What would be everyones thoughts?

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Sun May 29, 2011 5:16 pm

If a fellow ham from overseas sent money via Western Union for a radio and the ham in the US picked up that money but can't seem to bring it upon themselves to communicate any shipping details to the overseas ham, yet has plenty of time to post numerous times on this forum, what should the ham community do about this?

Any suggestions Steve?

N9LCD · Post by **N9LCD** » Sun May 29, 2011 9:03 pm

Nate:

For clarification:

How many days have elapsed since the funds were picked-up at Western Union?

What kind of item was sold? Where's it being shipped? How's it being shipped?

I had a buyer for two used, untested 808's go ballistic because I didn't answer his email in 90 minutes!!!

N9LCD

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Sun May 29, 2011 9:41 pm

It has been weeks since the money was sent and picked up. It was an FT-857 and the only way you can ship to that country is USPS.

I'm going to leave it at that for now and see if the person will come forward and do the right thing. I have dealt with the ham and his ham son in the other country to the tune of thousands of dollars and they are always quite grateful for honest hams in the US. So we don't need a few bad apples spoiling the entire basket.

This person stopped answering emails and is ignoring the other ham all together.

Thanks for your concern. Lets see if he will do whats right.

NA6TE...Nate

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Mon May 30, 2011 2:09 pm

Maybe a little more info will get you to send the shipping info Steve.
You sent pics on 5/12
You rcvd $$ on 5/13
Other party asked for shipping info on 5/14
On 5/19 you said you shipped on 5/17 from someplace other than your QTH & said you would send shipping info
That was the last communication.

If you shipped, couldn't you at least give the man the information?

If you have time to post here, which you do often, then you have time to send info.

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Tue May 31, 2011 2:18 pm

Well Steve, you have quite a few good feed backs here so I'm not sure why you would allow this to go this long. Send Adrian (YO9BFV) the shipping info as you promised on 5/19 so the man isn't sitting 7000 miles away wondering why he sent a fellow ham $820 and suddenly he is ignored and has no radio or evidence that it was shipped.

Do the right thing Steve. After all your resent posts you seem to be absent from the forum as late. ??

I was provided with your cell number so if we need to talk feel free to let me know. The call will be recorded so there will be no he said - she said.

Nate........NA6TE

KA9MOT · Post by **KA9MOT** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:26 pm

NA6TE wrote:Well Steve, you have quite a few good feed backs here so I'm not sure why you would allow this to go this long. Send Adrian (YO9BFV) the shipping info as you promised on 5/19 so the man isn't sitting 7000 miles away wondering why he sent a fellow ham $820 and suddenly he is ignored and has no radio or evidence that it was shipped.

Do the right thing Steve. After all your resent posts you seem to be absent from the forum as late. ??

I was provided with your cell number so if we need to talk feel free to let me know. The call will be recorded so there will be no he said - she said.

Nate........NA6TE

Holy Crap! This is me!

I haven't heard from Adrian since I let him know I shipped his radio after I got back from WI. Nothing.
The post office said 6 to 10 days so he should have his radio or will have shortly.

I'll email him now.

KA9MOT · Post by **KA9MOT** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:32 pm

Nate,
A couple of things for you to consider. I don't post here often. In fact I don't post anywhere on a daily basis unless I am actively involved in a discussion and have something to offer that discussion.

Feel free to call me anytime.

Steve KA9MOT

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:51 pm

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 12:46 AM, adrian balc <yo9bvf> wrote:
Hello Steve
Sorry for disturbing you but I don't have any news from your side I don't now if you manage to send the box over here and also I don't now that traking number from your custom receipt if you send it.
Please be kind to send me some words to now that all was ok from your side
I hope you are a man of good faith and I don't want to think at the worst scenario

73's and best regards
Adrian YO9BVF

Thanks for finally responding Steve. I don't like to jump the gun with these posts so I did it some what slowly and figured sooner or later you would get the picture, probably from someone you know.
The email above was from Adrian asking for the shipping info and you received it because you answered it. However, you never sent the shipping info. That leaves Adrian in the blind with no place to turn. Just send the shipping info and this is a done deal.
If you sent the radio on the 17th as you said in the email, I agree he should have it. That is why shipping info and communication is very important.
To date he has not received the radio.

Nate

K9XR · Post by **K9XR** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:05 am

I have shipped overseas pretty often and I wouldn't be surprised if the radio is sitting in YO customs as we write. I have seen items in customs for 10 days. i don't know what could take so long, but sometimes it does. I assume it was shipped USPS? Sometimes the tracking will show the item is in customs and sometimes it won't show a thing until it is delivered.

