Should I be worried about shipping a knife to Australia to a buyer with no feedback?

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creativeguy

creativeguy

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I'm worried about the possibility of it being unauthorized use of another person's Paypal account. Since there are no confirmed addresses for Australia that is the only way I can lose my money. What is a good way to confirm that the person I'm communicating with is actually them? Any advice anyone?

Thanks in advance!
 
Australia has some strict knife laws. If customs takes the knife, then what?

Personally I'd find another US buyer.
 
If it his a high value knife, it may be better to wait for a more qualified buyer?

Then again he Needs to get his feedback started somehow.

I have taken a few chances like this and went ahead and shipped out knives overseas to people with no feedback. All went flawless.

Is it a fixed blade you are shipping? Kitchen knife or Camping tool on the customs forum usually seem to work for me when shipping down under.
 
I would be cautious. There was a prominent case on the forums not too long ago in which a buyer sent a folding knife to Australia. The knife was confiscated by Customs. The buyer, having paid via PayPal, contacted PayPal stating he had not received the item he purchased and was awarded a refund. Long story short: seller was initially left without money or a knife. There may have been some agreeable resolution made by both parties in that case (I can't remember), but a few important concepts came out of that whole mess: 1) spell out all the details of the contract in writing first (leave nothing to assumption), 2) make sure you as the seller research the knife laws of the country you are exporting to.
 
The only way would be safe for you is to take the payment via the gift option.
 
ATM I wouldn't be sending any folder to Australia unless its a slip joint (this really sucks as I'm Australian) as of the last week there seems to have been some sort of unannounced crack down. My local importer has stopped all folder orders until he can find out what's going on, hopefully its just a temporary thing.

Single edged fixed blades are still OK.
 
I wouldn't do it, too many variables for you to get screwed, because you as the seller are responsible for getting the knife to the buyer, and if customs takes it it's on you to refund his money to him, find a USA buyer, thats just my 2 cents.
 
I have never sent a knife to Australia, but Ive read a few horror stories about knives being shipped there and not making past customs. It really depends on the knife, if you answer Over Kills question about knife type then you can probably get better answers. There are alot of very strict laws over there, and that is really supposed to be the buyers responsibility, but if he doesnt know the law/or doesnt care and the knife gets held by customs he can do a charge back and take his money right out of your account. Paypal almost always sides with the buyer, so as the seller you want to make sure youre dealing with an honest and responsible person, and keep ALL of your RECEIPTS. I even keep all of my emails that have anything to do with the knife, payment, shipping, anything at all to do with the transaction. I personally would find a US buyer. Ive done trades over seas and they have gone good, but if it goes bad it can go really bad. But to me, if you are already questioning the deal, then you should really rethink going through with it. If I see ANY red flags then I cancel and move on.

I hope everything works out for you. Good Luck!
 
As my Northern friend said folders are a real issue just now, fixed blades are NO issue at all provided that they do not have a knuckle duster type guard and are not daggers (this is grey as some daggers are allowed in but I would NOT mess with it for a one off deal). You could ask the buyer for a phone # and actually talk to him (call costs are not that expensive). Where is Aus is he/she located ? There may be one of us here who does know them. I have bought a couple of blades for friends but when I do so the seller is always dealing with ME not my "friend".

Andy
 
Thanks for all of the responses, guys. It's a fixed blade: Busse SARGE-7. Definitely don't want to get hosed on the deal. He's in Coorparoo, Queensland.
 
aquaman67 said:
Australia has some strict knife laws. If customs takes the knife, then what?

Personally I'd find another US buyer.
Click to expand...
That is my opinion as well. It's even worse if you don't have a confirmed address, you're asking for problems. If somthing goes wrong, don't come back saying/complaining that we didn't tell ya so.
 
Cooparoo is a suburb of Brisbane as I recall. There is absolutely NO issue sending a Sarge7 out here. Does not matter how the box is labeled "camping tool" is fine but I ALWAYS ask for "fixed blade knife". As EVERY package arriving via the post here is X-Rayed there is no secret about what is in the box.... ;) ;) I should also add that me and every other international buyer had no feedback at some point. I do understand you not wanting to get hosed, perhaps ask him for an international bank draft ?? From my bank they cost about $15 to get and are just like a bank check sent to you. Your knife mate and you are the one who needs to be happy with the deal.

Andy
 
I should add that Customs have NEVER undertaken a physical inspection (that is opened) a package of mine with a fixed blades therein. Had two folders sent in the past 12 months and BOTH were stopped opened and tested prior to delivery.
 
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