Wholesale Order Danger?

[Former_Member]

I have a wholesale request in my prints shop and am considering making a private listing for someone who says he loves my prints and wants to order them ALL at wholesale prices. But he says he doesn't have a brick and mortar store, sells at fairs and doesn't yet have a website. I can't find anything on Google based on the very limited info he gave me. Is this too dangerous?

If I do process a private listing and he pays for it through Etsy before I ship, am I still vulnerable? I would hate to ship several hundred prints and have someone reverse the credit card or paypal charge. Has that happened to anyone? Seems to be some red flags, but I would love to do some wholesale business if it's for real. Any advice?
Thanks

[CopperLeafStudios]

Ask him for his tax ID number? He should be able to give you some sort of number showing that he is indeed a business and does not need to be charged sales tax, for example. If he doesn't have a shop, is he just planning on selling them at fairs?? There's nothing wrong with reselling in that way -- provided you're comfortable with it. Is the quantity worth the discount you're giving him?

[FenderGemsNCrystals]

I ship all paid orders but if they bother me I buy the third party insurance Etsy offers. It might make you feel better to say something like a 7-10 day processing time that way you have a little more assurance of the payment truly clearing. If he asks why say that it will just take you that long to bundle everything up. You can add the processing time only for his listing.

[LoveJewelryByJ]

i say just make him pay through paypal and make sure his paypal shipping address is confirmed. Also, ship with tracking. Then, you are definitely protected by paypal

[Former_Member]

I heard about scams where they ask you to ship through one particular shipping agent, then once you pay the agent (who is not a normal/known courier) they cancel the order. Don't know if it is true, and don't know if they can actually cancel an etsy order, but sometimes when things seem too good to be true, yo do get some nasty thoughts.

[Former_Member]

If you are selling through Etsy, the only thing that you need to be concerned with is that they pay via either Direct Checkout or Paypal AND that you ship to the indicated address.

If they aren't in your state, they won't be charged sales tax so there's no need for a tax exempt number.

You state right in your policies 'Please inquire for bulk or wholesale orders." and this person has done exactly that.