Very important info for all Ebay sellers!! MUST READ...

[miamiwax]

Ok.. ANYBODY selling an item on ebay to a country overseas needs to read this!!

This is what happened to me. I sold an item to France for approx 450$.. I shipped the item using priority mail service provided by USPS so item would have a tracking number in case of a dreaded "non receipt" dispute happened. Well, it happened and the buyer said he never received the package. NO problem right?? I figured I would be protected.. WRONG!!

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT ALL EBAY SELLERS.. IF YOU SELL AN ITEM OVERSEAS FOR MORE THAN 250$ YOU NEED SIGANTURE CONFIRMATION!!!!  If you do not have signature confirmation and a buyer says they never got their item.. EVEN IF YOU HAVE A TRACKING #.. EVEN IF THE TRACKING SAYS BUYER GOT THE PACKAGE PAYPAL WILL REFUND THEM THE MONEY.. NO EXCEPTION!!! MANY OF YOU ARE UNAWARE OF THIS POLICY!! WELL YOU'VE JUST BEEN WARNED BUY A GUY WHO GOT BURNED FIRST HAND!!!

The problem is that this gets even more confusing!!! Like so many other ebayers out there, I only ship through USPS...  USPS by far has the best rates around!! Paypal even seems to favor USPS too as they have online shipping ability through USPS offered on the site.  BUT.... PAYPAL IS NOT CLEAR ON HOW TO SHIP THROUGH USPS SO THAT IF YOU SELL AN ITEM OVERSEAS OVER 250$ YOU ARE PROTECTED!!! ABSOLUTELY NO WHERE ON THE SITE DO THEY EXPLICITLY SPECIFY WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO!! They offer nothing more than the broad statement that items over 250$ require signature confirmation.

I had a mixed experience as I called today. The first phone rep I spoke to was no help at all. I exlained to her my sitaution of just having to refund 450$. I explained my frustration that the package had a tracking #  and it clearly said buyer received that package. I also told her that I understand Paypal policy of having sginature confirmation and that to protect myself inthe future from this happening, what shipping method from USPS would protect me?? SHE COULD NOT GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER AFTER REPEATEDLY ASKING HER THE QUESTION DIRECTLY!! She always responded with "Paypal requires on all transactions over 250$ online tracking and signature confirmation. She could neot speficically tell me what method of shipping from USPS that would provide this!!  She even went as far as saying that Paypal does not recommend using USPS for overseas transactiosn over 250$!!! WOW!!

IS THAT ACTUAL PAYPAL POLICY TO TELL PEOPLE THIS??? WHERE THE **bleep** ON THIS ENTIRE SITE DOES PAYPAL STATE THIS??? HOW MANY OF YOU GUYS OUT THERE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS SAME RUN AROUND??? HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE HAD TO REFUND BUYERS FOR THEM SAYING THEY NEVER GOT MERCHANDISE EVEN THOUGH YOU THOUGHT YOU PROTECTED YOURSELF??

My ray of light was a higher level rep named Robby who was the most helpful sincere person I'VE EVER TALKED TO IN ALL MY YEARS DEALING WITH PAYPAL. She may have even been a supervisor, I'm not sure..  She told me that if I shipped using USPS express service I would be covered because it provides tracking and a signature... HOORAY!! Well, almost.. The thing is that USPS offers Guaranteed Global Express and Express Mail International. I was unaware that they have 2 different types of express services  and unknowingly I didn't ask her to specify the exact "express" shipping method. So I still don't know EXACTLY what would cover me...

I'm trying despreately to get back in touch with Robby to get a clear answer. I called again and got the runaround  from another low level rep. I will try calling back tomorrow to get in touch. GUYS this lady is the real deal.. Super genuine and really seemed to me that she wanted to help me out!! If you are in my same situation I would suggest trying to get in touch with her to see if she could help you too..

I hope you all can see the line of furstration I'm experiencing. First off being out of the $$.. the fact  Pal is not clear on the site about their shipping and seller pritection policies. Also and more importantly, the difference in responses I'm getting from paypal employees themselves seems really suspect. I need to hear the final official ebay policy on this matter. I want it to be crystal clear.. black and white.. NO VAGUE GREY AREA.. if I ship a package overseas using USPS  and it's valued over 250$ what shipping service do I have to use through USPS to be protected from a non receipt dispute??

I might also note that USPS registered mail from what I undersatnd is NOT a valid form of  signature confirmation service!! I had a close friend of mine lose a dispute even thouh he shipped package via registered mail!!! Registered mail only provides tracking information to post office, NOT TO PAYPAL!!

