Single Purchase of Product : Buyer/Deller Discussion Points

When you want to buy a product, you will need several information before you buy – information about the product, the packaging, the price for handling, shipping and so on. 

The following is a list of points to discuss with the seller before your purchase:

1.    Quality of the product

1. Properties that are important to you
2. Quality guarantee
3. Certifications

2.    Packaging

1. Type of packaging, resistance to humidity
2. Size and weight
3. Specific characteristics, if needed
4. Laws and regulations applicable in your country (for import)
5. Additional cost, if applicable

3.    Handling

1. Fees for handling
2. When and how shipping must be paid

4.    Shipping (Transport)

1. Price for transport
2. Type of transportation
3. Date of freight departure and date of expected arrival
4. Precise address of delivery
5. When and how the transport must be paid
6. The seller must send you the tracking number provided by the shipping company

5.    Import-export

1. Custom fees 
2. Who, when and how import-export fees should be paid
3. For larger package, plan to use a custom broker for easy clearance. Expect additional fees for this service
4. You must check for laws and regulations applicable to packaging and transport in your country to ensure the packaging and transport suggested by the seller from another country complies to your country’s regulations
5. Expect import taxes in certain countries

6.    General

1. It is important to clarify the total additional fees such as handling, shipping, customs, taxes
2. Clarify when and how these fees will be paid, keeping in mind some of these fees are not paid to the seller (ex: custom brokerage)
3. If you consider that the value of the order is high, you may want to pay the product in full (or in part) through Paypal and pay these fees only upon reception through an offline method or online bank transfer.