sending a high value item abroad

[temple211]

im sending a £2000 Brompton bicycle abroad and worried it might be a scam . eBay profile says USA as location but is txing me on a UAE phone . can the buyer ever say item not received or something else and claim their money back ?? thanks 

[*vyolla* · Accepted solution]

That listing is showing as collection only, so if you send the bicycle out you won't have the buyers collection code they give you when they come to collect, this proves that they have their item.

So, you need to cancel and relist with an international shipping price if you want to go ahead with this buyer.

The downside is that you need to find a way to ship it to the US with adequate insurance against loss or damage, which is going to be expensive, and your buyer needs to be aware that there'll be taxes and an import tariff and a courier admin fee to pay their end.

What can go wrong? Your buyer can refuse to collect it, if you're lucky it will come back to you and you'll need to refund but will lose out on the outgoing postage fee. Or, your buyer may decide that it's not as described and then you'll need to find a way to pay and arrange for the return, again losing out postage both ways. Or, your buyer may issue a not as described chargeback and get to keep the bike and get a refund. 

[temple211]

many thanks , yes I said collection only but this buyer said they will arrange ups to pick up and deliver it. I am afraid the bike will go then they will start a dispute . I think im going to have to cancel the sale, if there can be a charge back. thanks very much

[red_magpie]

Just to ad to the bad news, even if you forget about delivering it abroad you are still not allowed to ask for payment by bank transfer or cash on collection, even in the UK. Whether for delivery or collection, the buyer must pay for the item through eBay's checkout before you can exchange contact details.

You will never know how the buyer has paid eBay, so as well as the risk of a fraudlent claim under eBay's money back guarantee (the buyer has 30 days in which to find faule with it) there is always the risk of a credit card chargeback, possibly up to about 120 days from the date of sale. Another point to remember is that if the item is delivered even a day after the latest estimated delivery date the buyer is entitled to claim a full refund, with you being responsible for the return delivery.

Before selling anything of this value you need to read and understand the terms of eBay's money back guarantee - which on the whole are very much weighted in the buyer's favour. Personally I wouldn't even think of selling it it on eBay.

To read about eBay's 30 day money back guarantee see: https://pages.ebay.co.uk/ebay-money-back-guarantee/