international buyer,

You can check a prior thread I authored last week regarding PayPal.

I would say the ONLY way to ensure you are 100% safe is to ask the buyer to send the money to you via Western Union. When you see the Nigerian scam artists using Western Union as a means to rip people off, it is sort of a backwards positive endorsment for the safest way to collect money.

I have sold to international buyers in the past and have been 100% happy, in those cases I accepted PayPal with the stipulation that the sale was FINAL. However, I just recently was involved in a PayPal chargeback fiasco from a US buyer which has made me change my stance on PayPal for ANYTHING over $200, domestic or Foreign.

Be safe, accept Western Union only.

i thought bank transfer would be safe,because i wouldnt ship the item out til the fund is in my account,but according to my bank that they can debit out of your account if you give them the routing and account number..

Hi, I have done 9 overseas transactions. I was the "seller". I have used Paypal 4 times, Western Union wire transfer 2 x, and, with "friends" I have made globally bank to bank transfer several times. The largest shipment was an Audio Research tube amp to spain...400.00 to ship 110 lbs! take the time to actually talk to your perspective buyer, on the phone. Follow your "gut" instinct! If you have the slightest reservation,, get out! In conclusion, to date, no problems what so ever. Never use fedex to ship! they are the worst! If you would like more help, I would be happy to walk you through this. This is "Audiogon" not ebay, quality people here.........Scot

I have also done an international sale. Easy as pie to receive money. Bank transfer ("wired money"). Just to obtain a comfort level, however, phone your bank and get the specifics with respect to the risk involved, etc.

remember Paypal charges another ~1.1% on top of their 2.9% for internation money conversion. I have done paypal and bank transfers before. Both have been painless. Shipping with insurance is the risk because typically you can't insure it. Try to use USPS for shipments but they won't ship large components. then you ahve to look elsewhere.

As everyone has said, use your gut feeling and yes there is a Cashiers check scam where they send you too much and want you to wire the money to another account ASAP...