Cue Sale Advice?

[TheThaiger]

Not fear, just not a experience I wish to repeat, is all.

Sorry, but you successfully sold a cue to an overseas buyer, and, despite your anxiety that there'd be a hitch, there wasn't.

What part of that is not fear? Actually, it's just unfamiliarity with the process - do it a dozen times and you'll do it in your sleep.

 

[ridewiththewind]

You are. This has NOTHING to do with sending cues overseas. The buyer didn't think the cue was as described, and wanted his money back. The seller was debating whether to refund the money or not. Iceland or Idaho makes no difference whatsoever.

My take is this....the buyer was upfront as to the woods used in this cue. Short of staining it, curly maple is pretty much consistent in coloring, as is koa. Koa also exhibits more or less chatoyance, depending on the lighting...but it's still Koa.

I can see if there was an actual issue with the cue....I never considered coloring one of them. Of course, I try to describe mine as much as I possibly can.

Where it has to do with overseas is the additional costs involved with shipping. Even moreso than that...the cue went from one climate type...fairly dry in E. Washington, to perhaps a totally different climate type. Sending a cue back and forth like that could very likely cause the cue to warp. So, now because the buyer was unhappy about color, the seller should now risk being returned a cue that may well likely warp in the transport back stateside...now he has to take the loss simply because the buyer didn't do their research on the wood types used in the cue and their typical coloring? At what point do we forgive buyers for not doing their research. Responsibility lays equally at their feet...not just the seller's.

BTW...I never said that there aren't scammers in the US...Chris Chance is a scourge that is difficult to eradicate. And there are a few others, as well. The difference here is that we have avenues in which to deal with the scammers, whereas, overseas, we're pretty much a$$ out.

Getting all butt-hurt over the fact that there are those of us who simply wish to avoid the hassle all together of dealing with overseas shipment of cues is just silly. You want a cue made in the US...contact a maker and have them make one for you. But until the cue is sold, the seller can do as they wish with their cue, and that may well include avoiding overseas sales.

 

[ridewiththewind]

Sorry, but you successfully sold a cue to an overseas buyer, and, despite your anxiety that there'd be a hitch, there wasn't.

What part of that is not fear? Actually, it's just unfamiliarity with the process - do it a dozen times and you'll do it in your sleep.

Dude, I stress over a cue shipped within the states...and have done it quite a few times. For me, it doesn't get any better. I want to make sure my buyer is as happy as can possibly be, and when the cue leaves my hands, I no longer have any control as to it's treatment. That is very stressful to me. As a result, I have chosen to remove that stress from my life. I am certainly not going to get beat up for standing by my convictions.

 

[GoldCrown]

I take all of the pictures outside.... Maybe I need to be taking indoor lighting pictures.

Take both. Post as many as you can to exhibit.

 

[TATE]

You are. This has NOTHING to do with sending cues overseas. The buyer didn't think the cue was as described, and wanted his money back. The seller was debating whether to refund the money or not. Iceland or Idaho makes no difference whatsoever.

Excuse me, I suggested that he take the cue back and refunding, and he is doing that.

 

[plshrk22]

Just an update I told the Buyer that I would refund him his money minus shipping charges and he said that was not fair to not refund him 100% of his money... I just want to get the cue back, refund the guy and wash my hands of this whole situation!

 

[GoldCrown]

You're trying to be honorable. Most companies do not refund shipping costs.
Do whatever you feel is right from a business stand point or your gut feeling. Regardless of your decision....You are trying to be honorable and people will remember that on this forum.
Just get the cue back and inspect it.

 

[DogLoop]

Just an update I told the Buyer that I would refund him his money minus shipping charges and he said that was not fair to not refund him 100% of his money... I just want to get the cue back, refund the guy and wash my hands of this whole situation!

It sounds like all the buyer has done was try to not only 'kick the tires for free', but at your expense.
I, personally, would not have any part of providing a full refund.
Just like I wouldn't offer someone gas money or cab fare to come 'try out' a cue here on the front range and that's FAR from overseas.

If you've already offered full refund contingent on escrow minus fees, I'd say that you did right by him.

Just my 1/50 USD.

Best of luck to you.

 

[TATE]

Just an update I told the Buyer that I would refund him his money minus shipping charges and he said that was not fair to not refund him 100% of his money... I just want to get the cue back, refund the guy and wash my hands of this whole situation!

He's being unreasonable. Just stick to your guns and let him decide if it's worth the waste of his money, not yours. That's also his risk of buying internationally. My guess is he will keep the cue.

 

[plshrk22]

I guess I just worry about him giving me bad iTrader.. I feel like I am going above and beyond what needs to be done..

 

[Mr. Wilson]

You are. This has NOTHING to do with sending cues overseas. The buyer didn't think the cue was as described, and wanted his money back. The seller was debating whether to refund the money or not. Iceland or Idaho makes no difference whatsoever.

Please, expound on your expertise in this field.

I notice you have a zero for feedback. How many overseas cue transactions have you completed?

 

[TATE]

I guess I just worry about him giving me bad iTrader.. I feel like I am going above and beyond what needs to be done..

You offered him a full refund, minus shipping - that's what most of the best sellers would do.