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:13 am

I think you have missed the point.
I have also shipped many times over seas, however I sent tracking info so both party's knew exactly where the items are, whether in transit or sitting in customs.
Adrian has no idea that it has even been shipped since there was NO shipping info sent.

K9XR · Post by **K9XR** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:20 am

Yep I guess I missed the point!

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:01 pm

Good Lord XR if you can't make sense sit back and be an observer.

Latest email said lost shipping info. Assuming the radio makes it to Romania but is damaged, how can anything be done with a claim with NO info? Assume the radio never makes it. How can the radio be traced without any info?

From: Steve Hays <kc0rey>
Subject: Yaesu FT-857
To: "adrian balc" <yo9bvf>
Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 11:30 PM
Adrian,
I just saw a post on QTH that I have not been answering your emails. I have not received any emails from you. Nothing. I figured you'd received the rig.
What I don't have is any tracking number for you. I've lost it and may have left it at the motel in Rice Lake, WI.
Your radio is coming Adrian.....I have a very good reputation as a trader.

73,
I did not receive radio and not true, I wrote emails to which he responded.
Thanks so much for help!
Adrian

I do hope this situation turns out OK for both parties. I believe Steve probably meant well but got careless and that reflects on all of us.
All sales, trades and shipping should always have good communication and all shipping paperwork shared between both parties.

NA6TE.......Nate

K9XR · Post by **K9XR** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:54 pm

EXCUSE ME!!! I thought that maybe because your last sentence had BOLD PRINT and was UNDERLINED it contained a valid point, but I guess I was mistaken. I was not excusing the lack of a tracking number, I was just stating some of my experiences with overseas shipping and customs. I guess the title of your post (What are everyone's thoughts?) doen't mean much either. Maybe YOU should sit back and quit making ASSumptions.

NA6TE wrote:Good Lord XR if you can't make sense sit back and be an observer.

Latest email said lost shipping info. Assuming the radio makes it to Romania but is damaged, how can anything be done with a claim with NO info? Assume the radio never makes it. How can the radio be traced without any info?

From: Steve Hays <kc0rey>
Subject: Yaesu FT-857
To: "adrian balc" <yo9bvf>
Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 11:30 PM
Adrian,
I just saw a post on QTH that I have not been answering your emails. I have not received any emails from you. Nothing. I figured you'd received the rig.
What I don't have is any tracking number for you. I've lost it and may have left it at the motel in Rice Lake, WI.
Your radio is coming Adrian.....I have a very good reputation as a trader.

73,
I did not receive radio and not true, I wrote emails to which he responded.
Thanks so much for help!
Adrian

I do hope this situation turns out OK for both parties. I believe Steve probably meant well but got careless and that reflects on all of us.
All sales, trades and shipping should always have good communication and all shipping paperwork shared between both parties.

NA6TE.......Nate

KA9MOT · Post by **KA9MOT** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 5:15 pm

Please guys, there is no reason to squabble here.

And yes, I lost the tracking and customs information. We had a family issue and I had to travel to WI and shipped from there. The best I can figure is that it was left at the motel or blew out of the truck. I had 3 adults and an 11 year old to keep track of, plus a funeral and more then 800 miles round trip. It happened, I can not change that.

Nate, I am in contact with Adrian as you know, please don't publicize any more of my emails. If my private emails to somebody other then you, continue to be made public, they will stop and we can all wait until Adrian gets his radio.

I'm not trying to be a hard case, I know Adrian asked you to help and I can appreciate that, and I am glad you called my attention to the problem, but you did so in a very nondescript manner (The title of this post) and you have my phone number......you could have called.

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:49 pm

Your request will be honored.

Please let everyone know how things turn out.

Nate....NA6TE

KA9MOT · Post by **KA9MOT** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:24 am

Nate,

It is very clear to me that I failed to cover my butt on this one and I fear that I may have to suffer the consequence. I know that this part is my fault.

I've been very worried about this the past several days and it is making me sick. I am not a well man as it is, and this is making my life much more worse than it happens to be. I can't get it out of my head.

I received an email from Adrian that offers a good idea. That idea is to call the Post Office in WI and see if they can help me find the info we need. I will do that tomorrow.

His email goes on to say that if the radio does not arrive in the next few days I will see "The animal inside him.".

So what happens if the Post Office can't help me? What happens if the radio gets held up somewhere? It has only been 2 weeks.

Am I supposed to accept his word that he hasn't received the radio and send him back his money? That is what I would do in normal circumstances, but I have a couple of problems with that at this point.

It is allot of money for starters. Secondly, what happens if he gets the radio after I refund the money? And here is the part that scares me.......

