If you buy an item from a vendor and pay using PayPal and the item is not listed or sold on eBay but from the vendor's on line store are you covered by PayPal Protection?  Answer?

Happy Holidays!  Here is a gift to all who must ship gifts around the world for Christmas.  You will find deadlines for Military (APO, FPO), International and domestic USPS mail and packages.

Holiday Shipping deadlines:

INSIDE THE US

Priority Mail® Dec 20

Express Mail® Dec 22

Military Mail:

 AE, ZIPs 090-092:  Priority Mail: Dec 11 Express Mail: Dec 18

AE, ZIP 093:  Priority Mail: Dec 4 Express Mail not available

AE, ZIPs 094-098:  Priority Mail: Dec 11 Express Mail:Dec 18

AA, ZIPs 340:  Priority Mail : Dec 11 Express Mail:Dec 18

AP, ZIPs 962-966:  Priority Mail: Dec 11 Express Mail:Dec 18

International Mail

Asia & Pacific Rim: Global Priority: Dec 11 Global Express: Dec 17

 Australia & New Zealand: Global Priority: Dec 11 Global Express: Dec 17

Canada: Global Priority: Dec 11 Global Express: Dec 18

Caribbean: Global Priority: Dec 11 Global Express: Dec 17

Central & South America: Global Priority: Dec 4 Global Express: Dec 12

Mexico: Global Priority: Dec 11 Global Express: Dec 17

Europe: Global Priority: Dec 11 Global Express: Dec 17

I just received a request to know where and item was produced and did it have any lead content.  This is the first time in over 10 years in business that I have had that question come up and I think anyone who sells toys, diecast, or collectibles needs to be aware that you have to know your products even better given the toy recalls for lead.

I called the the producer to find out for sure about a diecast bank and as long as it is not a trade secret they should be able to tell you about any possible concern about lead.  I asked "does the metal have lead in the content" and received an answer so I could tell my prospective customer that I called my producer and told the customer the information that was given to me.

Now that RC2 just recalled toys then sent out a gift toy that had lead content (according to the evening news) I believe that it will be even more important to do the research on your items about concerns with lead.  This includes those sellers who are selling items purchased in garage sales, flea markets and estate liquidations.

So be aware and don't get caught in the squeeze between lead and a hard place of consumer/buyer backlash.

MINT IN THE BOX-NOT!

As a die cast metal replica dealer and collector I have found more than one instance on the part of a e-Bay seller using "mint in the box" not realizing that a marked up outer box slashed with a marking pen, the original packing materials no where to be found, repairs made to an item using the wrong screw or? and then not stating it has been altered from the original is enough to drive a collector/buyer up the wall when the package arrives.  When I wrote to the seller about a problem-his response was "I didn't say it was new" and seemed to think that solved the problem.   Well, what the heck is "mint in the box"? 

MINT IN THE BOX

The term Mint in the Box in the collector world does not mean brand new.  If it was being sold as brand new it would be Mint in the Box by default.

Mint In the Box refers to items that have been in a collection, held in storage, excess old inventory or any other manner to be demmed "not new".  Mint in the Box refers to items that  are in the original box (undamaged outer box or marked by stickers or marking pens), with the original packing materials (usually a plastic bag or styrofoam) as originally packed by the producer, and the item has not been on display outside of the box or repaired by the original collector or seller.  Usually items that have been displayed can be damaged by sunlight (even painted diecast collectibiles can fade in sunlight) subject to an environment that contains cigarette or other tobacco smoke, excess moisture/humidity, or subject to mechanical wear and tear from being handled or stored incorrectly.

Mint In the Box can be used if the seller notes that there is some shelf wear on the outside of the box to let the buyer/collector know that the outer box is not in mint condition.  Terms such as "slight shelfwear" or some slight damage to the box helps avoid having a buyer upset about what they bought.  Why the big deal about the outer box?

OUTER BOX

Until several years ago people didn't bother with keeping a box that an item came in and discarded both the box and packing materials and displayed the items proudly.  Then, the market changed and having all the packing materials and box became important to the possible resale value of a collectible.  The more original (with box, packing materials and mint item), the higher the perceived value to collectors.  As we went through the collectible frenzy the collector became more particular about what they were buying and thus another term popped up-"Never removed from Box" or "Removed from box for picture".  For many buyers that does not matter but for the serious collector this is important information to know about an item-so we get to the point of feedback of "As described".

AS OR NOT AS DESCRIBED?

To return to my example of buying an item that had been repaired with a large sheet-metal screw, the outer box was marked with black marking pen in several areas, the original packing material was missing, yet it had been described as "Mint in the Box".  Not so, it wasn't even "new with no box" or some slight shelfwear, or any of the other points that help define Mint in the Box.  My response to the seller was "not as described" and we resolved the issue over a period of time.  So to avoid these issues, know what it means to use the terms.

"Mint in the Box"-not so fast, Sparky.

Sellers:

I am amazed at how few sellers think to enclose paperwork for a sale on eBay.  Out of 20 plus items I bought recently from different sellers only three (3) sent any paperwork about the transaction.  What is the problem?  A seller has to process the sale and it doesn't cost anymore to put transaction paperwork in a shipment and done correctly, it will enhance a  buyer's perception of you as seller.  Paperwork can be a item that tells buyer's you are someone who cares about being professional in their transactions and will let buyers know that can depend on that seller to deliver as promised.

Buyers:

If you are sending payment to a seller, please enclose a note, copy of the transaction or at least a hand written note stating the auction/item number, the name of the product you won, the amount enclosed and a shipping address.  As I seller, I can speak from experence about getting a payment in the mail with no note enclosed then researching the auction to make sure I get the right item to the right person.

So buyer or seller, enclose paperwork, please.