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I have a lady in France who would like to make a purchase from me here in the UK. She doesn't want to use Paypal and is very unhappy about sending her credit card details through to me either by email or fax. I don't have a secure online purchase facility, which is why I accept payment via Paypal from overseas customers if they prefer to use it. So, my question is, how do I accommodate this lady?
I'm not happy to give out my bank account details for overseas payments, unless I know the customer from previous purchases. I can't imagine my lady will be happy to send her card details through the post, or for that matter use any other means of postal payment, as she seems very, very cautious. I've told her I've been trading in this way for many years and sell most of my bears overseas, but that doesn't seem to have helped. Hmmn. Any does anyone have an suggestions? :doh:
DoodlebearsHi Paula, I had the same thing a few weeks ago. I sent the guy three email addresses (one was my husband's) and he sent me the number split down into three sections marked as first, second and third. Good luck!
Hugs Jane. 
Thanks Jane ... unfortunately I've suggested she split the details between email and fax, but she's still reluctant. I'm thinking this sale is probably not going to happen after all.
Strange BearsIt sounds like she is trying to be difficult........paypal is more than acceptable for credit cards and if she won't fax or email then what does she want?
After all YOU are offering her a number of options all quite acceptable and she has all the safety net as she can still stop payment up to six months after payment!!
Cautious is good but you can take it to silly lengths............and she seems to be!!
Thanks Sandra! Straight to the point! I try to be as accommodating as possible and have sold many bears overseas and this is the first time I've ever come across someone who, for whatever reason, is so cautious they may lose their bear.
Bears by JodiDoes your postal service do postal money orders? That may work.
Teddies to TreasureHi Paula-Recently I sold a bear to someone in the US and I also bought a bear from someone in the US and both times International Money Orders were used.We were quite happy and there is no delay or waiting for the cheque to clear the banks involved.Your lady can get hers at her bank and she can pay by credit card to the bank or use her ownw bank account funds.The person buying gets a receipt in case the original is lost and the correct currency is factored in when you buy it.In my case US and Canadian.You can then mail it regular or express post.Hope this helps.
Hi Paula...she could arrange a sterling bankers draft which is like cash but safe as it comes as a cheque....then you just pay it into your account. I had a Swedish lady do this once....it was easy...it costs them though..the banks charge a big chunk for it but that her look out I guess..Good luck
Canna Bear PaintWe tell our customers to never, ever send their credit card information in an email, as it is not secure. We tell them to either call us, or send their phone number and we will call them to get the card information. The cost of a short phone call, even internationally, has not been a big problem for us if it helps us make a sale, keeps our customers happy, and lets them know we care enough to protect their card information. Besides, most customers are willing to make the call, and then it isn't an expense to us anyway. If dealing internationally, just remind your customer of the time difference between you and her, so you don't get a 3am phone call, though I imagine France to England isn't really a problem in that respect.
(That all having been said, Jane's idea is a good one if you have to stick with email!)
Kelly
Back Road BearsHave you asked her a)how does SHE want to pay for it and b)just how badly does she want this bear that she has to be so dificult about it. OK, perhaps don't ask the later but, jeesh!!!
If you state your acceptable payment methods on your website or have stated them to her then stick to your 'policies'. They are in place for a reason and are tried and true.
I know the "customer is always right" but there are times when no matter how hard you try you just can't please or accomodate EVERYONE!! I know it would be nice to make this sale and have a new collector but if you have to spend a lot of time and mental energy trying to please her is it worth it? You are doing all you can for her... I do hope you can work something out with her!!! :hug:
I like Kelly's suggestion of getting a phone number and calling her at an arranged time to get her credit card info.
Thanks for all the suggestions! I've reached the conclusion this particular customer can't be that serious and to be honest, if it becomes too time consuming and costly, I tend to lose interest in the sale (I know, shame on me!) When collectors really do want a bear, they buy it. It's as simple as that.
I state clearly on my website what my terms are for accepting overseas payment (Visa, MasterCard or Paypal .. beginning, middle and end! This is through years of past experience fiddling around and being clobbered by bank charges! It's also a new customer and I am naturally cautious in such a situation, as is she with me .. stalemate I guess!)
I am not happy to take card details over the phone, because if there is ever a problem, I would have no written proof that I have been given authority by the collector to charge the card (once again, I learned this the hard way!) so I ask for written evidence of the purchase authority when payment details are being given by a new customer.
I think in this case, there may be the added complication of a language barrier too ... which potentially makes phone confirmation very tricky. I have found that even with French speaking friends, I have terrible trouble understanding them on the telephone! It's much easier to work out what someone is saying when I can see them face to face.
Interestingly, I have sold to France on several occasions over the past year and had no problems whatsoever with the buyers.
Ah well, maybe this one wasn't meant to be!
I know I am a bit late jumping in here... but Bearpile DOES have a secure order page where collectors can enter in their credit card info. It's $10 a month... but if that is the only way she wants to complete the transaction - and you are signing up with Bearpile only for this one sale - you could add it into the adoption fee.
Thanks everyone. I didn't hear back from the lady and the bear has subsequently sold to someone else, so I can only assume the first lady wasn't so desperate for an ALL BEAR after all! 
BruinwerksThen ALL I can say is that she is ALL CRAZY to have passed up the opportunity to own an ALL BEAR!
She sounded a little 'off' so I think you are better off all the way around.
Cheryl
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)Where's Susan T when we need her???
Living on a channel island off France for years I'm sure she's got a good idea how to solve this dilemna and (to my ear) she sounds like a natine French-person!!
