In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

international shipping (funds transfer)

DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
edited October 2001 in Ask the Experts
I posted a new scope for sale on another web site's bulletin board. About a week or so ago, I rec'd a message from a gentleman in South Africa that wants to purchase it. I don't have a problem shipping it to him, but does anyone have any experience with this and the exchange of funds? I guess I should tell you that he wants me to send my bank account information. Quite frankly, I'm extremely opposed to this and want to avoid it if at all possible.The obvious solution is to tell him I won't sell it to him if that's the only way to transfer money. I still want to help him out, though.

Comments

  • duckhunterduckhunter Member Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    DON'T GIVE YOUR BANK INFO TO ANYONE EVEN THE IRS. AMERICAN EXPRESS SELLS MONEY ORDERS ALL OVER THE WORLD. BE SURE BE SAFE
  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Our company does a large number of International sales and transactions, we never ship anything until the funds have been cleared in advance. You can make arrangements with a bank to "wire funds" without giving personal banking information. Talk to your bank for the different options available. Another option is to go through a Broker.
  • J.JohnJ.John Member Posts: 56 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Money transfers are done by bank wire everyday and are perfectly safe. Talk to your bank and they will tell you exactly is involved. It is fast, usually only a few hours.
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with all of the above. I do international business regularly and it is usual for companies to provide a a bank contact and account number for wire transfers. I would not think of doing the same with an individual, even though the guy is likely honest and honorable.
  • john carrjohn carr Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just went thru this twice, once to Australia and once to El Salvador. The gentleman in Australia sent a Western Union International money order drawn on a US bank. Good as gold. My bank gave me grief, said it had to be held for collection, $15.00 fee for their effort. They were WRONG!If the order is drawn on a US bank, it goes thru just like any other money order. However; if it is drawn on a foreign bank, it must be held for collection. But like the other contributors are saying a wire transfer is the best way to go. By the way is that South African gentleman from Nigeria?Scams galore from that country!
  • DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you all very much for the information you've provided. I think I'm going to ask him for a money order and wait until I know everything's o.k. before I send him the scope. He mentioned that $350.00 is alot of money in South Africa and he would have to wait until the end of the month to send it. My reply was that maybe it wasn't in his best interest, especially since it is such a hassle for both of us. He assured me that it is exactly what he wants and he can't find anything like it where he is.In response to John Carr's post, the stated address is in "STOFFBERG. MPUMALANGA. REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.1056". I have to admit that I am wary of scams as well. Shipping and selling to a different country adds another element that can go wrong in transactions of this nature. Thanks again and if anyone else has anything to add, please let me know.
  • Cape BoerCape Boer Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am a South African (a Boer!) living near Cape Town. I've also lived in Atlanta for 5 years, so I have an appreciation for what you guys are saying. I've read all that's been said here and I agree with most of it - especially the part about Nigeria! If I were you, I would ask Mr Stoffberg (a good Boer surname, by the way) to send you a U.S. dollar draft (basically a bank cheque drawn on a U.S. bank) which he can get from his South African bank. It will cost him MUCH, MUCH less than sending you a wire transfer by SWIFT (Society for World-wide Interbank Fund Transfer). (Only if he uses SWIFT will he need your account information - which I would also not like to give out, especially over the Internet. Although he can't really do anything evil with it, you just never know who's eavesdropping in cyberspace.) South Africa has some foreign currency exchange control, so your buyer will have to show his bank what the draft is going to be for (a print-out of your auction page should suffice). Because it is a relatively small amount, I don't foresee a problem in him getting the draft. South Africa has one of the most efficient and modern banking systems in the world, so your payment should not present a problem. When you ship the scope, make sure you say "USED OPTICAL SIGHT" on the package and state a reasonable dollar value, as your buyer is probably going to have to pay about 20% import tax on it. Hope this helps! Feel free to contact me if you think I can be of more assistance. Cheers! Andr?
