Sold a Watch - Video Record Packaging and Shipping?

[liveralone]

Hey guys, apologies if this is not in the correct forum.

I sold a watch to a new member and am going to be packaging and shipping it. They paid via ACH Transfer, and the money is already in my account. They also provided a FedEx Label, fully insured, with signature confirmation. They have been super communicative, responsive, and I have done my due diligence on them.

However, with that said, is there anything I need to worry about as far as actually shipping the watch out? Should I record videos of packaging it? Closing the box? Dropping it off at the post office? Etc? Should I have my wife in the videos as a witness?

I am probably being overly cautious, but it is only because I have been scammed in the past. Any insight and/or information would be much appreciated.

[mic6]

For peace of mind just record one video showing that all goods are in the box, then seal and pass it to the courier man on the video.

[Knappo 1307]

Never understood the videoing, you could video and then put a rock in the box. Would never hold up anywhere...….

[liveralone]

Yeah, but as 'mic6' mentioned, if you record the packaging and handing over to the Fedex associate, how would that not hold up?

[sp006]

I just sold to a member that had less than 5 posts so I was in the same boat. He's been very responsive though and paid promptly.

I just made sure to document everything for him each step of the way from packing to label creation to receipt with tracking number. There is really nothing else you can do at that point.


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[GoingPlaces]

I would, there just can't be any seams in the video. Needs to be continuous.

I always video record any pricey package I get.

[liveralone]

Originally Posted by sp006

I just sold to a member that had less than 5 posts so I was in the same boat. He's been very responsive though and paid promptly.

I just made sure to document everything for him each step of the way from packing to label creation to receipt with tracking number. There is really nothing else you can do at that point.


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Thanks for the input. Yeah, I am literally in the same boat. Everything has been great so far. Everything I have asked the buyer to do, he has done. I may just be overly cautious. Again, once you are scammed once, you pay attention, lol.

Thanks again everyone.

[sp006]

Well you already have the money in your possession in your account. He's the one that is more worried about scams at this point. No?


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[CorradoBrit]

I would not use the buyers Fedex label. That gives the buyer total control over the shipment. And just because he is being very communicative now does not give you confidence he's legit and trustworthy. Stack all the advantage you can in your favor.

[liveralone]

Originally Posted by CorradoBrit

I would not use the buyers Fedex label. That gives the buyer total control over the shipment. And just because he is being very communicative now does not give you confidence he's legit and trustworthy. Stack all the advantage you can in your favor.

Any particular reason not to use his label? He sent me his drivers license and everything matches. It is fully insured and requires an adult signature.

If he is the one purchasing it and providing the label, wouldn't it be better that he is in control, since then I cannot be blamed for the errors?

[ZOOK]

Originally Posted by liveralone

Hey guys, apologies if this is not in the correct forum.

I sold a watch to a new member and am going to be packaging and shipping it. They paid via ACH Transfer, and the money is already in my account. They also provided a FedEx Label, fully insured, with signature confirmation. They have been super communicative, responsive, and I have done my due diligence on them.

However, with that said, is there anything I need to worry about as far as actually shipping the watch out? Should I record videos of packaging it? Closing the box? Dropping it off at the post office? Etc? Should I have my wife in the videos as a witness?

I am probably being overly cautious, but it is only because I have been scammed in the past. Any insight and/or information would be much appreciated.

Check with your bank. I've read on here that an ACH can be reversed! Or bounce! An ACH is not the same as a wire transfer.

[freefly]

Originally Posted by liveralone

Any particular reason not to use his label? He sent me his drivers license and everything matches. It is fully insured and requires an adult signature.

If he is the one purchasing it and providing the label, wouldn't it be better that he is in control, since then I cannot be blamed for the errors?

As a seller, it's always best to be the one to initiate/control the shipment, IMO. When someone gives you a pre-paid label, they are essentially sending something to themselves. In which case, you have no recourse for lost/stolen packages (insurance is useless to you) and no ability to re-route the shipment prior to delivery. This is usually not a concern with wire transfers, but ACH payments can be reversed in some cases. I believe there is a 5-day grace period for ACH transfers, so any reversal would have to take place within that window. However, that may be completely thrown out the window if it's a stolen debit card, etc. So, I would call your bank directly to confirm your potential liability, and/or what the hard deadlines are to ensure you can't get screwed over.

Bottom line: Proceed with maximum caution when selling to a new / unknown buyer.

