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March 2003
Posts: 555
Location: Wooster, Ohio | I had someone contact me from Austria about a guitar I have for sale on Ebay. What are the issues with a sale like this besides shipping.
Thanks
Steve |
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May 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Singapore | nothing really. I got my first Ovation - '78 Custom Balladeer from a guy in the States over to Australia at the time. Postage was high - get an accurate quote by takling guitar to postoffice cos US Post seemed inconsistent on quotes - they need to accurately measure & weigh it
once he finally got an accurate quote - it got there just fine. No tax or $ related issues at all
Ivon |
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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Don't you also lose the PayPal seller protections, such that they are? |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | I've shipped many guitars internationally; so has Al, and others, too.
IMHO, there are two issues:
1) Payment: PayPal does not verify international payments to the USA, and thus will not protect you if there is a problem. There IS a risk. The safest way to be paid is a bank transfer. However, I have been paid dozens of times via PayPal by international buyers without incident.
2) Shipping: USPS has made it pretty simple to ship to most destinations, and Europe is one of them. International Priority or International Express are both very reasonable.
An international deal may seem daunting at first, but is not difficult. I've made a lot of friends around the globe who are now playing Ovation guitars I sent them. |
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May 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Singapore | no. PayPal all still works I believe. Isnt that the point of eBay - global payment protection! |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | PayPal works, but won't protect you unless their policies have changed. They will only protect when a seller ships to a verified address, BUT they don't verify international addresses unless they have changed their policy VERY recently.
BTW, your observation about eBay points out the fact that they are disingenuous about all this. eBay and PayPal make money, no matter who else loses. I have found out many times that their interest wanes rapidly once they have been paid. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I had someone contact me from Austria about a guitar I have for sale on Ebay. What are the issues with a sale like this besides shipping. Most countries in the EU have a rather stiff import tax...many buyers will ask you to declare a low selling price to avoid their paying the tax: I would caution against that so you can insure the item for the cost of replacement should anything happen... |
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September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | A couple of things not mentioned are,
1) You need to fill out the appropriate tax/tariff form (available online at USPS.com and they will help you pick the right one).
2) I believe that the insurance is only available up to $650 which is a bit of a bummer on selling higher end stuff. Maybe there is a work around on that if someone will share. For instance, it may be that $650 is all that is available if you use the online shipping capabilities, but more may be available in person. |
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August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | I'v purchased most of my Ovation/Adamas guitars from sellers in the US (ebay and OFC) and I've never had any problems. I prefer USPS as it's economically priced but it may take up to two weeks (packet has to pass the customs process).
Greetings from Germany (BTW: was not in Berlin this week but watched "his" speech on TV, I liked it!).
Karl |
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Shipping is very expensive here now, and there are size restrictions.
What are you selling Steve?
If you want a bit more info re shipping here PM or email me, it's a minefield.
AJ |
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March 2007
Posts: 665
Location: Tychy, Poland | the only bad experience i had with my Carvin, which was bought in States was a waiting period before paying tax & import fees.
i paid via paypal.
and from what i know, my address was verified by paypal.
best regards
Dorian |
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Excuse my dyslexia Austria/ Australia not much difference.
Paypal sucks, I got torched for $1800 so much for their security.
AJ |
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August 2007
Posts: 1008
Location: Tuscany, Italy | I imported only 3 guitars from the US, mainly payed via paypal with no problem at all. Delivery time vary from 1 to 2 weeks and local tax are applied in the reason of 20% of the declared values. Never declare a lower value. This can be an issue at custom. Another important fact is the packing. Parcel are treated very bad and stored even badly. The parcel should be prepare adeguately for "the mail treatement". Put the guitar case in a cardbox over-filled with old newspaper. To me these works better then the plastic blister/ball.
Riccardo |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Originally posted by Paul Blanchard:
I've shipped many guitars internationally; so has Al, and others, too.
IMHO, there are two issues:
1) Payment: PayPal does not verify international payments to the USA, and thus will not protect you if there is a problem. There IS a risk. The safest way to be paid is a bank transfer. However, I have been paid dozens of times via PayPal by international buyers without incident.
2) Shipping: USPS has made it pretty simple to ship to most destinations, and Europe is one of them. International Priority or International Express are both very reasonable.
An international deal may seem daunting at first, but is not difficult. I've made a lot of friends around the globe who are now playing Ovation guitars I sent them. +1!
I've done the same thing maybe a dozen times, all without incident.
Biggest trick is to PACK APPROPRIATELY! |
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