Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions

[hbkshin]

Hey guys,

I noticed that ebay is offering me a 15% off coupon. Is this a time-limited thing?

Probably only for Designer Collective.

 

[My Main Man]

Last thing. Mark it as a gift under 50$ value ahahah You'll make one happy Canadian

And you'll make for one sad eBay seller if they find out and ban you from selling anymore.

 

[hbkshin]

Don't change the value. It's more than just against eBay rules, it's illegal.

 

[My Main Man]

Don't change the value. It's more than just against eBay rules, it's illegal.

I've gotten 100% less requests to do that since I added this to the bottom of my listings:

"Note to international buyers: It's illegal to falsify customs declarations or mark an item as a "gift" in order to avoid customs fees."

 

[FlorianQC]

And you'll make for one sad eBay seller if they find out and ban you from selling anymore.

Don't change the value. It's more than just against eBay rules, it's illegal.

 

[Snoogz]

Last thing. Mark it as a gift under 50$ value ahahah You'll make one happy Canadian

Don't do this. Not even a Canadian is worth risking the federal offense.

Take that to the bank and cash it.

And you'll make for one sad eBay seller if they find out and ban you from selling anymore.

+1

Don't change the value. It's more than just against eBay rules, it's illegal.

+1

 

[mbaltazar]

Hi guys, this is a buyer perspective. I buy from the US, but I live in Portugal. So customs may charge or not (it's a risk as they only check some shipments) the merchandise I buy. To be honest, I think it's a rip off what one pays for postage and, if customs get your purchase you can count with another 23% on top of the total value. If this happens, what was a good deal will turn into a really bad one quite quickly and probably cost you more than if bought "at home".

It's illegal, yeah but everybody does it and how can it be proved? As long as you pay your taxes, who cares?

I also don't care if things take 20 days to arrive, preferably by USPS ground. Chances to be stopped by customs are really lower.

Just to finish, a quick story; I buy some smoking stuff from the US, and the shop owner always send me the package saying "Fishing supplies", no invoice, no customs declaration, no registered delivery. I always received the goods, I'm always a happy returning customer ;-)

 

[Fueco]

No.

 

[Koala-T]

Hi guys, this is a buyer perspective. I buy from the US, but I live in Portugal. So customs may charge or not (it's a risk as they only check some shipments) the merchandise I buy. To be honest, I think it's a rip off what one pays for postage and, if customs get your purchase you can count with another 23% on top of the total value. If this happens, what was a good deal will turn into a really bad one quite quickly and probably cost you more than if bought "at home".

It's illegal, yeah but everybody does it and how can it be proved? As long as you pay your taxes, who cares?

I also don't care if things take 20 days to arrive, preferably by USPS ground. Chances to be stopped by customs are really lower.

Just to finish, a quick story; I buy some smoking stuff from the US, and the shop owner always send me the package saying "Fishing supplies", no invoice, no customs declaration, no registered delivery. I always received the goods, I'm always a happy returning customer ;-)

If you don't like it, buy within your own country. Your not just asking us to risk a single shipment, your asking some of these people to risk literally their livelihoods, or substantial second incomes that might go to pay for things like medicine, or mortgages, or student loan payments. For you to get a shirt $20 cheaper. That's just awful and selfish. And what do you lose if the shipment gets caught and the seller gets in trouble? Well, you lose a shirt, or a suit, what maybe $100, tops??

 

[mbaltazar]

@Koala-T
That's why I DON'T ASK for sellers to "be nice", because as you said and quote "...asking some of these people to risk literally their livelihoods, or substantial second incomes...". I bought items on eBay from 2 of you recently and I haven't asked for anything, just to send the stuff. So don't come and raise me moral issues because it won't work. Money is as hard, or even harder, to come by on this side of the pond as is on yours, and I also have to pay taxes, mortgage, schools, health and everything. So if I can save a $100, I will save a $100.

But that is not the question, and it's also not about me or you or about our moral standards or respect for law. It's about business decisions. What I meant to say is that I use the calculator before I buy another Borrelli shirt from abroad for $125. It sounds good, right? Perhaps not, because I can get a new one from an European site for around $165, not risking customs and other charges. So yes, in that case, I buy within my country or within EU. It's a simple business decision, not a moral one.

