"Anyone" having trouble on e-bay?

[tatans]

A lot of sellers of model trains on e-bay are listing "U.S.A. Only", being one of those foreign devils to the north it would seem sellers will lose a bit of business to Canadian buyers, I know of many people who won't even try to bid on items sold in this manner, and with good reason, I wonder if these same people will not sell to buyers in North Dakota or Vermont if so stated? strange eh?

[Anonymous]

I buy USA only products. Domestic mail and payment by money order. No problems.

If there is a international item I will check with both of my LHS's to see if they can get it. If not, then I will find a domestic equivilant.

That way I protect my rating and am consistent with my experiences.

I dont see this as a problem from a buyer's point of view.

[areibel]

I see what he means, it's a problem if you're a buyer and you happen to live in Canada. WHen you list your item, you can click a box to list where you want to sell, and I think a lot of people just click "USA Only" thinking it's a big hassle to send anything to another country. It isn't bad shipping to to the Great White North though. I've probably sold 8 or 10 items to Canadian buyers both on Ebay and privately and I've never had a problem. The shipping can be expensive, but the buyer is paying the shipping, and I usually ask for Paypal or payment in US funds to avoid any currency hassles. There is a little bit of paperwork at the post office, but that takes maybe a minute to fill out.
Other guys should really consider it!

[Anonymous]

My wife sells custom dolls on ebay and several of them have gone overseas. It's really no big deal shipping outside the US. The only real difference I've noticed it that we have to fill out a Customs form. No real pain. I'm not sure what the trouble is.

Jeremy

[Jacktal]

The only real problem could be in the case of a fraudulent party,either seller or buyer,as legal actions across the border are indeed much more complicated and costly.So if this should happen,you'd better be prepared to forget your loss and "go on with your life".

However,I have a distinct feeling that almost everybody on eBay care about their ratings and make it a point to have smooth transactions,so that I don't worry too much about this possibility as it isn't very likely to happen.

I have only one transaction so far on eBay.I purchased a loco from a gentleman who had originally stated "U.S. shipping only".I emailed him to ask if he would still send to Canada,should I be the highest bidder,to which he agreed.I won the auction and the rest of the transaction was smooth as silk.Just that simple.

One word of caution based on my experience...I suggest that every shipment be made through "third class bulk mail" only.The canadian postal service will charge GST and probably provincial sales tax on top of the shipping costs,which is standard either way.But UPS will nail you with additional broker fees to process duties,and even more,their standard shipping isn't faster than mail.

[MAbruce]

The only problem I've seen with eBay is that I have no money to bid with... [:(][;)]

[tatans]

Re: areibel's reply, I think you hit it on the head, Sellers click on "U.S.A. Only" not realising that many non-Americans will not bid if the seller will not deal or ship out of the U.S. If I see the message "will not ship out of U.S." what would be the reason to bid? I also saw one seller in the U.S. said it is cheaper to send a package to Canada than fom Calif. to Kansas. thanks for the input.

[Anonymous]

I live in Europe and run N scale US trains so the best and cheapest way to get train is via Ebay and paying through PAYPAL.
Every thing goes quite well... except for one thing :
people seems to get affraid to fill a custom form and to have payement problems...
with PAYPAL no problems at all...

[Anonymous]

I have had nothing but trouble dealing with ebay sales (and other sales) to Canada. It's not the people, it's the trouble with customs and hard time trying to get checks cashed that forced me to cease selling to our Northern friends. I haven't had trouble any place else. I've sold many items to the UK, Australia, Sweden and Germany with zero difficulties..

Roger

[Anonymous]

I dont think it is a problem with customs and forms, I encourage everyone to at least research the item in question find out the going price and bid on that.

I once witnessed a Athearn Open sided Heinz Pickle Car sell for $65.00 on heated bidding. It was a new in box kit that was unassembled. To me that is one of the biggest "Problems" one can face on ebay... insidious bidding wars that suddenly have you paying way more than retail for a fought for item.

[Anonymous]

I live in the UK and model HO scale American trains. I find it simple, cost effective and hassle free to buy on eBay, paying by PayPal, Visa or International Money Order in USD.

It does strike me that vendors who will only ship to the US are missing out on potential sales. I don't generally bid on items marked "US shipping only". Only if the item is quite rare or on my "most wanted list" I will occasionally email the vendor to see if they will ship international or to an American friend who will re-mail for me. They have with only one exception said they would.

I would reasure vendors who might think that the higher cost of shipping (generally about $20 for shipping an HO scale loco plus import duties) will put off European buyers; prices for US trains from dealers on this side of the pond are crazy.

[Anonymous]

I have to respond to our UK friends wondering about US only items. I myself am skeptical about some really fine models of English or European equiptment but the biggest barrier I have is is it the "HO" that I run with 2 rail DC or is it the OO scale?? or more scary is the need to carefully convert the currency differences between both nations in order to truly understand the cost in one's native money and the associated shipping and duties costs.

These are just my thoughts. I do browse international items from time to time and the thoughts I presented are what I feel when I visit Europe, UK or Australia on eBay to look over the wares.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by HighIron2003ar

I have to respond to our UK friends wondering about US only items. I myself am skeptical about some really fine models of English or European equiptment ...

I think the key to that is do your research and know what you're buying. If the description is iffy and the pictures aren't clear leave the item alone, chances are that there's plently more like it out there.

QUOTE: Originally posted by HighIron2003ar
....but the biggest barrier I have is is it the "HO" that I run with 2 rail DC or is it the OO scale??

OK - if its a British model chances are its "00" scale - this is a compromise scale 1:76 or 4mm/ft scale (HO is 1:87 or 3.5mm/ft) running on HO scale (16.5mm) track. 99.9% of British OO models are regular 12v DC and will operate just fine on a convetional HO layout (they are generally wired backwards so will run to opposite way to the rest of your trains). If its a Euorpean model its likely to be HO scale, but there is more variety in control systems (eg: Marklin use 18v AC three rail) - check carefully what you're buying.

QUOTE: Originally posted by HighIron2003ar
.. or more scary is the need to carefully convert the currency differences between both nations in order to truly understand the cost in one's native money and the associated shipping and duties costs.

Converting money isn't difficult if you use PayPal or Visa, just look out for the exchange rate they are offering. The USD is fairly weak against the GB Pound Sterling at the moment so British items will work out expensive for you, Euro zone items slightly less so. You would need to check what duties US Customs charge for imports. Shipping would I guess be about the same (equivalent of $20 for an HO scale loco). Overall I would say it is far more expensive for someone to import European trains into the US than the other way round - but this is mainly due to the currency exchange rate.

[darth9x9]

As a seller on eBay, I have been asked to falsify the customs form for those high bidders outside the US. They want me to put a value of $10 on the customs form for an item that the final value was several hundred dollars. Many people have the integrity not to falsify the form and others don't want to be asked. Hence, one possible reason they only ship to the US.

[Anonymous]

While I haven't bought any MRR stuff on ebay, I've bought a decent amount of computer equipment (eBay is a gold mine for anyone interested in unusual computer equipment, like myself). I've generally had good luck in simply emailing the seller and asking if they'd ship to Canada, even if listed US only. Needless to say, this was a 'ship upon payment' arrangement.