Guys if you sell on ebay this is very important to you and your business. This is a loophole that scammers all over the world are using to their benefit. Most of us use USPS since their rates are usually substantially lower than competitors. If you are shipping big ticket items overseas and your item is not properly protected then you will lose a dispute every time!!

PLEASE PAYPAL HELP US ALL AND PROVIDE  DEFINITIVE ANDSWER TO THIS QUESTION!! PLEASE POST IT CLEARLY ON YOUR SITE SO ALL OF YOUR CUSTOMERS KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO BE PROTECTED!!! I THINK SO MANY OF PAYPALS PROBLEMS COME FROM NOT BEING MORE CLEAR AND CONCISE WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS... I'M SURE MANY OF YOU AGREE!!!

[surplusdealdude]

Pity that you spent all this time writing this rant instead of 1 minute on ANY ebay forum, where you would have been told that you need signature confirmation whenever the cost of the item plus shipping exceeds $250.00.

Next time, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

In this case, the 'instructions' are the Paypal Usert agreement.  Everything you need to know is in there.

[usps-scam]

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH THE ORIGINAL POSTER ABOUT THIS.   It is a SIMPLE FACT that PAYPAL and USPS are DELIBERATELY VAGUE and CONTRADICTING with regards to insurance coverage for items shipped internationally from the USA.  The DELIBERATE SUPPRESSION OF THIS FACT Creates this scenario where hundreds of sellers are ripped off daily with no means of recovering their merchandise or funds lost due to paypal dispute by European and Other International customers!   PAYPAL AND EBAY AND USPSP WANT TO HIDE THIS INFORMATION FROM SELLERS TO ENCOURAGE TRANSACTIONS.

TRUTH IS USPS AND INTERNATIONAL MAILING RULES CONTROLLED BY INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SYSTEM PREVENTS USPS FROM PROVIDING TRUE ONLINE TRACKING AND TRUE INSURANCE OF MERCHANDISE.  IF THEY TOLD THE PUBLIC THIS, IT WOULD HURT THEIR BUSINESS BECAUSE FEWER PEOPLE WOULD SHIP MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS USING THEIR SERVICES. 

I've been told the same story, "Send it by EXPRESS MAIL. Its the only service that offers true tracking and insurance."  BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE PRICE IS OFTEN DOUBLE THE COST OF PRIORITY MAIL.   IF SELLERS ON EBAY ONLY OFFERED EXPRESS MAIL SHIPPING, THEY WOULD SEE FEWER CUSTOMERS FROM OVERSEAS BECAUSE THE SHIPPING CHARGES WOULD BE TOO HIGH. which hurts a sellers profits because they would have to LOWER PRICES ON THE MERCHANDISE!

Its totally unfair to expect someone to read a long winded legal document called User Agreement which changes on a monthly basis. And even if a person did read the entire thing every month it changes, they would not find the necessary information put plainly and clearly for all to see.  This information should be clearly stated right in the PAYPAL SHIPPING PAGE and on Ebay Shipping Page with an EXCLAMATION MARK and warning message explaining the RISKS of SHIPPING MERCHANDISE INTERNATIONAL USING US MAIL!  Why hide this CRUCIAL PIECE OF INFORMATION FROM PAYPAL AND EBAY SELLERS???  ITS VERY CRUEL AND UNUSUAL!  It can happen to anybody even the most experienced Sellers. It is rude and inconsiderate to call someone a Lackey because they have been victimized and defrauded via HIDDEN LOOPHOLES IN THE PAYPAL/EBAY PROTECTION POLICIES.  TRUTH BE TOLD,  REALLY THERE IS VERY LITTLE IF ANY PROTECTION FOR SELLERS ONLINE.   The person who posted that Lackey comment and saying READ THE INSTRUCTIONS... is an ABSOLUTE JERK and probably works for paypal usps or ebay!

EBAY PAYPAL USPS, FIX YOUR SERVICES AND POLICES!  How hard can it be to EDIT A FEW LINES OF HTML AND PUT A LINK WITH WARNING NEXT TO THE SHIPPING PAGES REGARDING INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS??? YOU'RE TOTALLY DOING YOUR CUSTOMERS WRONG IF YOU DON'T!

p.s. USPS Insurance is pretty much a scam since they have never honored one claim of mine for a lost package.  The only benefit of insurance is delivery person is less likely to leave it on a doorstep without someone signing for the package.  Actual insurance claim process almost never works with US Postal Service. Especially if its International.

