Another reason to hate ebay and/or paypal – international buyers getting ripped off

[hairyangryfella]

And I’m not just talking about their currency conversion rates, which are much worse than those of the bank...

I have just realised that every transaction I have made which involves either paying tax (shipped to COMC) or using the Global Shipping system, has been charged to me in NZD at their own exchange rate, DESPITE me changing the exchange rate option to be USD and exchange rate to be ‘determined by bank’ every single time.

This means that paypal have been taking advantage and charging me more than I should have been paying, on every single purchase except those from Asia where they have correctly come over in USD.

Just one more reason it’s so damn hard to be an international collector… and I’m pissed about it. It’s not like it’s cheap getting your cards this way as it is…

[HoustOM]

Do like me: don’t buy online, and fly once a year to National :flex:

[DoubleD]

This is why I like to buy here instead, if possible.

[Doublexthebeast]

Yeah, I feel for you guys. It really sucks and there are a ton of great international collectors. I have gotten to where I hate shipping overseas because the shipping costs are high and varies from country to country so much. I like to include the shipping price into my prices but it is tough to do. So, I have basically just stopped shipping internationally which isn't fair to potential buyers. I also had a high end package get lost in Hong Kong and it was impossible to deal with to get the package found. The USPS refused to pay me insurance money because they handed the package off to local HK shipping. I ended up being out the cards and the money as I had to pay the buyer back.

On the flip side, when I use the ebay global shipping system, I always end up with problems from Paypal/Ebay with the item not showing delivered. The package switches carriers and the tracking number doesn't carry through. I have had Paypal put holds on my funds because of this and I always have to get on the phone to get it all lined out.

[minnesotachill]

For what it's worth, it's also very expensive for US buyers to buy from overseas.

I purchase from a few websites out of Asia/Japan, and I pay 10-15% commission when I buy.

Then, I have to pay another $25-30 in shipping costs, whether the card is $1 or $1000

[Orangejello727]

Whatever you do, never send a Canadian packages by UPS. Its a total scam. Everytime I break with MattBlowout, they send it by UPS. THe package costs me $18 from him, then $25 for brokerage and then 13% tax on duties for the value. A shipment of $100 value will cost me $58 in shipping and handling. Its absurd.

I include shipping in all my sales. Anything less than $100, I send by regular mail. Never lost a package yet (thank god the people I BST with are honest). Anything else to big metro, I send by Fed ex. They are cheap if you pack your own shipment. I can ship something to LA in 3 days for $30. Where as Xpress Post costs me $35 and takes up to 14 days and gets stuck at customs all day.

[wonderful]

And I’m not just talking about their currency conversion rates, which are much worse than those of the bank...

I have just realised that every transaction I have made which involves either paying tax (shipped to COMC) or using the Global Shipping system,

Just one more reason it’s so damn hard to be an international collector… and I’m pissed about it. It’s not like it’s cheap getting your cards this way as it is…

I previously used COMC and have found another trusted international company. The cost was too high with COMC even though they were perfect with all of my transactions. I also found out the hard way with the tax.

[adamdavidson47]

Use www.getitshippedinternational.com

Tell them Adam Davidson account 742 sent you

[hairyangryfella]

Paypal are a joke.
After messages back and forth around the issue they said I had to call them. So I just did.
Despite having a secure code like they said I needed, that wasn't used and I had to go through everything.
The lady I spoke to took a while to understand, said there was no proof that I had chosen the option to be charged in USD by my bank because it hadn't come through that way at their end, and in the end her solution was to contact each seller and ask for a refund, to then pay them direct through PayPal. After explaining that not one single seller would be open to this I asked to speak to a manager.
He suggested the same thing. Again, I explained nobody would do that, and also the only way I could prove anything is if I recorded me making the payment...
He then went away and lo and behold, found that there seems to be an active case/investigation for this issue.

So, if you are an international buyer and have been getting charged in local currency (ie been ripped off by PayPal's exchange rate), despite changing the conversion method in the payment, add your account to the case CSTS13412.
Fun 38 minutes on a Saturday...

[MossDC4L]

Whatever you do, never send a Canadian packages by UPS. Its a total scam. Everytime I break with MattBlowout, they send it by UPS. THe package costs me $18 from him, then $25 for brokerage and then 13% tax on duties for the value. A shipment of $100 value will cost me $58 in shipping and handling. Its absurd.

I include shipping in all my sales. Anything less than $100, I send by regular mail. Never lost a package yet (thank god the people I BST with are honest). Anything else to big metro, I send by Fed ex. They are cheap if you pack your own shipment. I can ship something to LA in 3 days for $30. Where as Xpress Post costs me $35 and takes up to 14 days and gets stuck at customs all day.

I am in Canada as well and feel your pain.. However you should not be paying duty on Cards, they are classified under H.S. Code 4911.91.00.30 Trading Cards, Graded or not you classify the item. Tax you pay no matter what, personal or not the Government wants their cut.

Reason I also set up a USA address for myself so if I buy off eBay or a break group, all packages get sent there and then I can have all shipped at once, yes there is a fee but honestly it does save in the end.