Advice anyone re safely selling valuable watch (and paypal)

[mattb46]

Dear All

Id be most grateful for any advice or experience anyone has re safely selling a reasonably nice watch and my concern re ebay, paypal and "chargebacks". Please treat gently as I dont sell watches/high end trinkets very often at all!

I have been contacted by an ebayer in Hong Kong who has good feedback, regularly buys watches etc and with whom I have struck a deal. He wants to pay via paypal but, from a bit of internet research, it seems to me that paypals Chargeback policy makes using it to sell anything half valuable a massive risk for sellers. Agreed? I have currently told him its either collection by him/relative in the UK or its a bank transfer. His response is "no" (which is maybe dodgy in itself).

Am I best leaving ebay well alone (unless the person is willing to pay by bank transfer or collect in person)? If so can anyone recommend any forums which they rate highly to sell on (I would be a new member so not sure if that restricts posting classifieds?)

Thanks very much guys

Moderator edit: no advertising please.

Edited by jeremyc on Tuesday 14th July 16:33

[hilly10]

Regard forums you are right one of the best is TZ, I have regularly sold and bought watches for as much as 6k but as you say it will take you a few months and posts to get in a position to sell. I do not like Ebay for high value watches even the fees are astronomical. Try an advert on Pistonhead classified I have sold a couple on here.

[GCH]

Off ebay - paypal gift or bank transfer.

For stuff of that value, use ebay simply as a classifieds - listed as collection only - then do the deal off site.
You can also reduce the ebay asking price taking into account no ebay fees- so everyone benefits. Have sold several watches this way - would never post a valuable watch via ebay, as the risks of fraud/chargeback are too great

[michael gould]

chargebacks are a big problem on ebay ..........I wouldn't risk it ..........ask the buyer to pay direct to your account or no deal

[Dominic H]

I'd echo what's been advised already. Bank transfer or no thank you. I missed the opening unedited post, which watch are you selling? Can you not find a buyer in the UK?

[Hoofy]

Check that it's a standard bank transfer and not one via a cheque or draft paid in at a bank counter.

[mattb46]

Thanks guys for some great responses. Much appreciated

Its bloody scary how easy it is to find yourself seriously out of pocket these days. If I got scammed for something of this value, Id be beasting myself for years.

I told my Hong Kong buyer that it was bank transfer only and he has now pulled out of the purchase.

Dom its a 1969 Heuer Bundeswehr. I started with ebay as I didn't know where else to go to sell it. I bought it from a German Bund specialist on Chrono 24 and have recently stupidly spent too much on a motorbike so have to get rid.

I will do an Ebay classified ad which is a great idea and look into posting an ad on here too. Where else does anyone recommend?

[GCH]

mattb46 said:

I will do an Ebay classified ad which is a great idea

You don't make an ebay classified. You create a regular buy it now listing, list as collection only, and word it in such a way that it is obvious (although not stated explicitly - otherwise listing will be pulled) that you prefer a deal offline, and will discount the ebay fee amount for such a sale.
You are allowed to refuse paypal for items listed as collection only

[Dominic H]

Matt,

You can list on Chrono 24 as a Private Seller, could try that. After all that's where you found the watch.

[X1BHO]

I've been an eBay business seller for over 10 years and can safely say that the situation with charge backs is beyond a joke now. Not only can the buyer file a claim with PayPal, but it is possible to do so with eBay too and rarely does the seller win.

That said, I did sell my Speedmaster via eBay last month though I was always wary of a charge back so I ensured the buyer emailed me through eBay to confirm he'd received the item and was happy with it. Also, ensure that you enter tracking info on eBay and PayPal as this prevents an 'item not received' charge back being filed. The only option the buyer would have is a 'not as described' dispute, in which case the buyer must evidence it has been returned to prevent the seller from being left out of pocket.

What you must never do is offer an item for collection but receive payment by PayPal, as there will be no tracking information to evidence the item was ever given to the buyer.

Would I do it again, yes. Though I would want the item collecting as although my transaction went smoothly, it was always in the back of my mind that it could go badly!