topic Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller? in Community Chat

Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

gidgetgh — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 19:56:54 GMT

There's an item I want to buy. Only $28, free shipping, so not a major purchase. But the seller is shipping it from Japan. I hesitate, even though I've read all the reviews and he/she has a 100% approval rating.

I'll be paying through Paypal and I assume if there are any issues receiving the item, Paypal would help out.

Anyone else ever buy anything from an international seller?

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

SahmIam — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:00:10 GMT

All the time. No issues but do check the customs fee as well as time for shipping. From the UK, France and Germany, it takes around a week. From Japan and Korea, about a month to 6 weeks.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

VaBelle35 — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:01:43 GMT

I do it all the time but never for anything more than $25ish.

I've never had a problem with anything, it just takes time to get here. The sellers are very good about sending a badly translated email asking you to have patience as the item may be significantly delayed in customs.

There's actually a way to track using the tracking number they use so you can see when it gets to customs. I googled it once, I think it's called China Post or something.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

ALRATIBA — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:08:26 GMT

On Ebay .... once from Canada. Not any problem that I can recall.

I frequently order books from England, Ireland, France and Germany ... directly through the vendors ... never had any issue with the merchandise.

The shipping is expensive, but when you need out-of-print books that are only available at booksellers in Europe ... there's no other option!

My SIL frequently orders yarn from Turkey ... she never mentioned a problem.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

SeaMaiden — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:09:31 GMT

I purchased several small items from China....free shipping...and they came rather quickly! I was hesitant at first, but not any more.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:09:43 GMT

Yes. I'd say what you purchase is more important that where it ships from. You can get counterfeit items from anywhere. PayPal or ebay will take care of you if something happens, but be careful. Counterfeit electronics or cosmetics can potentially be hazardous.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

gidgetgh — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:14:16 GMT

@SahmIam wrote:
All the time. No issues but do check the customs fee as well as time for shipping. From the UK, France and Germany, it takes around a week. From Japan and Korea, about a month to 6 weeks.

@SahmIam- I just went and read about the customs fees. It said I could add the item to my cart and when I went to checkout, it would show any customs fees. I did that and it just showed free shipping and there was no mention of customs fees. I removed the item from my cart for now (I had added to cart, didn't click "buy it now"). I want to look at that further.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

gidgetgh — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:15:43 GMT

@ChynnaBlue wrote:
Yes. I'd say what you purchase is more important that where it ships from. You can get counterfeit items from anywhere. PayPal or ebay will take care of you if something happens, but be careful. Counterfeit electronics or cosmetics can potentially be hazardous.

@ChynnaBlue- thanks. It's a tote bag, so I think that's ok.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:17:42 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
@ChynnaBlue wrote:
Yes. I'd say what you purchase is more important that where it ships from. You can get counterfeit items from anywhere. PayPal or ebay will take care of you if something happens, but be careful. Counterfeit electronics or cosmetics can potentially be hazardous.

@ChynnaBlue- thanks. It's a tote bag, so I think that's ok.

Yep, as long as it's not a designer tote, I'd do that without hesitation. I wouldn't do a designer bag, but just a cute tote I saw and loved? Absolutely.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

SahmIam — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:17:47 GMT

@gidgetgh Custom fees are based on price of item being shipped (in my experience). It may be that it's not enough to generate any fees. This is why many will tell you when shipping to them to mark something as a "t-shirt" when it's really a $500 item.

Usually I read "buyer is responsible for custom fees" which has turned into a POA (postage on arrival) and I would owe money. Rare, but it has happened in the past. Definitely check into in/contact the seller and see what they say.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

Shelbelle — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:23:29 GMT

A few small items from China, no problems.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

freakygirl — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:24:57 GMT

gidgetgh, yes. my husband bought a big ticket item from Japan. good correspondence with the seller, easy transaction, and she shipped immediately. he received it in no time. I hope you'll have the same experience!

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

freakygirl — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:26:58 GMT

gidgetgh, he buys only if the seller has a 100% rating, and PayPal does help if something goes awry with the sale. give it a shot!

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

Q4u — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:35:46 GMT

Not only do I sell on eBay but I have purchased a lot over the years. I've purchased Designer handbags from Japan (Louis Vuitton) and have never had a problem. Japan has (on average) some of the most honest eBay Sellers from the Orient. I recommend Japanese sellers, and if you ever want to buy a Louis Vuitton be sure and ask them about any "sticky pocket" issues (they will usually disclose this) but the humidity in Japan is so high that this problem occurs with LV's Vuittonette linings and sometimes the pockets will stick together and become useless....

But you are also protected by eBay's Buyer guarantee.... eBay will reimburse you and then go after the seller if need be. They will freeze a seller's Paypal accout until there is a resolution. These cases actually go into arbitration with an arbitration team that will determine a refund or not.

I'd say go for it and enjoy your new purchase. BTW, my shipping times were very fast...

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

StylishLady — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:36:47 GMT

I purchased a pair of long white leather gloves from the Czech Republic and they arrived promptly. My latest purchase is some boot/shoe jewelry and it is from China. Not coming so quickly. Everything else was from a US seller, and there were no issues with shipping times.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

qvcfreak — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 20:37:08 GMT

I've purchased with no issues but it does take a long time to arrive

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

feline groovy — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 21:19:55 GMT

Yep; several times over the years, mainly the UK and Australia.

Never had an issues.

You already checked her rating, plus you have Paypal's global buyer protection.

Go for it. 8)

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

ciao_bella — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 21:32:33 GMT

About a year ago, I was browsing some fashion statement necklaces on eBay and saw one that looked exactly like the multi-floral statement necklace that was in the Joan Rivers collection.

I purchased it from a seller in China for a fraction of the price with free shipping. It took about ten days to get here, but to my surprise it was the exact necklace that JR sold on the Q. Everytime I wear it, I get many compliments.

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

Imadickens — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 21:34:51 GMT

I would think if you use PayPal it's safe. Years ago I purchased a lovely strand of pearls from Japan. They were $28.00 and I sent a check. Three weeks later my bank called wanting to know if I was in Bejing! Someone wa writing a check, on my account, for nearly $700.00! The pearls came and my jeweler said they were good quality, but if my bank hadn't caught it, they would have been very expensive pearls!

Re: Ebay- anyone ever purchase from international seller?

chickenbutt — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 21:45:45 GMT

Numerous times! When I was selling I also shipped Internationaly quite a few times. The only buyer who ever ripped me off was right here in the US. The only seller who ever ripped me off was also in the US.

Fortunately, for me, those things only happened once (one time as a buyer and one time as a seller) over quite a few years of buying and selling on ebay.

I don't go there very much anymore. I stopped selling many years ago when they stopped supporting the sellers like they used to. One problem, since the sellers could no longer leave negs for buyers is that you never know who is going to rip you off.

As a buyer I'm super selective. But country of origin for the seller isn't on the top of the list of elements that concern me.