fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 17, 2004 02:48:33 PM new
I am sorry to grieve anyone by that title, but I am afraid that some Canadians are ballsy (and I don't mean that in a good way) individuals.
I posted here a few weeks ago about a Canadian who ignored my U.S.-only prohibitions and won seven of my auctions, sending a Canadian money order in U.S. dollars. I detailed all that I had done, going to my bank and going to my credit union, showing them the instrument and being advised that 1) my bank would not accept it under any circumstances, and 2) the credit union would, but only after charging me a hefty fee.
Last week I visited the local Bank of America branch (twice) and spent an hour total ascertaining that B of A would indeed accept the money order if I had an account there. I did not open the account.
Today I put the money order back in the mail and relisted all seven auctions. I did NOT file NBP, I did NOT file negative feedback, I intended to let the matter slide and get on with my life.
Until just a few minutes ago.
My home phone rang, and a brusque voice on the other end identified himself as the husband of the Canadian bidder, who started in on me and my extremely unprofessional behavior. I explained the situation to him, how his wife was not welcome to bid in the first place and he kept interrupting me. I was civil, I listened patiently to all he had to say, he was heated*. "Why don't you answer her emails?" he demanded. "Because your wife is NOT A CUSTOMER OF MINE, sir."
"So that entitles you to be an #*!@?" was his rejoinder. At which point I hung up on him.
This behavior from someone who lives in a country that prides itself so on its civilization...well...what can I say. I don't call people up at home, scream at them and call them names. Yet I'm just one of those hated and despised Americans. Go figure.
He's been calling back every five minutes and obviously I am not about to pick up the phone. I'm very disappointed he was able to find my home phone number; it is not on my eBay registration; the business phone is.
*Before Mr. Wood degenerated into profanity, he (with much supercilious self-righteousness) detailed the usual list of reasons why Canadians allow themselves to ignore U.S.-only prohibitions on auctions. They have U.S. mailing addresses, some of them. The bank officials in Canada have told him that no bank in the U.S. will refuse a Canadian money order in U.S. funds. Criminy, to have this crap shoved down my throat AGAIN does not incline me kindly towards accepting Canadian bidders. How could it possibly?
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on May 17, 2004 02:53 PM ]
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neroter12
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posted on May 17, 2004 03:02:07 PM new
Fluffy, call the phone company and have them put a tracer on his calls and the next time he calls, you tell him that the calls are being traced and he will be arrested for harassment if it continues.
NOBODY should have to live not wanting to or fearing picking up their phone. And wft, no harm no foul done anyway,..as if you took his wife's money or something??? Sounds like a kook, canadian or otherwise.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 17, 2004 03:03:32 PM new
Oh, a couple more of Mr. Wood's points I forgot to detail. (See, I really was listening to him; he was blowing me off completely.)
-"You knew she was in Canada with a U.S. shipping address after the auction ended. Yet you didn't say she shouldn't send a Canadian money order."
Yes, Mr. Wood, because she shouldn't have sent DIDDLY. When I discovered she was in Canada, I told her not to send any money at all. We don't do Canada.
-"Why don't you answer her email."
Mr. Wood, I answered a number of her emails, then gave up. She tried to browbeat me just as you have done. No point in responding further.
As I see it, my only obligation (and that is self-imposed) is to return the money order. I acknowledge no time constraints, I acknowledge no claim on my services. As far as I am concerned, you sent me money after I told you not to, and I *could* keep it. (Fat lot of good that would do me!) I *could* have done as another seller did to *me*, and hold it ransom until you cough up the return postage...
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tomwiii
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posted on May 17, 2004 03:42:54 PM new
My last straw with the Canadians was last week -- all my auctions state:
1) NO international PAYPAL accepted in 3 places /+/
2) International shipping via AIRMAIL ONLY! (don't do the THREE MONTHS SURFACE to ANZAC no more)!
