Ok I ordered a integrated tail light and blinker for my gs for around $50 and can't seem to track package I ordered from eBay and payed with a card on pay pal but I just got this MSG from them saying: We declared the item as a "gift" and declared value is USD $6.00. If Customs requires taxes, please tell Customs the item was sent to you by your friend, who's named "Mr. Kwing Cheng". The item should be released by Customs in case.
If the item does not arrive in the allotted time, please contact us and we will locate the item for you.
Ok sus as what do u guys reckon?
You'll probably be fine..clearing customs and shipping time from overseas is about 20-25 days to the states.
After that you could panic ..but paypal will cover you. In the event it don't arrive, just file a claim with ebay if the seller isn't cooperative.
-CS
Sounds normal to me. I wouldnt worry until a month passes then contact seller.
I just thought it rather weird, I haven't ordered that many things online but normally they don't take it upon themselves to falsify product price or specifically ask me to say that some 'friend' sent it when it was supposedly a reputable and registered motorcycle parts business I'm less worried about my package not turning up as u said I can be reimburse am a bit more worried about customs turning up curious as to why my " friend " kwing cheng" would be sending me something illegal? Lol maybe I'm just paranoid
Yeah that's a little weird.
If anyone was to ever as you about it (doubtful,) I wouldn't lie, just tell the truth. You don't owe them anything.
Certain far-eastern cultures don't do business in the ethical manner we expect in our more developed economies.
I agree with GI-JO, except that if you tell Customs the truth YOU will have to pay the import tariff.
I suggest that you never deal with this seller again, and put the "gift" information in your ebay (neutral or negative) feedback on this transaction.
All this is typical for stuff you buy from China. They are avoiding paying duties by understating value and/or sending as gift.
I wouldn't get worked up about it unless it doesn't show up. I buy a lot of shtuff from China / HK sellers... they screw up once in awhile but they will usually bend over backward to keep you from posting negative feedback, so refunds have never been a problem.
And I wouldn't post negative feedback re: this either. Seriously... this is common practice, and the reason the items are so cheap is b/c it's grey market. If you want fully loaded price, buy from a US seller next time.
In Aust we have two sets of rules....
1 - if it comes in via Australia Post (the equal of USPS) the value before customs hits you with import duty and tarrifs is $1000.
2 - if it comes via a private co like FedEx the value before it is slugged with tax is $250
I once had multiple communications with a seller as to this. It was Agreed by them to send it via USPS (which means it goes through our Aust Post system) with an agreed value of less than actual should it happen to be snagged anyway. Why should I pay 30% extra in tax when the product is not made here - it's not like I am hurting an Aust business.
Well, they changed the agreement and sent it via FedEx and put full retail as its value. It was going to cost me an extra $200 as a result in taxes to get it released from FedEx. The item was NOT collected by me. I refused to accept with those payment terms and the item was sent back, my money refunded and I never bought from that seller again.
Stating a low value or a Gift is doing you a favor to help you avoid paying extra import duties and tarrifs on the item. Thank them for it instead of be negative about it.
Michael
Yea I though that after a bit more consideration regardless they arrived today 2 days early so am more than happy to over look any irregularities in order (as long as its the right part says cbr1100 on box but looks right) I'll find out today, btw anyone else fit an intergrated tail/blinker light? Reckon it will look really good compared to the old red tail light (this one is clear) the stock blinkers there so long looks like a nun preparing for flight will be good to slim out the tail a bit
I have an integrated tail light and those type of messages are typical of Chinese shops on eBay