Please excuse while I rant.

ajaan

Recently I sold an item on eBay to someone in the UK. The closing price was $693. The buyer requested that I send the item fully insured. He received the item and is not satisifed with it. No problem, I offer a full refund.

What really ticks me off is the buyer complaining he had to pay $200 in custom fees and taxes. What the hell do I have to do with the UK taxes and fees? Don't blame me if you didn't look into this before you bid! I expect to get a neg from this guy, but who cares?

BTW, the buyer was notified the package was at his post office on May 31st and he waited until June 10th to pick it up.

It's hot and humid and I'm pissed.

wybrit

I had to change my T&C recently because of a similar issue in the UK, for a much smaller amount.

It now reads:

Customs forms (international shipping): the US Post Office will not accept any packet for international shipping without a customs form. A customs form will always include a description of the item and the entire amount paid by the buyer. Any request to do otherwise will be refused. I am not responsible for packages held up in or confiscated by the receiving nation's customs agency. Customs duty payments are the responsibility of the buyer. Returns requested for the sole purpose of circumventing customs duties will be refused.

I hate adding a bunch of stupid rules, but when someone starts griping about their own country's hostile customs practices and blames it on me...

Hedger

Hmmm? That's an awful lot in customs fees. I wonder what the taxes were. At least you offered a full refund and I doubt he'll neg you after he thinks it over. It would have been easier for him to just keep his purchase and sell later rather than lose out on the fees.

wybrit

British customs is one of the most draconian and confiscatory around.

I brought a calculator into the UK from the US (we were the equivalent of green card holders at the time). Each person had an importation allowance of £25. It took the allowance of all five of us - my parents, brother, sister and myself to allow a fee-free entry of the item!!

Aethelred

The guy you are dealing with sounds like an idiot! With your feedback rating a neg means nothing, so don't worry about it.

Cladiator

Exactly why I don't ship overseas (unless you count hawaii and puerto rico)

CarlWohlforth

Overseas buyers always ask me to put a token value on the customs form. I tell them they will be responsible if the item gets lost in the mail or whatever.

coinkat

I am not an expert on this things so I guess I should just remain silent. But it is hot and humid and after reading your thread Ajaan, I am now pissed too!

rhound1977

They need to shop in the brain cell section of e-bay, cause they are a Dumb A$$, ain't it wonderful dealing with the public/world at large.....

wildjag

I guess I wont be selling anything to the UK anymore

spinaker2000

If you're gonna get a neg why bother with the refund??

wybrit

I guess I won't be selling anything to the UK anymore.

I still sell there, in spite of recent customs issues. Most packages arrive with few problems.

Canadian customs is a big problem too - probably worse than the UK. Maybe the Canadians among us can weigh in with the inside story.

spoon

<< <i>Canadian customs is a big problem too - probably worse than the UK. Maybe the Canadians among us can weigh in with the inside story. >>

Canadian mail in general is terrible! A few weeks ago I bought coins from folks in Canada, Sweeden, and the Netherlands and paid all at the same time (Sunday). Sweeden came in first the same week (Friday), with the Dutch the next day.. but Canada's came in a whole week and a half later! Oh well, I thought it was an interesting little experiment.

Steve27

"It's hot and humid and I'm pissed. "

Don't worry, you'll probably get some lake effect snow in a couple of months.

SYRACUSIAN

Customs forms (international shipping): the US Post Office will not accept any packet for international shipping without a customs form. A customs form will always include a description of the item and the entire amount paid by the buyer.




I usually ask the US sellers for regular uninsured airmail and the value of the item at $19 in the customs form,to avoid unnecessary VAT fees. Obviously, I assume all the risks if it gets lost. The only parcel that ever got lost was an insured one.The best way to avoid all these fees, is to use a private insurance if the real value has to be declared, that's how I get my submissions back.From what I understand it does not show up in the Customs form.

newbiecollector

I'm fortunate here in Norw. No customs charges or VAT on "money"

Philip

<< <i>

<< <i>Canadian customs is a big problem too - probably worse than the UK. Maybe the Canadians among us can weigh in with the inside story. >>

Canadian mail in general is terrible! A few weeks ago I bought coins from folks in Canada, Sweeden, and the Netherlands and paid all at the same time (Sunday). Sweeden came in first the same week (Friday), with the Dutch the next day.. but Canada's came in a whole week and a half later! Oh well, I thought it was an interesting little experiment. >>



Yes, Swedish mail is fast.