posted on September 3, 2001 07:48:38 PM
I'm turning in after a *most* profitable night (hooray!), but wanted to leave you good folks with something to ponder this evening.
Among my auctions tonight was a religious object of small value (around $50). I listed it using my usual auction template that indicates I'd prefer that international buyers pay via Bidpay and that I do *not* falsify customs forms.
A moment ago I received an email from the high bidder. She is a nun in a religious order in Mexico, who informs me she will be sending a check that will likely take two weeks to reach me. Further, she directs, I must fill out the customs form with the following notation: "Contents: used religious relics of no commercial value."
posted on September 3, 2001 08:03:39 PM
I am not sure the nun is trying to cheat customs. With some countries, if you indicate any kind of value, the item will never get there. It will be stolen along the way.
posted on September 3, 2001 09:32:29 PM
Catholic bashing???? How on earth does anyone see Catholic bashing in this?
fountainhouse,
I wonder if Mexican customs "forgives" any custom tax if it's destined for a religious order & they have a particular designation to be used on the form.
posted on September 3, 2001 09:32:54 PM
Doesn't sound that outrageous to me...of course you don't really say what the item is outside of the vague description of it having "small value" of roughly $50 (which doesn't necessarily translate to direct commercial value -- appraisals can be very vague).
posted on September 4, 2001 09:07:28 AM
kyriaki, you'll note that I included not one personal opinion among my remarks. My post stated the facts as I know them and nothing else.
If that's the spin you want to put on it, I guess that's your right.
BTW, my Catholic husband and children will be quite amused at your comment; thanks for the chuckle.
Eventer and commentary: I had hoped there might've been another purpose for her request, but was so tired I couldn't think of any possibilities. Thanks for the suggestions; I'll email and ask her.
Angelinadi: ...appraisals can be very vague.
I don't do appraisals -- I sell. The sister competed in the open marketplace against several other bidders and ultimately won. She is sending money to pay for her newly-purchased icon.
That is indeed the textbook definition of "direct commercial value."
posted on September 4, 2001 11:14:01 AM
Fountainhouse - not sure how safe is Mexico. But with certain Latin America & South American countries, custom forms or register mail is like the kiss of death. Private courier is sometimes no better.
Sometimes, only way to get anything thru is a simple envelope with as minimal postage as possible. Some thieves key off of the postage amount. They think higher postage means higher value contents. That is why the extra cost for registration fee is a double red flag.
posted on September 5, 2001 12:21:02 AM
Fountainhouse - then why did you bother to point out that it was a 'nun in a religious order' who asked you to fill out the form in a certain way as opposed to just 'somebody'?
posted on September 5, 2001 01:43:54 AM
Hmmmmmmmmm I believe that's how all the WWII art treasures were marked, that were sent to the Vatican, for safe keeping...........
posted on September 5, 2001 05:11:02 AMthen why did you bother to point out that it was a 'nun in a religious order' who asked you to fill out the form in a certain way as opposed to just 'somebody'?
Possibly because it would have sounded stupid to the purpose of the story to have just said "somebody" asked him to fill out the form in this particular, unique way.
When I read his post, I thought immediately it might be terminology religious orders use to allow their items to pass customs w/out duty. I never saw any "bashing" in there but, then again, I don't go looking for such things.
