Payment from USA

Tease_2

Hi

I have sold two items on a buy it now, to a buyer from USA.

They asked for an address to send a money order to, and I asked them to pay by Paypal. They have now replied and said they don't have a Paypal account, and want to send a money order.

Is this safe to do? What would be the best way to proceed now? They are new to ebay and have zero feedback.

I know I should have put Paypal only for international bidders, but thats too late now for this one.

Many thanks in advance.

soolin

Any form of International order is likely to be a problem even if issued in sterling as it is difficult to exchange them or clear them quickly though a bank.

However if the option was ticked on the auction and as you mention you didn't specifically say paypal only for non UK buyers this is a difficult one. You can (and should) insist on UK sterling funds though as the buyer migh tbe expecting to send you dollars. You may want to wait for other responses, but I might be tempted to respond and say that you need a UK cashable order in pounds sterling but you understand this is likely to be expensive for them, or take weeks to clear through a UK banking system. Then see if they would be willing to do a mutual, but that is quite risky fee wise.

tryingtogetsolvent

In the USA money orders are a bit like our postal orders except you can buy them at most convenience stores, its odds on they will be made out in US dollars and will be no use to you here in the UK. Even if the had some form of cheque the banks charge here to change them.

You really need to try to get them to open a Paypal account ,even with a slight delay while they do that you'd be sure to get your money.

The other thing to watch is a lot of American think £1 is the same as $1, so if they've spent say £10 they get a shock when they find out it is about $16 and not $10. I've had a couple claim I've "ripped them off" when they have paid and Paypal have done the exchange and taken the money out in GB Pounds and its been a lot more than they thought they'd spent.

Tease_2

Thanks for all the advice.

I have told them that it would need to be a money order pounds sterling.

Will wait and see what they come back with.

I have also amended my listings to Paypal only now.

soolin

Tease wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice.

I have told them that it would need to be a money order pounds sterling.

Will wait and see what they come back with.

I have also amended my listings to Paypal only now.

Even a sterling money order may cause you problems is issued on an overseas bank. If one does arrive and your bank will accept it to be paid into your account make sure you get a time frame for clearance. Non UK issued orders do not adhere to the 2-4-6 clearance rules and the last one i had, which was admittedly some years ago, I was quoted 8 weeks for clearance .

Tease_2

Thanks, I will bear that in mind.

I am hoping that they will cut their losses and cancel.

theonlywayisup

You can send an invoice via Paypal to them and they can then pay as normal, without logging into the screen, they can just input their credit or debit card numbers. You don't need a paypal account to pay a paypal invoice.

Tease_2

We have agreed to cancel the transaction now.

KxMx

If anyone has this problem in the future I have used www.auctionchex.com for many years when my American Nana sends me a US$ cheque or money order xmas/b.day.