All valid points, Nigel, but who can assure the buyer that the goods will be delivered? Both parties can't be 100% sure of the other.

I think that a better system is badly needed. PayPal has as many holes as there are in Swiss cheese.

The safest way, to me at least, would be to collect pay on delivery by the shipping representative. No pay, no delivery. Granted that the seller will end up paying the shipping charges if no payment takes place but at least the goods will be returned.

Or goods can be shipped to the nearest post-office and the buyer makes his payment there before collecting. That's how it's often done in Taiwan. Goods that aren't collected after10 to 15 days (don't remember the exact number of days) will be shipped back to the buyer at no charge. Same as "return to sender."

Taike

[This message has been edited by Taike (edited 10-01-2007).]