Ebay Sales/Shipping to Europe..problems?

[Axemeister]

I am an experienced Ebayer but I have never shipped sold goods overseas. However, I put one of MY PRSi on Ebay and I have been contacted by a potential buyer from Germany. They guy's feedback looks pretty good, but it is all in German and European sales.

I am reticent to get involved in any sale and shipping out of the country..Especially if it is going to involve risk or hassle...or a scam.

Can any of you folks with international Ebay experience offer input and advice on this??

....OR, just buy my Custom 24 and save me the hassles.

[BIG GINGER GIT]

Hi Don,
As a UK forumite I've bought from eBay from afar as the US to as close as Germany and everything has been fine. Good sellers with good feedback and good contact reassures me and so far everything has been as promised.
For payment I've either used PayPal or I've sent an international cheque or wired the payment from my bank.

Good luck ... :D

[Christopher Wade]

You should be OK. I like to exchange scans of driver's licenses, so we each have complete info plus a picture of the other. You could even pop for a few bucks for a phone call.

Wife transfer for bank check is best. If you're using wire transfer, be sure to indicate that he pays all fees (your fee on an incoming international wire should be $12-20). Also be sure got to get shorted by an intermediary bank dipping in, or a fluctuation in the exchange rate.

You can always have him make up any difference via PayPal if the resulting deposit is a few dollars short, but make sure they understand that the deal isn't complete until the agreed upon amount is in your account. (I had an issue like this recently, though it was only $20)

Also, I'd avoid PayPal, only because they can do a chargeback on the credit card once you've shipped and you're pretty much screwed.

But the Germans are up front, same with the UK. Provided nothing smells bad, you should be OK.

[Axemeister]

What means of shipping do you recommend for U.S. to Germany?

[Rusmurf]

What means of shipping do you recommend for U.S. to Germany?
You can avoid paypal chargebacks if you ship by a carrier with tracking and delivery confirmation with signature. I ship a lot of stuff internationally, and as long as you read the paypal instructions, and do what they say it's a pretty good guarrantee, as far as not getting ripped off.

I like UPS for tracking and confirmation, but international shipping by them is gonna run 150-200, maybe more, with insurance. For safety, reliability, and trackability, I use them, if cost isn't an issure.

If you want a slightly cheapr International Airmail with tracking. I also use USPS Global Airmail, which will probably run half the amount of UPS, the tracking isn't as good as UPS though.

Reu