why most ebay sellers don't sell to foreign buyers

[friendly_jacek]

Is this about fraud? How buyers can defraud you after you get a payment via paypal?
I noticed that some auctions with worlwide shipping get more bids and better prices and this makes me think.

 

[JasonC]

It is because it is very hard to track an international shipment. A buyer can easily claim that they didn't receive the item and PayPal will then refund the buyer their money, effectively leaving you without your item or funds. Plus, there is a huge amount of fraud w/international shipments.

 

[OilNerd]

eBay now holds sellers responsible for delivery of items won. Customs delay or hold? Guess who's on the hook?

Also, no tracking available for international mail sent via USPS. This leaves a seller exposed to fraudulent non-delivery claims.

Because of this eBay policy, I don't sell anything internationally anymore.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[user52165]

Let's not be so simplistic. I sell on ebay and sell internationally - only one problem in 14 years. One major reason sellers won't is because of the extra paperwork and hassles, customs forms, restrictions, better packing required, higher Paypal fees, etc. Many sellers are just lazy and want the easiest way to do things.

I use UPS and FedEx which have tracking and Postal service has tracking for shipments higher class than Priority mail. Guys do your homework before posting.

Overall a positive experience. Good way to "meet" interesting people. Don't stereotype foreigners.

 

[Stu_Rock]

When I sell on eBay (somewhat infrequent), I allow international bidders. It seems like half of my buyers are outside the US. Everything has gone fine.

I've been on the other side, as well. A seller on eBay.fr had some NOS (and now discontinued) motor mounts for my Peugeot. His listing indicated sale only to France, but I sent him a message in French if he was willing to sell to me. He was, and I got the mounts. It worked great.

 

[Silk]

If they won't ship overseas then I don't buy it. There is never only one in the world, someone will have what I want, cheaper and ship to me. Someone loses on a sale, their problem.

 

[expat]

I have even found that some U.S. only auctions block questions from international bidders.
so you can,t even ask if they will make an exception or ship to a U.S. po box!

 

[eljefino]

Have sold to a couple canadians. They message asking if I'll open my bidding beyond US to them. I say sure but they're paying all customs fees. So far, they've all whined after the auction that I should label stuff as a gift. If I don't do that, I could face bad feedback. Awkward situation I'd rather avoid.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Have sold to a couple canadians. They message asking if I'll open my bidding beyond US to them. I say sure but they're paying all customs fees. So far, they've all whined after the auction that I should label stuff as a gift. If I don't do that, I could face bad feedback. Awkward situation I'd rather avoid.



I would never do that. But I can see some might.

Most U.S. sellers want to ship via Courier (I guess it makes life easy with parcel pick up and tracking) but for goods coming into Canada the couriers charge a Brokerage fee when they determine the the amount of Tax and (possible) Duty on the item. Those Fees are often Excessive!!
I recently had a choice of buying an item from a U.S. seller or an Asian seller. The U.S. seller would only ship via UPS the Asian by Airmail. It was a deal killer. When I collected the item from my local post office (after getting notification I had a package that required payment) I paid my 12% tax and a $5 fee at the desk.
UPS would have required a brokerage fee of $80 , Plus I would have had to pay Tax on that Fee.
A pity. All things being even, I would rather my money go to the U.S.

 

[CivicFan]

Half of my buyers have been from abroad. Yes, the shipping is more complicated but not a rocket science. It is unpleasant when the packages are held at customs or are delayed otherwise but so far I have not had a lost package.

 

[Spazdog]

All I know is it took less time to get something from Hong Kong than it did to get a hockey jersey through Canadian Customs.

Maybe Canada thought I was getting prescription drugs their tax dollars paid for or they are afraid the States will discover the greatness of unpasteurized beer. (too late) They mangled that box.

 

[sdowney717]

As far as shipping, if you dont like Canadian taxes dont live there. this sounds like a Canada problem, not a US problem.
How socialist is Canada today?

I buy ebay items from China and there are no absurd duties.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: sdowney717
As far as shipping, if you dont like Canadian taxes dont live there. this sounds like a Canada problem, not a US problem.
How socialist is Canada today?

I buy ebay items from China and there are no absurd duties.