You started this thread because Adrian told you that I was not answering his emails. I stated I have not received any since I sent him the email that I had shipped his radio from WI.
If you look at the note he added to the last email you posted here he added a note to the end (I assume to you) that says, " I did not receive radio and not true, I wrote emails to which he responded. Thanks so much for help!
Adrian ".

So what is the truth Nate? You know Adrian. Is he going to take advantage because I did not cover my rear?

A second thought occurred to me. I shipped insured and claimed $750 on the customs forms. Yesterday I was going though the emails in an attempt to find these "missing" emails and I see that he'd added to the bottom of one that he wanted me to write gift on the customs forms. He also stated clearly that he did not want insurance but I ignored that request because I ALWAYS insure the higher dollar stuff and I told him insurance was included in the cost.

You have these emails I am sure Nate, go have a look.

I did a little research and I see that allot of overseas buyers request the words "Gift" be written on the customs forms so that they do not have to pay customs. Is it possible that the rig is in Customs and Adrian doesn't want to pay the fees and he wants me to eat it?

The bottom line here Nate is that I didn't cover my rear and it is going to cost me dearly and I am feeling that I just got worked.

Nate, did Adrian just "work" me?

I will let him know what the Post Office tells me tomorrow.........I pray we can come up with a number.

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:25 am

Steve, I understand your concern and if I was in your position I would also feel as you do.
The first time I helped Adrian was over 3 years ago and all deals have gone flawlessly. Since then I have sent $1000's in parts and radio gear. I am sure that since finding someone in the states that is trustworthy he also buys for ham friends. I have also done the same for his son which is also a ham (YO9JIM). The reason for asking to be declared a gift is because of the VAT-Valued Added Tax (similar to what our congress wants to shove down our throats).
Because I have shipped to him numerous times, I vary what I declare on customs from gift to amateur radio parts with a lesser value. By doing that the tax is of a lesser amount or none.
For the same reason, we in the states buy over the internet to avoid the high sales tax of our individual states.
Steve, if I thought you were "being worked" I would be helping you before someone from another country and if this turns to s**t in a hand basket I will share wth you the avenues you will be able to take here in the states.

The PO in your own town should be able to research your shipment as long as you have the dates and addresses sent to and from because everything s left on the computer until delivered and then archived. This of course depends whether you get someone that isn't ready for their break.

Adrian has provided his telephone # so call if need be. Adrians english, as you are aware is sketchy at times but tries to do the best he can.

I will ask Adrian to wait for awhile until you can try and retrieve the lost info.
BTW, if the item set in customs past a certain time it wil become unclaimed and disposed of.

Please keep us informed.........Nate.......NA6TE

KA2CDT · Post by **KA2CDT** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 1:14 pm

Not to interfere but just to make you guys feel better I had a similar experience happen to me a few years ago. I sold a Yaesu radio to a ham in France. I sent it USPS with full insurance. I had tracking number,customs number etc. After two weeks I received an email from the buyer in France telling me he had not yet received the radio. I told him to give it a week or two longer because of customs. After six weeks still no radio. Even with all the tracking info I had I was unable to find out what had happened to the radio. After twelve weeks I refunded the money back to the buyer in France. I figured I had to eat the loss. Would you believe that after six months one day I looked outside my door and saw the radio sitting on my front porch! The box was in shambles! The radio did not clear customs and had been sitting on a shelf in France for all that time. It was apparent that I forgot to check one little box on the customs form. I think the radio will turn up either on the buyers side or back to the seller in this case. The radio has to be stuck in channels somewhere.

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:05 am

Just an update. On the 3rd Steve has professed to have asked the USPO to help with looking up the tracking info without the benefit of the lost paper work. Supposedly, Steve was told to come back next week. This is a commendable effort on Steve's part. I know now why the USPS has lost money every year. Their computers are so defunc that that can't look up sent packages to certain postal codes at the time of the request. I do hope this turns out positive.

Nate.......NA6TE

W1QJ · Post by **W1QJ** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:17 am

Although KA9MOT pointed the finger at me one time over a deal I compalined about, I think I have to be sympathetic with him on this case. A reason why lots of EBAY sellers won't ship out of the US is because although our postal system has it's faults it is better than most overseas. ESPECIALLY when customs is involved! I shipped some small low cost items overseas and I asked for tracking information at the PO and I was told there is no tracking on overseas items. They told me once it leaves the US it is out of thir hands. I highly doubt that the USPS really gives a crap once it leaves here. You can clearly see what happens like in the case with the gent shipping to France. I have a small package going to Coatia this morning I want to see how long it takes to get there. On another note how does this work with the "GIFT" versus the value of the item? Don't you think the forgein customs is wise to that? I doubt very much I would ship anything of any value I wouldn't mind eating out of the country. Good luck Steve I hope this works out for your sake!

lhk0pd · Post by **lhk0pd** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:23 pm

A friend of mine a long time postal employee told me that they will gladly sell proof of delivery for over seas items but i was just throwing money away as once it gets over seas it means nothing to there postal services.