  • Cape BoerCape Boer Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am a South African (a Boer!) living near Cape Town. I've also lived in Atlanta for 5 years, so I have an appreciation for what you guys are saying. I've read all that's been said here and I agree with most of it - especially the part about Nigeria! If I were you, I would ask Mr Stoffberg (a good Boer surname, by the way) to send you a U.S. dollar draft (basically a bank cheque drawn on a U.S. bank) which he can get from his South African bank. It will cost him MUCH, MUCH less than sending you a wire transfer by SWIFT (Society for World-wide Interbank Fund Transfer). (Only if he uses SWIFT will he need your account information - which I would also not like to give out, especially over the Internet. Although he can't really do anything evil with it, you just never know who's eavesdropping in cyberspace.) South Africa has some foreign currency exchange control, so your buyer will have to show his bank what the draft is going to be for (a print-out of your auction page should suffice). Because it is a relatively small amount, I don't foresee a problem in him getting the draft. South Africa has one of the most efficient and modern banking systems in the world, so your payment should not present a problem. When you ship the scope, make sure you say "USED OPTICAL SIGHT" on the package and state a reasonable dollar value, as your buyer is probably going to have to pay about 20% import tax on it. Hope this helps! Feel free to contact me if you think I can be of more assistance. Cheers! Andr?
  • Cape BoerCape Boer Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am a South African (a Boer!) living near Cape Town. I've also lived in Atlanta for 5 years, so I have an appreciation for what you guys are saying. I've read all that's been said here and I agree with most of it - especially the part about Nigeria! If I were you, I would ask Mr Stoffberg (a good Boer surname, by the way) to send you a U.S. dollar draft (basically a bank cheque drawn on a U.S. bank) which he can get from his South African bank. It will cost him MUCH, MUCH less than sending you a wire transfer by SWIFT (Society for World-wide Interbank Fund Transfer). (Only if he uses SWIFT will he need your account information - which I would also not like to give out, especially over the Internet. Although he can't really do anything evil with it, you just never know who's eavesdropping in cyberspace.) South Africa has some foreign currency exchange control, so your buyer will have to show his bank what the draft is going to be for (a print-out of your auction page should suffice). Because it is a relatively small amount, I don't foresee a problem in him getting the draft. South Africa has one of the most efficient banking systems in the world, so your payment should not present a problem. When you ship the scope, make sure you say "USED OPTICAL SIGHT" on the package and state a reasonable dollar value, as your buyer is probably going to have to pay about 20% import tax on it. Hope this helps! Feel free to contact me if you think I can be of more assistance. Cheers! Andr?
  • Cape BoerCape Boer Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am a South African (a Boer!) living near Cape Town. I've also lived in Atlanta for 5 years, so I have an appreciation for what you guys are saying. I've read all that's been said here and I agree with most of it - especially the part about Nigeria! If I were you, I would ask Mr Stoffberg (a good Boer surname, by the way) to send you a U.S. dollar draft (basically a bank cheque drawn on a U.S. bank) which he can get from his South African bank. It will cost him MUCH, MUCH less than sending you a wire transfer by SWIFT (Society for World-wide Interbank Fund Transfer). (Only if he uses SWIFT will he need your account information - which I would also not like to give out, especially over the Internet. Although he can't really do anything evil with it, you just never know who's eavesdropping in cyberspace.) South Africa has some foreign currency exchange control, so your buyer will have to show his bank what the draft is going to be for (a print-out of your auction page should suffice). Because it is a relatively small amount, I don't foresee a problem in him getting the draft. South Africa has one of the most efficient banking systems in the world, so your payment should not present a problem. When you ship the scope, make sure you say "USED OPTICAL SIGHT" on the package and state a reasonable dollar value, as your buyer is probably going to have to pay about 20% import tax on it. Hope this helps! Feel free to contact me if you think I can be of more assistance. Cheers! Andr?
  • DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Cape Boer - Thanks for your 4 replies. I read each one intently. Just kidding. I haven't shipped the scope yet, but am awaiting the money order he sent. Do you have any idea how long it takes for a regular piece of mail to be delivered from South Africa? I've been waiting 2 weeks. I guess I just figured it wouldn't be more than that.In the meantime, I've packaged up the scope to the best of my ability. I was completely unaware of the import tax. What happens if I ship it without the markings you mentioned on the box? Will it make a difference or will they have to open it before it's delivered? Will it matter what kind of value I put on it? It's actually worth more than he's paying for it, so should I mark it with the actual value or what he's paying? This brings a whole new perspective to the subject. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Sign In or Register to comment.