Question
I received a shipping query from a potential buyer in the UK who wanted to purchase one of my DVDs. The DVD is in NTSC format, which works in the Americas, whereas Europe is on the PAL system, so I responded by telling her that and leaving it at that. Got another email from her today, saying well I've got three different DVD players, I'm sure the discs will work on one of them if they're good. How much to ship?
I started to respond saying buyer beware, if you want to take the risk and go for it, I'll send them to you, but I will not accept returns or refund your money if it doesn't work, but then I got squeamish. That "if the discs are good" is making me very nervous. I have a deep suspicion that if it doesn't work, she's going to give me a neg if I don't return her money, whatever I may say now, even if I put it in writing and post the response on the listing, even if she confirms she accepts my conditions. I don't want to ruin my so far perfect rating, don't want to deal with a Paypal challenge, or worse, end up on the losing end of one, so I'm thinking perhaps I should just go ahead and alienate her and say sorry, no, it really won't work, can't do that. If I don't sell to her, she may be pissed, but she can't do anything to me (I've got it set to block buyers from countries I don't ship to). I really don't know how Ebay or Paypal would view the transaction, but I don't want to get in dutch with them, however much I'd like to make the sale.
What would y'all do? Am I being too nervous, or would I be exposing too much of my backside if I went ahead and did the deal?
Answer
If you are fearing a neg if they don't work then don't sell them(actually with the number of loons right here in the US you shouldn't sell to them either ).
If your major concern is that there may be a paypal challenge, then tell them a shipping amount and that you will NOT take paypal for international shipping on dvds that you know don't work on their normal systems and that they are assuming ALL risk if they won't work on any of her dvd players.
I know that a lot of people in other countries have several region dvd players so they can get dvds that aren't available in their countries.
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Personally I'd sell to her, but I'd also be sure clarify my position to her and to post the info in my auction as you mentioned. You could do what MGC suggests and not take paypal and request payment in US dollars (post that in the auction also, if you like). I'd think that would cover it.
I've had good luck with 'foreign' buyers. And I'd say your chances of problems in general are reduced with textile folks compared to, say, electronics.
I guess you could be sure the shipping is high enough to cover your risk...
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I'd say it would be a good idea to check into the U.K. Office of Fair Trading looking into their present Distance Selling Regulations and any new e-commerce regulations they may have imposed. They are very detailed about what the businesses must do in advance of the sale. They should still be at www.oft.gov.uk, www.dti.gov.uk, www.tradingstandards.gov.uk, and www.businesslink.gov.uk.
It has been a few years since I checked. Last time I did, the U.K. consumers had the right to try out the goods and if they didn't like them, they could return them at the seller's expense. The consumer also could cancel an order. And there was the issue of who collects and remits the VAT - Value Added Tax. There were special circumstances for certain types of goods including CDs/DVDs. The periods of time they have to try out the goods and how long the seller has to refund the money and how much is to be refunded. It wasn't clear to me then whether these regs applied to sellers outside of the U.K. although it appeared they intended for them to apply.
I particularly like the part in the 2000 version of their rules which says that if a fault develops in the goods within the first six months of being sold, then the presumption is that the fault was there when it was sold unless the seller can prove otherwise. Ouch. So, you keep maticulous records on each item's sale including photos so that each item can be proven to be in perfect condition? And so much for there being no warranty on the item sold.
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Trust your gut. My instinct would be not to do the sale and spend my time on buyers who won't be so problematic. If she bought all three of her DVD players in the UK, the DVD still won't work with any of them.
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I'd like to see them enforce that UK rule here in the US for a buyer that's trying to hold a seller to those regulations lol. In all commerce forms/regulations the "point of legal venue"(not sure how to say it) is in the SELLERS community. The buyer has an obligation to choose where they buy-the seller can't pick up the buyer and move them
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If you can find the same one at another auction (especiallyif it's a european one) you could just write the buyer and say something like
**********************
Thank you for your interest in my xxxxx listing. I do not believe that the xxxx will work on any player purchased outside the US. That is why I have my listing set to not accept bids from other countries. Here are a couple of listings that you may want to consider.
(Insert any links here for any you have found)
Good Luck on getting the xxxx that you want.
Regards, xxxx
***************
If you have your listing to not accept anything but US buyers it should block her from bidding/buying. If not, to be safe, you could add her to your blocked list.
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A friend sold quite a number of Australian VHS movies to America in the past (mainly early Russel Crowe movies when he was the next big thing). He always made it clear that these were Australian format, that they were not compatible with American players, and a professional service would probably be required in order to make a tape that would play in the American VCR's. Those that were seeking them out understood, and he never had a problem - most buyers knew someone with a machine that would work and make a converted tape, and some paid a lot of extra money to make their own useable copy.
In your case, I would have stressed pretty much the same thing, and then included a shipping quote. However I agree that the "if they are good" is of concern. I would be inclined to write back and ask whether when she says "Three different DVD players" does she mean they play different formats (I believe Australia is different again), and has she been buying DVD's from America with success? If she answers yes to both, give her the quote, repeating that they are in the American region format, and that while they are definitely working, it is her responsibility to have the correct player - you will not refund for that reason since you have stressed this aspect so strenuously.
Otherwise, just trust your instinct and say no in this case.
Kind Regards, Kevin
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I'm dying of curiousity. Why don't you email her back and simply ask: "Hi, I recieved your email yesterday. What do you mean by... "if they are good?"
No other banter, explanations, stipulations or pleasantries. In fact, that's all I would say in the email.
If her response is sensible, then hit her with the "well, okay, here's the deal...(insert all the iron clad parameters here!)..."
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As to the technical side of thing: North American DVDs are Region 1 NTSC format, while UK DVDs are Region 2 PAL format. Your buyer will need a multi region DVD player (most sold outside the USA/Japan are) and possibly a multi system TV. Some multi region DVD players convert from NTSC <-> PAL on the fly, but a multi system TV usually provides better picture quality.
I'd ask your buyer if they have any R1 discs to test their players compatibility. They can usually hire one from a local video rental shop in most larger UK towns and cities.