insured for what they paid or want you to lie about what it is on the form. Had a friend get a $5,000 Rolex refused because the buyer did not want to pay duty. It tied up his paypal account for 3 or 4 months till he got it back that is how long it took for it to show back up.   I know some items will bring a lot more if you ship to international addresses. I always get Canucks wanting to buy stuff from me and they act hurt that you will not sell it is still an international address.

That's good stuff right there!!   

Well got the verdict back from ebay and as i figured they did a full refund.  Lost my item plus shipping cost total right at $30.00.  Bright side is ebay said it wouldnt affect my account in any negative way.  I have shipped a few times in the past with no problems.  I don't mind shipping oversea if the price is right but will not ship to Brazil ever again.