So's we gets this email from Tony MoosePoop:
"How much surface shipping to AWATTAWA ON? And, BTW, you can take MY paypal because I'm HONEST!"
Dah-Dah-Bing! Dah-Dah-BLOCKED HIS BIDDER NAME!
 
773
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 17, 2004 04:28:18 PM new
I can't believe it.
I have figured out the PERFECT SOLUTION to this.
I had intended (even before the phone call) to send the m.o. back today anyway. However...
What if I send it back with a piece of jewelry (complete with $100 pricetag) and well, you know, we *have* to fill out those pesky Customs forms. I'll just keep the $10 additional in U.S. cash that she sent. So it won't be a gift, it will have been paid for.
How much duty will she get hit with on a $100 piece of jewelry?
BWAH-HAH-HAH!
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agitprop
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posted on May 17, 2004 04:32:29 PM new
Canada has no monopoly on idiots. We get enough domestic bidders who can't accept that we are an export-only business. They want to buy direct at local prices and not the much higher prices we achieve offshore via our website and online auction sales.
We also get idiots who try to pay by PayPal when we clearly state we can't accept payments via unregulated e-money systems. We do accept direct payments into our bank accounts in major currency zones, or via regulated e-money systems .
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 17, 2004 04:34:28 PM new
I must not have been paying attention because I'm not sure what you mean when you say "regulated e-money systems".
Example?
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neroter12
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posted on May 17, 2004 05:02:47 PM new
fluffy you are too much! What a scathing brilliant idea! hahahah.......
Maybe he means unregulated by banking laws?
pffsst...as if even banks act like they are regulated anymore. I had a draft hitting my account for 5.95 a month for two months. It said web services billing fee. I naively assumed it was for the banks bill payer service, which I planned to use but hadnt up till then. Since I wasnt using it, I went to request it stopped it and they said, nope its not us. So I ask if they can tell me then who it is? No, they say, the eft "only" comes with a series of numbers, no name - so you must have given somebody authorization for this.
I was like what? I think I am going to call suzie ormand on that or something. They are trying to tell me anybody with the routing number and account number to your bank (which, write a check somewhere) can legitimatly enter a eft to your account without your knowledge? Then you have to pay a stop payment charge? What the hell is so 'regulated' about that? Meanwhile they tell me when you stop the payment, they (whoever put in the eft) should contact you as to why payment has been stopped and then I will know. Never heard from anybody. Tell me that is the most bogus thing you have ever heard with a bank?
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stonecold613
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posted on May 17, 2004 08:53:14 PM new
I agree that Canadians are whiners, but there money spends the same as any other. I realize you don't to international and that is your choice. But I would also suggest banking at a reputable bank instead of Bob's backyard banking. I have bank accounts with both TCF and with Nova Savings Banks and neither charge one red cent for international payments.
But then you also state the Bank of America will not charge you if you open an account there. Is it just me or is the really a no brainer. Open the damm account and start making money world wide. You will be surprised at how easy it is to do business internationally.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 17, 2004 09:04:20 PM new
I have been on eBay since before it was eBay.
Never once in all those years has anyone ever called me at home and shouted obscenities at me...prior to today, that is.
If that passes for respectable behavior in that part of the world, then I pass.
Color me perfectly content to sell to the 260 million people residing right here in the good old U.S. of A. If I can't make a living doing that, I don't deserve to be in business.
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classicrock000
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posted on May 18, 2004 05:18:21 AM new
Never once in all those years has anyone ever called me at home and shouted obscenities at me...prior to today, that is.
Not even you EX ?
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antique519
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posted on May 18, 2004 05:55:59 AM new
If Fluffy doesn't want to sell to Canadians, that's OK with me.
I do sell internationally and didn't think I could cash the Money Order I received so I sent it back. The buyer was very nice to inform me that all I had to do was take it to the Post Office. Cashing a Money Order at the Post Office had never entered my mind.
