Would you sell to someone overseas?

[big dave]

I posted a Contax G2 kit in the classifieds. I know about the scams that happen from posting on the Internet, but someone responded wondering if I would ship overseas (Hong Kong). The e-mail was generated from the ad on this site, and seems like it could be legitimate.

I know the rules and common sense would say to not sell overseas. Have you or would you sell and ship to someone overseas?

How would you handle the transaction .... is paypay secure enough?

What is the preferred method of shipping, so it's secure?

I don't want to lose a sale, but don't want to lose my camera, either.

Thanks.

 

[Ronald M]

If they send you an international money order via Western Union. When they register it, they get a number. He then E-mails the number to you and you take the number to local Western Union. Proof of identity and the number will get you cash on the spot.

Only then do you ship.

I don`t know why paypal won`t work. You both need an account.

The problem is more for buyers than sellers, but get the money first.

 

[Michael I.]

I sell and buy from overseas all the time

 

[BSchall]

I have sold items on Ebay and have shipped to Thailand, Hong Kong, Tiawan, Japan, Italy, and Norway. All items were paid thru Paypal from bidders with decent Ebay feedbacks. Never had a problem. I even bought a Rollei 35S from an individual in Singapore. You might haold your breath and hope everything will turn out. Luckily, for me, it has.

 

[payasam]

The Express Mail International service of USPS is fast, and the movement of a package can be tracked over the Net. I recently received, in India, a package sent from Washington DC. Insurance is available at relatively little cost.

 

[bob cole]

Would you sell to someone overseas?

There's no real problem in selling overseas if , as already said, you get your money before you ship, either by PayPal or International Money Order... or in cash...

You do have to fill out a short customs form [available at the Post Office] for uninsured packages or a long, white customs form for insured mail...Do NOT cooperate with buyers asking you to describe the item as a, say, $25 gift; if it's lost, you collect $25 for your Contax...if you collect anything at all...

One problem, however, is that while tracking an item is possible for the BUYER from some countries, you as seller cannot always help a buyer who asks where his/her package is after 10 days of non-arrival. The US Post Office does not usually offer tracking service....altnough it used to offer some tracking service before rates went up...It also no longer offers dirt-cheap surface mail [by overseas boat]...

Overseas rates are enormously expensive by UPS, Fed Ex and others -- usually over $100, with free tracking...

The rates with the US Post Offce are now also becoming quite expensive , even without insurance but nowhere near $100. ...

With insurance, USPostal Rates are very expensive --but still much less than $100 --but packages must go by Priority Mail rather than First Class Mail, which does not offer insurance...

But with an expensive item, like yours, you might want to protect yourself by getting the buyer to pay for insurance although the cost might make him decide NOT to buy because -- if they're smart -- they ask in advance how much to ship...

 

[micromontenegro]

I know the rules and common sense would say to not sell overseas. Have you or would you sell and ship to someone overseas?

Wow, international trade is against common sense?

 

[big dave]

This might come as a shock, but there has been a scam or two, or a million, from overseas buyers ... and yes, just as many from the U.S. Getting your money is hard enough if there's a problem when you're in the same country. Dealing overseas? Pretty much forget it.

I'm not against selling an item overseas, but I don't feel like learning an $800 lesson. I try not to assume that just because a buyer is overseas, they are scamming me. I know there are many International members here, that's why I posted the question.

 

[Carzee]

I have sent glass and bits to Canada, japan, USA. Always with good feedback, always with a phone number that checks out in the whitepages, always confirmed at Paypal, always insured. Usually the buyer is a forum member and usually has a gallery or website. I only sell with buy it now if selling on feebay.

 

[Paul T.]

Despite all the negative reports, the possible scams, the language barriers, and the hassles of customs forms and insurance, I still say that selling to buyers from america can be worthwhile!

 

[Never Satisfied]

I fail to undersatnd what the problem is? Regardless of what payment method you choose, as long as you have the cash / paypal / whatever before you send the goods, why does it matter where you send them?

