( 
)
G'day there,
I thought I'd write a guide on 'Buying items from eBay overseas', Postal Insurance or the lack of it & Paypal - What they do if you receive a broken item or not at all.
It's nice to purchase different items from overseas if the item not available in Australia, if your willing to pay via Paypal and trust you will receive the item in good condition and the seller overseas will sell or let you bid on it.... BUT:
First thing to remember is that our currency is different from overseas in that our dollar is either worth more but usually a lot less than in other countries...
Also most electrical, some DVD's, and Playstation and other Video Consoles plus some other items may not work in Australia... but all CD's will. eg: Playstation 2 Games will work in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom only, thus you have to get to know your Region code when purchasing items - Obviously Electrical items will not work here in Australia as we have 240 Volt and other countries run different electrical currents and completely different electrical plugs!
For example from eBay's 'Home' page you can click on the bottom and select to view other countries listings and items...
Not all eBay sellers allow you to bid on there items overseas so it's always good to 'Ask the seller a question' if they only state in there listings to sell in there own country also if wanting to bid on goods ask if they will 'work' in Australia first.
You can send a message to the seller overseas and ask if they are willing to sell there item to you in Australia or elsewhere and also best to ask at the same time that if they are willing to sell or allow you to bid on the item - 'always ask how much is it for 'Shipping to Australia' plus remember if you don't ask be prepared to pay a huge postal cost markup, as some sellers not always honest with the postal charges.....
It's also good to pay the extra for insurance for the item, but be aware that insuring your post does not give any guarantees 'READ BELOW'
As when I first started buying items for myself from overseas a hell of a lot of sellers more than cribbed on the postage rates... One time I bought an item from an overseas seller and after I clicked to purchase the item sent me a Paypal invoice and wanted $80.00 for shipping fees alone, which I paid and found he was only charged $18.00 for the post to send it to me.... Ask first!
Next it's a good idea to work out how much our Australian dollar is worth at this stage to the other countries dollar? An easy way to do this is to just type in your browser and search for a Universal currency converter which will give you the exact amount our Aussie dollar is compared to any overseas currency I use XE.com Conversion Link= http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi
Example at the moment 22nd /Oct / 2008 our one dollar is only worth an American .67cents, so the time you purchased something from say America it is going to cost you nearly 1 and a 1/2 times as much and that's without postage. So at today's rate for you to buy something worth say U.S.D.$ 50.00 it's going to cost you nearly $74.00 Aussie dollars then postage....
This goes for buying items from fellow Aussie's as well.... I have also gone through Paypal and reported broken items, the way Paypal work (sometimes) is if you receive a broken item paid through Paypal and report it to them, they will ask for proof that the item is broken, busted or not working in case of electrical equipment or computers etc..
They give you only ten days to have the item looked at and to resend a FAX (not email) sent to them from a qualified repairer to say the item is stuffed.... You then have to take the item to a qualified repairer of that specific item and paid by yourself to have it accessed and a written report faxed back to them at Paypal, and even then it's not guaranteed you'll get your money back...
An easier way if 'ripped off' by an Aussie Trader who doesn't want to know your problem as he now has your money (which is unusual) is go to your local cop shop and ask to make a statement, to which they don't wish to do usually but in my case willing to phone the seller and ask the them to sort the problem out or criminal charges will be laid...
PS: You have the right to make a police statement and if the local cop doesn't want to do the paper work ask his name and tell him you'll go and see a detective at another station as he refused... The get the picture and willing to oblige then.
True Story: I bought a second-hand electrical drill from an ebay seller and once he had the money the drill turned up and didn't work, I did the Paypal thing by reporting it paying $20.00 for a written report from a electrical drill fixerer, Faxed it to Paypal, who said the drill may of been misused while I had it... So I went to report it to the Local Police, didn't want to know about it, told the Sergeant at the counter I was going to report it to the detectives and could I have his name to say he didn't wish to do anything or take my statement, he then decided to ring the seller on my behalf who informed the Cop he would refund my money once he received the drill back. So then I had to pay the expense of registered mail to make sure he got the drill back and could not say he didn't receive it, then the bastard sent me the a cheque for the price I paid for the drill less the postage price in the first place - The cheque I received was from the Police Co-op.....
Sorry long story.. I have purchased numerous items for myself from overseas but on 3 occasions bought expensive items that where fragile and got the seller to insure the item through the post and when they turned up in Australia to me where broken and busted, one was a Franklin Mint Harley model motorcycle, the other a Harley Diorama - like miniature model of a service station with petrol browsers and little motorcycles and things..