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:22 pm

Hi Nate, they are the last dispatches were tracking number and got no problems.The first is an IC-706MKllG and received the money the day before, the transceiver is to me a long time, but those who are sent the true hams.
Excuse me my English dear friend.

Your friend from Romania for ever!
Adrian

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Label/Receipt Number: CP86 8649 745U S
Class: Priority Mail International Parcels
Service(s): International Parcels
Status: Delivered Abroad

Your item was delivered in ROMANIA at 5:49 pm on May 24, 2011.

Detailed Results:
Delivered Abroad, May 24, 2011, 5:49 pm, ROMANIA
Attempted Delivery Abroad, May 18, 2011, 10:02 am, ROMANIA
Arrived Abroad, May 17, 2011, 9:27 am, ROMANIA
International Dispatch, May 14, 2011, 3:18 am, ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)
Arrival
Processed through Sort Facility, May 11, 2011, 4:24 pm, SNOOK, TX 77878
Acceptance, May 11, 2011, 1:54 pm, SNOOK, TX 77878

When I have shipped out of the US, this is the type of info provided on EVERY occasion. The person receiving and the person sending are covered in ALL directions.

I am sure there are exceptions, however if even the receipt was sent and not the tracking there would be NO DOUBT that the transaction had taken place.

I'm sorry, but all the excuses are not adding up. (my dog at my home work)

Nate.......NA6TE

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 12:15 pm

OK Steve, enough time has passed with no further input from you other than the private email I sent to you telling you that your story does not jive. Adrian has not received the radio, customs has not notified him and you have not sent any further emails to him.

Supposedly your wife’s aunt died on Monday 5/16 and you had to mail the package from Rice Lake WI according to a 6/1 email. However, on 5/31 you said you mailed it after you got back from WI.

Just to inform you what will happen next and in what sequence since the week has passed and you have not received any info from the USPS in Macomb IL.

I will call both USPS offices in Rice Lake this morning and give the information they will need to find out if any package was ever shipped to Romania from Rice Lake WI. Next I will call and give the same information to the 2 USPS in your town. I would think that you would have used the USPS on Jackson since it is less than a ½ mile from your residence.
If and when the information, if any, is returned from any of those sources and is not favorable to you, the next call on Monday morning will be to the Macomb PD which I see is only 12 blocks from your residence.

If you have any useful information that will PROVE you sent the radio or even had the radio, you should probably present it. I feel since you have not been forth right in your dealings a phone call would be mute.

Nate…..NA6TE

NA6TE · Post by **NA6TE** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 2:53 pm

Earlier this morning I spoke with Cory (very nice young lady) in Rice Lake WI local USPS and there has been NO package/parcel sent from there in the month of May, 2011 to Romania.

I just now got off the phone with your local USPS and after speaking with Kim, she referred me to the US Postal Inspector at PostalInspector.usps.gov and they will be able to research the information needed. Kim also informed me that just the mere fact that they were in a college town and they have many packages being shipped overseas, that she would not be able to look through all the custom forms for that time period. So off to the Postal Inspector site. Just who was it you spoke to that would do that for you?

Will keep everyone informed as the information is available.

Steve, you need to do the right thing and send Adrian his money. I think we all know where this is going.

Nate

KA9MOT · Post by **KA9MOT** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:47 pm

Nate,
I have been advised (by another ham) I should cease communication here with you and I agreed to do that. I have to say something though.

As I told you in my response to your email, feel free to believe what you wish.

I find it downright unbelievable that the USPS gave you information they would not give me as you are 3rd party to this and not even involved in the transaction.

It is my belief that this is happening because Adrian does not want to pay the Customs Duties and I believe you are party to that. The ham that advised me to not respond to you came up with another twist to this and his thoughts were eye opening for me.

How about this:
1. Adrian doesn't want to Pay The VAT.

2. You admit to helping him cheat his government out of their duties under the guise that "Everybody buys online to cheat on the taxes". So you have some involvement.

3. You and Adrian want a refund because I failed to cover my butt, and Adrian wants to use the money to cover the VAT.

I won't identify the ham I am speaking of, he can if he chooses to.

Every email I send to Adrian, he sends to you. He makes claims that he later says he didn't make. Because of that, and because of the threats (send the police, I'd be happy to talk to them), I will no longer be communication with Adrian or you.

73,
Steve KA9MOT

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