You are absolutely correct. Many countries actually monitor the declared
values and keep a vendor list of those they suspect of cheating. I had a
specimen sent to Switzerland and customs actually took the specimen out,
weighed it and appraised it much higher than it sold for on eBay! I do not
blame the customer for refusing this package since there was a huge
difference between what it actually sold for and what customs thought it was
worth. Not only that, if you claim a low value and there is a discrepancy
between the declared value and the insurance amount, guess what, you just
made the list.
It is not worth fudging the numbers on these forms since you could very well
lose your ability to ship anything overseas or worse, lose what little
freedom you have left.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Noyes via Meteorite-list"
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
To: <meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2016 12:48 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Another warning re sales to Italy
Hello All,
From time to time I get an ebay buyer who asks/suggests that I put a low
number on the customs value declaration. I always respond that in the
USA it is unlawful and punishable by fine or imprisonment to falsify the
customs forms, and if that is a problem they can request a cancellation
of the sale. I even had one ebay buyer, after receipt of the package,
try to give me negative feedback because the import tax was too high,
and why did I not use a low value on the customs form like "all the
other sellers". As much as I may sympathize with their angst over the
import duty, it is not going to happen. I contacted ebay and directed
them to her messages, and they promptly removed the negative feedback.
Part of the problem are the sellers who enable this behavior. Word to
the wise, it is not worth the risk...don't do it.
Best regards,
Daniel
Daniel Noyes
Genuine Moon & Mars Meteorite Rocks
i...@moonmarsrocks.com
www.moonmarsrocks.com
-------- Original Message --------
Message: 4
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2016 07:58:21 -0700
From: "Raremeteorites" <raremeteori...@centurylink.net>
To: <meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Another warning re sales to Italy
Message-ID: <5FB62A72B0964F6CA7680F7AB4F7A24E@HPDESKTOP>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I have had some overseas buyers ask me to lower the value on the customs
declaration form. Some even threatened not to accept the package if I
reported the correct amount. I always tell them that I pay more than my
fair share of U.S. taxes so why should I assist them on cheating on
theirs
which is against the law. Some of these overseas buyers tell me that
other
U.S. vendors do it all of the time for them. U.S. taxes are among the
highest in the world, especially when dealing in collectables which have
no
long-term capital gain advantage and are in the top tax bracket.
Now, I put this clause in my descriptions:
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or
shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please
check
with your country's customs office to determine what these additional
costs
will be prior to bidding or buying.
I hope this helps,
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Blood via Meteorite-list"
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
To: "MexicoDoug" <mexicod...@aol.com>; "Meteorite List"
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2016 11:31 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Another warning re sales to Italy
Hi Doug,
Thanks for the kind words. However, I have saved all
The emails and believe me, there was absolutely no confusion
Re shipping - -clarified clearly (twice) that if Fed EX were
less than $50 I would refund him the difference and if it
were more than $50 he would have to agree to paypal me
the difference.
He stated I should not have put the "real value" on the shipment -
AFTER I had sent it - When Fed Ex turned out to be more, then
He complained he would have to pay the import fee and wouldn't
Pay any more for the shipping.
Kind and gentle is always best and I tried that for several
Posts to no avail whatever.
No, this is a clear cut case of being ripped off. I suspect it is
Our old "friend" as his approach is nearly identical and his English
Is similarly distorted. But whether it is or not the results are
identical.
I, too, like to think people are basically honest and live up to
Their commitments and I do deal with people that way and the vast
Majority of people in the meteorite community are that way.
Also, I do not believe for a second this is "typical of Italians" -
only two - and possibly only one - have/has acted this way. Every
Country has both the saintly and the cur.
Good to hear from you, Doug,
Michael
On 7/23/16 10:32 PM, "MexicoDoug" <mexicod...@aol.com> wrote:
Michael,
How discouraging, as if doing what you love wasn't already a labor of
love.
Your customer appears to be a dedicated collector, exhibitor, lecturer,
and
dealer (involved with meteorites and as using them as raw materials for
selling trinkets and watch dials, including to school children). You
could
double-check if it is not a miscommunication from your message exchange
defining who was supposed to pay for what. The immediate problem was not
Italy, as much as the expensive, secure shipping cost which you
understood was
to be paid by him as it sounds like he received the meteorite and you
have a
tracking receipt.
Or, next time you are in Rimini, stop by this hair salon and go collect
if the
friendly approach doesn't pan out. Maybe settle for a seafood risotto.
I'd
make an appointment first and bring a bottle of wine @ (+39)3485447938.
He
really doesn't seem like a scammer!
Kindest wishes
Doug
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Farmer via Meteorite-list
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
To: Michael Blood <mlbl...@cox.net>; Meteorite Mailing List
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sat, Jul 23, 2016 9:37 pm
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Another warning re sales to Italy
Why do people ignore warnings? Italy is notorious for
scams and stolen packages.
Sent from my iPad
On Jul 23, 2016, at 6:36 PM, Michael Blood via Meteorite-list
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com> wrote:
Hi all,
You all may recall that several years ago multiple
Dealers warned against sales to Italy. It seams at
Least one buyer was claiming not to have received
Shipments that were verified, not to have received
Money that was sent him, etc.
Unfortunately, I failed to head warnings about
Shipping to Italy. A different Italian contacted me (Or
At least one using a different name and email) and
I explained even Registered Mail seems to fail to
guarantee delivery in Italy but I somehow allowed
him to talk me into a Fed Ex shipment of a specimen.
I agreed, providing he send $50 shipping and agree
to pay any additional amount Fed Ex might charge.
Perhaps it is the same fellow from several years ago
Using a different name (he was so good at that Art could
Not keep him off the list because he would just join again
Using a different name and email). So, beware of:
"Davide Urbinati" <urbinati.dav...@gmail.com>
Even though I scanned the receipt and sent it to him
He refused to pay the $59.79 Fed Ex charged me. So, I am
Out that $.
Believe me, I will never ship to Italy again.
Better luck to all of you,
Michael Blood
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