[CR] USA only Ebay sales

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli:Laser)

Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 12:12:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Greg Lone" <gwlone@yahoo.ca>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR] USA only Ebay sales


Hi list, I have been observing what seems to be an increasing trend on EBay to limit bidding to U.S. residents only. When I first started buying vintage cycling parts and bikes 5 years ago I would occasionally { but realy not that often at all} run into such a roadblock. The trend has increased to the point that it seems 2 or 3 item out of 10 have the bidder restriction. I live in Canada; a stones throw from the border , and find the whole thing rather puzzling. Has something changed with the post system regarding weather a seller can prove the buyer  has realy recived something ? {and disprove false non delivery claims}. Or as has been suggested by some friends has a general distrust of foreign mail transactions of any kind become more commonplace. {Nigerian scams Etc.} Not all non U.S. residents are scheming opportunists, I for one have a substantial number of ebay purchases with 100% positive feedback. Is mail fraud realy that widespread?  Of the
   several hundred vintage cycle ,car and motorcycle items I have purchased over the years only 3 come to mind that have never  arrived. I assume that's about average as it's a fairly big sample number. Can anyone explain things from a regular EBay seller prospective, { I never sell on EBay, only buy}. Greg Lone Langley B.C. Canada