eBay question

[AmazingGracePlayer]

I've had tons of trouble selling to people outside of U.S. recently. Either the item never gets to them, or they don't understand English well enough for me to work out a deal on an item I'm selling. As a seller, is there an option to block all non-US bidder?

[john grey]

I don't think you can "block" but you can limit. I'm not totally sure however and their might be some method within the display.

I think these is an established "US/CAN only" sales mechanism. I've seen several sales like that especially due to complications in shipping insurances issues. I don't know if it holds in so far as eBay rules but people do say in ads that they wouldn't ship outside Canada/USA territories & many European folks stay within their shipping insurance boundaries. Try it and see.

[GizmoTheOne]

I think it would be unfair for people, like me, who are outside of the U.S. and understand English perfectly to block them from bidding on an item that they might want. If I were you, I would just specify what you just did here on TB, i.e. that you don't want to deal with people who are not familiar enough with English.

As for the item not getting to the buyer, IMHO it has nothing to do with the buyer themselves. Were your shipments insured?


My .02

[Jim Nazium]

You can specify what countries you will ship to in the auction. You can't block non-US bidders, but if someone bids and wins from a country you said you don't ship to, you can cancel the transaction and re-list the item at no charge. My auctions always state very clearly "US Bidders only please".

[fhm555]

Specify in your description and shipping details where you will ship. If you get a bidder from outside your ship area, cancel the bid.

If they press you to make an exception, decline. Don't be a dick about it, but don't put up with any attempt at intimidation or pressure. Just report those to ebay and move on to the next problem.