Sincerely,

D.Arnold

[greattraveller]

---

@usps-scam wrote:

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH THE ORIGINAL POSTER ABOUT THIS.   It is a SIMPLE FACT that PAYPAL and USPS are DELIBERATELY VAGUE and CONTRADICTING with regards to insurance coverage for items shipped internationally from the USA.  The DELIBERATE SUPPRESSION OF THIS FACT Creates this scenario where hundreds of sellers are ripped off daily with no means of recovering their merchandise or funds lost due to paypal dispute by European and Other International customers!   PAYPAL AND EBAY AND USPSP WANT TO HIDE THIS INFORMATION FROM SELLERS TO ENCOURAGE TRANSACTIONS.

TRUTH IS USPS AND INTERNATIONAL MAILING RULES CONTROLLED BY INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SYSTEM PREVENTS USPS FROM PROVIDING TRUE ONLINE TRACKING AND TRUE INSURANCE OF MERCHANDISE.  IF THEY TOLD THE PUBLIC THIS, IT WOULD HURT THEIR BUSINESS BECAUSE FEWER PEOPLE WOULD SHIP MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS USING THEIR SERVICES. 

I've been told the same story, "Send it by EXPRESS MAIL. Its the only service that offers true tracking and insurance."  BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE PRICE IS OFTEN DOUBLE THE COST OF PRIORITY MAIL.   IF SELLERS ON EBAY ONLY OFFERED EXPRESS MAIL SHIPPING, THEY WOULD SEE FEWER CUSTOMERS FROM OVERSEAS BECAUSE THE SHIPPING CHARGES WOULD BE TOO HIGH. which hurts a sellers profits because they would have to LOWER PRICES ON THE MERCHANDISE!

Its totally unfair to expect someone to read a long winded legal document called User Agreement which changes on a monthly basis. And even if a person did read the entire thing every month it changes, they would not find the necessary information put plainly and clearly for all to see.  This information should be clearly stated right in the PAYPAL SHIPPING PAGE and on Ebay Shipping Page with an EXCLAMATION MARK and warning message explaining the RISKS of SHIPPING MERCHANDISE INTERNATIONAL USING US MAIL!  Why hide this CRUCIAL PIECE OF INFORMATION FROM PAYPAL AND EBAY SELLERS???  ITS VERY CRUEL AND UNUSUAL!  It can happen to anybody even the most experienced Sellers. It is rude and inconsiderate to call someone a Lackey because they have been victimized and defrauded via HIDDEN LOOPHOLES IN THE PAYPAL/EBAY PROTECTION POLICIES.  TRUTH BE TOLD,  REALLY THERE IS VERY LITTLE IF ANY PROTECTION FOR SELLERS ONLINE.   The person who posted that Lackey comment and saying READ THE INSTRUCTIONS... is an ABSOLUTE JERK and probably works for paypal usps or ebay!

EBAY PAYPAL USPS, FIX YOUR SERVICES AND POLICES!  How hard can it be to EDIT A FEW LINES OF HTML AND PUT A LINK WITH WARNING NEXT TO THE SHIPPING PAGES REGARDING INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS??? YOU'RE TOTALLY DOING YOUR CUSTOMERS WRONG IF YOU DON'T!

p.s. USPS Insurance is pretty much a scam since they have never honored one claim of mine for a lost package.  The only benefit of insurance is delivery person is less likely to leave it on a doorstep without someone signing for the package.  Actual insurance claim process almost never works with US Postal Service. Especially if its International.

Sincerely,

D.Arnold

---

I AGREE I JUST LOT A DISPUTE LAST WEEK I SOLD AN ITEM TO MAXICO AND THE SAME STORY BUYER CLAIMED OF NON-RECEPT AND NOW I AM OUT OF $135 PLUS ORIGINAL SHIPPING AS WELL AS MY ITEM.

I LEARNT A LESSON AND DECIDED TO NEVER SHIP OVERSEAS. EBAY ENCOURAGE SELLERS TO SHIP INTERNATIONALLY ON EVEY LISTING BUT DOESN'T WARN SELLERS RISKS of SHIPPING MERCHANDISE INTERNATIONAL USING US MAIL. ONLY SELLER HAS TO BEAR THE LOSS.

