Selling safeguards for newbies/new policy?

[expanded_perceptions]

Hi Community,

I am wondering what safeguards you have in place for newbies? I have just recently made a couple of sales to buyers with 0 FB and admit the first sale I was ultra careful. I took numerous photos of the item prior to packing, during packing, and finally after packing, I sent the package 'signature on delivery' and with insurance. This was despite the listing decribing some minor damage to the item for which I provided numerous photos.

Now, I have just sold another item to a 0 FB buyer. The buyer emailed a little while after paying to say he had given a slightly wrong address on his eBay account and updating the delivery address. On his PayPal address, again it is slightly wrong. Anyway, again I will take numerous photos, send by 'signature on delivery' and insured etc.. I replied to the buyer saying thanks, and that I would ship to the given address, but could he provide his phone details so that the courier may contact them if issues arise? Not had a reply yet, but that is understandable on a Friday evening. The buyer lives about 10 minutes away from me!

I guess I wonder if there are other safeguards that you follow to limit the chances of being either conned or have a buyer defect on you, or scam the system, especially now, in the era of PayPal/eBays new 21 day hold policy!

What tips can we share? Thanks!

[thecatspjs]

Ok its a bit tricky cause it depends if the buyer went through eBay checkout first to make Paypal payment.  If they did the order form and paypal advice will have the same address that was showing at check-out (at that point the buyer can change to any address they like - it does not have to be registered on Paypal or eBay).

If they did not go through checkout (and you can see this in myeBay as the shopping trolley icon next to the sale will not be filled in) you must send to Paypal advice address to have seller protection, not eBay address on order form if it is different.

You can send a cancellation Up to 30 days after the sale - you must then send refund, the buyer however gets 10 days to respond to request, so its always better to get their agreement explicitly first.

To avoid any performance defects if you send a cancellation make sure you tick the second option in drop down box that says The buyer asked to cancel the order, or there's an issue with the buyer's address

[expanded_perceptions]

Just to clarify buyer is asking to change address from say 25 eBay Street, Melbourne, Vic 4205, to say 25 eBays Street, Ballarat, Vic 4025? So same postcode, just slightly different? Not sure if that makes any difference?

[kopenhagen5]

Just to reiterate, only send to the PayPal address.

It looks like it may be the buyer being more specific on the address. Not sure if PayPal would take that into consideration without having to provide proof and details.

You are probably safe on that one if the postcode is the same.

[expanded_perceptions]

Sorry both postcodes were the same, not different as in my last post!!

[thecatspjs]

Mmmm that is a tricky one.

If it wasn't a zero feedback buyer I would send without hesitation if it was just the suburb that was wrong.

The eBay address details system does ask for City as well as suburb, and I do frequently have to adjust addressses because of this.

However, if both paypal and eBay addresses are wrong with a zero feedback buyer, I would definately not send as I personally think that as a newbie I would be doing them a favour by alerting them they need to adjust their mailing address to the correct ones in both their accounts.  If they are not happy to, then this would spell scammer or difficult customer to me.

[expanded_perceptions]

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@thecatspjs wrote:

Ok its a bit tricky cause it depends if the buyer went through eBay checkout first to make Paypal payment.  If they did the order form and paypal advice will have the same address that was showing at check-out (at that point the buyer can change to any address they like - it does not have to be registered on Paypal or eBay).

If they did not go through checkout (and you can see this in myeBay as the shopping trolley icon next to the sale will not be filled in) you must send to Paypal advice address to have seller protection, not eBay address on order form if it is different.

You can send a cancellation Up to 30 days after the sale - you must then send refund, the buyer however gets 10 days to respond to request, so its always better to get their agreement explicitly first.

To avoid any performance defects if you send a cancellation make sure you tick the second option in drop down box that says The buyer asked to cancel the order, or there's an issue with the buyer's address

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Ok it seems they did go through checkout as the icon is filled in, but then all my icons are? Thanks for your terrific advice!!! Obviously its better to request the cancellation with the buyer first, yes?

[expanded_perceptions]

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@kopenhagen5 wrote:

Just to reiterate, only send to the PayPal address.

It looks like it may be the buyer being more specific on the address. Not sure if PayPal would take that into consideration without having to provide proof and details.

You are probably safe on that one if the postcode is the same.

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Yes, it does seem that way? Basically the suburb number is correct, but there is no suburb name only Sydney? So instead of for example 25 Rocks St, Paddington 2021, Sydney it says, 25 Rock St, Sydney 2021? Still something feels a bit off? Would you ever just go and knock on the door? I mean I live 10 minutes away??

[thecatspjs]

Just want to be clear that my posts just refelct my opinion and what I would do - I know others would just take the risk in these circumstances and send the goods to the new address requested - I suppose it depends on the value of the goods and your own circumstances somewhat.

I always get agreement with a buyer re cancellation before sending a request.

[expanded_perceptions]

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@thecatspjs wrote:

Just want to be clear that my posts just refelct my opinion and what I would do - I know others would just take the risk in these circumstances and send the goods to the new address requested - I suppose it depends on the value of the goods and your own circumstances somewhat.

I always get agreement with a buyer re cancellation before sending a request.

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Yes thanks for that! I would not hesitate if they had a good FB history, but 0 FB and an issue with the address is a bit risky for me to be honest! The item is close to $500 total with the shipping costs? Far too much to lose just before Xmas!! I really appreciate all the excellent advice!

[expanded_perceptions]

To be honest, as much as I could really do with the sale right now, I would rather risk upsetting the buyer and no sale, than to be scammed!!!