So I just started collecting, and was wondering how do Non-USA collectors here collect competitively?
I bought a couple of cards on ebay and realised that the credit card exchange rate fees (think its 3% for credit cards) and high delivery fees can really take a big chunk out of the less expensive cards. For the lower end cards e.g. PSA10 commons, I find myself paying as much as 35% of the price for delivery and exchange rate costs.
It’s kinda depressing cause if I’m looking to complete entire sets, the delivery charges and exchange rate fees over time alone will probably crack 20k+ usd -.-!
I also hope to know how are private transactions usually done? Like do I send money first? Through what platform? How do you guys ensure you don’t get scammed if say you send like a thousand bucks (or ten thousand even) to someone overseas for a card?
Well, the concept of collecting “competitively” is a bit strange. I think that we just collect for fun, it’s not a competition. Or at least I think it shouldn’t be
That being said, I’m from Europe and basically I have accepted that everything is going to be much more expensive for me. That’s how it is. You either accept it or you don’t collect
It’s really frustrating cause many times I see good offers from the US or Japan on ebay, but due to shipping, customs, etc, I can’t buy it cause it simply becomes too expensive.
What I’ll be doing is just buying from European sellers or buying sets in Spanish…
Regarding private transactions, depending on your country’s laws, you’ll might have to declare those transactions depending on the amount of money that is being paid. I guess you’ll have to check what the policies on this in your country are.
What I can actually tell you is that I bought one card on Facebook and it didn’t come. Seller told me he sent it, but I highly doubt it cause he didn’t have any proof. The good thing is that it was “only” 10euros cause I wanted to see if buying on Facebook really works. After the failed experiment, I won’t be buying on Facebook anymore xD
I’m sorry that there’s not so much good news in my post… Believe me, I wish it was easier for us in Europe (or other places in the same situation)
Say you buy a 1000.00 PSA card from me.
You could have me charge you 13.50 1st class international shipping. Trackings available if your address tracks.
You could have me declare any amount on your customs form…in this case 15.00?.
So the upside is you’re paying very little based on your choices.
The downside is if the item doesn’t arrive YOU lose. So this doesn’t scare you too much, in over a thousand international orders I’ve only had 2 lost and one crushed.
As you can see, the way I do it is totally up to you.
what he said! @KingPokemon
never lost a single package with a falsified custom form.
As European buyer i usually resort to this.
Through paypal, paying through Business and goods still gives you buyer protection.
although when you go the gift route, just be 100% sure the person you deal with is not gonna lift you.
I’m sorry to hear that, but nice that u tested the water first.
Indeed tho! US truly is the place to be for pokemon collectors -.- so many cards don’t even appear on our ebay feeds.
and I think it’s awesome that you pointed out country’s laws. That’s why I’m kinda stressing out right now, my country allows import of goods up to $400 without paying any taxes, but my former tax professor in university told me they’re likely removing that exemption soon so my card collection expense is gonna go up another 7% if they remove the exemption.
So I’m trying my best to catch up asap now and buy all the sub USD300 cards I want before the rule takes effect =.=!
Hmm okay gotcha. Well if its 0.3% loss rate then I think overall it’s still a good deal…I mean there’s risk to every transaction. I mean I buy stocks and brokerage is already 0.25%.
Thanks for giving me the odds (: appreciate it. hope I can buy some cards off you someday
Yeah I’m actually spending time on this forum to get a sense of the trustworthy people to potentially do sales with. Everyone seems to use f&f on insta. It’s a great community tho, everyone seems trustworthy (:
Also if anyone is visiting Singapore and also have some cards available for sale (in my buylist, which is a lot) at reasonable prices please let me know!
I’ll buy you dinner + show you around + pay you in your home currency (our money exchangers have very thin spreads here, we’re a financial center)
You could also find a US middleman and order cards to that person’s address. The middleman can then send all of your packages in Bulk with your desired declared amount.
On a side note: I love The Lion City. On one of my trips there I spent a summer down on the docks playing Chinese Poker and Mah Jong with all the old men:)
mahjong is difficult af. I get thrashed all the time during chinese new year by my uncles. very fun game tho.
But yes, as a Singaporean I’m always really happy to hear that people like the country. It advanced so quickly it’s a juxtaposition of old and new. I think Singapore has become even more beautiful recently, with the new airport coming out.
Both! borderlinx offers the service or you can search fb/forums and see if people can help you out. There’s fees for borderlinx but that depends on how much you order.
I’m sorry to hear that, but nice that u tested the water first.
