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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,372 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
Hi All, As some may know, I've started selling a few of my coins (and some other non-coin things) on one of the many selling sites around (not ebay). I got an email yesterday from a gal wanting to know if I would drop-ship to her customers, as she had a few who might be interested in the coins. On the surface, this sounds pretty good - basically she would do a lot of the footwork and the coins would get more exposure, therefore having a better chance to be sold. However, I'm leery of offers like this out of the blue, not only because I've been burned badly by online sales in the past (and it would really hurt if it happened again via my coins! ack!), but also, this person has no feedback on this site yet. Feedback was imported 'from another site' (they allow imports from ebay, craigs list and one other I think), and it's under 100. Of course the actual text of them is not available, just the number. I did respond to the offer asking a couple questions such as if the return address would need to be mine or hers (usually drop shippers don't use their own name or address, to make it look like it came from the other seller), and what would happen if the buyer wanted to return the item, as I have a return policy for everything. She did respond to the 2nd question, saying that she would specify no returns in her auctions so that wouldn't be necessary. My question (and thanks for reading this far!) is - what are some potential pitfalls of shipping to someone else even after paypal has been received from her? What else could go wrong? I'd appreciate any thoughts on this one, as it's new to me! I've used drop shippers in the past, just never been one. But I wasn't out to scam anyone, which might not be the situation here either, but you just never know. So my experiences are limited to a legit business and I have trouble imagining the potential pitfalls. Thanks a lot for any comments! |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1040 Posts |
Is she expecting to sell for more than you are selling for, buy-it-now style? Or is she going to auction and hope she gets more? If it goes to auction and gets less than you are asking, what happens?
She has specified no returns. That means you can proceed with a clear conscience, as you know what you are selling, and I for one can vouch for that. However, you aren't listing the coin. Do you have a say in the listing. Is she going to list a coin you have graded as XF as AU or higher to make her spread?
If the listings are accurate, you get the price you want, and you get paid before sending the coin, I say go for it.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2669 Posts |
Hi Sean.. thanks for the vote of confidence  At the moment, everything listed is in a graded slab, so she really wouldn't be able to overgrade anything in her listings (at least right now.. I was planning on listing some raw ones in a bit, though). Her wording of 'auction' did stick out to me too, though, so I will ask her to be more specific on that one. From how she was talking, it sounded like she was planning on listing for slightly more as a buy-it-now and just taking the difference, which is fine if she thinks she can squeeze out some more $. She may even have a brick-and-mortar store for all I know and is just looking for more coin suppliers. I wouldn't think there would be any trouble if the item is bought, paid for, and shipped to someone else.. even if paypal seller protection does not extend to shipping to non-verified addresses or ones different than the one on record. Actually, even if she did run an auction, my sale prices are my sale prices - she'd still have to pay those no matter what she got as a high bid  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1429 Posts |
As long as you get paid in advance, e-mail to buyer/payer confirming he is expecting the piece and send delivery confirmation you should be fine.
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Valued Member
United States
168 Posts |
I always send to pay pal verified address. Just in case the other persons pay pal got hacked and you are sending to the crook.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
My opinion is to not get involved with anyone you really don't know personally. And even if you do know someone, there is no guarantee of the outcome of a buisness venture of course. If I were you I'd be really leary of getting involved with anyone over the internet buisness wise. Just way to much can go wrong. Maybe all is OK and maybe not. All I know is someone I know got involved with someone over the internet for buisness purposes with cameras. The other individual was also dealing with stolen equipment and it ended up my friend was dragged into this mess. All ended up OK but he had to hire an attorney to staigten things out.
Very possibly the other person in your case is OK and everything is on the up and up. Hopefully. As to your question. If you drop postage and handling, you should raise all your prices accordingly. Many mail order organizations do just that. Makes it seam like your getting a bargain.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1040 Posts |
Just carl, drop shipping is where one person sells an item not in his/her possession, and the person who actually has the item then ships it to the address supplied by the first person.
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Valued Member
United States
419 Posts |
It sounds kind of iffy to me and I've learned that when my gut ain't sure its not worth the risk. Just my two pennies...um I mean cents!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
Quote:
drop shipping is where one person sells an item not in his/her possession, and the person who actually has the item then ships it to the address supplied by the first person Right.. so I would sell, say, a pocket knife for $10 on my site, but instruct my drop-ship company to ship it to my customer and I would pay them $5 wholesale. The package usually would arrive to my customer with my name and company return address on the package just like I had sent it myself. I get paid first - then pay the other company when I request the shipment, and pocket the $5 difference. A *lot* of companies will drop-ship for you like this.. just depends on the stuff you sell. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
Ok.. we're going to try a buy or two and see how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed, please! |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1040 Posts |
Hope it all goes well for you.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,372 |
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Posted 10/31/2009 7:56 pm
