posted on February 26, 2004 05:03:33 PM
I sold a book that was shipped to Canada. The book's used value was listed at $2.50 on the label. I got an e-mail today from the buyer that told me that "his room mate had to give the carrier $26.00 duty for the book because it was listed on the label at $250.00." He was upset because, with the duty, he had to pay more than the book cost new, there. Okay, I'm understanding that the guy wasn't home, his room mate paid the 26 bucks. Well, if this is true, someone changed the label... but who would commit fraud for 26 dollars? I told the guy to scan the stub and send the scan to me and I would start an investigation with my post office. I also advised him to start an investigation on that end using my e-mails and the customs stub. I offered to sign an affidavit and whatever forms were necessary from Canada to apprehend the persom who changed the label. I just got an e-mail that tells me he unwrapped the book on the bus and threw the packaging in the trash...so he doesn't have the stub. If his room mate had to cough up 26 bucks for the book...and was hounding him for it, I would think that he would be looking into why there was a duty on it in the first place. Throw the customs label away??? Sound fishy?? Am I paranoid or does this sound like the start of an attempt to try to get me to refund him $26.00 for a $2.50 book? I won't, but I wonder if this kind of thing has been tried on others?
posted on February 26, 2004 05:22:33 PM
It doesn't sound fishy to me, and I doubt it's a ploy to get you to cough up the $26. It appears that your $2.50 got misrepresented as $250. Perhaps in the future in a case like this just leave out the decimal point and write down a big fat 3.
It's not your problem, it's the buyers. He has the Ebay records to prove it was only a $2.50 item. If he decides to pursue it with customs it's up to him, not you. You can only offer to assist him in his pursuit.
posted on February 26, 2004 05:46:46 PM
Which is why I always make a copy of the entire customs label and keep it with the auction paperwork...
You *might* be able to get a copy of the customs slip stub from your PO. I understand they keep them for 30 days.
It won't show the value you put on the green end but it will have the package number on it. Maybe having the number would help your buyer track it down at his end. It's a start anyway.
posted on February 26, 2004 05:56:42 PM
Was this sent USPS?
If he would have kept the Customs receipt he could have requested a refund by showing Customs the correct sale price. His friend would have received a receipt for the $26 payment.
If he's thrown documentation away he's SOL and it's not your problem.
posted on February 26, 2004 07:39:31 PM
I would suggest in the future that when you ship to Canada or any other country is put the EOA notice from eBay in your package. Now since we all check merchandise yes I do. That should be a must in all packages so when it is opened there is no guessing what the price was paid for the item. I think it probably could be disputed with the customs if you bring that EOA notice to a customs office. Yes your post office is supposed to keep the customs form for 30 days...
[ edited by Libra63 on Feb 26, 2004 07:40 PM ]
posted on February 27, 2004 06:48:28 AM
Something I do when filling out all my customs forms, is make sure I make the decimail point LARGE, that way, the busy customs officials can't mistake the amount.
posted on February 27, 2004 07:04:17 AM
Not your problem, don't worry about it, they got their item, you filled out the form correctly...
End of transaction, move on...
posted on February 27, 2004 10:07:02 AM
I never use a decimal point on a customs form. Make that 2.50 a 2 or a 3 only. There have been several posts where this same exact thing has happened to other sellers.
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yes I do. That should be a must in all packages so when it is opened there is no guessing what the price was paid for the item. I think it probably could be disputed with the customs if you bring that EOA notice to a customs office. Yes your post office is supposed to keep the customs form for 30 days...