I buy and sell a few items, all camera gear on eBay and living in Australia, most items come from O/S and the majority get sent O/S.

Always send insured post, US mail do insured express air that requires a signature at the delivery address. Where is the risk?

There are honest people outside the USA, are you aware of that

Cheers Andrew.

 

[traveller]

I buy and sell overseas and in my opinion the hassle is more on the buyers side. He pays before the item is sent and doesn't know if he won't get a parcel filled with stones or something else. As long as the weight of the parcel is right he will have a problem proving it and lawyers cost too much if you want to sue someone overseas.

The international service of USPS is good and a lot cheaper than UPS or Fedex. They have high rates and, the bill for that "service" can even be more expensive, do the customs declaration for the buyer :bang: . With USPS the customs will send the buyer a letter and ask him to come and do the declaration himself and the buyer will pay no fee, just customs and taxes. Sometimes he might even get lucky .

 

[kshapero]

Done it to Europe, asia and S. America and even Canada. no problems.

 

[colyn]

I've bought and sold from/to overseas sellers/buyers without problems. However you should never give false information on the customs form as some buyers will ask you to do.

Always have the money before shipping though

 

[peterc]

I've sold to buyers in Singapore, Australia, Israel and Germany without problems.
Post may take longer than the PO tells you it will (buyers may get antsy) and insist the buyer pays for insurance and tracking (if available) or waives any claim from you provided you can prove you mailed the item.

Peter

 

[nikon_sam]

Always have the money before shipping though

Amen to that...:angel:

 

[35mmdelux]

i sell worldwide and know that at anytime I could take a hit. I take paypal but I know that the cc could be stolen and there is no way to verify.

I ship First Class Air Mail AND I let them know that they are responsible after I hand it over to USPS. I do get some insur for tracking purposes, although its not insured once it leaves the USA. IF they ship UPS, DHL then they have tracking ability. Its their choice and they assume responsibility.

I've heard some horror stories so its dicey. There are places not advised to sell such as the former Eastern Bloc Nations, Nigeria, and Indonesia - these nations have huge fraud markets. Avoid them at all costs.

Be carfeul with I have a check and blah blah blah. If you deposit check and it bounces once you ship the gear your bank will not cover the loss. For all these reasons many guys pass on overseas sales.

 

[mw_uio]

For the last 3 years I have bought from ebay members, in the USA. I am careful, and only accept when shipping via EMS to Quito, EC. I am only a buyer and I have 100% rating on ebay.

I have bought from member sepiareverb [Bob] this month he is a great seller. Also member Trius kindly sent me some K64.

I will buy from here on RFF again, no problem!! I may put up my Nikkor 85/1.4 AIS here on RFF.

Cheers

MArk
Quito, EC

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

I posted a Contax G2 kit in the classifieds. I know about the scams that happen from posting on the Internet, but someone responded wondering if I would ship overseas (Hong Kong). The e-mail was generated from the ad on this site, and seems like it could be legitimate.

I know the rules and common sense would say to not sell overseas. Have you or would you sell and ship to someone overseas?

Thanks.

Which common sense and what rules?
Yes, I was conned once and that was someone in the US. And yes that is overseas.
I've done many deals all over the world and never a problem.
Hong Kong might be overseas for you but for me it is not.
Make sure you get the money and then ship. That is the only sensible thing to do.
Don't be afraid of people outside your own country, there are honest people also.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Paypal has a thing called "Chargeback". If a stolen credit card was used to pay you, the money can be taken back out of your account. From someone in the US, or from a credit card from overseas. If you know the person, from Forum Posts, etc, you are not likely going to have a problem. If the person is "out of the blue", or you are nervous about it, go with Paypal balance transfer or a Western Union Moneygram. Walk into the local grocery store, and come out with cash.

If I see that a Paypal payment is from a balance, I have no concerns. Last shipped a $730 camera to Hong Kong. I have never had a problem. I will not take Paypal payments via credit cards from someone that I have never dealt with before.