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What precautions should I take?
 

A buyer contacted me from Puerto Rico that he is interested in buying my shoes
in bulk. I sell women shoes. Please what precautions do you suggest I take. I have never done this before. He also left me his email address.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

I would personally avoid it.
Too much can go wrong.

Especially if on ebay and through paypal.

It may seem like a quick payday but how much does he mean by 'bulk'?

Whats his feedback like? What if he starts a hollering about phakes? Is your account equip to handle a transaction like this?

Hes already raised some flags by leaving his email address, as its already outside of ebays sale scope.

Id wait for others to give their opinions.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

What about if it is just through paypal? The shoes are not designers, so he can't really claim its ⊗⊗⊗⊗. I just asked him how much he means by bulk, and I am still waiting for his reply. He has just 3 feedbacks. My ebay account can't really take any big hit, and I don't think my paypal can either. Thanks

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Every day experience and in my opinion, do not reply to any more ebay messages. I would even go as far and block him to eliminate ebay contact.

Now I personally WOULD send him an email, not mentioning ebay in any witch way or form. Find out what the situation is, how many he wants to buy, etc... Puerto Rico is not international and you can have signature confirmation, etc.... It would be a standard paypal transaction if that is the route you choose and whatnot if the deal makes sense.

Some of my very best friends in this world have come from communication exactly like this on ebay. I travel all across the USA and have partners all over the world exactly from getting initial contact like this.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Ohhhh Yea......ALWAYS use caution and if you can not afford the risk, don't follow through with the transaction. Maybe start small and test same as if you were buying from a new vendor the first few times.

For me, if the communication is smooth, the money comes, I take the risk, even on international wholesale buyers. Worst case scenario I loose a little money, but nearly 100% of the time all is well. For me it is a calculated risk and possible lifetime value of a new wholesale buyer.

If communication is tough or takes hundreds of emails/Facebook messages, etc.. or the money never comes or comes very late, I take caution then.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

I agree with you 100% Yankee. Thanks very much

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Too many bad things can go wrong, personally I don't bother with anything outside the US. Now if he wants to do a deal outside of eBay/Paypal then that's different.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Puerot Rico is INSIDE the USA. They have governors and Senators, USD and USPS Postal service. Zero additional risk. No customs forms, nothing like that at all. It IS THE USA.


As for not handling international buyers, the USA is only 5% of the worlds economy. 32% of my sales are in Australia, 17% Brazil and 12% Europe. If I did not do international business, I would be giving up half my business, 30% of my revenue and 95% of my future growth.

Not saying my business model is for you or anything like that, just sharing my personal experiences and a few simple facts.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Please avoid using paypal when you dont have to - talk to the guy for bank transfer but you need to talk more with the BUYER, not really with us :) that's your business.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Yah. I do ship internationally too. Personally I have had more problems with US buyers, than with international buyers. Thanks very much to everyone for your help.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Do it only if he is willing to send you a postal money order.
This way he cannot do a chargeback via paypal.

IMHO, 3 feedback is WAY too low for a transaction like this.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Okay BigCJ, thank you

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Let me rephrase what I meant, I ONLY SHIP TO THE LOWER 48 STATES!
I don't even ship to Puerto Rico OR ANY OTHER TERRITORY that belongs to the US.


To each their own, 99.999% of my business is inside the USA.

Exactly, everyone has their own methods.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Agree 100% with CJ.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

I love buyers from PR had one today. Never had a problem. I ship to any US territories that get US mail. I stopped overseas after way too much trouble. If me I would exercise due diligence and be cautious.

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

Thanks Joesshooze

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

I would start with an order of two pair of shoes and send a professional letter , business letter head , and make it sort of a contract or guideline to how u sell wholesale , and do this outside of eBay, and if u do accept paypal it would be best to use one that is aged and not working with an eBay account so u can have wholesaling as a separate business that can't destroy ur eBay


And obviously if u can get money orders or WU possibly they may be willing after a trust is formed, but whether paypal or merchant company they can always chargeback

Start slow and gradually build up very slow , that way by the time u send a big order out it's already paid for by the profits from all the test orders just in case they do a charge back, and u never know u would be surprised how many people will be willing to send a money order

But don't turn down a wholesale opportunity, do everything to protect ur self, separate it from eBay and make it it's own business and if u feel it's good after doing ur due diligence than go for it business is all about risk

Re: What precautions should I take?
 

True point on money order or bank draft - make sure no counterfeit document is received so verify it with your bank