Accepting PayPal from Overseas eBay Buyers

kpshah

I sold an item to someone in Italy. Whereas I make it very clear in the auction listing that I will accept Paypal only from Verified Buyers WITH Confirmed Address status, I read, this person has sent me a payment with Unconfirmed Address. His account is verified though!
Should it be OK to send the goods? I will remain unprotected under the PayPal's Seller Protection Scheme.
Any guidance will help

rsykes2000

Italy post is the most corrupt in the world. I personally have been robbed sending items there and would never send anything there again. With an unconfirmed address, there is no way I would be posting anything to him/her.

doingwhatican

I too, don't accept paypal from overseas, as I would not be covered by paypal as a seller. I would refund the payment and ask them to pay by other means.

aeuerby

We have sent a few items to Italy, all paid for via paypal.
We send everything by International signed for - airsure doesn't go to Italy.

Never had a problem.

Paypal is alot easier for international buyers. We are currently awaiting the arrival of a personal cheque from a french guy. I can't wait to find out if this cheque will be able to be paid into our english bank account! give me paypal anyday!

kpshah

Is it possible for buyers from Italy to get their address confirmed? I have read before that this option is not available in certain countries.

eyelinerprincess

I don't think they can. I think it's only the UK, US and Canada, though I may be wrong.

digerati

The safest way to be paid from the EU (including Italy) is via BIC + IBAN bank transfer. Usually incurs no fees whatsoever (except £1 for a letter at NatWest/RBS) and often only takes a day or two to be credited. BIC + IBAN details are on all UK bank statements and money can only be paid into your account, not withdrawn so it very safe. Also unlike PayPal there is zero chance of a chargeback or reversal months later.

A few points - the buyer needs to make the transfer using your BIC + IBAN details in Euros with shared charges. So you need to find out the Euro equivalent of the total including your S&H charges and get them to transfer that amount. You UK bank automatically converts it to £ at the daily rate when it arrives in your bank account. Nothing could be easier - I've been doing it for two years now to get paid from German, Austrian, Dutch, Italian and even Swiss customers.

I've shipped quite high value items to Italy and not had any problems yet. Mind you they were sent in regular Airmail Letterpost and didn't look valuable (even though they were). All arrived untouched by postal thieves or Italian Custom's grubby hands.

p.s. don't make the mistake of insisting on being paid in £ otherwise you'll be hit by quite high UK bank charges

aeuerby

We've been paid by bank transfer from europe. We always insist on it being in £s and have never been charged for it.

Hintza

All EU countries it would have been in the post ande sent already. A year or so back 90% of my sales were to Italy and France never a problem. Except a little slow when the French go on strike.