Hi, I've just sold a $13,000 item on ebay, the buyer doesn't want insurance but...

[vo2notco2]

I've just sold a $13,000 item on ebay, the buyer doesn't want insurance, but just registered post through Australia Post.  He wants me to claim that it's a gift of $150, am I leaving myself open to any issues further down the track?

Any help would be appreciated..

[vo2notco2]

Hi phorum_junkie, I've never had any problems sending items to China or South Korea, they've always paid quickly and it's been 100% fine.
Yes when he said he didn't want insurance I just charged the freight and packing cost, but no quote was given prior to purcahse as I had a disclaimer in my listing, (see the bottom). I called Paypal and they said that I should insure it to be eligible for seller protection.. what is seller protection anyway, I always feel that Paypal generally side with the buyer i most cases.. thanks to everybody for their advice.... ; )

[lemmayj]

I would recommend very strongly that you read and familiarise yourself with the provisions of the paypal seller protection policy before proceeding any further.

https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/useragreement-full?country.x=AU#Schedule_1_PayPal_Seller_and_B...

Also be aware that this does not cover you if the buyer was logged into ebay.com when they made the purchase, which will allow them to claim under the ebay.com US buyer protection policy. (Unlike paypal Australia, ebay US requires the seller to have proof of delivery with an online signature to protect you from a item not received claim.)

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/seller-protection.html

How do you find out which site the buyer was logged into when they made the purchase?

The only way I know is to look at the seller's copy of the invoice sent to the buyer - at the very bottom it'll have a line

eBay sent this email to you at seller_email_address about your account registered on www.ebay.XX

If the XX is a com, they bought via ebay US, com.au via ebay Australia, co.uk is ebay UK, com.sg is Singapore etc.

(Note that you can only get this from the invoice sent by you, NOT the ebay item sold email.)

Risks

1) Item not received claims - covered above

2) Item not as described - either because of damage in transit, your misdescription, or buyer dishonesty. Nothing you can do about this, they can get a refund if they send it back. 

3) Credit card chargeback - this is always a risk. Though you're protected by paypal if you've already won a paypal case with the buyer, you'll be in trouble if they go straight to chargeback and the credit card company wins the case (eg a stolen credit card).

Ways to minimise your risk

1) Sell in an area that isn't attractive to fraudsters

2) Look at buyer carefully - feedback, length of registration  etc. 

3) Choose your postal service very carefully.

Not sure I'd be willing to risk paypal in this particular scenario, but I don't know your particular business model. 

Good luck

[tassie-dreaming]

If the buyer doesn't want insurance that's fine... and also his problem if it does go missing or is damaged etc. As long as you send it by a registered or trackable method and lodge it at an Australia post store and specify you need a dated receipt with tracking number and all buyer address details etc on it you are covered. If item goes missing and he tries to claim through paypal you can show that you posted it and it's his problem.

However, it is illegal to declare the value incorrectly... you will be liable to cop a fine, or even jail time, if caught

[5kazam]

Well, one thing for sure.  If he ever tried to make a PayPal claim, this thread would be enough to convince PayPal of his intent to defraud.

[more-champagne]

What is the buyers feedback like?  

Write to some sellers and ask if they had any issues.

Congratulations on a great sale!!!!!

[bookmanx500]

No, customs duty is the responsibility of the buyer. And the seller would not have to pay the duty if the item was returned after it had been paid.  The buyer would have to apply to their customs to get a refund.

Barrie

[toasty_toes]

Absolutely, $150 gift, definitely trying to avoid tax.

Must be sent registered and insured.  If it goes missing both you and buyer will be protected by Paypal/Ebay

[toasty_toes]

It's better to protect yourself though!

[barney_rubbles]

i agree with the others, protect yourself, maybe you can meet the buyer half way, weigh up what you have to lose.

I mainly read this thread because i had to have a nosey at what you sold for that amount lol. Who knew vintage speakers could possibly be worth that much money?! obviously you did!. I will be sure to be picking my way through the hard rubbish collections a bit more vigourously from now on! May i ask where you obtained said item, was it the hard rubbish? lol