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

Bloomberg

Vadim's Ferrari 250 GT Sells for $5. BusinessWeek Still, the Paris auctions saw few lots sell above valuations, suggesting that the market for more routine classics remains highly selective. Collectible cars often fetch higher prices through discreet transactions than at public auctions, dealers said. Vadim's Ferrari 250 GT Sells for $5.8 Million in Paris AuctionBloomberg all 4 news articles »

Treasury Yield Is 3 Basis Points From One-Week High Before Debt Auctions Bloomberg Treasury yields were three basis points from the most in a week on speculation investors will demand higher rates at $72 billion of note and bond sales that begin tomorrow, following a stronger-than-expected jobs report. The difference between rates on ... and more »

Ivory Coast's Cocoa Auctions Put Futures Market on Edge Wall Street Journal Last week, Ivory Coast, the source of more than one-third of the world's supply, launched a series of auctions to sell a portion of its 2012-13 crop, part of the eight-month-old government's plan to overhaul the industry and ensure a floor price for ... and more »

Business Recorder

Scrutiny pays, but not always Hindustan Times Queues can be jumped, lotteries rigged and auction bids fixed. Without policing, none is inherently superior over the other two. To the extent that lotteries and early-bird schemes tend to create a black market, the original purpose of keeping prices ... Spectrum sale seen to swell coffersCalcutta Telegraph The court strikes backTimes of India Mobile spectrum auction: avoid the controversy, please!Business Recorder Business Standard -Hindu Business Line -Forbes India (blog) all 521 news articles »

The Daily Star

Tom Brady Game Jersey Sells for Thousands at Super Bowl Auction Patch.com The 2011 game jersey was purchased at The Super Bowl XLVI Live Auction in Indianapolis on Saturday, tripling the item's presale estimated value, Hunt Auctions reports. Brady wore the jersey during the Oct. 16 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Tom Brady Jersey Auctions For $46KWRTV Indianapolis Tom Brady Jersey Sells For $46K At Auction Before Super BowlHuffington Post Super Bowl 2012 Buzz:Indianapolis Star WLKY Louisville all 530 news articles »

Treasury Auctions Set for This Week New York Times The Treasury's schedule of financing this week includes Monday's regular weekly auction of new three- and six-month bills and an auction of four-week bills on Tuesday. At the close of the New York cash market on Friday, the rate on the outstanding ...

CAPS auction brings record haul Salina.com By CHRIS HUNTER As the bids poured in from the crowd on a Bud Light speaker at the 23rd Annual Celebrity Benefit Auction for Child Advocacy & Parenting Services, Dr. Merle "Boo" Hodges was hoping to get a crack at the speaker if it stayed lower than ... and more »

Hindustan Times

IPL auction: Jadeja takes the cake with a cherry on top Hindustan Times IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla (L) with owner of Mumbai Indians Nita Ambani and Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan at a press conference after auction of the players for IPL-5, in Bangalore. Like the past Indian Premier League auctions, ... 10 big facts about the IPL 5 auctionNDTV IPL 5 auction held; 800+ crore spent: Tournament from April 4isikkim Older players take a backseat at the 5th IPL auctionBusiness Today Times of India -TruthDive -Newstrack India all 382 news articles »

Atlanta Shakespeare Company Auctions ROMEO & JULIET Table Broadway World ASC is holding an e-bay auction for a front-and-center table for two for their special Valentine's performance of Romeo and Juliet. The auction will be for the performance on Tuesday February 14, 2012. The winner of the auction will also receive two ... and more »

Stockholm home to oldest auction house Times of India Herodotus has mentioned auctions in Babylon. Several types of auctions - from slaves to seized goods in an armed invasion - are mentioned in Roman and Greek history. The modern world's oldest auction house is the Stockholm Auction house formed in 1674.