Selling gear in TB Classifieds

**travep** · #1 08-30-2011, 08:56 PM

I've been impressed with the Classifieds here. I have purchased a couple of instruments and have thought to sell some. What is the preferred method of collecting payment? I know a lot use PayPal...but they charge a fee, no? I assume that you don't ship until the payment is received. However, is there any "bad stuff" that can happen if I receive word from PayPal that a pmt is in my account & I ship and insure the package?

I got offers from folks international that offered to pay me and wanted me to ship to a domestic address and they'd handle the rest. Are these legit offers?

I'm interested in discussion on the topic so I don't get in over my head

Travis

stflbn · #2 08-30-2011, 09:06 PM

I do not ship international... period... UNLESS it's a very well established TB user with tons of feedback that I recognize.

You'll find way more people willing and wanting to use paypal than you do those that do not.

lowendgenerator · #3 08-30-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

I do not ship international... period... UNLESS it's a very well established TB user with tons of feedback that I recognize.

You'll find way more people willing and wanting to use paypal than you do those that do not.

This pretty much sums it up. Anyone that has zero feedback is scrutinized heavily, and I almost NEVER ship international.

**tommyr01** · #4 08-30-2011, 09:15 PM

I have shipped at least 6 times to international TBers with no problems. I was definitely weary also shipping to a domestic address and then it being sent from there. Almost all of them had previous feedback so I felt comfortable with the sale. I shipped them to a domestic address and made the agreement that I ll cover the insurance to the domestic address only.

As any transaction here, you are kind of taking a little chance so go with what you are comfortable with, I guess what I'm saying is don't totally discount the Non-Us TBers......

**travep** · #5 08-30-2011, 09:15 PM

OK...what is the danger of shipping internationally if they pay extra shipping & you get pmt before shipping? I can see that it might become a hassle...I'm just trying to figure out what the real danger is.

What are some other options for payment? ...even if they are not preferred

It's pretty difficult getting feedback to qualify for transactions...if you need to transactions to get feedback :-)

lowendgenerator · #6 08-30-2011, 09:18 PM

The only other forms of payment I accept are cash in person, or a USPS money order.

stflbn · #7 08-30-2011, 09:20 PM

Bogus Paypal Accounts. You losing your item AND the money when Paypal takes the money back, etc etc etc.

There is no truely SAFE option for international payment.

That is why I do not ship internationally.

Even inside the U.S. you should not accept cashier checks or any money orders, they can be faked and once again you'll lose your item and money when the bank realizes what you deposited is bad.

I accept paypal or USPS money orders... or cash locally.

If you bought things here you should have feedback.

**tommyr01** · #8 08-30-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Bogus Paypal Accounts. You losing your item AND the money when Paypal takes the money back, etc etc etc.

There is no truely SAFE option for international payment.

That is why I do not ship internationally.

Even inside the U.S. you should not accept cashier checks or any money orders, they can be faked and once again you'll lose your item and money when the bank realizes what you deposited is bad.

I accept paypal or USPS money orders... or cash locally.

If you bought things here you should have feedback.

All Excellent points, I know I took chances when I shipped International, but they were to US addresses.....And I'm definitely not saying I go out of my way to do it. I always use Paypal, just my preference

FurryMonkey · #9 08-30-2011, 09:30 PM

Another issue is if the item is lost in transit and the buyer doesn't receive it. I believe Paypal will require you to refund their money, but I'm not sure on all the details of it, but you end up out your item and your money. I think there can be issues with international package tracking.
Maybe someone who is a little more familiar with international shipping can elaborate on the tracking issue.

**travep** · #10 08-31-2011, 10:30 PM

Thanks...all good advice & opinions. Can anyone ballpark the paypal & USPS money order costs? It seems as if someone is sending a money order they are taking a big chance on getting the item in return...although I imagine it's much cheaper than paypal, no? I'm particularly interested in paypal expenses.

Also, how do you fake a paypal account? Does that mean that I can't trust that when I have money deposited in my paypal account that I can't trust that it's actually my money? How do you know when to ship it?

