How did someone from Saudi Arabia get around my country blocks?

[tamaralea]

They bought it, but didn't pay, only to ask if I'll ship to Saudi Arabia.  Now they've used up one of my precious 50 listings.  How did this happen?  

I've ventured into a whole new world this week, trying to sell off my sons' video games.  

[partial*eclipse]

Ugh, good luck!  Video games attract the worst non-payers, sport bidders, and scammers.  If I was selling video games, it would be strictly fixed price with Immediate Payment Required.

I don't know how he got around your shippint terms, unless (1) he had a US-bsed Primary address or (2) your Site preferences block got un-checked.

[copper.boom]

How frustrating. Your blocks are in place on the listing so I would think the buyer has a US primary address.

And I agree with Partial that it's best to list that type of item as a BIN with IPR. There are enough video games sold each day for you to gauge an appropriate price point without needing to run an auction.

[tamaralea]

It was an auction WITH a buy it now and he "bought it now".  Then he tried to get me to ship it to him and Saudi Arabia and is complaining about the high cost freight forwarders charge.  

[tunicaslot]

He has a US Paypal address - obviously the shipping forwarder. Now this may be his first purchase using a ship forwarder and didn't realize how expensive they are - but maybe tried it as so many sellers will not ship internationally anymore. After seeing what the ship forwarder will charge - he's trying to see if he can get you to ship it directly to him.

I know people have problems with GSP but this is the reason I use them.

[thenobletuckylife]

DING DING DING...I think we have a winner here Tamara with Tunica's answer.

Mr C

[starroute-us]

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@tunicaslot wrote:

He has a US Paypal address - obviously the shipping forwarder. Now this may be his first purchase using a ship forwarder and didn't realize how expensive they are - but maybe tried it as so many sellers will not ship internationally anymore. After seeing what the ship forwarder will charge - he's trying to see if he can get you to ship it directly to him.

I know people have problems with GSP but this is the reason I use them.

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Yes,

He had to have a US "ship to" addy in place as "primary" in his ebay account setting, then he can bid/buy.

I just say "no" when this happens because the buyer had no reguard for my shipping terms to ask me to ship direct without tracking after making the purchase.

He can not pay unless he uses a non blocked "ship to" addy when making payment.

So your block is still in place.

When you file the UID, block his user ID.

Sorry, I know the feeling:(

[retrose1]

This is one of the times I would use a cancel with the reason - Problem with buyers address.

And block the buyer.

Then i would be on the phone costing ebay CS money asking them the question - even though you know the answer.

By the way, I would never list video game anything on ebay.  Local - cash in hand on pickup.  If you insist of using ebay, pick out the most expensive items and just throw them away and toss a couple of twentys in the garbage behind them for the postage costs.

[starroute-us]

Hi Rose:)

I use to use the *buyer addy problem* but they way the defects are now, I file the UID.

The numpty does have a valid addy in place, just doesn't want to use it as the listing terms stated, so he should get a strike if he doesn't pay for wasting my time and my freebie listing.

[rolenboy01]

I don't want to ship internationally whatsoever, so basically you are suggesting eBay wants to force us into using the GSP by allowing people from high scam countries to circumvent our blocks by using a shipping forwarder?

[retrose1]

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@starroute-us wrote:

Hi Rose:)

I use to use the *buyer addy problem* but they way the defects are now, I file the UID.

The numpty does have a valid addy in place, just doesn't want to use it as the listing terms stated, so he should get a strike if he doesn't pay for wasting my time and my freebie listing.

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Back at ya Star,                        

Normally i would file the unpaid - but when a buyer asks me to ship to another country, filing the cancel is my answer.  I will not respond to them after they ask and the email is my evidence.

And I'll keep doing it until someone reports getting a defect for the same situation.

[llllady]

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@rolenboy01 wrote:

I don't want to ship internationally whatsoever, so basically you are suggesting eBay wants to force us into using the GSP by allowing people from high scam countries to circumvent our blocks by using a shipping forwarder?

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@rolenboy01

Make sure your block is set in PAYPAL so that you cannot receive payments other than in U.S. currency.  That will help when they slip through the eBay loophole.  They won't be able to pay. You an then file for an unpaid item in 4 days.   They won't even be able to leave feedback.

[rolenboy01]

My blocks are set, like I said it will still happen if they use a forwarder with a united states account and have a united states address there is no block against that, using a forwarder isn't against eBay rules but I still consider it a loophole.

[tamaralea]

Here's a strange thing..........5 feedback buyer says "based in Saudi Arabia", but has a US zip code.  

[rolenboy01]

Same thing happened to me with a buyer from dominican republic, eBay account location was set to that but the shipping address in paypal that is attached to their account was set as an address in Miami Florida.