[liveralone]

Originally Posted by freefly

As a seller, it's always best to be the one to initiate/control the shipment, IMO. When someone gives you a pre-paid label, they are essentially sending something to themselves. In which case, you have no recourse for lost/stolen packages (insurance is useless to you) and no ability to re-route the shipment prior to delivery. This is usually not a concern with wire transfers, but ACH payments can be reversed in some cases. I believe there is a 5-day grace period for ACH transfers, so any reversal would have to take place within that window. However, that may be completely thrown out the window if it's a stolen debit card, etc. So, I would call your bank directly to confirm your potential liability, and/or what the hard deadlines are to ensure you can't get screwed over.

Bottom line: Proceed with maximum caution when selling to a new / unknown buyer.

Yeah, I called his bank and my credit union. They confirmed the 5 business day period. I also pulled the money from the account the wire came to, and closed that account. I literally opened it up just for this transaction. So if a reversal were to be attempted, the account no longer exists.

I contacted the buyer, and he tried to have Bank of America convert the payment to a wire. But they said they would need my banks permission and my permission to reverse the current ACH, and it could take upwards of 10 to 30 business days.

The buyer said he is okay to wait 5 business days, but I feel bad, since they have been very prompt. They added me on LinkedIn and messaged me, gave me a couple of links to purchases they made on Chrono24 and Omega Forums, and everything seems to add up.

[freefly]

Originally Posted by liveralone

They have been super communicative, responsive, and I have done my due diligence on them.

Curious what the extent was for your due diligence so far. Have you spoken with them over the phone (if not, why not)? If so, have you confirmed that it's a legit number (and not a VOIP/Google Voice number)? Have you cross-checked their phone number/email/info with social media, LinkedIn, employer, etc.? Maybe have them send you an email from their work account? Any other online presence that you have confirmed via direct message (eBay, other watch forums, etc.)? Info/records for the shipping address it's going to match up to the buyer (and not a "Mail Boxes Etc." drop)?


EDIT: Posted prior to seeing your last. Sounds like you have covered your bases, but you can never be too careful these days with the up-tick in buyer scams over the years.

[liveralone]

Originally Posted by freefly

Curious what the extent was for your due diligence so far. Have you spoken with them over the phone (if not, why not)? If so, have you confirmed that it's a legit number (and not a VOIP/Google Voice number)? Have you cross-checked their phone number/email/info with social media, LinkedIn, employer, etc.? Maybe have them send you an email from their work account? Any other online presence that you have confirmed via direct message (eBay, other watch forums, etc.)? Info/records for the shipping address it's going to match up to the buyer (and not a "Mail Boxes Etc." drop)?

All of the above. They messaged me on LinkedIn. Checked their employer and background information. Name, address, number and email is consistent with drivers license, LinkedIn contact information (since they added me to their network, over 600 connections), we texted each other, send him a video of the watch, etc. Again, they sent me some screenshots of previous transactions on Omega Forums and the person they bought from, who I emailed and they confirmed everything went well. Also a couple of transactions on Chrono24 that I can see he left feedback for the seller he bought from.

Even found their broker license online (investor.com) and it lines up with his employer, and there is a registration/CRD number.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by liveralone

Yeah, but as 'mic6' mentioned, if you record the packaging and handing over to the Fedex associate, how would that not hold up?

Sounds like you have it all figured out, good luck.....

[liveralone]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Sounds like you have it all figured out, good luck.....

Enlighten me with more of your sarcasm. If you record a seamless video, showing the watch, packaging the watch, handing over the watch to the desk courier, printing up a tracking slip and leaving, how is that 'not going to hold up'?

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by liveralone

Enlighten me with more of your sarcasm. If you record a seamless video, showing the watch, packaging the watch, handing over the watch to the desk courier, printing up a tracking slip and leaving, how is that 'not going to hold up'?

Wasn't being sarcastic at all, you have been given great information. Good luck with the sale, guess my response was taken the wrong way....

[liveralone]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Wasn't being sarcastic at all, you have been given great information. Good luck with the sale, guess my response was taken the wrong way....

My apologies, the multiple dots threw me off,

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by liveralone

My apologies, the multiple dots threw me off,

[jvmartin]

Originally Posted by sp006

Well you already have the money in your possession in your account. He's the one that is more worried about scams at this point. No?


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I was thinking the same thing, but I think his concern is the customer claiming he didn't get the right item or the watch getting stolen in transit... not a bad idea to take a few extra steps but definitely try and be discreet... discretion is fairly important but hard to achieve if you are going to be filming yourself packaging and scanning the item in... its a fine line