You HAVE to try this!! EBAY your way to DISNEY!!

[DznyDreams]

Hi folks. I KNOW this topic has probably been covered many times within this thread, but I'll be totally honest....I just don't have time to wade through the posts to find out. Will someone please take pity on me and help me?

I am so new to eBay selling that I have requested to only deal with U.S. bidders. I just received an email from a Canadian buyer, and I need to know how this works so that I can decide if I even want to deal with this. If he/she wins the bid, how do I handle the currency conversion? Also, I use Turbo Lister and have "U.S. bidders only" selected...will eBay still accept this bidder if he/she bids?

Now on to shipping....the buyer is asking for a shipping quote. I've gone to the USPS site to get prices, which I assume are in US dollars. Do I let the buyer know that I'm quoting US dollars, or is there a way to do the conversion and quote in Canadian dollars?

Basically, I need a quick overview of how to handle an auction that closes with a Canadian buyer as the winner. Can anyone help?????



I could really use one of these about now...

 

[claudia]

Help anyone who has mailed overseas! I have a potential buyer from the UK and he would like to know what the shipping on this item will be but I can't make heads or tails out of the USPS international shipping. The box will weigh 3# max. Global priorty is the cheapest however I'm not sure if I can ship it that way. Anyone have any suggestions on which service? The other service is Airmail Parcel Post. I'm not sure what way to go.

I just sent a package to Sweden by Global Priority mail. They offer a box that has a flat rate of $15.00 and can be up to 4 lbs. This does not offer any way to trace the package and can not be insured. My buyer did receive her package in 5 days even though the post office told me it would be 15+days for her to get it. Just had to fill a small green customs that I added the item description and price on it.

 

[claudia]

I am so new to eBay selling that I have requested to only deal with U.S. bidders. I just received an email from a Canadian buyer, and I need to know how this works so that I can decide if I even want to deal with this. If he/she wins the bid, how do I handle the currency conversion? Also, I use Turbo Lister and have "U.S. bidders only" selected...will eBay still accept this bidder if he/she bids?

Don't worry about the currency, paypal will convert for you.(sorry I am assuming you use paypal...if not, I am not sure how to convert) but I am sure, someone else who has done it without paypal can advise you on this. I also list my auctions as US only, but have had no trouble with ebay on shipping overseas/Canada.

 

[DznyDreams]

Originally posted by claudia
Don't worry about the currency, paypal will convert for you.

Thank you, Claudia!!! Yes, I do use PayPal.......I just hope the Canadian does in the event they win the bid.

So...let me see if I understand this correctly....If the Canadian buyer happens to win my auction (which closes in 18 hours), and say the winning bid is $50 (US). Will I just send an invoice for $50 plus the US amount for shipping and handling and then IF he/she is paying with PayPal, PayPal will handle the rest?

I hope this buyer uses PayPal because even if I use a currency converter to figure out what the total cost would be for he/she to send a money order, I'll be out a rather hefty banking fee for a foreign item when I try to deposit it at my bank. Any suggestions on how to handle this if this is the case? When I emailed them with the shipping totals, I did not mention that I'd only accept PayPal payments for foreign funds....should I email them back with this info before the auction ends?

Thanks guys!!!

 

[disneychrista]

Don't worry about the conversion. I have had a couple buyers in Canada and both times they sent MO's in US funds. All I did was send them an invoice for the amount due, with postage, in US funds and that is what I received.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

First, what is 'sweeping' your paypal account? And how is this accomplished?

That is when you empty or transfer all your funds to your bank account.

Also, can I change my ebay name for this purpose or can I set up a second one (as a seller as opposed to buyer)? If I do this, can I use the current Paypal account I now have.

You don't need to change your name at all. You can be both a seller and buyer. You can change your name and not lose feedback but you will have those sunglasses for 30 days to let people know you changed. Ebay does not allow you to have more than one identity. As a matter of fact if 2 people in the same house use Ebay they will sometimes ask for verification that one is not a fake ID.
Why a fake ID. you wonder? Because some unscrupulous sellers will do this to shill bid their own auctions, driving up their profit.

Could someone please post a step by step to getting started?

Do you mean start selling? If you do, simply go to Ebay and click on seller, they will bring you through it step by step. It is remarkably simple.

DznyDreams - just list in your auctions you only accept Paypal or MO in US funds - only. When you email again specify - US funds. Foreign buyers are well acquainted with International MOs. Never accept a foreign one for exchange, first the rate fluctauates so you may lose out. Second most banks charge to deposit foreign currency, and the fees can be quite hefty. Paypal converts most currencies automatically.


I am having a blast this week on ebay, huge sales for the first time in a couple weeks. I had one Japanese buyer spend over 1000.00 dollars, what a country!!

 

[kilee]

I have never sold to Canada-- but I have had quite a few people interested in my auctions from there. I have always told them that I would sell and ship to Canada if they paid via paypal w/ the additional shipping charges. So far though, no takers.

I'm off today to hunt down ebay bargains in my last ditch effort to raise some extra money before our trip. Wish me luck!!

 

[claudia]

So...let me see if I understand this correctly....If the Canadian buyer happens to win my auction (which closes in 18 hours), and say the winning bid is $50 (US). Will I just send an invoice for $50 plus the US amount for shipping and handling and then IF he/she is paying with PayPal, PayPal will handle the rest?

yes....I did this last week with a buyer from Sweden and everything in my account was converted to US Dollars.
Paypal had the winning bid amount entered in the invoice and I entered the shipping/handling costs.....the same procedure as with any other buyer, nothing different.
Even if you buyer doesn't want to use paypal, your auction is listed in USD so your buyer would go to their local bank for a money order and make the coversion....you would not have to worry about that, your buyer will send you a money order in USD.

