Selling amps on Ebay-shipping ?

I

Ice Man

New member
I have a couple small amps and a preamp pedal I want to sell on Ebay. I noticed the vast majority of amps being sold on Ebay have USA shipping only. Is there a reason for this? Why not offer worldwide shipping if people overseas are willing to pay for it? Wouldn't this open up a lot more bidders and potentially raise the sale price? Is there a potential fraud issue? I was thinking of doing it Paypal-only.
Thanks
 
Re: Selling amps on Ebay-shipping ?

I think some people don't want to deal with the shipping hassles (like an extra form) or are afraid of getting ripped off. I always list my auctions in Europe, Japan, Australia, etc. The only place I don't list is Asia. A lot of fraud comes out of Indonesia and China and I just don't want to deal with it. At least half my auctions for guitar gear end up in Europe or Australia. It is usually on pieces that are hard to get there or the difference in currency makes it a really good deal on both ends. I'd recommend at least listing it in Europe and Canada...

Mike
 
Re: Selling amps on Ebay-shipping ?

Ice Man said:
Is it possible to get ripped off using Paypal?
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Yes. Paypal is an Ebay company and they are biased toward the purchaser. At least this is what I have heard. Also, as far as big ticket items (around $1000.00) paypals fees get outrageous. I've been told don't use paypal when selling in that arena. My 2 cents.
 
Re: Selling amps on Ebay-shipping ?

BillyThe Wild said:
Yes. Paypal is an Ebay company and they are biased toward the purchaser. At least this is what I have heard. Also, as far as big ticket items (around $1000.00) paypals fees get outrageous. I've been told don't use paypal when selling in that arena. My 2 cents.
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The main thing is, if you accept paypal, make absolutely sure that you use a shipper that's trackable, and preferably require a signature to pick up. If you can demonstrate that you did send the goods, there's not much they can do to rip you off.

That said, dealing with sending to and buying from other countries is always risky. I've gnashed my teeth in frustration a few times because most of the stuff in the Trading Post here is "lower 48 only," though a few folks have been nice enough to make allowances.

Best bet, if you plan to sell something on ebay, is buy a few things first and build up some good feedbacks. Try very hard to keep it at 100%, because lower numbers and 90something% ratings do scare some buyers off. I generally put in my auctions now that if someone has single digit feedback to contact me first. I'm not exactly sure what I'd do if they contacted me... basically look for signs of intelligence, and an ability to competently discuss the item being auctioned (ie. if it's a strat I'd look for words like "notch" and "quack", but it's a judgement call :).
 
Re: Selling amps on Ebay-shipping ?

BillyThe Wild said:
Yes. Paypal is an Ebay company and they are biased toward the purchaser. At least this is what I have heard. Also, as far as big ticket items (around $1000.00) paypals fees get outrageous. I've been told don't use paypal when selling in that arena. My 2 cents.
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Was just balancing the checkbook and the bank statement said that I was charged $22.21 from Ebay?!? "WTF", I wonder? Well, back in January I sold off my beloved Strat. It didn't sell the first time so I relisted. Added a couple of features that I thought would give it better exposure ( you know the routine, no explanation). But, I didn't feel I went too overboard. It was MIM but a real sweety!!! Fender Lace pups. Well, I settled for like $300.00 plus $25.00 shipping. Now I pay the piper. Or, should I say "EPAY" the piper?!? An extra $22.21 off of what I got. So, you decide. Me thinks Ebay is getting very greedy!!! So, if I was selling something at $1000.00 minus their fees?!?
Well, you get the picture....:grumble:
 
Re: Selling amps on Ebay-shipping ?

IMO, the potential for increased auction value is more than offset by the issues of selling outside the US. I shudder at the thought of dealing with a guitar damaged in transit. :(
 
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