Thanks Captain B,
As we say, "A bad negotiation is better than a good fight."
99% your customer is not the one you thought. That suspicion is
hurting you.
You can Google the customer and find out one by his name has done a
couple of
exhibitions for Emilia-Romagna, lectures and belongs to a local astronomical
society, gives advice on meteorites even including one case where
there was a
shipping question in which his reply was to work with the Seller to resolve
it. Try one more time, maybe a show of goodwill above and beyond what is
required offer to split the $60, and do it face to face by calling
dado_sanna
on Skype ...
Next time just collect shipping costs up front ... rather than exposing
yourself. I feel for your customer's situation, having been in a
similar one
for many years because of the unfortunate state of the local postal service
and the rampant corruption and pilfering throughout the system. I hope you
will reconsider supporting our enthusiastic Italian (Brasilian, Russian and
Mexican) friends so as to do a part in giving them access to reputable
meteorite sellers.
Although your customer's expectations were misplaced, it is still a case of
misunderstanding that could have been prevented - even if that
meant two trips
to FedEx if it was too difficult to calculate the shipping cost yourself.
In the case of Italy, ask if they can cough up a shipping address to a
different EU nation to initially receive the shipment and from
where they can
be responsible to reship to the Italian address. The situation is far less
problematic if the parcel arriving in Italy originates in the current
Eurozone, vs. the US and Canada which at this moment happen to be
outside the
walls surrounding Byzantium. It will likely get their much faster
too, so it
can benefit them.
While this may not make sense to many people who take for granted less
problematical postal services, or don't care about the little saintly
collector, speaking from personal experience and cravings,
sometimes there are
specimens that are "must have" and being told "NO! I don't ship to
X" can be
a huge depressant.
If the collector is conscientious about their situation, they can
just adjust
their purchases accordingly and save up for the moments that are truly
special, and better yet, get a helping hand from other sympathetic European
collectors. I responded to this thread because too often I had the
"We don't
ship to X", door slammed in my face. It never happened with meteorites but
was a problem with larger companies. You did a nice thing, btw, and I don't
think you will end up burnt in the end since the collector had a
misunderstanding and I am sure he will want to correct it in a positive
manner.
As for Italy, firm cash up front, insurance (U-pic or InsurePost), and check
registered FC mail rules on commercial sales to see what's permitted and
what's not ...
Kindest wishes
Doug
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Blood <mlbl...@cox.net>
To: MexicoDoug <mexicod...@aol.com>; Meteorite List
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sun, Jul 24, 2016 2:31 am
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Another warning re sales to Italy
Hi Doug,
Thanks for the kind words. However, I have saved all
The emails and believe me, there was absolutely no confusion
Re shipping - -clarified clearly (twice) that if Fed EX were
less than $50 I would refund him the difference and if it
were more than $50 he would have to agree to paypal me
the difference.
He stated I should not have put the "real value" on the shipment -
AFTER I had sent it - When Fed Ex turned out to be more, then
He complained he would have to pay the import fee and wouldn't
Pay any more for the shipping.
Kind and gentle is always best and I tried that for several
Posts to no avail whatever.
No, this is a clear cut case of being ripped off. I suspect it is
Our old "friend" as his approach is nearly identical and his English
Is similarly distorted. But whether it is or not the results are identical.
I, too, like to think people are basically honest and live up to
Their commitments and I do deal with people that way and the vast
Majority of people in the meteorite community are that way.
Also, I do not believe for a second this is "typical of Italians" -
only two - and possibly only one - have/has acted this way. Every
Country has both the saintly and the cur.
Good to hear from you, Doug,
Michael
On 7/23/16 10:32 PM, "MexicoDoug" <mexicod...@aol.com> wrote:
Michael,
How discouraging, as if doing what you love wasn't already a labor of love.
Your customer appears to be a dedicated collector, exhibitor, lecturer, and
dealer (involved with meteorites and as using them as raw materials for
selling trinkets and watch dials, including to school children). You could
double-check if it is not a miscommunication from your message exchange
defining who was supposed to pay for what. The immediate problem was not
Italy, as much as the expensive, secure shipping cost which you understood
was
to be paid by him as it sounds like he received the meteorite and
you have a
tracking receipt.
Or, next time you are in Rimini, stop by this hair salon and go collect if
the
friendly approach doesn't pan out. Maybe settle for a seafood
risotto. I'd
make an appointment first and bring a bottle of wine @ (+39)3485447938. He
really doesn't seem like a scammer!
Kindest wishes
Doug
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Farmer via Meteorite-list
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
To: Michael Blood <mlbl...@cox.net>; Meteorite Mailing List
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sat, Jul 23, 2016 9:37 pm
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Another warning re sales to Italy
Why do people ignore warnings? Italy is notorious for
scams and stolen packages.
Sent from my iPad
On Jul 23, 2016, at 6:36 PM, Michael Blood via Meteorite-list
<meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com> wrote:
Hi all,
You all may recall that several years ago multiple
Dealers warned against sales to Italy. It seams at
Least one buyer was claiming not to have received
Shipments that were verified, not to have received
Money that was sent him, etc.
Unfortunately, I failed to head warnings about
Shipping to Italy. A different Italian contacted me (Or
At least one using a different name and email) and
I explained even Registered Mail seems to fail to
guarantee delivery in Italy but I somehow allowed
him to talk me into a Fed Ex shipment of a specimen.
I agreed, providing he send $50 shipping and agree
to pay any additional amount Fed Ex might charge.
Perhaps it is the same fellow from several years ago
Using a different name (he was so good at that Art could
Not keep him off the list because he would just join again
Using a different name and email). So, beware of:
"Davide Urbinati" <urbinati.dav...@gmail.com>
Even though I scanned the receipt and sent it to him
He refused to pay the $59.79 Fed Ex charged me. So, I am
Out that $.
Believe me, I will never ship to Italy again.
Better luck to all of you,
Michael Blood
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