Scam? International shipping to friend, declaring false value of goods

uyotg

uyotg

Feedback: +16 / =0 / -0
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
1,998
Hey, I am usually really oblivious to and unassuming of this type of thing, but something threw me off about this deal. Wondering if any of you have ever gone through a similar experience.

1. Guy wants it shipped to a friend in Germany, but has a non-German e-mail address
2. Guy wants me to declare lower than actual value of goods on customs for to avoid tax (30% for imports exceeding 190 USD, I couldn't find evidence of this but I'm not sure how easily documented this is even in the Internet age)
3. Four posts total, mostly "I'll take its" on FS threads, but no feedback

Gets me feeling suspicious. He said he'll pay for the knife in full plus international shipping through PayPal... normally I'd feel OK with this, but I remember this scammer in Canada who managed to get money back through PayPal claiming he never received the knives.

What say you? And thanks for the help. On the one hand, if he's legit, I'd hate to deprive him of a knife. On the other, I'd hate to be out several hundred bucks, too. This is my first time selling and I'd hate to get in a wreck so early.
 
If your gut tells you something is not right, listen to your instincts and pass on the deal. If you need the money and the buyer is willing to pay for Express Shipping, then do what you need to do. That is what it all boils down to.
 
I am sure other will have differing opinions, but I would not do this deal as it stands.

I never undervalue or mark "gift" on customs forms. It is against US and international laws.
I almost never ship to any address that differs from Paypal.
The Paypal account should be Verified. A confirmed address is nice, but not available in most countries.
Only ship USPS Express or a similar service from UPS or FedEx that provides tracking information to the door. Nothing less.
Insure it.

Too many red flags for me.

Hope this helps.
Rob
 
RevDevil said:
If your gut tells you something is not right, listen to your instincts and pass on the deal. If you need the money and the buyer is willing to pay for Express Shipping, then do what you need to do. That is what it all boils down to.
Click to expand...

RevDevil is on the money. Your post here already speaks volumes on how you feel.
 
Thanks, Rev and Rob.
You're right. I felt really uncomfortable about it, but for some reason I didn't want to call out the buyer on it. Now I see there's no reason to avoid that, so I asked him to clear it up and help me feel more confident about the deal--if he's legit, he'll try to make it work.

Thanks, you two :thumbup: as a part of the sale thread, I sent out some other items stupidly without getting some kind of tracking service on it... ugh, I'm sure I'll learn soon if I keep this up. Luckily they are to folks I trust.
 
I'd get the money FIRST in the form of a USPS MO and THEN, cash it AT THE POST OFFICE, being certain it is legitimate, and THEN send the knife to where ever he wants it sent, however he wants it sent as long as he's paid for that form of shipping, telling him you're filling out any required forms honestly. If buyer doesn't like these terms, you've still got your knife, and are probably out a world of headaches.
 
I've bought knives internationally and never asked anyone to under value the parcel, I would feel very uneasy with someone I didn't know at all asking me to do it.

Trust your instincts; as you said if he really wants the deal to go through he'll work with you to make it happen
 
The declaration of value under what it is worth is not something I am willing to do!

I won't lie on an official customs form so someone else can save import taxes!!!

It is a very common request for international shipping.....but I won't be the guy who figures out the hard way that it is illega,l, and has penalties (I have no idea what they might be).

I have canceled a deal with a very reliable buyer before to Canada (even though he was a great guy with super feedback).
 
Gatogordo said:
I'd get the money FIRST in the form of a USPS MO and THEN, cash it AT THE POST OFFICE, being certain it is legitimate, and THEN send the knife to where ever he wants it sent, however he wants it sent as long as he's paid for that form of shipping, telling him you're filling out any required forms honestly. If buyer doesn't like these terms, you've still got your knife, and are probably out a world of headaches.
Click to expand...

I do not think it is realistic (is it even possible?) to expect someone who lives in another country to obtain a USPS MO. That said, I do concur with others here that the seller should exercise some caution here. In the end, if the seller has the $ securely in hand and then sends the knife, unless the seller is in a position to PROVE that the buyer received the knife, the buyer will always be able to claim that the knife did not show up and that the seller owes the buyer a refund. And if it comes to that, the seller would owe the $ back to the buyer anyway.
 
All good advice.

I called the guy out on it, not accusing him of anything but just being honest that it seemed suspicious, asked him to change the terms of the deal a bit or just somehow try to make me feel more confident, but I still have no reply.

