Need some advice on international payment when I don't do Paypal

[mtnsnake]

Someone just bought a fairly expensive item from me on ebay from Australia. I state on my auctions that I only ship to the US, but this buyer still bid and bought my item without asking me first. Anyway, I used to use Bidpay for international payment, but they no longer send money orders. Now they send the funds directly to the seller's bank and the seller gets charged a stiff transaction fee, so I'm not using Bidpay anymore.

Are there any good/safe alternatives for getting paid from another country besides using Bidpay or Paypal? Are international money orders any safer than they used to be? Any feedback would be appreciated!

[grasswire]

1. what about a Western Union money transfer?

Would that work?

Too bad about Bidpay. It used to be handy for certain situations.

You could always cancel the auction results because the person didn't adhere to your special instructions, couldn't you? And then couldn't you offer it to the next highest bidder, or re-list?

[zonkers]

2. I used W. U. country to country. The onus is pretty much on the buyer

who was not supposed to bid, right. Can't you just have him send you "money in minutes" western union. It'll cost him a few bucks but tough, right? Otherwise nullify the sale.

[mtnsnake]

4. Could you tell me how to do that step by step?

I've heard about it but haven't used it yet. Where do I go to use it and exactly how do I do it? Thanks.

[zonkers]

6. Google western union. Website will walk you through it. Different rules

for different countries. Basically, you give the sender your name, address or whatever their sending office specifies. They send the money with a credit card or cash from a WE location or even on the phone. There is a considerable fixed fee which correlates to the amount you are sending but you don't pay it, the sender does. When they send the money, they get a control number which they give to you. You then go to a W.U. location in the U.S. with your i.d. the control number and pick up your cash. If its alot of money, they might try to give you a check instead of cash but you can push for the cash instead of W. U. check. Thats it.

[mtnsnake]

7. Thanks!

I think this sounds like my best option. I'll check it out tomorrow. Thanks again for your time, zonkers!

[mtnsnake]

3. Might work but I've never used it before.

Thanks

[Floogeldy]

5. Why are you folding and groveling to that idiot buyer?

You said you don't ship outside the US. Right?

Memorize this phrase: "FUCK OFF."

Stop scrambling.

[mtnsnake]

8. because....

because the "idiot" buyer just signed up for ebay a couple weeks ago, and from inexperience probably overlooked the part that says I only ship to the US.

because he or she could give me a negative feedback if I don't follow through with the transaction.

because, if the "idiot" buyer didn't bid, my item would have gone for almost a hundred dollars less!

You can't just tell buyers to fuck off on ebay once an auction has ended without risking some sort of consequences, although I sure wouldn't mind telling them just that. ;)

[grasswire]

9. If for some reason this bidder does leave negative feedback...

...you can counter it by explaining in the comment space you are allowed after his feedback. Yeah, the negative feedback is a hit, but be prepared because newbies there sometimes have a trigger finger on feedback and will drop a neg too quickly.

[sbj405]

11. A few of your points seem like red flags.

New user. Bids much above the going rate. International buyer.
As a few posters have said, you are covered should you choose not to sell. You may even be able to recover your listing fee and relist the item.
Good Luck with whatever you decide.

[sandnsea]

10. Don't take a credit card

I've had good luck with Australians, but I made them send me a bank check. I've had pretty bad luck with overseas credit cards, they're usually stolen. Just thought I'd let you know that if you didn't.