Anyway as they where insured I took them to the local post office to get my money back from the insurance, I had to fill out a form there and only given the tiniest little green receipt with a number on it and the Post Office kept the broken item all 3 times...
The post office form was sent to Sydney Australia Post Office 'International Communications Group' and my local post office advised me it may take up to 6 weeks for them to investigate, and they would send a letter so I ended up waiting 8 bloody months and nothing... During that time I asked my local post office numerous times regards the refund who stated they had not heard back from the Sydney Office as yet each time... In the end the local post office gave me the Sydney office's phone number (as not on the receipt) to call them and request what is happening to my refund.. To my surprise I was told that Australia and the U.S. do have an agreement with postal insurance (some countries don't so beware) but they had to wait until approved by the U.S. post office to refund my money... 14 months had gone past and still bugger all contact! I was extremely pissed off and rang the Sydney Communications Group and asked to speak to the person in charge, they would not allow that, and enquired what the matter was about so again I told the person there and he looked it up again and still the same run around 'Sorry Sir, we have not heard back from the United States Post office as yet, thus cannot issue your refund...
I asked the persons name I was speaking to, and he gave me it and I advised him who from there Australian Post's Communications Group was going to represent there department in court. 'In Court' he said, Yes I have been f******d around now for 14 months and am sending papers to you direct to explain yourselves to why a paid postal insurance claim not been refunded... after that It took 3 days to receive a full refund cheque! And I went to my local post office and got the broken items back and fixed them myself....
So don't trust post office insurance and always ask Sellers questions first. Hope you liked this review and please vote Yes below if it gave you some insight into buying overseas items...
PS: If you purchase an item from a seller and it does NOT arrive and you paid through Paypal, Paypal will contact the buyer within 28 days and ask them of proof of sending, each and every time I have not received an item Paypal has refunded me in full.
I have taken the time to inform you of this information so please be so kind to Vote if this guide was of any interest to you.....
Or you can contact me as eBay do not allow outside links to other websites
Regards
Gary Palmer - (Possum)
Possum's Motorcycle Biker Items
I thought I'd write a guide on 'Buying items from eBay overseas', Postal Insurance or the lack of it & Paypal - What they do if you receive a broken item or not at all.
It's nice to purchase different items from overseas if the item not available in Australia, if your willing to pay via Paypal and trust you will receive the item in good condition and the seller overseas will sell or let you bid on it.... BUT:
First thing to remember is that our currency is different from overseas in that our dollar is either worth more but usually a lot less than in other countries...
Also most electrical, some DVD's, and Playstation and other Video Consoles plus some other items may not work in Australia... but all CD's will. eg: Playstation 2 Games will work in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom only, thus you have to get to know your Region code when purchasing items - Obviously Electrical items will not work here in Australia as we have 240 Volt and other countries run different electrical currents and completely different electrical plugs!
For example from eBay's 'Home' page you can click on the bottom and select to view other countries listings and items...
Not all eBay sellers allow you to bid on there items overseas so it's always good to 'Ask the seller a question' if they only state in there listings to sell in there own country also if wanting to bid on goods ask if they will 'work' in Australia first.
You can send a message to the seller overseas and ask if they are willing to sell there item to you in Australia or elsewhere and also best to ask at the same time that if they are willing to sell or allow you to bid on the item - 'always ask how much is it for 'Shipping to Australia' plus remember if you don't ask be prepared to pay a huge postal cost markup, as some sellers not always honest with the postal charges.....
It's also good to pay the extra for insurance for the item, but be aware that insuring your post does not give any guarantees 'READ BELOW'
As when I first started buying items for myself from overseas a hell of a lot of sellers more than cribbed on the postage rates... One time I bought an item from an overseas seller and after I clicked to purchase the item sent me a Paypal invoice and wanted $80.00 for shipping fees alone, which I paid and found he was only charged $18.00 for the post to send it to me.... Ask first!
Next it's a good idea to work out how much our Australian dollar is worth at this stage to the other countries dollar? An easy way to do this is to just type in your browser and search for a Universal currency converter which will give you the exact amount our Aussie dollar is compared to any overseas currency I use XE.com Conversion Link= http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi
Example at the moment 22nd /Oct / 2008 our one dollar is only worth an American .67cents, so the time you purchased something from say America it is going to cost you nearly 1 and a 1/2 times as much and that's without postage. So at today's rate for you to buy something worth say U.S.D.$ 50.00 it's going to cost you nearly $74.00 Aussie dollars then postage....
