International Shipping Obligation Insight?

[bigpoppa_sd-sports-cards]

Long story short, a buyer recently won an auction of mine and it appears that they are based in China. They haven't paid yet, so this is a legit hunch... but I'm a bit gun shy about this.  I do have international shipping setup and I guess it didn't really dawn on me that I may be a bit skeptical about shipping to APJ, China specifically, until the thought of free returns (seller/I pay)... etc.  I have nothing against folks in China, at all - just apprehensive about the risk(s) involved in this.  I'm sure eBay will do the heavy work w/ their intl shipping program, etc.. but I'm still on the hook for loss, return(s) fee / responsibility etc.  Am I obligated to complete the sale?  If that's the case, I absolutely will - I'm honest just curious to understand my options here, if any?  Any possibility of politely cancelling the order?  Thought I'd throw it out there - THX

[mam98031]

@bigpoppa_sd-sports-cards 

Are you using EIS?  If you are, you will ship to an Ebay hub and then once they accept the package, from there it is in Ebay's hands and Ebay's responsibility.  You don't have to worry about claims at all.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-international-shippin...

https://pages.ebay.com/internationalshippingprogram/seller/terms/

[bigpoppa_sd-sports-cards]

USPS Ground Advantage.... but I believe the intl component, etc is indeed part of eBay's International Shipping Program?  I don't believe the program is limited to ESE, or is it?  

[mam98031]

Sorry, EIS isn't available for ESE.  You are correct.

How much is the sale?  Is it an expensive item?  

[bigpoppa_sd-sports-cards]

$38 sale (gross)...

[mam98031]

Wait and see if they pay.  They may not pay and then you can just cancel it for non payment after 96 hours from the purchase.  Or they may have a different address other than China for you to ship the item to.  I would advise you to just wait at this time.

[bigpoppa_sd-sports-cards]

Roger that.  So no 'outs' here since it's shipping internationally, etc... seeing as I am enrolled in the international shipping program and didn't list China as a country I don't ship to?  Thx

[mam98031]

Not that I'm aware of.  

I would suggest to Enroll in EIS for any of the things you sell that you don't ship ESE.

[bigpoppa_sd-sports-cards]

Buyer just paid.  This item is shipping USPS Ground Advantage, which I've always had a good experience with.  I'll contact CS in the morning and see if they have any silver bullets... if not, all good.  Is what it is.  Thx

[bigpoppa_sd-sports-cards]

The shipping address looks very strange so I decided go do some investigating, given the Chinese phone/country code but odd ship to.  Quite a few nuggets... like this one :

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Buyer-won-auction-using-known-scammer-address/td-p/33095690

https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/ebay-scammer-alert-don%E2%80%99t-ship-to-1140-river-r...

https://badbuyerlist.org/buyer/53fdf1af257517115bdc779e

Um, yea.  No thanks.  I'm out.  

[mam98031]

Did you cancel the transaction using the reason problem with the address?

I understand your concern.  Especially if the address you got is similar to the one in the links above.

FYI Be cautious with that last link.  Keep in mind that anyone can go there and put in any name they want.  No one checks them or verifies there is an actual problem with that buyer.  It has been known to be some out to retaliate against another or damage a competitor.  That doesn't seem to be the case for your issue.

I hope everything turns out for you.

[meme6253]

Have you figured in the whole tariff thing, That could have a huge affect on your cost getting it there.

[wastingtime101]

Hi @bigpoppa_sd-sports-cards . Those threads you linked to indicate your buyer is using a freight forwarder (in Delaware).

There is no way to block freight forwarders and the buyer is not violating any rules. If you cancel the transaction, you will take an out of stock defect.

The vast majority of freight forwarder shipments go off without a hitch. Sometimes there are issues and if something happens you can come back here for advice before taking any action.

[mam98031]

---

@meme6253 wrote:

Have you figured in the whole tariff thing, That could have a huge affect on your cost getting it there.

---

There is no tariff for shipping from a US address to another US address.

The Freight forwarder on the other hand MAY, cuz IDK, have to deal with it if and when they ship the items to the buyer in their country.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Those are standard Freight Fowarder addresses, called FF's on the boards.  They are not scammers.  They're fine to ship to & in fact are great b/c all you have to do is get it to the FF address in the US & you're off the hook.   Just ship your item.  I doubt anyone is trying scam you for $38 LOL.  Plus FF's are the best of all addys to ship to!