Lying on the customs form seems to be something bigger than I thought. You all obviously avoid it. I didn't think much of it at first--people always underestimate the value of their goods when bringing them into the country from a trip, and I'm sure the customs officers know that as well. In this case, however, I feel it has bigger consequences if one lies. I'll bet it's done all the time by exporters and I'll bet customs in all countries know that, but my worry is that it could be a part of the scam. Say I declare it for $100, and the knife "never arrives." According to the customs form, I am entitled to get only $100 back. I don't know the mechanics of how this would work exactly, but I'm aware there are some pretty crafty dudes out there.
 
One other possibility to make the deal happen that you might consider--

Ask him if he has a domestically located friend that you could ship the knife to instead of him. You then don't have to worry about the extra shipping overseas plus you can fully track the knife for much less. Of course, his friend will then have to ship the knife to him, but can do so with whatever constraints the buyer wants and you won't have the risk. Moreover, you sending the knife domestically via USPS Priority and then his buddy sending the knife USPS Priority may cost less than you sending the knife to him via USPS Express (which I believe is how you get the worldwide tracking). Just some food for thought.
 
I feel a big warning sticker is anyone asking you to send an item to an address other than his verified PayPal address. Even with the best tracking, you can only prove you sent the knife to ... someone else. PayPal reimburses him at your expense.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I feel a big warning sticker is anyone asking you to send an item to an address other than his verified PayPal address. Even with the best tracking, you can only prove you sent the knife to ... someone else. PayPal reimburses him at your expense.
Click to expand...
Esav is right - never ship a high valued item to anything but the verified addy when using paypal - you will not be covered is something happens.

I would also add to never use the gift option (unless you know the other person) as you have no protection there either
 
I learned about this type deal the very hard way several years back. Essentially, you are completely unprotected. In my case it was stolen credit card numbers. Don't ship to any address other than the official one. Paypal in your case, CC in mine. Those electronic funds can disappear as fast as they appear. Do it as a straight up business deal or don't do it at all. Especially, with PP, as a gift.

It cost me $1700 to learn. I hope you learn without that hassle.

Gene
 
I agree with all here, better to do this by the book, and if the potential buyer pulls out or balks at that, drop him cold!!!
 
tendy said:
I agree with all here, better to do this by the book, and if the potential buyer pulls out or balks at that, drop him cold!!!
Click to expand...

He backed out of it without any explanation. I'm convinced.
I don't know if I'm supposed to give out a name or not.
 
uyotg said:
He backed out of it without any explanation. I'm convinced.
I don't know if I'm supposed to give out a name or not.
Click to expand...

That does sound extremely sketchy. The guy has 4 posts, all trying to buy. And he requested illegal customs declarations and very shady shipping methods to an address that does not match. From stories on here, it sounds like international paypal (and shipping) need to follow the rules exactly, otherwise it is super easy to be taken advantage of. I can't stop thinking of that Saudi knife thief who hit many of the knife message boards.

I think posting his username would be fair and help all sellers out. He's not convicted of anything or banned from here, but if he is acting odd and refusing to play by the rules, better safe than sorry. Hopefully a mod can weigh in.
 
Gastonknife said:
Esav is right - never ship a high valued item to anything but the verified addy when using paypal - you will not be covered is something happens.

I would also add to never use the gift option (unless you know the other person) as you have no protection there either
Click to expand...

I am an International buyer. I wrote to Paypal to get my address verified. They confirmed that they are unable to verify any addresses outside USA. Kindly let me know if it's possible to verify my address out of CONUS.
 
Tengster said:
I am an International buyer. I wrote to Paypal to get my address verified. They confirmed that they are unable to verify any addresses outside USA. Kindly let me know if it's possible to verify my address out of CONUS.
Click to expand...

You should be able to "Verify" your account with Paypal, however, "Confirming" your address is only available in certain countries, Malaysia is not one of them.

To all: With regards to Paypal, assuming that all other requirements are met, ALWAYS mandate a signature confirmation for orders over $250.00, USPS Express mail typically includes this.

Rob
 
Yes, thought I have about 500 purchases on e-bay and untold others on various forums I still have an unverified address. I do however have gear shipped to friends in either the US or UK on my behalf. I have these addresses added as delivery addresses in Paypal and while not verified it at least adds a level of accountability to the process.

Andy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top