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Any Germany scams?

Hello all,

Recently listed a high value item, and have had two messages from different users in Germany both asking how much postage would be to send to them? Just wondered if anyone knew of any recent scams from Germany, as it seems unusual to have two messages like that, when I've had nothing like it before.

Cheers

Wings
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Comments

  • dawn27
    dawn27 Posts: 314 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    i only sell high value items in the UK
    Things such as Mobiles etc always attract scammers
    if you want to sell explain that you will only send it to Germany if they pay the extra postage to send it international recorded
  • Auzelia
    Auzelia Posts: 806 Forumite
    but would international recorded not just cover it while it was still in the UK?
  • vaio
    vaio Posts: 12,287 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    dawn27 wrote: »
    ..........explain that you will only send it to Germany if they pay the extra postage to send it international recorded

    and more importantly don't accept paypal, in my experience germans like using bank transfers which have the advantage of not being reversible once they are done.
  • Auzelia
    Auzelia Posts: 806 Forumite
    yep Germans do prefer bank transfers.

    So dont worry if they ask for your bank account and IBAN details.
  • F&L
    F&L Posts: 570 Forumite
    The current £/Euro rate makes items cheaper for Germans so that may be why? I'm selling a lot more to overseas buyers at the moment
  • I'd be shipping via DHL, which includes insurance, so I'm guessing that would cover the base of shipping Intl Recorded. The value of the item is £110.

    I've never worked with bank transfers on eBay before? Is it fairly easy, and is the payment they make in Euros or GBP. If the former, will I have to pay a fee to change it into GBP when it arrives?

    Cheers

    Wings
  • Auzelia
    Auzelia Posts: 806 Forumite
    your bank would automatically exchange the money from € to £.
    atm you would lose too much in the exhange rate but your bank will most likely take commision.

    They will most likely ask for your IBAN (international bank account number) when doing the "Ueberweisung".
    If that is how to choose to pay of course.
  • Hello all,

    Recently listed a high value item, and have had two messages from different users in Germany both asking how much postage would be to send to them? Just wondered if anyone knew of any recent scams from Germany, as it seems unusual to have two messages like that, when I've had nothing like it before.

    Cheers

    Wings

    Germans are stars, they always want to pay by bank transfer (free!)
    "Love you Dave Brooker! x"

    "i sent a letter headded sales of god act 1979"
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 73,442 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You'll find that since paypal changed their terms for the German market most German buyers do use paypal now. I haven't had even an enquiry about other payment methods for a couple of years now.

    The other reason that German buyers have switched to paypal is that they can no longer do bank transfers to sellers on ebay.com which is another large market.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • chja
    chja Posts: 913 Forumite
    With the current 3 vs eur rate, I've sold a few bits to Germany, Spain and Italy.

    Never had a problem, although nothing has been over the £36 POP compensation limit.

    Southern Europe has a bit more of a reputation for "slow payment", but its not something I have suffered from.

    You would expect the Germans to be very efficient with paying, leaving feedback, etc - it's certainly how they are in business.
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