eBay

ki_toys_cards · ‎09-16-2021

Hello, just as the subject says, one of my items sold to someone from another country, despite me only shipping withing the United States. I read through some similar topics and learned I can block international buyers from purchasing which I will do, but what I'd like to know, is what is the best way to handle this transaction now?

I want to cancel this order, but should I cancel it first, without writing the buyer (who messaged me while I was asleep, asking for a discount and shipping prices to their country) citing address issues (they have not paid yet), OR should I message them first and ask if they have a US address (which I imagine they don't, as they asked for shipping costs to their country).

If I cancel it, are they able to leave me negative feedback? I'd like to avoid that if possible. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much in advance!

coffeebean832 · ‎09-16-2021

@7606dennis wrote:
@coffeebean832 wrote:
The lego listing is set up for US only shipping with international excluded. That's why I asked the OP to confirm if that's the item being referenced, or if we should be looking at another listing.
I believe that the OP must also set their seller preferences to block buyers from places they do not ship. I know, it seems odd, but that is the way it use to be and I believe it still is.

Yes, this is true and it's how the order made it through- but the OP could still cancel due to problem with address if they needed to since the listing was set up to exclude international. I just wanted to make sure we had the correct listing before trying to help because if the listing wasn't set up properly that would be a different issue. 🙂

dbfolks166mt · ‎09-16-2021

Until the seller pays I would not do anything. As others suggested let it ride the 4 days and if they do not pay eBay will open a quasi unpaid item case and upon confirmation cancel the sale. Your fees are returned and the buyer gets a ding.

If the buyer does pay you have a couple of options. Odds are the shipping address will show as a US address for a freight forwarder. This is how they get around the foreign shipping prohibitions in the listing. Take a look at the buyers profile and see what country they are actually in. At this point you have to make a decision.

1. You can message the buyer and let them know you do not sell internationally and are going to cancel the sale. If you cancel use problem with buyers address. Your fees are returned the buyer is refunded and you can relist the item.

2. You can continue with the sale based on your risk assessment of the buyer, what country they are in, how long they have had an account, their feedback (only marginal since buyers can only have positive feedback), the value of the item etc.

The decision is 100% your call. I sell internationally but have certain countries excluded for a number of reasons. I have shipped quite a bit overseas, most of it through the eBay GSP/GSC and have had no problems. I have also canceled a number of orders from foreign buyers using freight forwarders to get around my country restrictions. I have also shipped to some of those because they were low dollar/value items and not really high scammer targets. It all boils down to your personal risk assessment.

ki_toys_cards · ‎09-16-2021

Much appreciated to everyone here for taking the time to give me their responses, as I now have learned of multiple options for how to deal with these situations in the future. I am very grateful! Thank you so much! All the best to you! 🙂

soh.maryl · ‎09-16-2021

It's not clear to me from your message, but blocking buyers from outside the US does not block buyers who use a freight forwarding service that's within this country. Didn't know if you were aware of that loophole.

dbfolks166mt · ‎09-16-2021

It has been discussed on this board a number of times and it is an ongoing problem. There are also scammers that not only use a US addressed freight forwarder but have setup US accounts. This should be a HUGE red flag. If you live in the US why would you use a freight forwarder???