Question
I've got a question from a potential bidder in Australia, asking me if he wins the item, can he pay and I'll hold off shipping until he gets import approval to Australia.
Is there a catch here? I've sold/shipped quite a bit of stuff to Australia and never had anyone say they needed import approval. Is this a new scam of some sort?
Thanks!
Answer
From the USPS site:
The only think I saw were things that were actually prohibited and that medicines required approval. Maybe he hasn't done any out of the courtry buying before and thinks he has to have approval on everything.
Answer
Maybe there's an import limit and he's over or he's trying to get them to waive customs fees or something. I have no idea; just guessing what he might be talking about as I've never heard that one before.
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Hi Deb,
Is it a particularly high value? If not, what type of item is it? If, per example, it is clothing, he is putting himself through the correct hoops which most Ebay buyers just ignore (unless it is a real bulk lot). He may have had goods seized by customs previously, which would legitimately prompt him to take this route.
I haven't heard of any scam along this line, and so long as he is not sending "overpayment" and asking you to return the excess, I can't see much problem for you. However I am not very knowledgeable so continue with caution.
Kind Regards, Kevin
Answer
Thanks, everyone!
Kevin, it is a WWI German military item. The opening bid is $50 and it has the potential to go up to around $100--I suppose I could be wrong and it could go higher--just don't want to get my hopes up. And please do note that I said WW One--it's not a Nazi item that might be objectionable/banned.
I'll mull it over some more before I answer him.
Thanks again!!
Answer
Nazi items aren't banned into this part of the world either. If it is just a case of delaying shipping until he is ready (or approved), I see no reason not to agree.
Kind Regards, Kevin
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I'd agree, BUT give him a deadline on shipping time unless you want to be still staring at it a year from now.
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Originally Posted by mommygonecrazy
I'd agree, BUT give him a deadline on shipping time unless you want to be still staring at it a year from now.
Since he will have already paid, I doubt that will be a problem... But you never know, I guess. I guess at that point you could resell it.
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Happens a LOT if you read some on the boards at ebay and even a couple here where someone wanted to wait to either have it shipped or to pick it up. And it's been paid for
Originally Posted by goodworks1
Since he will have already paid, I doubt that will be a problem... But you never know, I guess. I guess at that point you could resell it.
Answer
After a certain point I don't think I'd feel any obligation to ship. Or to return the payment. By then it would be clear that they didn't care much about the item or the cost.
But that 'certain point' will likely vary depending on the seller and the other circumstances.
I just don't think it's likely to be a problem.
I've been wrong before...