ebay advice

[Northern Bill]

I have sold lots of parts on ebay but I have never sold a vehicle so I need a little guidance.

First of all I am selling my Triumph and I have been asked by a fellow in Germany if I will accept a bank transfer.  He said he would arrange for shipping once the funds were in my bank.  This sounds okay to me but I was wondering if there could be any type of scam involved here.

The next thing I am wondering is how the ebay fees are calculated on such a large sale ($5000 U.S). I have only used paypal before.

Thanks for any advice
Bill

[Lannis]

I have sold lots of parts on ebay but I have never sold a vehicle so I need a little guidance.

First of all I am selling my Triumph and I have been asked by a fellow in Germany if I will accept a bank transfer.  He said he would arrange for shipping once the funds were in my bank.  This sounds okay to me but I was wondering if there could be any type of scam involved here.

Bill

In situations like this, I'm glad that my bank manager is a personal friend of mine.   IF I were faced with this situation, and was willing to do the things necessary to ship the bike, I would ask the buyer to transfer the money.

I would then go to my bank manager and have her let me know when the money was IRREVOCABLY and REALLY in the bank, and she put the cash in my hand, and said there was no way that any action or failure or scam on the part of the other person could take the cash out of my hand.  There IS such a point in a bank transaction, and I want the decision to be on an expert, not on me, who is drooling over the money and wanting everything to be good.

THEN and only then would I start crating the bike and arranging for shipment.   That bit ain't easy, you know, so be sure you're being compensated for that!

Lannis

[fotoguzzi]

eBay vehicles are sold on a flat fee so no percentage added off the selling price, I think the fee for motorcycles was $125. May have gone up since I last sold one. I've had positive experiences about 3 or 4 times.

[Lee Davis]

I have made my living off Ebay for 16 years now. Bought and sold about 80 antique cars, and I have bought and sold about a dozen motorcycles. I will buy a bike from someone in another country if they have a good (and sizeable) feedback score, but I will not sell a vehicle to someone outside of the US nowadays. It is too easy to just deal with the 50 states. Several times, I have gotten bogus cashier's checks (like a Bank of America check from a bank in Ohio, from a guy in Brazil), and I am very leery of scams, although they are actually uncommon. A Paypal payment is golden... a check or credit card much less so. I NEVER give out my bank routing number for a wire transfer, for it can backfire and have money sucked out of the account. I sold a 1967 gas tank for a Moto Guzzi V700 on ebay and shipped it to France with their Global Shipping option... where the item is shipped to a forwarder in Atlanta, and then in a container to the country. Because of the rules preventing firearms, explosives, etc, the shipment was stopped (and destroyed!) because the description said "gas tank". I was paid, but the buyer in France lost his $250, and didn't get the tank. He was angry! I felt so bad about it all that I later refunded his money. I am still angry that the tank was lost.  Since then, I only ship directly myself, and never use the Global program... Plus, I don't sell vehicles out of the country, as I said... only smaller items that can ship with the Post Office.    As for shipping a motorcycle, I found the best way (for Me) is to crate it in the back of my truck, with 1/4" luan plywood forming a box that is on a pallet-like base that can be forklifted, and then I take it to Forward Air.  They are very reasonable, and fast. Best way though is if the buyer comes for the bike in person. My advice is to keep it in the US and save yourself a host of potential problems.

[jlburgess]

I've been on Ebay since 2002 like Lee and I totally agree with his post.  I would be immediately suspicious of an out of country bank transfer.  Paypal has become the norm.  You can call Ebay if you have any questions.  They own Paypal too.  I have spoken to them many times regarding importation of counterfeit US rare coins.

[twowings]

Your bank will advise you on what is acceptable currency and many other details...give them a call!

[Northern Bill]

Thanks all for the advice. I will contact my bank and ebay.  I didn't know they owned paypal!

[johnr]

In my experience a direct bank transfer (not a cashiers cheque) is the safest, and fastest form of payment.

All you have to provide is the name of the account and it's number. Nothing else. (certainly not access codes)  Once the transfer is made from one bank a/c to another (and if it shows up in your account this has happened)  it is irrevocable .

Safe as houses, but if there is concern that an outsider could somehow magically access your bank account  merely through you account name and number, it is quick and easy enough to set up a separate account specifically for the purpose.

[Lee Davis]

I disagree. All someone needs to access your account (well, as of 4 years ago) is the name of the bank, and the account number. I had $800 sucked from someone in France (I guess...) because that happened to be the amount I had in my account. I was expecting a payment of $1200, and instead I lost. (that was 2009). I did sell a 1952 Mercury to a guy in Australia in 2008, but he made it easy... he paid with Paypal and had an expediter/forwarder in Orange, Calif that I delivered the car to. Like I said, Paypal is golden.
    But, as I said before, I prefer to list things like bikes and autos with "US only" to save headaches. The product that I sell to make my living is something that I sell worldwide, take Paypal for payment, and ship with the Post Office. Easy peezy, lemon squeezy.

[drbone641]

I have bought and sold 5 motorcycles and 2 cars on ebay and have never had a problem. Paypal takes a 3% bite out of funds, however, I think they offer protection from scams and misrepresented items. Every bike has been represented extremely correct.

[Northern Bill]

Paypal seems the way to go.  I don't mind the 3%. I just want to move on and clear some space.
Thanks again
Bill

[Tom]

I would only allow shipping after the funds have cleared the bank and like Lannis has said.  Cash in hand after that.

[Lee Davis]

Funds that have "cleared the bank" are not necessarily good. I received a cashiers check for $2500 one time and my bank (Bank of the West) put a 7 day hold on it. After that 7 days, I withdrew the funds... then 2 days later, the bank notified me that the check was bogus... so I had to repay the bank. I hate checks of any kind. Also... a check of any kind is the worst way to pay, from a buyer standpoint, for there is no way to get a refund if the seller is fraudulent, except by going through the courts, which is usually a waste of time. Credit cards, Paypal and Postal money orders all have safeguards built in

[Tom]

I lean towards cc's but  I may end that option.  The monthly activity don't warrant the fees involved.

[Lannis]

Funds that have "cleared the bank" are not necessarily good. I received a cashiers check for $2500 one time and my bank (Bank of the West) put a 7 day hold on it. After that 7 days, I withdrew the funds... then 2 days later, the bank notified me that the check was bogus... so I had to repay the bank. I hate checks of any kind.

I'm telling you, you cannot go by "cleared" and "holds" and "posted" and all that silly stuff.   The bank manager has to look you in the eye and say "You're good, spend it".    That's the only way I do business with a check, and it's never backfired on me.   Like I always say, by the time a man is our age he ought to be personal friends with his lawyer, banker, doctor, and financial guy ....

Lannis

[Tom]

The checks I have taken are certified bank checks.  The goods aren't shipped till the check clears and the money is okay and in hand.  The only other way is if you're a MGNOC member.  If you're a forum member, I have to know you.

[Markcarovilli]

For interest - Paypal is no longer owned by Ebay and is now a seperate entity.  Paypal does also own Xoom and is also a great way to transfer money overseas at a low cost...

Mark