posted on August 22, 2006 05:43:21 PM
OK..August 22nd we shut down the eBay stores...
Next week, we tell our INTERNATIONAL buyers...so sorry...NO MORE GIFTS!!!
Let's see...hmmm...week #3...I know...let's START charging seller's for that "free" second store category....they will either have to PAY or REVISE EVERY LISTING....
Week #4.....oh ...here is a good one...charge a seller everytime a potential buyer uses the shipping calculator..
Week #5....
...I better stop..I will probably be suspended if I continue....feel free to add to the list....remember..only 100 days or so to sell for the holiday rush
posted on August 22, 2006 05:59:16 PM
mike..don't panic..eBay hasn't done that yet..give them time...they did announce the CUSTOMS forms having the CORRECT value on them..
posted on August 22, 2006 08:04:51 PM
A couple of pointers for international seller:
Always remember to put in your fine print that all customs fees are the responsibility of buyer. This can avoid unnecessary unpleasantness after buyer gets hit with a rather large bill by their government's revenue collection agency.
Try to ship international via your Post Office as any additional delivery fees are usually minimal compared to the hefty fees charged by courier companies. UPS to Canada is a sure fire way to reduce your number of repeat international customers (some of whom can be quite profitable if they pay in strong currencies)...
posted on August 22, 2006 08:50:49 PM
Really what is the debate? It is the law .
Custom forms should have the accurate information. It is the responsibility of the person sending it to obey the law. SURE the buyer may want you to lie, and chance getting into trouble to save them money.
Rarely a day goes by that I do not have at least one item going out of the country.
I sell, I do not send gifts.
I have had only a couple that got huffy about not agreeing to mark gift . However, like or not , I put the accurate custom information on the form
posted on August 22, 2006 09:48:52 PM
I wonder how many of these people, in their haste to steal a few bucks from their government, realize that a request for the seller to falsify a customs form is also an invitation for him to have a little fun. Simply pack the item in the box and declare the correct value on the form. Then throw in a cheap cigar and a couple pieces of swap meet costume jewelry. Declare "tobacco and jewelry" on the second line of the form and declare $.50. Print out a copy of their request to declare the item as a gift and put it in the box. Tape it up and ship it to them. I guarantee that any customs officer in thw world that sees the word tobacco or jewelry on that customs form will have that package open for inspection in under 30 seconds. The fun starts when he reads the copy of the buyer's email.
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
posted on August 22, 2006 09:54:14 PM
No debate here for me either. Although I know some sellers do it, I've always (politely) refused the occasional buyer requesting fudging on a customs form. I don't need the hassle or potential headache.
Ok, what did I miss? Charging for the shipping calculator, who, what, when, where???
1 out of 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Take a look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem alright, you're the one! - Kyle Stubbins, CMS
