Any risk in shipping a bass to Croatia and payment by Paypal?

bcolins · #1 05-19-2010, 07:08 AM

I recently received an offer to buy my 2008 USA Jazz bass for $750 from an individual in Croatia with payment by Paypal.

Just checking to see if this might possibly be a known scam....and if any of you have experience shipping a bass to Croatia (or similar) with the neck and body separated.....

Also, is Payment by Paypal always secure??

Brian in Austin

lomo · #2 05-19-2010, 07:15 AM

The issue with Paypal is that without a SIGNATURE proof of delivery the buyer can claim nondelivery and get a full refund.
Damage claims are a whole 'nother story. I would personally only ship if it will include signature on delivery AND the buyer has sent me, in writing, a statement that once shipped, ANY and ALL responsability for the package, including damage or loss, is ENTIRELY his. I've shipped this way without incident to Argentinal and Holland. In the end, any transaction has its' risks.....Another option is to insisit on a bank draft.

**baba** · #3 05-19-2010, 07:21 AM

As a seller you have no protection with Paypal. With an international buyer not subject to US laws, you probably have even less. I'd never do it.

Have them Western Union cash to you. Don't ship until cash is in hand.

iualum · #4 05-19-2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

The issue with Paypal is that without a SIGNATURE proof of delivery the buyer can claim nondelivery and get a full refund.
Damage claims are a whole 'nother story. I would personally only ship if it will include signature on delivery AND the buyer has sent me, in writing, a statement that once shipped, ANY and ALL responsability for the package, including damage or loss, is ENTIRELY his. I've shipped this way without incident to Argentinal and Holland. In the end, any transaction has its' risks.....Another option is to insisit on a bank draft.

...can you pay an additional fee to UPS/Fedex/DHL/etc... that requires a signature on delivery?...

hdracer · #5 05-19-2010, 08:22 AM

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can't find anyone in this country to give you $750 for a US Jazz?

bound'n'blocked · #6 05-19-2010, 08:23 AM

I shipped something to Macedonia (not a guitar/bass) and the guy never received it. He really wasn't surprised he didnt get it either.

Personally, if it were me, I wouldn't ship there.

My .02

BnB

Thunderitter · #7 05-19-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can't find anyone in this country to give you $750 for a US Jazz?

I'm surprised too.

I'd give any country where I don't speak the language or have local contacts in country a body swerve. Too much hassle. That limits sale possibilities of course but wait a few weeks and I'm sure you sell here in the US or Canada unless there're are issues with the bass.

frianbisher · #8 05-19-2010, 09:38 AM

Just last week I sold a stingray to a guy in Croatia. He paid with paypal and everything went just fine. I got my money, he got the bass. I wonder if its the same guy were talking about here. His name was Tonci.

lomo · #9 05-19-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iualum

...can you pay an additional fee to UPS/Fedex/DHL/etc... that requires a signature on delivery?...

Yes in the US-not sure about Croatia

bajisimo · #10 05-19-2010, 09:56 AM

I sent my bass from Spain, Europe to Czech Republic by UPS last week and everything went really fine. Get Paypal'ed first, then send the bass. I usually see people here, TB mates reluctant to send basses to other countries, specially in Europe...Well, I can admit that there is always some kind of risk, but feedback and info is the best way to have a secure transaction.

Spinal Tapper · #11 05-19-2010, 09:59 AM

I'm sorry but, you're in Austin - the Live Music Capital of the world (according to the postcard here at my desk) and you can't sell that Jazz bass locally??

$750 is a GREAT price for a MIA Jazz...especially an 08

I'd keep it local and save yourself the hassle...seriously

johnnycat42 · #12 05-19-2010, 10:32 AM

Sometimes you find someone in Austin who wants what your selling but...

Austin is like LA, people wait for some poor desperate musician or college student to dump his/her gear for peanuts. And if you wait long enough, someone will.

On the other hand, I would trade my 96 Burst MIA P for it and I'm local.

mcapote · #13 05-19-2010, 10:33 AM

I never ship outside the US with paypal payments, got screwed twice like that they claimed they didnt get it and my tracking wasnt accepted by paypal for intl. shipping

Randall · #14 05-19-2010, 10:37 AM

I would say big risk.

blockinlay · #15 05-19-2010, 10:43 AM

People ship international all the time, though the hassle for the $750 you could easily get here is not worth it. Maybe if he was giving like $1000 it might be worth it. I just sold a Badass bridge to a guy in Germany. It took a month in customs, and he had to pay extra. Paypal has made changes to protect sellers from things like chargebacks. If you do it, make sure you follow all their guidelines so as not to get screwed. Fully insure too with signature delivery, and have payment cleared before shipping.

Spinal Tapper · #16 05-19-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blockinlay

People ship international all the time, though the hassle for the $750 you could easily get here is not worth it. Maybe if he was giving like $1000 it might be worth it.

I agree with this too - don't forget Paypal will take a cut from your earnings...it's a small %, but it'll put you around the $700 mark instead of $750 - so, why not try to sell local for $700? that bass will be gone before you know it...

DanRJBrasil · #17 05-19-2010, 11:05 AM

only fully insured with signature delivery. and you'll be safe, don't be cheap on covering yourself in the shipping

MtnGoat · #18 05-19-2010, 11:20 AM

In a dispute, does anybody know if PayPal will accept a buyer's signed letter waiving all claims to refund as a way to reject/end the claim in the seller's favor?

the buyer can make a claim with paypal, but you are protected only if you follow their guidelines, such as shipping to buyer's paypal address (confirmed addy is better) and verifying delivery with signature confirmation.

Even if you don't have trouble with fraud or buyer's claims, shipping outside the US is very expensive. USPS won't accept packages over 42" in length, so their great rates are not an option, and UPS & FedEX are very expensive in my experience ($500+)

So, on top of the $750 for the bass, you also risk $500 for shipping. It makes sense to sell in the US. Be very careful if you sell outside the US.

**baba** · #19 05-19-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanRJBrasil

only fully insured with signature delivery. and you'll be safe, don't be cheap on covering yourself in the shipping

You still are not safe. It could be signed for and then the buyer could say you sent a few bricks....or the bass is broken.....or whatever they want to say. Paypal will side with the buyer and the seller is screwed.

Fair warning.

hall1k · #20 05-20-2010, 02:06 PM

For some reason I thought Croatia was in Africa... That right there would have been enough to make me leery.