With your strong rating, you don't have to worry about a negative i-trader. You've established yourself as a strong seller.

If you've already agreed to the full refund, fine. Whatever you choose to do, you have shown everybody here you care a lot about your reputation - that's worth the shipping cost in my book.

Chris

 

[plshrk22]

Hey thanks Tate. I am trying to do the right thing but I feel like I am being taken advantage of also.. He will get his refund and we will part ways.

 

[KCRack'em]

photos

Here's a bit of advice to help avoid color variations. I don't recommend manipulating the photos as there are too many variables (monitors, video cards, etc.). Rather, try to find the right light and background to produce color as close as possible to what you see. I would avoid white or very dark backgrounds. Most of us use cameras that average all that is in the viewfinder to determine the proper exposure. The background can move the average to where the exposure is not correct for the cue, thus making it look darker or brighter than it should be. Sometimes poor exposure, among other things, can impact the color balance in some digital cameras, too.
Anyway, I'm glad this is getting resolved. I would advocate posting a disclaimer about color. Many businesses do that. A good example is picture framing supply companies........
Karl

 

[CueMagic]

When I do pictures for things for sale like cues. After I do the pictures I will sit at the computer with the cue right next to me and mess with the picture til it looks exactly like the cue. Lighting can often change what the color looks like when you take the picture. I am not trying enhance anything or fool anyone by manipulating the picture, quite the opposite, I am trying to be as honest as I can be. Just something to think about for the future.

I am not that crazy about selling over seas anyway. May not be worth the hassle even if you make a few more dollars.

What kind of cue is that? Very nice cue.

 

[TheThaiger]

Please, expound on your expertise in this field.

I notice you have a zero for feedback. How many overseas cue transactions have you completed?

Two cues, once for tips. All fine and all from this board.

Really not sure what point you're trying to make - like I said, this topic is about someone who's not happy with the goods received and that could happen to anyone, irrespective of location.

For the record, the seller has done the right thing - offered a full refund minus costs. That is industry standard and I would expect the buyer to take responsibility for shipping, again whether they're in Iceland or Idaho makes no difference. This is NOT about international selling.

 

[kvinbrwr]

You sold a thing sight-unseen and the buyer isn't happy with it. Really who cares what the reason is, who is right or wrong, who is reasonable and who is too picky? We didn't have it in his hands when he paid, after he got it, he didn't want it. The refund is the right thing.

PayPal has a refund feature which is the ONLY way to refund this deal. After you get the cue back and inspect it and when you want to refund his money, go to your PayPal register, find his payment to you, click on "details" and on the page that loads there will be a place you can click for "refund" and on that page a box where you can change the amount to reflect your shipping settlement. PayPal will even credit you back the fees you paid when you received the funds and the buyer will receive the money you sent him with no fees deducted. No muss, no fuss, no expense, no problem. If the buyer later disputes the transaction, you are covered for the chargeback (although considering it was an International transaction I'm sure you didn't get the signature confirmation necessary for PayPal even if this transaction was shown as "eligible" for PayPal protection, so you probably were liable for a chargeback anyway if he disputes the transaction. If he was scamming you, he wouldn't need to return the cue, he could just file for non-delivery and you would be toast).

Get the cue back, give our buyer the money back, and sell the cue to someone who wants it.

Let me know if I can be of assistance.

Kevin

 

[Georgia Boy]

At best split the shipping, but in my opinion the buyer should shoulder responsibility for shipping on an item he's returning. If you buy anything sight unseen you run the risk of it being slightly different than it shows in any picture. If you return anything the majority of companys would expect you to pay shipping, no different here IMO.

 

[plshrk22]

Hey thanks a lot for the advice Kevin, I really do appreciate it. Once I get the cue I will inspect it and make sure it is EXACTLY how I shipped it to him.

* I appreciate everyones feedback!

 

[kvinbrwr]

A note (if I may) on International scams. International scams are prevelant because they are easy and safe for the scammer, not because International people are bad. Many tranascations are now paid through Paypal, and very few sellers ship in such a way to provide direct signature verification (on one of the hoops Paypal requires the seller to just through for their seller protection) so even if the shipping address is eligible (which is quite often NOT the case - many International location aren't eligible no matter how you ship). I'm sure if it was as easy to scam on dopmestic transactions, they would be more prevelant.

Add to that the risk of customs seizure for ivory content and its easy to see why many sellers (my self included) are very hesitant to ship Internationally.

Add to that the fact that many International buyers want to unvalue on customs forms, both to avoid duties and not to alert officials to ivory content, which results in undervalued insurance, which increaes risk. The beat goes on.

Here's my hoops for international cue deals.

1) Payment by direct wire transfer only (those of you who know me know that I'm a huge advocate of PayPal. the fact that I won't accept it Internationally, as much as I know about using paypal safely might be a clue to some)

2) Shipment reciept is totally the buyer's risk and he has acknowledged this in writting.

3) One the buyer has acknowledged that the shipping risk is entirely his and has agreed to pay me in a manner that gives him no recourse, I will ship and declare custioms and insure in any way (you can't say $100 value on customs and turn around and insure for $5,000) he desires.

The number of international buyer that have decided to just through these hoops ? Zero, and I don't blame them, I wouldn't buy this way either.

Thanks

Kevin