How to safely pay overseas?

[fiivan8735]

Hello everyone,

I'm in Poland and would like to order something rather expensive from the UK from a private seller on Ebay.

They are willing to send it overseas, bt they asked me what to do about the payment?

I was wondering if there are any safe ways that Ebay allow to pay overseas for more costly items?

The point is is that I'm obviously not going to send nearly 2000 GBP to some random, private seller upfront, only for the item never to arrive. 

Are there any methods that, for example, withhold the money until the item is safely in my hands, by which time Ebay transfers the money to the seller?

I mean, there is a site in Poland, I'll use that as an example even though it's a domestic site, that once someone buys something from you, you, as the seller, will only recieve the money once the buyer has stated that everything with the item they bought is fine.

Obviously if the buyer doesn't respond after having recieved the item, the seller is still protected by the website (OLX, if anyone is interested). It's not like anyone loses anything, it's rather some form of safeguard from a seller recieving the money and then vanishing without a trace not having sent the item.

Does Ebay offer anything like this? I mean, how else do people make expensive purchases overseas? Maybe they don't? Anything like cash on collect you pay to the courier on arrival?

Thank you all for your help.

[fab_finds4u]

You pay on eBay. After you win you hit the pay button and use your credit card.  

[fiivan8735]

It's not a bidding, don't know if that changes anything.

Regardless, if I pay on Ebay, does the money go directly to the seller? Or does Ebay withhold the money until I get the item?

Because if it goes directly to the seller then that's my original point. What's stopping him from withholding the sending and just vanishing?

Obviously I know that Ebay get's involved then etc. etc. but I'd rather not have to go through that hassle of having to regain my money.

[lacemaker3]

When you purchase something on eBay, most items are covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee. eBay will make sure that you don't lose money if the item isn't delivered to your shipping address, or if it is not as described. If the seller doesn't refund you in that situation, then eBay will refund you and charge the seller for it.

There are a few categories (like vehicles, or large business equipment) that are not covered by the MBG. Don't buy something like that, if it doesn't say that it is covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee.

[kensgiftshop]

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@fiivan8735 wrote:

It's not a bidding, don't know if that changes anything.

Regardless, if I pay on Ebay, does the money go directly to the seller? Or does Ebay withhold the money until I get the item?

Because if it goes directly to the seller then that's my original point. What's stopping him from withholding the sending and just vanishing?

Obviously I know that Ebay get's involved then etc. etc. but I'd rather not have to go through that hassle of having to regain my money.

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Sine it's over $1000, they might hold the funds for 30 days before releasing the money to the seller.

Is it a newer seller?

[fiivan8735]

Thank you all for your help.

This is this diagnostic equipment in question: https://www.ebay.pl/itm/276269083385

Could anyone have a look at it please? I see that Ebay does mention that it is covered by Ebay's Guarantee.

I would have to contact the seller to change his shipping options to Poland, then I would be able to buy it directly from Ebay.

Then, I just go through the purchase with my debit card through Ebay, right?

Anything else I should look at?

Thank you all!

[simba6]

Are you sure you can't find it from a seller in your country?  With rare or antique items is might not be possible.

There is some risk.  Is it a seller with a lot of good feedback for selling items in that price range?

Always pay by credit card for the added protection.  As a new buyer I would stick to low value items.

[fab_finds4u]

Their feedback rating is 86.2% which is horrible and most of us won't  buy if the feedback is less than 98.6.  Some won't  buy if it's  less than 99.

You will be covered as long as you pay on eBay using either your credit card or PayPal.

Personally, their feedback score would make me pass on that item and try to find it from a seller with better feedback. 

[lacemaker3]

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@fiivan8735 wrote:

Thank you all for your help.

This is this diagnostic equipment in question: https://www.ebay.pl/itm/276269083385

Could anyone have a look at it please? I see that Ebay does mention that it is covered by Ebay's Guarantee.

I would have to contact the seller to change his shipping options to Poland, then I would be able to buy it directly from Ebay.

Then, I just go through the purchase with my debit card through Ebay, right?

Anything else I should look at?

Thank you all!

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OK, that is listed on eBay UK, and the seller only offers it to UK buyers. From what they say in the description, I think they would prefer that it be sold for local pickup. For that large amount of money, they say you can pay with bank transfer or cash on collection. I suspect that the seller would not be willing to ship it outside of their country. This type of item is not what the seller normally sells, so I think this sale is outside of their comfort zone.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276269083385

Given what they normally sell (probably very picky buyers), I don't think that their low feedback rating is very surprising, but for a high-priced item like this one, that isn't very reassuring.

There are only two of those available for sale on eBay UK, and the other one is more than twice the price of this one. That would make me concerned. Why is this one so cheap? There's no description of anything being wrong with it, but it does say that it doesn't have the latest software installed. The seller mentions that they can get the latest software on it for more money. But I don't know if that would be for cars available in the UK only? Or if it would have software available for other regions as well?

Presumably, you would be relying on this machine for your business. You might be better advised to purchase one new, with the latest software and technical support from the manufacturer, but of course that would cost more. I don't know if the manufacturer would support this if you buy it second hand, from another region, so it might not be very useful. You would need to contact the manufacturer yourself to find out more about this issue.

I would not take a risk on this one unless the seller is willing to make shipping available to Poland, and I don't know if they would do that. And only if the manufacturer would be willing to give you technical support for it.

[fab_finds4u]

You can pay with your debit card but then if you do you will give up the extra protection paying with a credit card gives you.

[soh.maryl]

There are lots of red flags here, starting with the seller's feedback rating.  

[ryry-jj]

I would let it go, to convoluted for everything to go correctly.  Sounds like it would have to be shipping outside of eBay, too....and don't use a debit card

[tobaccocardyahoo]

I share the feeling that you already have. This is a risky purchase.

I share the feelings that other posters have. This seller is riskier than average.

The only people who would be likely to make this purchase under these circumstances would be those who believe that the chances of stealing this scanner would be better than the chances of being robbed.

[fiivan8735]

I see, thank you everyone very much for your input. I'll listen to you all and won;t get the scanner. 

Have a great day!