Selling HIFI to someone in China

Posted by: Wind in ears on 12 September 2016

Folks just wondering if anyone has recent experience to selling Hifi kit to someone in China?

 Just want to be aware of things to watch out for.

Moderated Post: To ensure your thread stays within forum rules I have made some small edits.

 

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

I sold a CDS2 to a very nice chap in Hong Kong, with no problem at all. This is what I did: I asked them to pay the money into my bank account. Do not accept PayPal. If it goes into your bank, it cannot be reversed. Get them to arrange their own courier collection, and to confirm in writing that once their courier has collected the box they accept all liability. This of course is ensuring that you as the seller have complete protection. In order to give reassurance to the seller, I took the boxes to my local Audio T and asked the buyer to arrange courier collection from the shop. Not only does that give the buyer a lot of comfort, which is only fair, it means that you don't have to hang around all day waiting for the courier. So long as you have a good relationship with your dealer, it works really well. Interestingly, the CD player arrived in Hong Kong, including clearing customs, in under 72 hours, which is amazing. 

A lot of people seem very reticent about sending stuff to China, which is a real shame. Chinese Hifi people love Naim, and are willing to pay a good price, often more than uk buyers who seem to want to pay virtually nothing sometimes. Using the methodology I used, it's a win-win situation. 

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by Wind in ears

Thanks Sounds like a positive experience 

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by GraemeH

Sold a HiLine to a chap in Shanghai via Royal Mail. No problems.

G

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by Wind in ears

Graemeh

Thanks for the feedback

 

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by intothevoid

There's a chap, John from memory, that trades in sending s/h Naim to China. I sold him my SN1 about 18 months ago and it was a very positive encounter.

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by naimsake

Thumbs up for John too

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by JamieWednesday

Took my sonus fabers off my hands a few years back, a determined bidder. No probs

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by GraemeH
naimsake posted:

Thumbs up for John too

And another.

G

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by Bananahead
GraemeH posted:
naimsake posted:

Thumbs up for John too

And another.

G

And me.

 

It's all getting very pink isn't it?

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by joerand

I suppose when someone sells a s/h Muso or Qb to China things will have come full circle.

Posted on: 12 September 2016 by Bert Schurink
Hungryhalibut posted:

I sold a CDS2 to a very nice chap in Hong Kong, with no problem at all. This is what I did: I asked them to pay the money into my bank account. Do not accept PayPal. If it goes into your bank, it cannot be reversed. Get them to arrange their own courier collection, and to confirm in writing that once their courier has collected the box they accept all liability. This of course is ensuring that you as the seller have complete protection. In order to give reassurance to the seller, I took the boxes to my local Audio T and asked the buyer to arrange courier collection from the shop. Not only does that give the buyer a lot of comfort, which is only fair, it means that you don't have to hang around all day waiting for the courier. So long as you have a good relationship with your dealer, it works really well. Interestingly, the CD player arrived in Hong Kong, including clearing customs, in under 72 hours, which is amazing. 

A lot of people seem very reticent about sending stuff to China, which is a real shame. Chinese Hifi people love Naim, and are willing to pay a good price, often more than uk buyers who seem to want to pay virtually nothing sometimes. Using the methodology I used, it's a win-win situation. 

Mainland China is different from Hong Kong. But I would agree with you any normal precautions you would take with selling stuff should also be applied in this case. I personally will not sell stuff on this route - neither in my country, neither abroad, just too scared that something might go wrong.

Posted on: 13 September 2016 by Graham Clarke

I've had both good and bad experiences selling to mainland China via eBay.  One sale went through just fine without issue.  With the second one, the buyer asked me to mis-describe the item and to list its value at about 20% of the agreed sale price.  Buyer claimed that if I accurately described it, it would be caught up in Chinese customs for many months (like that's my issue?).  I wasn't willing to falsify the information and after checking with eBay they confirmed that I could refuse to sell, even though his was the winning bid.

Another thing to watch out for is shipping insurance costs.  Shipping to China is expensive anyway, but if you insure for the actual sales value it puts the price up still further.  Many buyers will say "just ship it for the standard amount" which is typically £50.  However, eBay rules state that if an item is received in a damaged condition the seller has to make good.  So you may end up on the hook for such costs.  Not sure where you would stand if you could prove that the buyer indicated desire for the lower insurance cost.  But something to be aware of.

Posted on: 14 September 2016 by Salmon Dave

I don't sell abroad via ebay - in fact any sales & purchases there I try to make collection only. On less regulated places, I've sold stuff to Hong Kong (a NAP250), Australia, Canada, all over Europe.... no problems. As has been said, direct transfer to bank account works for me. If they don't want to do that, too bad.

The only 'problem' I've ever had selling was a woman on ebay who left crap feedback for a £10 item after I inadvertently sent it second instead of first class post. They do exist...