The duties weren't the problem. It was a really good price on a Stars Hockey sweater so the duties were not really a factor and if it is counterfeit, they did a really good job of it and it made it through customs.(don't know what the counterfeit merchandise laws are in Canada) It was the fact that they held the package for a long time and mangled it.

I like Canada. Windsor is a nice city. Calgary is a lot like Ft Worth. We're lucky to have neighbors like them. Even if they did burn our capitol...bygones.

 

[OilNerd]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
All I know is it took less time to get something from Hong Kong than it did to get a hockey jersey through Canadian Customs.


Funny you mention jerseys getting caught up in Canada Customs. My last international sale was an NFL jersey that got caught up for 2 weeks in Customs. Do they inspect each one to make sure it's not a knockoff?

The buyer was somewhat patient and I assured him the delay wasn't caused by me.

The experience definitely soured me on international sales. They eBay policy requiring tracking (even when none is available from USPS) for proof of delivery was what caused me to stop selling internationally.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: sdowney717
As far as shipping, if you dont like Canadian taxes dont live there. this sounds like a Canada problem, not a US problem.
How socialist is Canada today?

I buy ebay items from China and there are no absurd duties.


The duties weren't the problem. It was a really good price on a Stars Hockey sweater so the duties were not really a factor and if it is counterfeit, they did a really good job of it and it made it through customs.(don't know what the counterfeit merchandise laws are in Canada) It was the fact that they held the package for a long time and mangled it.

I like Canada. Windsor is a nice city. Calgary is a lot like Ft Worth. We're lucky to have neighbors like them. Even if they did burn our capitol...bygones.


I'm thinking, if you ordered something from Canada, it might be held at U.S. customs, not Canadian.

 

[Spazdog]

Nope, it was Canadian Customs. A lot of people complain about the amount of time wrapped up in Canadian customs.

If it was a US Customs issue, one would figure delays in receiving merchandise from PRoC or UK as well. But that stuff comes in across the oceans faster than stuff from the same continent.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: OilNerd
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
All I know is it took less time to get something from Hong Kong than it did to get a hockey jersey through Canadian Customs.


Funny you mention jerseys getting caught up in Canada Customs. My last international sale was an NFL jersey that got caught up for 2 weeks in Customs. Do they inspect each one to make sure it's not a knockoff?

Maybe it is sports jerseys! Police here in Dallas/FtWorth got serious about counterfeit merchandise when we hosted a SuperBowl, World Series, and NBA championship within one year. Maybe Canada has always been strict on counterfeit sports wear.

Don't even think aboot selling knockoffs in Canada. Eh? /bad Bod and Doug McKenzie accent

 

[D189379]

Originally Posted By: sdowney717
As far as shipping, if you dont like Canadian taxes dont live there. this sounds like a Canada problem, not a US problem.
How socialist is Canada today?

I buy ebay items from China and there are no absurd duties.


It sounds like you don't understand the issue. This isn't Canada charging Canadians money, it's simply UPS and other couriers extorting large sums on top of already determined shipping fees.

It's not a duty or a tax, it's called a "brokerage" charge. It's often 30% to 40% of the declared value of an item. I've bought items for $100 USD, paid $20 to ship via UPS, paid the $5 duty, and when UPS got to my door, they demanded another $60 for brokerage fees.

That's why a Canadian buyer will ask you to ship as a gift (shady if you ask me) or to ship via USPS .

I buy a lot from the USA, if you don't ship to me using USPS, then I'll find someone else who will.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: D189379

It sounds like you don't understand the issue. This isn't Canada charging Canadians money, it's simply UPS and other couriers extorting large sums on top of already determined shipping fees.

It's not a duty or a tax, it's called a "brokerage" charge. It's often 30% to 40% of the declared value of an item. I've bought items for $100 USD, paid $20 to ship via UPS, paid the $5 duty, and when UPS got to my door, they demanded another $60 for brokerage fees.

That's why a Canadian buyer will ask you to ship as a gift (shady if you ask me) or to ship via USPS .

I buy a lot from the USA, if you don't ship to me using USPS, then I'll find someone else who will.



Amen!

I insist on USPS as I refuse to pay some bogus brokerage fees. Some US companies that deal with lost of Canadian customers already know that and will suggest USPS for as a shipping method.