 

[floridagirrl2]

Re: Canadian bidders: You can ask them to pay with an International Postal Money Order, which you can cash at the post office; by a check drawn on a US bank in US funds (many Canadian bidders near the border have U.S. bank accounts); or via Paypal.

Re: having more than one Ebay ID, Ebay allows you to have as many IDs as you want, as long as you have a different email account and credit card for each ID. Obviously, you can't use one ID to bid on another ID's auctions, as this is shill bidding and will get you kicked off Ebay. However, Ebay realizes that many people want several different IDs for legitimate reasons, and this IS permitted.

I have both a seller ID and a buyer ID, because I sometimes buy items on Ebay and then resell them on Ebay, and I would rather not have people be able to track my buying/selling strategies. This is quite common. Also, many Ebay sellers will sell different items under different seller names. For instance, I sell primarily books, but would like to branch out into decor items, in which case I will probably use a different ID--it helps a seller be recognized as a specialist in a particular area.

 

[DznyDreams]

I haven't received a bid from the Canadian buyer yet, but there is just a little under 6 hours left, so who knows...

I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me!! I feel much better about this now, and even if I don't have to ship to Canada this time, at least I feel better prepared and less nervous about the situation if it should come up again!

 

[cpl100]

Thanks for those responses. They are quite helpful.

I have questions about Paypal now. I have a Paypal account which I just went to check. It says I am 'verified' but I have no idea what that is. Also, when I go into Paypal directly it gives a lot of information including stating that credit cards can be 'taken' with paypal. But I have decided not to do credit cards (initially anyway) due to the fees. How do I accept Paypal but not credit cards? Do I set something in my status with Paypal or with Ebay?

Also, thanks for the definition of "sweeping" but could someone inform me how it's done?

Sorry, another question just popped up regarding fee as I am reading the Ebay seller information. I have read it several times but do not feel I understand Final Value Fee and also how it relates to reserve prices. Is it worth making a reserve price or is the fee increased? Could someone explain this fee simply please?

Thanks all!

 

[mom2smjn]

Yikes! I have someone from France who wants to bid on one of my auctions...he emailed first and asked since I say I don't ship overseas. I would ship if they are willing to pay the cost...however what is the cheapest way to send a 10 pound package to France? It seems VERY expensive!!! Am I looking in the wrong places?

Any help would be appreciated

Kelly

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by cpl100
How do I accept Paypal but not credit cards? Do I set something in my status with Paypal or with Ebay?

If you have a personal account (not business or premier account) then you will not be able to accept credit cards. If someone pays by credit card, you simply deny the payment. Be sure to note in your auctions that you do not accept credit cards and be sure to not check paypal when doing your payment methods simply state something like "PayPal accepted direct from checking account (not linked through debit/check card) or available funds only. No credit card payments. "

Also, thanks for the definition of "sweeping" but could someone inform me how it's done?

Simply go to withdrawl funds. You will have to have your account linked to your checking account to do this.

I have read it several times but do not feel I understand Final Value Fee

Ebay will take a fee based on the auctions end price.
for ending bids up to $25 they will take 5.25% Ebay will charge your on file credit card for the fees.

 

[cpl100]

Simply go to withdrawl funds. You will have to have your account linked to your checking account to do this.

If I am currently able to pay through paypal directly through my checking account, does this mean it is linked?

Thanks!

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by cpl100

If I am currently able to pay through paypal directly through my checking account, does this mean it is linked?

As long as it is linked direct from your checking account not linked through you debit/check card then yes.

 

[phorsenuf]

I have an item I need to ship to Ontario Canada. It weighs under 1 pound. I tried to look it up, but I got very confused as it seemed awfully steep. Can anyone please help. Thanks!

 

[cpl100]

How do you all pay your Ebay fees? Do you use your Paypal account (advantages? disadvantages?) or do you use your special checking account directly?

Thanks so much for all the help! Planning to put my first item up tonight if all goes well. Very excited about all the possibilities too!

 

[mad4themouse]

Originally posted by cpl100
How do you all pay your Ebay fees? Do you use your Paypal account (advantages? disadvantages?) or do you use your special checking account directly?

Thanks so much for all the help! Planning to put my first item up tonight if all goes well. Very excited about all the possibilities too!

I have a separate checking account that is linked to my PayPal account. It makes it easier to figure out what my overhead costs are for eBay. I charge all my shipping, my eBay fees and other auction-related costs to that account. My Half.com deposits are also sent to that account.

When I need to make a Disney trip-related purchase, the money is transferred to my personal checking account.

It seems like a lot of steps but I am an otherwise horrible bookeeper. This helps me keep things straight.

 

[cpl100]

I'm sorry but I just seem to be dense about this. Does that mean you do a Paypal charge for your fees or that you pay ebay directly with that separate account? I know you can list an account directly with Ebay for that purpose. I guess that's what has confused me.

 

[claudia]

Yikes! I have someone from France who wants to bid on one of my auctions...he emailed first and asked since I say I don't ship overseas. I would ship if they are willing to pay the cost...however what is the cheapest way to send a 10 pound package to France? It seems VERY expensive!!! Am I looking in the wrong places?

YOu could ship the package by airmail parcel post for $37.25 provided that the box is no larger than Max.length 79", max. length plus girth 108"+ the cost of insurance...that is based on the value. I think this would be the cheapest way to send this. I think that overseas buyers are aware of how expensive it is to ship so I doubt it will be a shock to your buyer. Please just verify the weight and shipping costs with you local post office before you email your potential buyer the costs....they will also be able to give you your insurance cost if you can give them a general idea of your closing price.