Well hi again Dan, you opened my eyes on that one. Like I said now on bodies and lenses I pick up at FedEx and open there.

Wickedfn4u wrote:
Well hi again Dan, you opened my eyes on that one. Like I said now on bodies and lenses I pick up at FedEx and open there.

I hate Fedex they have screwed my deliveries over more than once. As a matter of fact they had troubles delivering my last two items that were to be delivered the same day.

Fedex and UPS charge brokerage fees outside of US and if the buyer doesn't want to pay for it they will turn around and collect from seller.

I think that it would be fair and appropriate to let us know if this is a person that is on the B/S boards based on the fact that there are a lot of international sellers and buyers on here that may be affected by a "is this one that ripped off cdnguyen" syndrome when we are considering buying or selling from them. There are a lot of trustworthy people outside the US that I would hate to see their credibility hurt or questioned based off of this.

BTW I am not trying to be Ameriocentric here. My referencing here is only because cdnguyen is obviously from the US and this transaction is with someone that isn't.

JMHO,
Aaron

CONUS, PayPal and insurance.

The buyer was from Ebay with over 200 feedbacks. I've had good dealings so far on FM . Don't think of this thread as to point out wrong doings of any individual. I'm merely pointing out my lesson-learned experience. Some of you may have known this already .

aeast wrote:
I think that it would be fair and appropriate to let us know if this is a person that is on the B/S boards based on the fact that there are a lot of international sellers and buyers on here that may be affected by a "is this one that ripped off cdnguyen" syndrome when we are considering buying or selling from them. There are a lot of trustworthy people outside the US that I would hate to see their credibility hurt or questioned based off of this.

BTW I am not trying to be Ameriocentric here. My referencing here is only because cdnguyen is obviously from the US and this transaction is with someone that isn't.

JMHO,
Aaron

I have had some great sales to people outside the USA wish I could say the same with some in the US. But it's all over the place there is always someone trying to get something for nothing.

Agreed. It goes both ways and I think that if someone gets burned by someone on FM then it should be shared to help with the integrity of a place that I have enjoyed buying and selling on.

cdnguyen: Thanks for sharing that. I have had over 370 positive transactions on eBay (used to sell high grade coins to help out when I was a poor college student) but it only takes one bad one to ruin it which is why I am now very selective with what I do on there. I am sorry that your were taken. I have a friend that fell for that sign in through your email scam and was taken for over $3000 as his acct was tied to his banking.

Just common sense IMO regardless of where the shipment is going. I always feel that the deal is not finished until the item is received and the buyer is satisfied. The only way you know the item is received is if you have tracking, and if anything happens before the package is received then IMO the seller is responsible...so unless you are willing to take the loss, insure the shipment. It's cheap.

That being said, everyone seems to be dumping on the buyer and I guess that's natural since cdnguyen is one of 'us' and has a good rep here. However, it's quite possible that the buyer hasn't received the package. He may be more ticked off than cdnguyen...he's paid and hasn't received anything in return. It's a sad situation and could have easily been avoided by spending a few more bucks on tracking and insurance.

It comes down to the people involved, not really where they are located, and I'm sorry you're having difficulty with this sale. No one should have to go through this kind of thing.

I know it's a little bit late now, but for next time, I strongly recommend Global EMS or its American (USPS) equivalent, Express Mail International. It's a bit more, but it offers tracking door-to-door for most places regardless of nation. Check it out.

Yup it's a lessons-learned for me. I want to give buyer benefits of the doubts too so hopefully the package will turn up. Buyer said he wants refund now and when or if the package showed up he'll return the lens back to me. I like to believe he'll do that.

cdnguyen wrote:
I won't mention which country since there are good and bad people in every country. I didn't there are Paypal rules for shipping.. Interesting. I'll look it up.

But not in the US, right?
Spare me.

FWIW, it's been my experience that online package tracking is considerably more reliable from UPS than from USPS.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

MarGal wrote:
CONUS, PayPal and insurance.

I was going to say that.

As a US buyer, when buying from international seller say from UK, Canada or Australia, is there any particular issues concerning customs or extra fees to the buyer that he or she should be aware of?

cdnguyen wrote:
Fedex and UPS charge brokerage fees outside of US and if the buyer doesn't want to pay for it they will turn around and collect from seller.

Not necessarily. The seller just has to prove that the buyer was informed of any possible customs and/or brokerage fees.

henryp wrote:
FWIW, it's been my experience that online package tracking is considerably more reliable from UPS than from USPS.

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Without a doubt. When buying from the US (I am in Canada) I only buy from B&H and use UPS to ship. UPS tracking is very accurate, if fact, I am just waiting for a lens to arrive from B&H right now! USPS tracking is almost useless.

carlsbadbum wrote:
MarGal wrote:
CONUS, PayPal and insurance.

I was going to say that.

Me too except I only sell to fellow Canadians now, with PayPal and insurance, signature required.

The only time I have 'almost' been scammed was by selling to someone in the US. There is scum everywhere in the world.

This situation comes up anywhere customs can get involved. You can't sell at one value and insure at a lower value without risk to you. No matter how much someone wants you to cheat their countries import laws it's you taking the risk. If I want to buy something from a US seller I want them to ship & insure it for full value. Otherwise they have no protection, I look like a suspicious buyer etc.
As for shipping uninsured no way, end of story. I insure every single thing I sell. that way I have a tracking number, and so does my buyer. I've sold countless car parts valued well below $100 Cdn buy not 1 of them left without insurance. Considering the value of cameras & lenses there's no way I would ship without full insurance & tracking info.

Cicopo wrote:
This situation comes up anywhere customs can get involved. You can't sell at one value and insure at a lower value without risk to you. No matter how much someone wants you to cheat their countries import laws it's you taking the risk. If I want to buy something from a US seller I want them to ship & insure it for full value. Otherwise they have no protection, I look like a suspicious buyer etc.
As for shipping uninsured no way, end of story. I insure every single thing I sell. that way I have a tracking number, and so does my buyer. I've sold countless car parts valued well below $100 Cdn buy not 1 of them left without insurance. Considering the value of cameras & lenses there's no way I would ship without full insurance & tracking info.

Exactly, it's just simple common sense to protect your property.