Protection while selling one-off, irreplaceable high value item

[shaun-nz-23]

I've written up a listing for a high value item starting at $50k USD. The item is currently located in Melbourne, Australia and the preference is that the buyer will fly over to pick it up manually. From what I can see with ebay is that if it sells here the funds will be held by ebay until the buyer is happy with the purchase. Because this is a one of a kind item that cannot be replaced, if the buyer decides to take the item and then claim a refund through ebay, is there anything I can do to not get completely screwed? From the reading I've done ebay seems to side with whatever the buyer says 99% of the time. But there's a very real possibility that once the item is handed over I'll never see it again and never see the money. I was thinking of doing a sale where the money gets held in escrow by a lawyer but I don't see that as an option through ebay.

If I go with ebay to do the sale do I just have to take this risk?

[luckythewinner]

The only way I would sell a $50K item would be in person, cash in hand, in the parking lot of the local police station. And there is no way I would give a percentage of it to anyone.

[dbfolks166mt]

I would make it clear you are accepting cash only and if the buyer decides to pay electronically, you will cancel the sale. Cash only. As suggested above, you might want to check out auction houses if you have a one of a kind, very sought after item.

There is not much eBay can do to protect you if a scammer picks it up then turns around to make claims about the item. Many sites specialize in selling high end expensive items. For example watches. I would research this thoroughly if I were you before putting it up for sale anywhere. 

     Unfortunately you cannot specify cash only, well you can but it violates eBay's policy. 

I     "In your payment options, select Pay on pickup and any other payment methods you'd like to accept. You need to offer buyers at least one of the approved electronic payment methods, and you cannot discourage buyers from using any payment method you specified in the listing. "

[toysaver]

"The problem with this is that without much public information about the miniature it makes it hard for auction houses to get a good value on it." 

Movie memorabilia is so big there are multiple auction houses available.  I've never known a respectable auction house to pass up a sale.  Sounds more like the value they suggested is far less than what you believe it's worth or you don't agree with their commission.  Maybe they didn't accept the provenance of your story.   Another thing, you don't even own this item.  You're attempting to sell it for a third party.  I don't know how income taxes work in New Zealand but in the US, eBay sales are reported to the government and taxes are due. 

Sorry, I'm pessimistic by nature, nothing personal. 

[dbfolks166mt]

How many scammers can come up with 50K? 

     A LOT more than you would think especially those operating as an organized unit. 

[dbfolks166mt]

Thank you. I had approached Goldings previously which didn't lead anywhere, but both of the ones you mentioned I'll reach out to about what we can do. The scary part of doing this way is that they'll want us to send it to them which puts a lot of trust (or money for insurance) up front in the shipping company to not lose/steal it while it travels internationally. I'll get in touch with them and look into options. Thank you for the suggestion.

     Curious what this item is. If it is fragile additional concern over shipping. If it is large or heavy shipping cost is probably going to be excessive. From what I remember your shipping rates are not cheap. 

[shaun-nz-23]

Yup so I called DHL today and got a rough quote. If I were to send an item of the size (it’s in a Pelican 1020 Micro Case), it would cost over $2000 for shipping cover to send it to the US. At that point a return flight and not having it leave my (or the sellers) hands is a more viable option. 

[shaun-nz-23]

Yea you’re right about not agreeing with their valuation. I had one offer $600. I could walk into any Games Workshop retail store in the world and immediately sell it for more than that. Not too concerned about commission as we see it as a necessary expense in return for a safe transaction and marketing etc.

In NZ there’s leeway with selling goods. If it’s not repeatedly there are no tax obligations. How many times is repeatedly? There’s no hard definition. That’s all stuff that we’ll deal with and just part of the situation of selling.

I’m totally fine with a pessimistic point of view. I try to look at how this appears from a buyers perspective so I can see things that I could do better to calm the nerves of potential buyers. I have no desire to try and mislead about any facet of the item so full transparency is top priority.