PayPal question regarding international payment refunds

supratentorial

supratentorial

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An overzealous buyer sent a payment for a "US only" item before asking for shipping to Canada or even contacting me first. When I reversed the payment (minutes later), I noticed that PayPal's fee reversal was less than the actual fee that I originally paid. It's just a small amount but I'm wondering why. Do they charge the seller a fee for currency conversion even if it's an immediate payment reversal? Just curious.

To international buyers, it is always courteous to read the shipping details and if you want an exception to "US only" then send a private message to make your request.
 
I've had them do that to me with refunded US payments - the explanation given was that the transaction fee is not refunded. On the face of things, it sort of made sense...but not really, since it doesn't happen consistently & and the amount varies slightly (the transaction fee is $0.30)
 
Thanks for the info. I'll check the amount when I'm back to my desktop. I never noticed a fee on domestic refunds previously but it's possible that I overlooked it especially if it was a small amount.
 
It's most likely the currency conversion. I had a guy renege on a sale. He initially was OK with shipping to Canada and then a day later he backed out. I got burnt on the exchange but technically since there was no sale there was no feedback to leave.

I wish more sellers would be open about selling to Canada. It'll cost about $25 US to ship a 9"x4"x3" box up here valued at $200 USD. The buyer of course will pay that charge and it will track on both USPS and Canada Post's site and with the current border regulations need duty and tax collected so there will be a solid POD. Not much will just get left by the front door.

I do PM sellers about shipping to Canada and so far most have been open to do so on request. It's just kind of a bummer for some of the more desirable items that have people lining up for seconds and thirds on it. In that case the knife is sold before you can even negotiate with the seller.
 
I agree i don't have issues nor have i ever, sending anything or receiving anything from the USA but it seems some sellers think it will stopped at the border or what not and they will get screwed. In reality if it is a legal item for example a fixed blade of any size it will be a non issue what's so ever, but if it is illegal like for example an automatic out the font that is illegal in Canada then obviously the deal should not be made...but if it was made and the OTF knife was confiscated at the border...well that would be the buyer's complete loss as he/she should know the laws in place.(ignorance isn't an excuse) so as for people not wanting to ship international I do find it strange and chalk it up to misinformation. (like us living in igloos and the term "eh")
 
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Thank you for the comments on the fees, guys.

The subject of whether or not to ship international is a different topic and a complicated discussion. But for those who wish that more folks would ship international, transactions like these don't help your cause. There have been a few examples where international buyers were pushy and completely ignored "US only". And on a couple of occasions, buyers have intentionally tried to get me agree to a sale without disclosing that they needed international shipping. I suppose they are hoping that I'll fold if they are pushy enough. But I will never agree to ship to an international buyer who is pushy and manipulative. These guys give international shoppers a bad name. It's no good for anyone.

For many reasons, I put "US only". I will ship international to friends and folks who I know very well.
 
I agree with your absolutely and look at this from the point of just one other thing to haggle with the seller on.
 
Danke42 said:
I wish more sellers would be open about selling to Canada. It'll cost about $25 US to ship a 9"x4"x3" box up here valued at $200 USD. The buyer of course will pay that charge and it will track on both USPS and Canada Post's site and with the current border regulations need duty and tax collected so there will be a solid POD. Not much will just get left by the front door.
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Some prospective buyers want the items shipped international for the same cost. And it's rare that a prospective buyer has looked up the costs. I wish more international buyers would look up these costs like you. That's a good way of doing business.

Risk is another factor to consider. I haven't shipped to Canada in a while but tracking (after the package leaves the US) and customs have caused problems. I've lost hundreds of dollars and lost confidence in the security of international shipping. Also a lot of buyers want the cheapest shipping method and the cheapest methods seem to have the worst tracking and insurance. Buyer assurances like "I'll accept all risks" are only as good as the folks who make them. That's one of the reasons that I only ship international to friends and other folks that I know very well. Buyers who know the costs and are willing to pay for a more secure shipment will have an advantage when trying to sway someone to ship international.
 
See that doesnt make sense to me. Sorry in my mind your money is as good as someone from anyother country. Its all green to me bud. Maybe they get frustrated because they dont understand why you don't want to make a "to them" simple transaction where they want something and you want the other. Yet for some reason one person says ....no. Strange thinking imo
 
Cteve said:
See that doesnt make sense to me. Sorry in my mind your money is as good as someone from anyother country. Its all green to me bud. Maybe they get frustrated because they dont understand why you don't want to make a "to them" simple transaction where they want something and you want the other. Yet for some reason one person says ....no. Strange thinking imo
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Is this a response to my comments or Tombstone? Unless it expired in the last month, you don't have a gold account to sell here. It is easy for the recipient of international shipping. Ordering is easy. And PayPal has the buyer covered if the tracking doesn't show delivery. Most international buyers have never lived in the US and shipped international.

I have both bought and sold to/from international locations for a long time. I never take it seriously when someone tells me how easy it is. Most buyers haven't put much thought into international shipping other than they see something and they want it.

Most don't think about managing risk. In my experience, most buyers want the cheapest shipping with no insurance and want the seller to assume all risk. They're covered by PayPal. The seller isn't covered.

Everyone's circumstances are different. There are all sorts of considerations like whether the person owns a printer and whether they can ship by their preferred method and or location. For example, I prefer to ship at my grocery store and they don't take international packages. Those need to go to the post office and that's further away and only open during work lunch/hours.

The best way to get someone to ship international is to private message with the all of the details already worked out. If someone with a paid membership and good feedback is willing to pay for a secure shipping method and has all of the details worked out in advance, that's going to be a lot more likely to work out well.

But don't be disappointed if they say no. Situations are different for different people. I know a vet who is wheel chair bound and has been yelled at for not shipping international. The buyers don't know. They just want stuff. If you can't drive and don't have a printer, it's not as easy as you may think to ship international.
 
Understandable, if you have time check out a speach this is water david foster wallace its on youtube as a great video. Your last comment reminded me of it. You have some good points. Thanks for pointing them out.
 
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