Another thing is that this question is surely far from being unanimous amongst sellers like you. You don't do it, great. But others do, and have a different perspective from yours. That doesn't make you right, making all the others wrong. I respect and understand both sides. You should too.

 

[masaccio]

Seller lists item BINOBO.

Buyer (me) makes offer at 2/3rds BIN price.
Seller makes counter offer at BIN price.

 

[Fueco]

No. You're asking people to consider breaking international trade laws to save you a few bucks. That could cost many people tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue per year if they are caught. No offense, but keep your money on that side of the pond.

 

[Koala-T]

@Koala-T
That's why I DON'T ASK for sellers to "be nice", because as you said and quote "...asking some of these people to risk literally their livelihoods, or substantial second incomes...". I bought items on eBay from 2 of you recently and I haven't asked for anything, just to send the stuff. So don't come and raise me moral issues because it won't work. Money is as hard, or even harder, to come by on this side of the pond as is on yours, and I also have to pay taxes, mortgage, schools, health and everything. So if I can save a $100, I will save a $100.

But that is not the question, and it's also not about me or you or about our moral standards or respect for law. It's about business decisions. What I meant to say is that I use the calculator before I buy another Borrelli shirt from abroad for $125. It sounds good, right? Perhaps not, because I can get a new one from an European site for around $165, not risking customs and other charges. So yes, in that case, I buy within my country or within EU. It's a simple business decision, not a moral one.

Another thing is that this question is surely far from being unanimous amongst sellers like you. You don't do it, great. But others do, and have a different perspective from yours. That doesn't make you right, making all the others wrong. I respect and understand both sides. You should too.

 

[Snoogz]

@Koala-T
That's why I DON'T ASK for sellers to "be nice", because as you said and quote "...asking some of these people to risk literally their livelihoods, or substantial second incomes...". I bought items on eBay from 2 of you recently and I haven't asked for anything, just to send the stuff. So don't come and raise me moral issues because it won't work. Money is as hard, or even harder, to come by on this side of the pond as is on yours, and I also have to pay taxes, mortgage, schools, health and everything. So if I can save a $100, I will save a $100.

But that is not the question, and it's also not about me or you or about our moral standards or respect for law. It's about business decisions. What I meant to say is that I use the calculator before I buy another Borrelli shirt from abroad for $125. It sounds good, right? Perhaps not, because I can get a new one from an European site for around $165, not risking customs and other charges. So yes, in that case, I buy within my country or within EU. It's a simple business decision, not a moral one.

Another thing is that this question is surely far from being unanimous amongst sellers like you. You don't do it, great. But others do, and have a different perspective from yours. That doesn't make you right, making all the others wrong. I respect and understand both sides. You should too.

Quick question because I'm curious.

Whats considered tax evasion in your country? Asking someone to falsify forms knowing it will allow you to evade taxes?

I am not fluent in other countries laws, and really am more curious if there are repercussions for it.

 

[hbkshin]

Quote:

@Koala-T
That's why I DON'T ASK for sellers to "be nice", because as you said and quote "...asking some of these people to risk literally their livelihoods, or substantial second incomes...". I bought items on eBay from 2 of you recently and I haven't asked for anything, just to send the stuff. So don't come and raise me moral issues because it won't work. Money is as hard, or even harder, to come by on this side of the pond as is on yours, and I also have to pay taxes, mortgage, schools, health and everything. So if I can save a $100, I will save a $100.

But that is not the question, and it's also not about me or you or about our moral standards or respect for law. It's about business decisions. What I meant to say is that I use the calculator before I buy another Borrelli shirt from abroad for $125. It sounds good, right? Perhaps not, because I can get a new one from an European site for around $165, not risking customs and other charges. So yes, in that case, I buy within my country or within EU. It's a simple business decision, not a moral one.

Another thing is that this question is surely far from being unanimous amongst sellers like you. You don't do it, great. But others do, and have a different perspective from yours. That doesn't make you right, making all the others wrong. I respect and understand both sides. You should too.

Nah I feel ya. Customs suck. I'd hate to be paying customs and it's not something I have had to experience yet. I always do my best to help out my International customers in pricing areas where I can so they can save a few bucks cause I know many get slammed with customs fees.