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International buyer and possible scam (?)
Summary: spacegoalie sold an item to a buyer in Taiwan but faced issues with eBay's international shipping indicating a free shipping cost. The buyer requested an invoice for shipping charges, raising spacegoalie's concerns about a potential scam. comics-scifi-collectibles explained that certain keywords might block the shipping and advised canceling the sale due to address issues before relisting it with revised details. They warned against shipping directly to the buyer and clarified how to avoid defects in the cancellation process. krazzykats suggested using eBay's shipping label to resolve the issue.
I sold an item to a buyer in Taiwan. He made an offer that I accepted. I have eBay’s international shipping enabled and Taiwan is listed. He claims that the shipping cost shows “free” in order summary. I’m willing to ship to the domestic hub, but eBay didn’t notify me that the person was an international buyer. The buyer has requested an invoice to show shipping charges. Although the item is only $22, I’m wondering if it is a scam. If it matters, the buyer has a feedback score of only 1. Any insights? Should I cancel the order?
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor1 week ago@spacegoalie is this for the item that you just sold? If yes it does not have ANY shipping to Taiwan so the buyer should not be able to pay. Have they paid yet?
I asked google and it appears to be blocked from EIS due to a keyword in the listing as these type of models are allowed to be imported to Taiwan. I run into this problem often with the bots falsely blocking an item from certain countries due to keywords.
"Overzealous Keywords: eBay uses automated bots to scan listing titles for restricted, embargoed, or controlled military/defense-related terms. Words like "Lockheed," "C-130 Hercules," and "Scale Model Kit" can trigger false positives on international shipping or trade compliance filters"
Let the buyer know about the problem with the shipping program and that in order to sell it to them you will have to cancel the sale and relist it after revising the listing.
Cancel the sale as problem with buyers address if the system allows IF not then cancel as buyer requested. Then revise and relist.... although you could also just block this buyer because they will have to pay shipping to the Hub and their country.
spacegoalie
OP6 days agoNo, they haven't paid yet although they are trying to. The shipping is the issue. The buyer requested an invoice, but I don't know what shipping service or amount to fill in. The item that I sold was listed as: "Matchbox Phantom F-4M/K 1/72 Model Kit PK-404, Unbuilt, Open Box, Multi-Color". I checked My Preferences and I'm enrolled in eBay's International Shipping. I also see that Taiwan is listed under the "Ships To" list. So, I'm not sure what I need to do. Thanks!
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor6 days ago · Edited@spacegoalie The ships to list can be misleading. As you see in my screenshot it does NOT have shipping to Taiwan.
You would have to direct ship to the buyer which I do NOT recommend. You would also have to end and relist still as I stated in my previous reply or it could have problems passing customs.
Just cancel the sale and revise as I suggested. Remove all descriptions and just call it a plastic airplane model kit. THEN it should qualify for the eBay International Shipping Program.
spacegoalie
OP6 days agoThanks for your help! Yes, I am trying to avoid directly shipping to the buyer. Sorry for being slow about this, but what in your screenshot indicates it does not have shipping to Taiwan. Is it the fact that it states "Check item description or contact seller for shipping options" next to Shipping?
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor6 days ago@spacegoalie Exactly. If it had shipping to Taiwan there would be a shipping price.
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor6 days ago@spacegoalie Just be sure to cancel as problem with buyers address OR if that doesn't work then cancel as buyer requested.
DON'T cancel as out of stock or you get a DEFECT.
krazzykats
Mentor1 week agoeBay International Shipping | eBay
Just send them a copy of the packing list eBay creates when you create the shipping label. You will only be paying to ship to the hub.