Sorry for being so behind in the ways of the online world. Ironically, I'm a software developer :-)

stflbn · #11 08-31-2011, 10:32 PM

Search the web for Paypal fee calculator. THere's a bunch of them out there. As well as Ebay fee calculator's, etc.

Munjibunga · #12 08-31-2011, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

This pretty much sums it up. Anyone that has zero feedback is scrutinized heavily, and I almost NEVER ship international.

I'm the same way. I ended up selling a bass to a TB member in China who had five posts and zero feedback. I was skeptical at first, but we arranged for me to ship it to a friend of his in New York, who is also a TB member, and has 44 feedbacks at 100 percent positive. As soon as the money hit PayPal, I shipped the bass, and a couple weeks later it was in the member's hands. No muss, no fuss.

IncX · #13 08-31-2011, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travep

I got offers from folks international that offered to pay me and wanted me to ship to a domestic address and they'd handle the rest. Are these legit offers?

Travis

yes, they are legit offers.

im from the philippines and taxes are really bad, so i let a 3rd party shipping company handle it, cause truth is, used musical instruments arent supposed to be taxed, especially if they arent meant for resale.

most of the domestic addresses you have are either relatives or 3rd part shipping companies.

im afraid to sell internationally too, especially if the one im selling to is a lazy speller and who has horrible grammar with zero or few feedback.

anonymous122511 · #14 08-31-2011, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travep

I got offers from folks international that offered to pay me and wanted me to ship to a domestic address and they'd handle the rest. Are these legit offers?

I'm in Canada and have a friend that graciously allows me to ship to his address in Washington State when a seller isn't able to ship outside the CONUS.

StoutFellow · #15 09-01-2011, 12:22 AM

I'm from Ireland but spending a couple of years in the US and availing of the glorious market for new and second-hand equipment here.

I've bought two bass guitars on TB - both paid for in advance, based on the seller's feedback and, without doubt, the reputation that TalkBass has. One I paid for with a money order, the second with a cash deposit into the seller's bank account.

When I move overseas, I'd be very willing to do the same again in order to get a TB seller to send me a bass. That is - I'd be willing to send a money order or to deposit money in the seller's account from overseas. Only when the money has arrived at the seller's end would the bass be shipped.

There is a risk in this - but that's my problem. As long as TB continues to be a place where members in good standing with significant positive feedback offer gear to other TB members, I'll be willing to accept that risk. Even from overseas.

Don't know if that helps you, but good luck!

R

fenderhutz · #16 09-01-2011, 12:27 AM

Paypal is roughly 3%. You can't ask for Paypal fees on here. But on a 300 item paypal is only taking 9 dollars. So just ask 310 for an item of it bothers you about the fees. I like the convenience of Paypal and just consider it a small price of doing business.

JehuJava · #17 09-01-2011, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Bogus Paypal Accounts. You losing your item AND the money when Paypal takes the money back, etc etc etc.

How the heck does this happen? How could the money hit your account if the fake one doesn't have money or credit?

**travep** · #18 09-01-2011, 05:05 PM

I guess that's what I was wondering...if it's fake, PayPal should figure that out before they credit me with cash. Otherwise, what's the 3% for?

I really appreciate all of the input. I also have felt that this is a pretty stand-up community...especially compared to other online environments. I have bought 2 basses here...both I picked up in person so it took the payment/shipping risk out of the equation. One of them was never officially listed (I connected to him by way of a PM question about one of his other basses). Since the instrument was never listed, I couldn't get feedback on it. I guess I just need to buy some more gear ;-)

Thanks again for all of the info, guys!

**Staccato** · #19 09-01-2011, 05:16 PM

IMO, Paypal is preferred. Once you determine how much Paypal will grab based on the transaction...

Set the price where you want it. This makes things attractive for a buyer, and they don't have to listen to any noise about the service-it's convenient, and almost instant. If you've heard of a better, faster way to handle payment-let us know, AFIK, a better alternative hasn't been invented.

3% of a thousand (or a hundred) is nothing to complain about. And, if the price of the item is $50, the percentage about one dollar?

MatticusMania · #20 09-01-2011, 05:18 PM

I once accepted a personal check when I sold my Loop Station, with the stipulation that the check had to clear before I would ship. It did, then I did, and there were no problems.