WORD OF WARNING REGARDS PAYPAL AND RECEIVING BROKEN ITEMS:
This goes for buying items from fellow Aussie's as well.... I have also gone through Paypal and reported broken items, the way Paypal work (sometimes) is if you receive a broken item paid through Paypal and report it to them, they will ask for proof that the item is broken, busted or not working in case of electrical equipment or computers etc..
They give you only ten days to have the item looked at and to resend a FAX (not email) sent to them from a qualified repairer to say the item is stuffed.... You then have to take the item to a qualified repairer of that specific item and paid by yourself to have it accessed and a written report faxed back to them at Paypal, and even then it's not guaranteed you'll get your money back...
If that does not work:
An easier way if 'ripped off' by an Aussie Trader who doesn't want to know your problem as he now has your money (which is unusual) is go to your local cop shop and ask to make a statement, to which they don't wish to do usually but in my case willing to phone the seller and ask the them to sort the problem out or criminal charges will be laid...
PS: You have the right to make a police statement and if the local cop doesn't want to do the paper work ask his name and tell him you'll go and see a detective at another station as he refused... The get the picture and willing to oblige then.
True Story: I bought a second-hand electrical drill from an ebay seller and once he had the money the drill turned up and didn't work, I did the Paypal thing by reporting it paying $20.00 for a written report from a electrical drill fixerer, Faxed it to Paypal, who said the drill may of been misused while I had it... So I went to report it to the Local Police, didn't want to know about it, told the Sergeant at the counter I was going to report it to the detectives and could I have his name to say he didn't wish to do anything or take my statement, he then decided to ring the seller on my behalf who informed the Cop he would refund my money once he received the drill back. So then I had to pay the expense of registered mail to make sure he got the drill back and could not say he didn't receive it, then the bastard sent me the a cheque for the price I paid for the drill less the postage price in the first place - The cheque I received was from the Police Co-op.....
A WORD OF WARNING REGARDS POSTAL INSURANCE AND THERE GUARANTEES:
Sorry long story.. I have purchased numerous items for myself from overseas but on 3 occasions bought expensive items that where fragile and got the seller to insure the item through the post and when they turned up in Australia to me where broken and busted, one was a Franklin Mint Harley model motorcycle, the other a Harley Diorama - like miniature model of a service station with petrol browsers and little motorcycles and things..
Anyway as they where insured I took them to the local post office to get my money back from the insurance, I had to fill out a form there and only given the tiniest little green receipt with a number on it and the Post Office kept the broken item all 3 times...
The post office form was sent to Sydney Australia Post Office 'International Communications Group' and my local post office advised me it may take up to 6 weeks for them to investigate, and they would send a letter so I ended up waiting 8 bloody months and nothing... During that time I asked my local post office numerous times regards the refund who stated they had not heard back from the Sydney Office as yet each time... In the end the local post office gave me the Sydney office's phone number (as not on the receipt) to call them and request what is happening to my refund.. To my surprise I was told that Australia and the U.S. do have an agreement with postal insurance (some countries don't so beware) but they had to wait until approved by the U.S. post office to refund my money... 14 months had gone past and still bugger all contact! I was extremely pissed off and rang the Sydney Communications Group and asked to speak to the person in charge, they would not allow that, and enquired what the matter was about so again I told the person there and he looked it up again and still the same run around 'Sorry Sir, we have not heard back from the United States Post office as yet, thus cannot issue your refund...
I asked the persons name I was speaking to, and he gave me it and I advised him who from there Australian Post's Communications Group was going to represent there department in court. 'In Court' he said, Yes I have been f******d around now for 14 months and am sending papers to you direct to explain yourselves to why a paid postal insurance claim not been refunded... after that It took 3 days to receive a full refund cheque! And I went to my local post office and got the broken items back and fixed them myself....
So don't trust post office insurance and always ask Sellers questions first. Hope you liked this review and please vote Yes below if it gave you some insight into buying overseas items...
PS: If you purchase an item from a seller and it does NOT arrive and you paid through Paypal, Paypal will contact the buyer within 28 days and ask them of proof of sending, each and every time I have not received an item Paypal has refunded me in full.
I have taken the time to inform you of this information so please be so kind to Vote if this guide was of any interest to you.....
Or you can contact me as eBay do not allow outside links to other websites
Regards
Gary Palmer - (Possum)
Possum's Motorcycle Biker Items
Guide created: 22/10/08 (updated 15/11/09)
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