Power Kite Forum

I don't get it....

macboy - 11-10-2009 at 10:56 PM

So, the short version of the story. Seeing the Red Devil go last week (or whatever the story with that one ended up being) I got to hankering over them. See, I've always had a lust affair for the Silver Angel SA2's with the red inlets. Something so striking to me about that kite.

Anyway. Saw exactly that on Foilzone, got in contact with the dude who replied saying he'd be open to reasonable offers. He checked the shipping to me via UPS at $80, I explained the anti-UPS stance and he told me to check USPS which I did and came up with $50. I offered him $100 less than his asking price and the dude didn't even reply. Instead I see a 3-day auction pop up on eBay with a disclaimer saying he reserved the right to NOT ship to certain locations outside the US. Of course I'm thinking that meant to....well somewhere like Edmonton?

Anyway. The kite was put up with a starting bid $50 less than his asking price and sold to the sole bidder who took him up on it.

Funny....cuz I reckon he'll pay more than a c-note in PayPal fees by the time he packs the kite up which means my offer woulda been higher? But to not even respond to my email? Dude, that's weak. If the offer's no good just say so...or don't say you're open to reasonable offers if you're idea of reasonable is chump change.

Tell me, you southern neighbors of mine.....do we Canucks place too many demands on you when it comes to asking you to use USPS specifically, undervalue or mark things as gifts? (Note - I'd NEVER expect a business transaction to be marked as a gift but a personal purchase?) I don't get it. Why on earth he seemingly just didn't want to sell it to me? I guess it's no biggie. I suspect that as the Speed 3's penetrate the market I might find a silver angel to call my own. Until then the P3 will be the "just too light to get the arcs off the ground" kite.

Boggling. I don't get it.....AND I had official clearance from the BEST WIFE IN THE WORLD to go ahead! C'mon! It nearly gutted me :lol:

Sandman - 11-10-2009 at 11:59 PM

Sorry about that macboy. Some Americans can be real jerks at times. But this one just happened to be a rude jerk. He coulda at least sent an email saying thanks but no thanks to your offer. :flaming:

Kamikuza - 12-10-2009 at 12:02 AM

Dude, you and me both - I've tried to buy stuff (not from here though) and people have been like "It's too far to send it to Japan" ... WTF? you go to the post office the same regardless of whether it's going to the next town or the next continent.
I prefer USPS too ... but I don't know if it's an extra trip for the seller so I'm not too insistent on that :)

heliboy50 - 12-10-2009 at 03:14 AM

Ditto, Kamikuza- I like USPS way better. Sorry, macboy- some people are just that way. It's like trying to get something here from the UK. Some will do it and some act like you are asking for a kidney.

Maven454 - 12-10-2009 at 04:05 AM

No idea macboy, I'd have shipped whatever method you preferred. Particularly since I know how that whole shipping to Canada thing works.

acampbell - 12-10-2009 at 04:18 AM

Even my own UPS account rep will admit that using them to ship to Canada is a bad idea. I ship north of the border all the time with USPS. Sorry for the trouble.

Kamikuza - 12-10-2009 at 04:50 AM

The UK gets well and truly ripped for postage, both import and export :(

dylanj423 - 12-10-2009 at 05:41 AM

i used to be reluctant to ship to canada, it was just misunderstanding... if you do research into international shipping and such, lots of stuff about duties comes up.... it all looks very intimidating if you have never done it...

then i did it... piece of cake... in this instance it cost him some money to not ship to you... his loss

bigkid - 12-10-2009 at 08:49 AM

You have to think if the guy, for what ever reason wouldnt deal with you in Canada, do you think it would have been a good deal if the kite wasnt what you expected or the kite wasnt what he said?
I dont think I would have wanted to do the deal with him anyway. I think you were better of not dealing with him.

Shipping to another country is a bit of a pain, but its only an extra piece of paper and a couple of minutes of time.

indigo_wolf - 12-10-2009 at 09:01 AM

FWIW: I agree with the first part of BS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s comment. If there were problems, it doesn't seem like this would have been someone that had your back.

Although I have asked on several occasions, I have never been able to get anyone on KiteCrowd who would ship to the US. Like Kam said, it going to the same post office. The receiver is picking up the shipping/insurance, so if they are willing to ante up, what's the diff?

As near as I can figure the one hitch point would be that Paypal won't let "Basic" accounts accept "foreign" currency. So much for the Global Village :puzzled: :no:

ATB,
Sam

lad - 12-10-2009 at 09:05 AM

I don't think people take into account the eBay fees for listings and commissions (not the mention Paypal's cut*).

It easier to just list things here with a 8-10% cut in price and be done with it.

*It's one great racket - just think about it.
eBay gets it's fees from the transaction.
Then eBay's Paypal division gets it's cut tranferring money to you.
As it sits in your PP account, it's earning them interest.
Then, when you send a payment to another PP account, they take their cut off the top again.
AND they keep earning interest all the while since the money has never really left them,
- they are just slushing and recycling electrons around.

shehatesmyhobbies - 12-10-2009 at 12:56 PM

It's a shame too Lad, It is all a necessary evil if we are to move these kites around!

Sorry about your dealings with someone not willing to work with you. I have not shipped overseas yet, but I would at least look into it before saying no or not answering at all!
The right kite will come around for you!

indigo_wolf - 12-10-2009 at 02:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lad
Then eBay's Paypal division gets it's cut tranferring money to you.


When a buyer sends money, there are two tabs under the money amount to describe the reason for sending money.

I believe you can avoid fees some of the fees, by selecting from the Personal tab.

ATB,
Sam

Maven454 - 12-10-2009 at 02:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by indigo_wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by Lad
Then eBay's Paypal division gets it's cut tranferring money to you.


When a buyer sends money, there are two tabs under the money amount to describe the reason for sending money.

  • Purchase Tab

    • Goods
    • eBay Items
    • Services

  • Personal Tab

    • Gift
    • Living Expense
    • Payment Owed
    • Other
    • Cash Advance


I believe you can avoid fees some of the fees, by selecting from the Personal tab.

ATB,
Sam


At this point you can only avoid fees by selecting gift. And there's a cap on that.

ragden - 13-10-2009 at 06:05 AM

Sounds pretty crazy. Some people act stupid from time to time. Its just the way of things. Maybe he will see the light himself someday... Maybe not. Hold out my friend, you will get the kite you seek... eventually, I'm sure. :)

Tonka - 14-10-2009 at 12:25 PM

The way i looks at it is if he doesn't want to ship it the way "I want it shipped" than i don't want his item....i'm the one paying!!!

Usualy once someone ships international they realise it's actualy easier than shipping accross the US [so i've been told]....i ship stuff all over the world..no issues, sometimes it takes a while but it gets there!!!