Someone in USA wants to bid on my item - how does payment work? Help please.........

[Aero]

I'm happy to send the item there if she wins, but had only put cheques as my accepted payment and only offered within Uk, but she seems nice - I just don't know how it works. My paypal is only basic and card payments cost a fortune! Advise me please!

You should be able to accept her payment to your basic paypal account- but I think you can only accept 2 payments a year, so you may need to keep those for other things.
You are being reasonable if you tell her no she can't bid if you put UK only on your auction. Though you can't blame her for asking if she likes your item!

tbh dh had nothing but issue with USA bidders and those from spain & italy so he only sells to the UK now!

She's happy to cover the paypal fee, so from that pov it's ok. It's a rather nice piece of Wedgwood china, so I can't blame her for liking it either. My worry is that if it got lost or broken. I've told her that if such happened, I wouldn't be able to refund her. I would, of course refund her as long as the PO would refund me, but I'd have to go to all sorts of hassle to prove how much it's worth etc. It was an unwanted gift so no receipt etc.

If I upgrade the account, does it cost extra. I don't sell much, but could use more than two card payments per year I think.

If you upgrade your account you then pay fees on every transaction regardless of whether they pay by unfunded or funded paypal fees! Claiming from the post office - you just have to prove how much the other person paid for it. Also paypal - proof of postage does not count you need proof of receipt ie sending stuff recorded delivery.

I'd upgrade - it's worth it to include the whole world rather than limit your buyers to this tiny country. (and to those who wish to pay by cheque only)

If you don't want customers from outside the UK you should set your preferences so that non UK buyers can't bid.

If you do send to this lady I'd recommend using a postal method that carries an insurance.

Thanks all. I've told her that I'd be happier to send the item registered international.