After Pete got this rolling this morning I sent another 'nudge' to my sellar
This time he responded.
For anyone interested Attached below copies of communication
RE: ebay item
From:
mark whiteley (sas.aircon@hotmail.com)
Sent:
21 January 2010 17:57:47
To:
********************@gmail.com
Hi David, record arrived UK on Monday of last week.
Firstly let me say this is a lovely copy, just as described and well packed - Many thanks for that.
What I am upset about however is the fact that you declared the record as 'merchandise' with the full purchase price shown on the customs declaration. This resulted in the package being held by Parcelforce (The UK's UPS Partner) pending payment of import duty, holding fees and full UK Tax. This cost me £87 uk pounds to release and finally recieve the record late Friday afternoon.
I have purchased many hundreds of records from the States from private individuals to Major dealers and have never had this happen before. The usual method is to tick the 'Gift' box rather than 'Merchandise' which would then exempt the item from the associated charges, this in no way affects the insured value but does exempt the purchaser from these awful charges.
I feel that I paid 'Top Dollar' for the record and this additional cost has kind of tipped the balance on what was a decent price and wondered if you would consider helping out in any way................... just a thought.
I have retained the packaging and customs declaration plus the UK charges letter and can supply copies to you to verify this.
Let me know your views
Best regards
Mark
-----------------------------------------------------------
RE: ebay item
From:
mark whiteley (sas.aircon@hotmail.com)
Sent:
05 February 2010 12:11:43
To:
******************@gmail.com
Hi David, did you get my last e-mail?
M.
Re: ebay item
From:
David *************@gmail.com)
Sent:
05 February 2010 16:25:44
To:
mark whiteley (sas.aircon@hotmail.com)
Yes, we received your email. I wrote to eBay and am waiting their response. I do not think it is reasonable to expect me to pay the customs charges in your country for what is rightfully merchandise. I'm sorry that you had to pay to receive your package, but I own a record store next to the post office and I am not in a position where I can lie on a form at the post office. They know who I am and what my shop sells, which is of course merchandise. As for your having paid top dollar for the item and therefore being entitled to demand the seller pay the customs charge, I did not set the price for the item. It was determined by the number of bids. I am sorry for the expense but it is part of ordering merchandise from overseas. This is how we have always declared the handful of records our shop puts online. If you feel you must complain to eBay I'm sure they will contact us both and resolve it.
Dave **************
RE: ebay item
From:
mark whiteley (sas.aircon@hotmail.com)
Sent:
05 February 2010 17:07:56
To:
******************@gmail.com
Hi david, thanks for the reply.
I'm not sure writing to e-bay will have any effect as this has no bearing on the transaction.
Of course I'm aware that the bidders finally decided the finishing price, and was only saying that the additional charges made it much less of a bargain.
As far as the 'entitled to demand the sellar pays the customs charge' goes where on earth have you conjured that one up from?
I merely asked if 'you would consider helping out in any way'
Your response makes it quite obvious that you have considered and come up with a definate NO.
As far as being part of the process of ordering from overseas, many regular record sellers will state that 'Items will not be shipped as 'Gift' and will be declared at finishing value'
Perhaps something you may consider using in future!
Thank You For taking the time to reply - eventually
MW.
I think I can consider this one Closed
M.
