posted on September 22, 2001 08:04:38 PM new
I need your experience and guidance for this situation. Thanks, in advance, for your help!
I recently purchased, through an eBay auction, an item from a UK seller. The first message from the seller stated I would be receiving another email with all payment information included. The 'second' email never arrived, so I wrote back asking for the balance owed (close plus s/h) and where to send the cashier's check.
Days passed but I finally got a response, bought the cashier's check and sent it off.
This is the email I received this evening.
"Pat,
I have received your payment but you have sent me a cheque in $.
As clearly stated in my initial e-mail (which I never received) I do not accept payment in $ unless it is by cash.
This is because after bank charges and commision it will cost me about $10.00 to cash it!!
What can we do?
Let me know when you receive this e-mail, I accept IMO's in UK£ sterling only.
I will keep hold of the cashiers cheque and await your reply, when you send another payment I will be able to either return the cheque to you along with the LP or tear it up, the choice is yours.
I await your response.
All the best..."
Those of you who are familiar with transactions with the UK may be able to explain to me WHY he needs cash...or, perhaps, suggest some solution to this problem. I DO NOT send cash through the mails, especially for auctions, and he does not accept PayPal or any other method of online payments.
posted on September 22, 2001 08:19:48 PM new
How much was the auction for? If it wasn't for a lot, I personaly would send cash. I understand you reluctance to send cash thru the mail, but I also understand about the "bank charges" on foreign checks, and on a small deal, it can be prohibitive. If it is a large amount, I would get a international money order in British Pounds.
posted on September 22, 2001 08:42:35 PM new
Thanks, Microbes...
The close was only $8.00 + $8.00 shipping for the LP album; total $16.00. NO 'major' purchase. (As a seller I've sold overseas, but never 'won' a bid from abroad.)
I guess I was a little hesitant because the seller seems rather 'non-professional' about this entire thing (slow notice, slow response to information requests, no instructions about payment, etc.). Yet he has well over 100 feedback (I translate as 'experienced'.)
posted on September 22, 2001 08:45:42 PM new
I've noticed a lot of UK sellers preferring cash payments and I can confirm that they get charged hideous bank charges for almost any kind of transaction including last time I lived there, converting foreign cash to English pounds.
Most banks in England won't even take cashiers cheques or anything similar, family in Canada sent my husband an international money order from a Canadian bank and we couldn't even get any bank in England to cash it and she had to send money via Western Union in the end!
So please don't think too badly of this seller, they are being honest and I'm sure if you work with them you can work something out satisfactory to you both.
posted on September 22, 2001 08:48:50 PM new
I'm from the UK but now live in Massachusetts. What this Uk seller is saying is true. The banks there really screw you on exchanging MO's and checks. Cash you can normally exchange at a travel agent with a minimal cost.
I'm in thelucky position of, when I have a UK bidder win one of my auctions I just have them mail payment to my mum there and when she calls to let me know its arrived i mail the item out.
posted on September 22, 2001 09:01:33 PM new
Microbes, Louissa & AlanUK...
I had NO idea it was such a challenge to exchange US$ abroad. Live and learn!
I will send the seller the cash on Monday.
Yes, he seems to be co-operative in his emails and willing to work this through.
I sure want to! I want the album! It is for my brother, who was the composer and artist on the album. His copy was lost long ago and the ALBUMS are no longer available...only on CD now.
posted on September 23, 2001 07:40:15 AM new
I should've replied earlier. I've also had experience with foreign transactions (buying and selling). International transactions are the one time (usually only time) where I would send cash through the mail with little
reservation. I've also had buyers send me U.S.
cash because buying an International MO can be so costly. Bidpay (this isn't a solicitation)
seems laughable to U.S. buyers---why pay $5.00
fee for a Western Union MO? For some internationals, the $5.00 fee is chump change
compared to the cost/inconvenience of bying an International MO.
Word of advice (though you've probably done this)
I would wrap the cash in several sheets of paper or seel it in a small envelope (and sticking it into a larger envelope) before
mailing it.
NEVER (some people have actually done this)
write the amount of the transaction on the outside of the envelope.
posted on September 23, 2001 02:44:45 PM new
Just to confirm that my UK Bank charges me $8 to handle a USA cheque, and it takes six weeks to clear! I have traded World Wide for US$ cash, and never had a problem. Please ask your Bank how they would deal with a UK£ cheque! Guess they have never heard of UK£!
Edited to add that several of my USA buyers have thought that postage rates to UK are same as internal US Mail. But we sorted it out.
[ edited by GreetingsfromUK on Sep 23, 2001 03:56 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2001 09:38:18 PM new
Hi! you'll also want to ensure they send your original cashier's check back to you and they don't tear it up.. you can take it back to your bank and get those funds back
