# Can an EBay seller (me) back out of a transaction because the buyer is in China? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 5, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-ebay-seller-me-back-out-of-a-transaction-because-the-buyer-is-in-china/682888 "2014-03-05T01:39:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Linden\_Arden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-ebay-seller-me-back-out-of-a-transaction-because-the-buyer-is-in-china/682888/1 "2014-03-05T01:39:12Z")
I just listed a spare iPhone 5 with a flat shipping rate of $5 not thinking that a buyer would emerge overseas where they have very little in the way of CDMA carriers (it is a Verizon phone). After looking into shipping the cost to China may be prohibitive at $50-80 or so. I really don’t know how much it costs to ship there. I am afraid it will get lost or not show up or something worse. Can I just back out without damaging my seller rating? Any suggestions? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-ebay-seller-me-back-out-of-a-transaction-because-the-buyer-is-in-china/682888/2 "2014-03-05T01:42:48Z")
> [@Linden\_Arden](#): > > I just listed a spare iPhone 5 with a flat shipping rate of $5 not thinking that a buyer would emerge overseas where they have very little in the way of CDMA carriers (it is a Verizon phone). After looking into shipping the cost to China may be prohibitive at $50-80 or so. I really don’t know how much it costs to ship there. > > Can I just back out without damaging my seller rating? > > Any suggestions? I always flagged no international orders, if you did not, eh, I would take the hit and call it a lesson learned before eating $80 to ship to someone who is as likely as not to claim they never got it and demand a refund. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-ebay-seller-me-back-out-of-a-transaction-because-the-buyer-is-in-china/682888/3 "2014-03-05T01:58:42Z")
The postage for a one-pound package from the USA to China by US Mail First Class International is only $15.75. (Value of contents may not exceed $400.) Note that if you use the postage calculator at [usps.com](http://usps.com), it is set up to display only the more expensive Priority and Express options, with the more reasonable First Class rate hidden as a link at the bottom of the chart. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-ebay-seller-me-back-out-of-a-transaction-because-the-buyer-is-in-china/682888/4 "2014-03-05T05:43:28Z")
I always use “S/H: $7.50 lower 48; others email for quote if desired” and “will ship worldwide”. I don’t go to the trouble of stating duties and taxes of destination country are responsibility of buyer" - that can be assumed from that fact that I am talking about s/h, not “all costs to buyer”. If I can drop it off at the USPS and it gets there, I will ship pretty much anything I put on ebay. For stuff I will not ship, I use craigslist. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-ebay-seller-me-back-out-of-a-transaction-because-the-buyer-is-in-china/682888/5 "2014-03-05T06:13:25Z")
Are there any CDMA carriers there? Maybe the buyer made a mistake and you can mutually back out of the deal? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-ebay-seller-me-back-out-of-a-transaction-because-the-buyer-is-in-china/682888/6 "2014-03-05T06:22:27Z")
I sell a ton of stuff on ebay. I’d just tell the buyer there’s no way you can ship it for $ 5.00. then tell ship what the rate is. I only ship internationally these days using USPS Priority which has tracking. For your phone the best deal is to use the small flat rate box below. You can get one at your post office. Here is flat rate for your shipping 23.50 if you print the label online via the ebay shipping applet. 24.75 otherwise. Priority Mail International® Small Flat Rate Box **More info about Priority Mail International® Small Flat Rate Box** Value of contents can not exceed $400.00 USPS-Produced Box: 8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8" Maximum weight 4 pounds. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-ebay-seller-me-back-out-of-a-transaction-because-the-buyer-is-in-china/682888/7 "2014-03-05T06:24:42Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Are there any CDMA carriers there? Maybe the buyer made a mistake and you can mutually back out of the deal? There are CDMA carriers in China > [@](#): > > It depends on the type of phone. There are two main carriers in China: China Mobile uses GSM and China Unicom uses CDMA. If you have a dual-band or tri-band unlocked GSM phone, you can use it in China. You can also purchase a SIM card in China for use in compatible phones; this will give you a Chinese number and allow you to purchase minutes in the form of cards that may be purcashed for different values (RMB 50, RMB 100, RMB 500). > > You can use your mobile phone with an IP card to make international calls. IP cards can be purchased for around RMB 30-35, though the printed value on the card is usually RMB 100 (be sure to push for a lower price if the vendor asks you for the full value on an IP card).