I had one buyer send me a check on a Canadian bank and that was a different story. Turned out to be a NPB who got a Neg. and all the other bells and whistles.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 18, 2004 06:09:16 AM new
Not even you EX ?
Not even.
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GeneralFunds
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posted on May 18, 2004 08:58:09 AM new
Just curious, Fluffy. What was eBay before it was eBay?
Thanks.
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NearTheSea
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posted on May 18, 2004 09:29:18 AM new
What was eBay before it was eBay?
It was called AuctionWeb and that was 1995? I don't know when they changed the name to eBay
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NearTheSea
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posted on May 18, 2004 09:31:11 AM new
Fluffy, I love your solution btw 
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 18, 2004 09:32:56 AM new
That's correct: It was AuctionWeb.
I remember when there were fewer than 500 listings. Total.
I remember the first item I sold: a Franciscan Fine China cup and saucer.
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NearTheSea
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posted on May 18, 2004 09:42:34 AM new
LOL, yeah, thats right, not many listings at all (well compared to today!) I bought a spitton and sold it about 5 years later for more than I first paid for it 
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sparkz
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posted on May 18, 2004 09:44:02 AM new
Fluffy...Your idea is one of my favorites. Don't mail it though. Send it UPS.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
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TnErnie
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posted on May 18, 2004 10:10:49 AM new
Fluffy - Love your solution!
I'm not sure what the customs charge would be on $100, but I recently had a buyer hit with a $12.00 customs charge on a $30.00 item.
So we know it will be more than $12.00
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 18, 2004 10:14:41 AM new
Send it UPS.
Okay, I'll play dumb. (It comes naturally.) Why UPS?
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TnErnie
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posted on May 18, 2004 10:20:26 AM new
They charge a huge additional fee (I think it's $30.00)to the consignee. It has something to do with taking it through customs I think.
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classicrock000
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posted on May 18, 2004 10:21:28 AM new
Never once in all those years has anyone ever called me at home and shouted obscenities at me...prior to today, that is.
Not even you EX ?
Not Even
Wow flufster-your're one of the lucky
ones ! LOL
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 18, 2004 10:45:33 AM new
If you ever met my ex, you'd understand.
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parklane64
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posted on May 18, 2004 11:03:38 AM new
The UPS thing could bite you. Send them their items USPS with full retail value on the customs form. Don't forget the broker charge when you reluctantly agree to send it.
Once I was questioned by a Canadian on shipping and I explained my packing and what it weighed and how I shipped, and he agreed to the postage of US$2.50. Doing the packing my wife says, "this is indestructable," and throws it in a padded envelope with US$.87 postage. He probably popped a vein in his forehead when he got it. My bad.
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sparkz
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posted on May 18, 2004 11:38:31 AM new
Fluffy...Tn is right. It's a "Customs Brokerage" fee that is hidden deep in their tariff and only appears when something crosses the U.S. border. It's a great way to surprise someone and leave them breathless.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on May 18, 2004 11:41:53 AM new
Will I be able to track this parcel? No matter how I return their money order, I'd like to make sure they get it.
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R.I.P. Tony Randall, 1920 - 2004
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NearTheSea
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posted on May 18, 2004 12:56:18 PM new
In the U.S. you can track UPS, good question.. does anyone know if you can track UPS from US to Canada?
omg Fluffy, I read that earlier about Tony Randall, he was a great actor.
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gousainc-07
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posted on May 18, 2004 05:07:12 PM new
UPS is trackable. Make sure it has a tracking number when you print the label.
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classicrock000
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posted on May 19, 2004 07:58:28 AM new
I remember Tony Randall in the Doris Day and Rock Hudson movies.Tony Randall was the perfect pick for being Mr Clean on the Odd Couple.In the mid sixties I saw the Odd Couple on braodway before it was a hit on TV,but I cant remember if Klugman and Randall were in the play or not.
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