Buyer in Hong Kong - provided UK shipping address

cogito

I've just sold a number of items of audio equipment on eBay. I'm a bit of a novice and marked the cost of shipping to the UK only thinking that that would mean no bids from outside the UK. I was unaware of eBay's Global shipping programme at the time.

One item was purchased by a buyer in Hong Kong who has a very limited record on eBay - only three transactions - and as soon as I saw that he was not in the UK (within minutes of the auction ending) I contacted him to cancel. This is in accordance with eBay's advice to sellers.

This morning, I found a response from him giving me a UK address, Britannia Worldwide in Surrey who are international shippers and that he had paid for the item including postage.

My concern is that although the items are in excellent condition, where would I stand if a dispute arose? If I send to the UK shipping address, the goods will be signed for there but what happens if the buyer claims that there is a problem when they arrive in Hong Kong. Does my responsibility end when the goods are accepted by Britannia?

Help!

bxboards

cogito wrote: »

Help!

No. Although in the real world you would not be responsible for the shipping and handling by the buyer's agent, Ebay would make you responsible for any damage that occurred and you'd end up with damaged goods and refunding him. Assuming you sent it tracked to Brittania you would not need to worry about it arriving in Hong Kong, but you sadly will be held responsible for any damage as Ebay will say they never saw the physical goods so can't say when any damage that was alledged would have occurred.

Personally I would not risk it. The buyer is probably genuine, but Ebay guarantees the buyer will receive the goods as described and as you are not responsible for the shipping, you are in effect warranting a 3rd party not to screw up.

mrcol1000

I often send items to onward shippers and have never had a problem. Often they wait until there is enough items to make it worthwhile shipping onwards. They also are insured so if there was a problem, the buyer is more likely to claim from them than you.

You really also have to consider how the buyer will react to you cancelling the sale, not really for a valid reason.

cogito

Thank you both. eBay tell me that as the buyer has provided a UK address, I must send the goods which seems odd.

I have told the buyer that I will proceed with the sale as long as my responsibility ends when the Uk shipper accepts delivery and am waiting for him to respond. Fingers crossed.

molerat

Is it their registered Paypal address and Paypal have stated OK to ship ?

theonlywayisup

bxboards wrote: »

No. Although in the real world you would not be responsible for the shipping and handling by the buyer's agent, Ebay would make you responsible for any damage that occurred and you'd end up with damaged goods and refunding him. Assuming you sent it tracked to Brittania you would not need to worry about it arriving in Hong Kong, but you sadly will be held responsible for any damage as Ebay will say they never saw the physical goods so can't say when any damage that was alledged would have occurred.

Personally I would not risk it. The buyer is probably genuine, but Ebay guarantees the buyer will receive the goods as described and as you are not responsible for the shipping, you are in effect warranting a 3rd party not to screw up.

Ebay are very clear in their Money Back Guarantee.

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.html

What's covered

Most transactions on eBay.co.uk are covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee.

Covered
Purchases are covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee when all of the following are true:
An item isn’t received or it isn’t as described in the listing.
A buyer reports that they didn’t receive an item or requests a return within the eBay Money Back Guarantee timelines.
The purchases were made on eBay.co.uk with PayPal via checkout or an eBay invoice.
The items were paid for in a single payment.

Not covered
Buyer’s remorse or any reason other than not receiving an item or receiving an item that isn't as described in the listing (see the seller’s returns policy for returns options);
Duplicate claims through other resolution methods;
Items sent to another address after original delivery; or
Vehicles, Real Estate, Business & Websites for Sale, Digital Content, Intangible Goods, Classified Ads, Services, and some Business Equipment categories.

That is not to say the buyer won't go to paypal for a dispute.

soolin

this appears to suggest that a seller has protection for damaged items when they use GSP

http://sellercentre.ebay.co.uk/private/global-shipping-programme#anchor21627


Every parcel shipped through the Global Shipping Programme is insured from the point it is safely received in the UK Shipping Centre. The parcel insurance cost is included in the total price that the buyer paid for shipping through the programme. If the item was damaged in the UK Shipping Centre or in international transit, we’ll cover the loss or damage to the buyer and you’ll keep the money from the sale. All the buyer needs to do is open a case on PayPal to receive their refund. Alternatively, if the purchase was made on an eBay site that supports eBay’s Money Back Guarantee Programme (.com / .co.uk / .au / .de) then the buyer may file a returns case for ‘damaged’ on eBay. Once the returns claim is filed it should be escalated to eBay customer support to take action. Sellers should not refund the buyer proactively. Any defect arising from a resulting buyer claim will be de-scored if it was lost or damaged after arriving safely at the UK Shipping Centre.