Forwarding Service

[terryselling]

I've sold a few things on here, but most recently trying to sell a used laptop. Twice now I've canceled orders as red flags came up as Russian names. I researched the shipping addresses and both are warehouses out of deleware associated with forwarding to eastern Europe. I've seen some saying it's ok and others say no. Why would eBay allow this? Anyway to prevent from selling to a forwarding service? 

[varebelrose]

Shipping to a forwarding service is one of the safest transactions one can do on this site.
Selling laptops, maybe not so much.

[luckythewinner]

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I've seen some saying it's ok and others say no.

That is probably because some sellers have had no issues with buyers who use forwarding services, and other sellers have.

Generally speaking, every transaction on eBay carries the risk of fraud if the buyer is so inclined. And that is true whether or not the buyer uses a forwarding service. 

Why would eBay allow this? 

Probably because:

• eBay is in the business of facilitating sales, not blocking them
• eBay does not want the job of detecting and block every forwarding service
• eBay knows that most forwarding  services are legitimate

Anyway to prevent from selling to a forwarding service? 

Not that I know of. 

[onefootflipper]

I have heard a lot of people will cancel those orders for "Problem with address".

For those of you who have ebay as your religion, I just don't care. There are plenty of laptops on the other side of the world and no legitimate reason for a used one to cross the ocean. 

I would suggest not selling laptops or cell phones on ebay. Top two scam items. 

[*casey*]

"Twice now I've canceled orders as red flags came up as Russian names. I researched the shipping addresses and

both are warehouses out of deleware associated with forwarding to eastern Europe. I've seen some saying it's ok and others say no"

If it's   NewCastle,  DE 19720   

NO

100% SCAM

[tobaccocardyahoo]

IMO A $150 laptop is exactly the kind of laptop a buyer in a country with a weak economy would buy, Indeed, that is why the OP is having problems finding a US buyer.

When I sold used computer equipment, I found that even the poorest of US buyers wanted every up to date bell and whistle on their product, whether they could afford them or not. 

I am part of that segment of Ebay sellers who have no problems with freight forwarders, but I sell items which do not attract scammers from any country. 

IMO the OP's laptop is probably not a scammer magnet.

[12345jamesstamps]

'Item description'...maybe others can answer this question.

Can a seller put in item description 'only shipping in the US...no International Shipping'.

And maybe in the 'title'...'Ship only in the USA' or something like that?

I mean, it doesn't go against anything illegal I think.

Would it keep buyers from other countries buying...probably not...but..doesn't it give a seller the right to cancel the sale due to a problem with the address?

Thoughts I was wondering about...

[a_c_green]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

'Item description'...maybe others can answer this question.

Can a seller put in item description 'only shipping in the US...no International Shipping'.

And maybe in the 'title'...'Ship only in the USA' or something like that?

I mean, it doesn't go against anything illegal I think.

Well, given that the buyer's address (that of a freight forwarder) is within the US, then you're not shipping internationally anyway. Your delivery obligation is complete as soon as the package arrives at the address received with the payment. Where it goes after that does not matter. If the buyer wants to return the item, he will need to get it back to his reshipper, as that is where the return label will originate from.

[pls-consignments]

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@terryselling wrote:

I've sold a few things on here, but most recently trying to sell a used laptop. Twice now I've canceled orders as red flags came up as Russian names. I researched the shipping addresses and both are warehouses out of deleware associated with forwarding to eastern Europe. I've seen some saying it's ok and others say no. Why would eBay allow this? Anyway to prevent from selling to a forwarding service? 

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I had a bad experience with a freight-forwarder that was used in a scam. They are an easy way for scammers to claim INR's and charge backs on this platform. These purchases will almost always be for higher priced items. They often use fictitious names that eBay is unable to vet, including fake extensions such as "Attn:" or "C/O". Too risky for me, so I cancel with "issue with address". 

Who wants the added risks on top of everything else?

[pls-consignments]

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@varebelrose wrote:

Shipping to a forwarding service is one of the safest transactions one can do on this site.
Selling laptops, maybe not so much.

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You're speading it a little too thick my friend.

[kibble-net]

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@terryselling wrote:

I've sold a few things on here, but most recently trying to sell a used laptop. Twice now I've canceled orders as red flags came up as Russian names. I researched the shipping addresses and both are warehouses out of deleware associated with forwarding to eastern Europe. I've seen some saying it's ok and others say no. Why would eBay allow this? Anyway to prevent from selling to a forwarding service? 

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The risk is on the buyer, not on you. Once your item is delivered to the forwarder, you've done your job.  The buyer can't claim non-delivery - you have proof.

If they claim not as described, they are now on the hook to return it, which probably won't be possible since they can't use the return shipping label, and it will most likely cost them quite a bit to mail it directly back on their own dime.

I've sold laptops to forwarding addresses several times and nothing has happened from it. Just make sure to follow the necessary steps for seller protection: Tracked delivery, and signature if it's $750+.

[kibble-net]

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@varebelrose wrote:

Shipping to a forwarding service is one of the safest transactions one can do on this site.
Selling laptops, maybe not so much.

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One truth and one lie.
Ebay is a great place to buy and sell laptops.

[soh.maryl]

As you know, freight forwarders provide a US address, which is the point of a freight forwarder.

As you also no doubt know, once the item is tracked as having been delivered to the FF address, the seller is basically off the hook regarding any issues that surface thereafter.  

[soh.maryl]

"You're spreading it a little too thick my friend."

What does that mean? Are you implying that varabelrose is lying? 

[ittybitnot]

 If the buyer wants to return the item, he will need to get it back to his reshipper, as that is where the return label will originate from.

@a_c_green 

A buyer that uses a freight forwarder in reality on eBay, forfeits their right to make a claim other than INR.  That of course, depends on whether or not the SELLER is aware of the freight forwarder being used.  eBay will not tell a seller, and processes this as any other domestic sale.  One needs to educate themselves on how to tell a freight forwarder is being employed.  

Should a buyer file a return, a quick trip by the seller to one of the eBay social media portals will typically take care of the problem. Hopefully, this is done BEFORE the time is up for the seller to send a return label, or more trouble is on the horizon.  (A seller should still try, even if they are finding out 'after the fact'.) 

Then it is time for phase two of the scam when the clueless (about a forwarder being used) seller provides a return label.  a) The buyer purchases some cheap item on the net and sends it to an address in the seller's Zip Code.  It will show a 'return' has been made, even if it was a box of rubber bands sent to the local tavern or gas station instead of the 'computer' that is supposedly returned .  OR b)  The buyer has some assistance and WILL use the label the seller sends.  They have someone in the US just tweak the addresses, while the tracking number/barcode remains the same.  An empty bubble mailer will suffice to prove to eBay the return has been made, even if it was to the local CVS. 

At this point eBay goes into denial mode, and the seller must now deal with eBay as well as their crooked customer.  

So yes, so long as a seller. you KNOW a forwarder is being used, AND what to do when the NAD claim appears, the use of a freight forwarder by the buyer may not be so upsetting.  Just be prepared.