I READ OTHE POSTS DESCRIBING THE HORRABLE STORIES OF SELLING THEIRE EXPENSIVE ITEMS WITH SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION AND THEY ARE STILL OUT OF THEIER ITEMS AND MONEY BECAUSE OF CHARGEBACKS. SELLER PROTECTION IS NO-WHERE HERE. IF YOU WANT TO SELL ON EBAY USING PAYPAL SELL SMALL CHEAP ITEMS DOMESTICALLY IF YOU CAN'T BEAR LOSSES ANY FURTHER.

[surplusdealdude]

You wouldn't lose money if you'd learn to do it right.

USPS DOES NOT OFFER DELIVERY OR SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION OUTSIDE THE USA.  You have to use a courier.

So stop blaming ebay and paypal for the fact that YOU **bleep**ed up.

[greattraveller]

---

@surplusdealdude wrote:

You wouldn't lose money if you'd learn to do it right.

USPS DOES NOT OFFER DELIVERY OR SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION OUTSIDE THE USA.  You have to use a courier.

So stop blaming ebay and paypal for the fact that YOU **bleep**ed up.

---

WHERE DO WE LEARN FROM ...YOUR SO CALLED USER AGREEMENT WHICH CHANGES EVEYMONTH WITH NEW CONDITIONS. DO U THINK ALL SELLERS SHOULD READ ALL PAYPAL AND EBAY USER AGREEMENT BEFORE POSING AD EACH N EVERYTIME.

WHY NOT PAYPAL & EBAY WARN SELLER MOST INTERNATIONAL SALES ARE FRAUDLANT AND WE MAY LOOSE OUR MONEY AS WELL AS ITEM IF WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROFF?

THEY GIVE US LINK TO PRINT LABLES WHY NOT WARNING?

SELLERS COMES TO KNOW ONLY AFTER THEY ARE UNDER LOSS. INTERNATIONAL SELLERS REPIDATELY SCAMMING SELLERS AND THEY FILE NON-RECEIPT FOR EVEY SECOND PURCHASE. AND PAYUPAL REFUND THEM ON BUYER EXPENSES WITHOUT BOTHERING WHY HE IS ALWAYS CLAIMING FOR NON-RECEPT?

I MYSELF HAVE GONE THOUGH THIS . I LOST A DISPUTE WITH INTERNATIONAL BUYER FOR NON-RECIPT AND I CONTACTED FEW OTHER SELLER WHO SOLD THIS BUYER FEW ITEM AND THEY ALL HAVE SAME STORY. WHY DON'T PAYPAL CONSIDER THIS?

ABOVE ALL YOUR USER AGREEMENT SAYS PAYPAL SAVES US FROM ANY CHARGEBACK AFTER SELLERS WON A DISPUTE CLAIM WITH BUYER. BUT PAYPAL FAILS TO DO IT MOST OF THE TIME AND REFUND BUYERS ON SELLERS EXPENSES EVEN AFTER THEY WON THE DISPUTE.

[surplusdealdude]

No, you don't have to re-read the User agreement every time - you simply keep an eye on the ebay announcements board or the Paypal announcements board and they'll keep you up to date on the changes.

Honestly, if you got your driver's licence and they changed a law that affects cars, do you think you'd be able to get away with breaking the law because you didn't keep up to date?

This is YOUR money - instead of carping about problems AFTER the fact, learn how to protect yourself.

The system DOES work - I've had over 2,000 no-problem transactions - but you have to know how to use it.

[astrodog1]

How many of your 2,000 transactions were domestic? how many over seas? I sell used cell phones on ebay and a very large percentage of shipments that goes Priority Mail International never make their final destinations. Its something to do with Foreign custom agents and foreign postal service employees seeing a US POSTAL service box with its Red white and blue colors and thinking its an easy theft target, which, it is!

[surplusdealdude]

Well, then, maybe you shouldn't be using their boxes?

Or maybe you should be insuring the phones so you don't lose money?  From the seller's point of view, it makes no difference if they get paid by the customer or the insurance company, it's still a sale.

[billmelaterblow]

**comment removed**

Are you serious?  You comment that a customer is wasting his time posting a long complaint.  From what I see reviewing the following post s, you must be spending your entire day defending paypal policy and belittling any legitimate complaint.  Just because a comment has a typo doesn't make it less valid.  

Just so you know.  I am very unhappy with this BILL ME LATER program, misleading and false offers, the confusing way the billing is done that sets customers up for unnecessary late fees, and a very annoying series of phone calls at all times without messages.  I will never use this again and intend to make it a point to let my friends and the online community to stay way clear of this program.

Sincerely,

PS wondering if you will waste more time replying