Auction Information

How To Sell Internationally On eBay Without Risk


Many people just getting started on eBay have reservations when it comes to selling to International buyers. Possibly they've heard a few second-hand horror stories, or they feel it's simply not worth the extra hassle.

eBay provides you with the opportunity to sell to buyers all over the world. This opens a huge new market to the seller. It also allows you to receive more interest in your items and higher closing prices.

In many categories, some of the most active buyers live outside the United States. As an example, at the time I'm writing this, if you were selling collectible Pyrex glass, many of your serious bidders would be from Japan.

I have been selling internationally on eBay for five years and have been selling to International buyers right from the start. It's not difficult, doesn't take much more time and, if you follow a few simple do's and don'ts you shouldn't run into any problems

There are only two methods of payment, which will ensure absolute zero risk regarding sending product overseas:

1. The first is wire transfer directly to your bank.

You can contact your local bank and they will walk you through a wire transfer transaction. It is very similar to the process of having a payroll check deposited in your account. As soon as a payment is deposited electronically into your account it can never be touched by any source other than by you, the account owner. Once the bank notifies you that payment is wired or transferred into your account, you can ship the product.

2. The second is http://www.auctionpayments.com/, which is a division of Western Union. This was originally called BidPay.com and the name has been changed to Western Union (R) Auction Payments.

Payment for this method is completely processed via email. You will then receive a physical check from Western Union. This usually takes three to four days after your email confirmation. Very Important! Do not ship the product when you receive the email confirmation. Wait until you physically receive the check from Western Union.

There are three other methods of payment that you will need to decide if you will, or will not, accept. These do pose a small amount of risk:

1. Paypal payments. You will find that many International buyers have PayPal accounts and will ask to pay through PayPal. While PayPal does provide a seller protection program, it requires that you have proof of delivery. The United States Post Office (my recommend shipping venue for reasons talked about below) doesn't offer this for International Mail.

I've been accepting PayPal from International buyers all along. However, nearly all my International sales are in the antique and collectible categories. Historically, collectors have never been as much of a non-payment risk as people buying consumer products. If I was selling in the electronic or computer categories, for example, I might seriously reconsider my payment policies.

2. International Money Orders. Many sellers accept International money orders in US Dollars. There is a common misconception that these are as good as cash. That's not the case. There are instances of stolen and forged money orders right here in the States. This problem, while minute, exists for International money orders also.

3. Cashier's Checks. Just like money orders, there is a common misconception that they are as good as cash. There have been cases where blank stolen cashier's checks, or even bank checks have been forged.

Additional considerations when shipping products to International buyers.

Shipping products Internationally does involve a little more work, but it's nowhere near as involved as many make it seem.

Unlike products shipped within your own country, the major difference is the need to include a customs form. These forms are free and supplied by the carrier you chose, whether it is the US Postal Service, Fed Ex, UPS, Etc. You will need to state the weight, the item and it's value, the destination, etc.

When shipping Internationally, use only the United States Postal Service. Most, if not all countries charge duty on items coming into their country. These are based upon the value of the item and, for expensive items, can get pretty healthy. With some other carriers, you may find that you end up paying this duty tax and not the buyer. With the USPS, all import duties are collected from the buyer and not you.

Shipping internationally can be profitable and fun. You may even find that you end up becoming good friends with some of your overseas buyers. Just be careful about how you take payment, be aware of the shipping procedures, and send via USPS.

Gary Hendrickson has been making his living selling on eBay for more than six years. He's the author of two eBay related ebooks, has a blog for eBay sellers, and is the owner of ColdItems.Com.

ColdItems.Com The Auction Rebel Blog


MORE RESOURCES:
Google

Treasury Auctions Set for This Week
New York Times, United States - 3 hours ago
By THE NEW YORK TIMES The Treasury?s schedule of financing this week included Monday?s regular weekly auction of new three- and six-month bills, ...


Auctions support education
Concord Monitor, NH - 19 hours ago
Auctions have proven to be a good way to increase the revenue for sponsoring agencies. I will take my chances in a lottery for moose, but going into an ...


Do charity art auctions help or harm local artists?
Duluth News Tribune, MN - 22 hours ago
Judging from the rumblings around town about charity art auctions over the past several years ? rumblings that have gotten louder recently ? there are ...
Information about local charity art auctions Duluth News Tribune
all 2 news articles


TradeMe sued for counterfeits
TVNZ, New Zealand - 2 hours ago
Brand Developers director Paul Meier claims TradeMe auctions sold thousands of dollars worth of counterfeit machhines made from cut-rate steel and imported ...
TradeMe in court for "black market" Stuff.co.nz
Trade Me sued over fake ab machines New Zealand Herald
TradeMe responsibility limited NZ City
all 33 news articles


AP tobacco auctions fetch record Rs 1401 cr
Hindu Business Line, India - Jul 5, 2008
Virginia Tobacco auctions that concluded this week fetched a record Rs 1401 crore for farmers in Andhra Pradesh and for the first time in the history of the ...
AGRI-BIZ & COMMODITIES Hindu Business Line
all 3 news articles


Baywatch babe auctions car to save India?s snakes
The Times, South Africa - Jul 5, 2008
FORMER Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson has auctioned her 2000 Dodge Viper sports car for 65000 as a donation to a campaign against the slaughter of snakes. ...


Punjab to generate billions through billboard auctions
The News - International, Pakistan - 2 hours ago
By Tariq Butt ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif expects to fetch billions of rupees through the auction of publicity boards in and around the ...


Bostwick Auctions & Gallery
Antiques and Arts Weekly, CT - 21 hours ago
ANTIQUE ESTATE AUCTION ,200+ lots Good Antiques always accepted (everyday) FURNITURE: Large Victorian walnut hall mirror w/tiered shelves; ...


Mall auctions wedding dresses
Galesburg Register-Mail, IL - 22 hours ago
Sandburg Mall has acquired bridal and bridesmaid dresses from a prior tenant and needs to liquidate the inventory. Dresses are on display in the former ...


BBC News

Fed makes no changes to TAF auctions for July
MarketWatch - Jul 1, 2008
In a statement, the Fed said it will conduct two auctions of $150 billion in 28-day credit. It will offer $75 billion in an auction to be held on Monday, ...
Fed auctions $75 billion to ease credit stresses KRGV
US Federal Reserve auctions $75 billion to ease credit stresses The Canadian Press
Fed loans $75bn more to aid banks BBC News
The Associated Press - MarketWatch
all 106 news articles

Auctions - Google News

home | site map
© 2006