ebay rant

[CodiMN]

So, I posted something on ebay to sell for the first time. I made sure I listed it as "ship to United States"...and guess who bids and wins? Someone in ITALY?!!! What the heck?
I've tried to contact ebay, still waiting...
Messaged the buyer stating that if I were to ship it, it would be more expensive, and I have to research how to do it. Urg, he msg back that he thought I knew he was in ITALY and that he was willing to pay for the shipping. Something just feels fishy about this whole thing...
Has anyone else had any ebay adventures? What do you think I should do?

[flhiker]

Hi, If your listing said U.S. only then I would tell you can't. And relist it and put it in BOLD print. Buyer's not reading the entire listing is a common problem for Seller on eBay. They should allow you to contact the next bidder when the first guy is unable to fullfill his bid. Good Luck

[CodiMN]

Will the first bidder have the opportunity to list feedback about me??? I sure hope not!

[Djarum Black]

Hi Carolyn,

Sorry to hear about your eBay troubles
I think that the bidder can leave you neg feedback, but you would be able to dispute it because he did not read your ad.

I have had similar problems in the past. Not with shipping locations but with shipping in general.
When I have listed in the past I bolded that my method of shipping was "such and such" method. If a buyer didn't like it, then they shouldn't bid.

Only later after the auction is won do they come back and ask me to ship it some other way that I know is a bad...badddd idea. I've gotten into email arguments over this with bidders because they want to save maybe..20 cents lol.

Bottom line though is that if you state something in your ad, then you have the proof to back up your claim and regardless of what they say or do, you are the one in the right.

[Bird Song Farm]

Hi Carolyn,
Having bought and sold on e-Bay since its inception you do not have to ship to international buyers if your listing states you will ship to U.S. only. "No international bidders." I would write to your buyer and inform him that you cannot ship out of the U.S. and that your listing stated same. (Read your listing carefully, it's possible you missed something when you listed and e-Bay filled in something automatically that said you would ship out of the U.S., it has happened to me)
I have learned that you cannot make everyone happy on e-Bay and these things are going to happen. Let the dice fall as they may as long as you covered yourself in the listing.
Good luck,
Al

[FinnBar]

i don't know if this is helpful at all but maybe your buyer should know that he needs CITES-certification when importing orchids from outside the EU = European Union.
would he be ready to pay for the costs of it..?

i hope you can find a solution that pleases both parties.
good luck.

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by FinnBar

i don't know if this is helpful at all but maybe your buyer should know that he needs CITES-certification when importing orchids from outside the EU = European Union.
would he be ready to pay for the costs of it..?

i hope you can find a solution that pleases both parties.
good luck.

Very true, ask him for a copy of his Certif. that might end the whole thing easily.......
Al

[CodiMN]

Well I finally got a msg from ebay today. My listing clearly stated US only so they told me I have some options to not accept the bid and list it as Unpaid and then it goes to disputes...or I can accept the bid and give international shipping a whirl.
I prefer NOT to ship internationally, so I've sent the winning bidder a responce that I will not ship.
Next step is to wait for his reply and then do the Unpaid thing so I can get the item relisted. Fun fun. Thanks everyone for your help! Scary stuff!

[Bird Song Farm]

Great Carolyn,
Good to hear! The e-Bay system is a bit slow in giving you credit and makes you jump through some hoops to get it but just follow the instructions and all will be well.
Chock one up for experience, eh?
Al

[CodiMN]

Exactly!