Seeking advice frm exp buyer re: buying frm Europe

densan

Hello to all the family members & happy holidays! I am posting this is several locations to reach and get advice from as members as I can. Please forgive me if you feel this is an inappropriate question for this forum. I am desperate for some help and advice. I sincerely do not want to anger anyone with this long post. I simply do not know what else to do.

If anyone in the US has experience buying from Europe I would really appreciate your input and advice. Me I am in the US, and the seller is in Europe, Italy, I think. This purchase I am making is for around 2 grand US funds, so we are both trying to make sure the process goes smoothly. We both agreed to get the PJ family input since neither of has experience with such a large sell/purchase.

I know to use PayPal, and we agree UPS is our best chance for this to go smoothly. What we do not know is:

• What happens in customs?
• Will I have to pay duty once I receive it in the US?
• Is it OK for him to pack it, or should UPS pack it to verify the contents are not damaged?
• I want insurance to cover my investment for around 2 grand Will it help me if there is damage?

I really do not know what else to ask you folks other then have there been any issues to watch out for either the seller in Europe, or me the buyer in the US?

Please help us with some words of wisdom, and any advice will be greatly appreciated and respectfully taken by both of us.

Thank you all for taking time out of your busy lives to read this, and offer any advice. Much appreciated and my best to you all and your families.

Densan :?

RKCNDY

I have received items from Europe. I have also purchased things from other countries that went thru customs. Customs is customs.

• What happens in customs? -Customs gets lots of packages, some things are checked, some things are not. 'Checked' being they will open and inspect the contents of the package to ensure illegal items are not included, and then re-sealed and sent along. Contact UPS to see what items are prohibited, also search out what items are prohibited (usually food, ivory, furs, alcohol) to import into the US

• Will I have to pay duty once I receive it in the US?-possibly, sometimes, if the package is checked the customs agent will determine the value of the item, which can be greatly skewed. I purchased an item for $200, it was shipped to me and declared as a 'gift' being worth $45. The package was checked by customs and was declared as being valued at $500. I had to pay $98 in customs/import fees. There may be some sort of surcharge since the value is so high, again check with UPS directly.

• Is it OK for him to pack it, or should UPS pack it to verify the contents are not damaged? he can pack the item if he wants to, either way, UPS may charge him a 'packaging fee', if you have them pack it. They may or may not be liable if it breaks in shipment, check with that particular UPS location.

• I want insurance to cover my investment for around 2 grand Will it help me if there is damage? yes, this is what the insurance is for. You will have to file a claim. Sometimes UPS will require that if the box is visibly damaged, that you DO NOT open the package, and rather call them to inspect the package and contents. I had one case where I had ordered some books, UPS had left my box in the rain somewhere along the way, then wrapped tape all over the box and delivered a soggy dripping wet package. They didn't knock on my door, they just left the box and drove away. I was home, and went to get the box. I called them right away, and the driver came back the next day to get the box. UPS has terrible customer service when you call, so if you need to file a claim, bug the heck out of them, be persistent!

I hope that helps you out!