Trust no one - a sorry tale

[techno]

Maybe I have been naive thinking that everyone who shares my love of monsters is therefore my friend.

I tried to buy some parts from a member of this forum in the US. After many excuses and a general lack of response it looks like I won't see my parts or my money.

See the last few posts of this thread for details

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16576.0

I've never had a problem before but now I'll be extremely cautious. A warning to all.

[mattyvas]

Techno that doesn't sound great.

I have tried a couple of times buying parts from a few people who part out bikes as a business.
I've never had success cause they always seem busy and reply late or not at all.
Shame you have to chase your $$$ but I'm sure it will be resolved, sometimes flee-bay protection does help.

Hope it gets sorted.

[dragonworld.]

The times that I've approached Monster people from across the Pond, they have seemed not interested in selling or even talking to us in Oz. 

At least if it is a hassle with postage or whatever, offer us the common coitusy of replying to our enquiries and letting us know what the situation is instead of just ignoring us.

[Palooka]

For some people there is no world outside their shores.

[dragonworld.]

Yep, the rest of the world isnt even on the USA school curriculum unless their military is over there kicking the shit out of it !!

I saw an on the street interview with Americans and most of them didnt even know where we are on the globe, and got us confused with Austria. Puhleeeeeessse. 

[EGAS1]

Yep, the rest of the world isnt even on the USA school curriculum unless their military is over there kicking the shit out of it !!

I saw an on the street interview with Americans and most of them didnt even know where we are on the globe, and got us confused with Austria. Puhleeeeeessse. 

Maybe that's not such a bad thing in today's World and the general opinion of the Americans 

[heatherp]

Sorry to hear about your experience Leigh.

I had a forum member in the US pm me about a front wheel he was willing to sell me.  After a few emails he just completely ignorned me.  Luckily no money changed hands.

Don't think I'll be doing any US buying unless someone from the Oz board gives them a good rap.

[Dannog]

I've purchased a few items from the US on this board. Twice the members were supprised by the cost of postage and paypal fees to AUS. Postage in the states is so easy and cheap they just get scared when they have to do custom forms etc. I just sold a few parts last week to the states and assuming that they turn up there next week everything went well.

I think that the best way to buy from the states is with someone (ie with a real business) that knows whats involved with shipping but sometimes it hard to pass up a bargin when you see one. There are some terriffic suppliers over their!

Techno, I do hope this guy comes through so the bitter taste left will only be a memory.

[dragonworld.]

I'm in no way hanging it on Chris from CA,and LT from Desmotimes for example as I have had very good service from those 2 organisations !!

It just appears that some of the private/ameteur individuals need a lesson in manners !

[Dannog]

I'm in no way hanging it on Chris from CA,and LT from Desmotimes for example as I have had very good service from those 2 organisations !!

It just appears that some of the private/ameteur individuals need a lesson in manners !

+1 on that!
add to the list Jeff from monsterparts, Dan from Dan Kyle racing and the guys are PJ Parts! - all reliable operators

[loony888]

far out man, take it easy. i can't comment on how speedy he responds to e-mails or PM's but if he's been told they're being returned due to packaging who knows how far they got. did they leave the U.S? did they get to oz and then get sent all the way back? Air mail can and often does take up to two weeks depending on where he is and who knows how much effort the customs people are going to, probably not much. be patient, the parts have to get back to him, be repacked and re posted and then make the trip all the way to you. it looks like about 12 days between his last post and you stating your experience was no good, that's transit time i'm guessing, he posted to explain the customs problems, that was 2 days ago their time, that's a day and a half at the most!!! I would be reluctant to post publicly too, i don't think your expectations are realistic time wise and i don't think it's fair you say you have done your dough. sit tight and hold your water, from what others have experienced it would seem he will come through.


paul.

[techno]

Loony, I suppose you only know what you have read because I haven't felt the need to air the full story. I can see how you might come to the conclusions you have. I don't think I'm being unrealistic. Here some more info.

I have had stuff sent privately from the US before. Arrived in 10 days.

In the present case I agreed to a deal on 17 November and paid by paypal on 18 November 2008. About 7 days later I emailed and asked when it had been sent and by what method. I got a reponse within a few days which is reasonable turn around but didn't answer my questions. Just told me to be patient so I was. The next email I sent was  6 January expressing my concern at the time it was taking. I got a reply saying he would check.

On the 15 January he said it was on its way back to him due to a customs problem. I emailed on the 20th saying I wasn't prepared to wait another two months and suggested a refund. By the 27 Jan I still had no reply so I put up a purposely vague post on his for sale thread to flush out a response. All I wanted was a response and by now I was quite rightly concerned but didn't want to crap all over the thread. It did flush out a response and I sent him a PM again but still got no answer.

It was only today after someone else put a link to the other Ducati board that I got confirmation he will refund me. I now have to be patient again and wait for that.

In short, I tried the diplomatic approach but got nothing. It seems I got a swifter response when the guys reputation got threatened. It shouldn't have to come to that but it did in this case. Thanks for the advice but I'm tired of sitting tight.

I have to say that I have bought heaps of stuff on ebay and some here with no problem.Had to happen sometime.

[loony888]

Loony, I suppose you only know what you have read because I haven't felt the need to air the full story. I can see how you might come to the conclusions you have. I don't think I'm being unrealistic. Here some more info.

I have had stuff sent privately from the US before. Arrived in 10 days.

In the present case I agreed to a deal on 17 November and paid by paypal on 18 November 2008. About 7 days later I emailed and asked when it had been sent and by what method. I got a reponse within a few days which is reasonable turn around but didn't answer my questions. Just told me to be patient so I was. The next email I sent was  6 January expressing my concern at the time it was taking. I got a reply saying he would check.

On the 15 January he said it was on its way back to him due to a customs problem. I emailed on the 20th saying I wasn't prepared to wait another two months and suggested a refund. By the 27 Jan I still had no reply so I put up a purposely vague post on his for sale thread to flush out a response. All I wanted was a response and by now I was quite rightly concerned but didn't want to crap all over the thread. It did flush out a response and I sent him a PM again but still got no answer.

It was only today after someone else put a link to the other Ducati board that I got confirmation he will refund me. I now have to be patient again and wait for that.

In short, I tried the diplomatic approach but got nothing. It seems I got a swifter response when the guys reputation got threatened. It shouldn't have to come to that but it did in this case. Thanks for the advice but I'm tired of sitting tight.

I have to say that I have bought heaps of stuff on ebay and some here with no problem.Had to happen sometime.

well with that scenario i too would be in the same frame of mind as you. as far as i'm concerned, if i pay for something on the 18th of november i expect it to be posted within a week, to be told to be patient is all well and good if you're waiting for a quote on postage or a price on an item, but once paid for, that doesn't really wash. At least he did check as he said he would and a week after that he has replied with an explanation, and i have to say, from a sellers point of view, i wouldn't give a refund on an item until i had it back in my posession, it's a bit of an unwritten agreement that once posted responsibility for loss/theft/damage is on the buyer/receiver, so i'm not surprised he has little to say until he gets the parcel returned. I hope it works out for the best and you both chalk it up to experience, i've always had good dealings with buying and selling to other owners, especially through the forums.
thanks for the extra info, it makes it easier to understand your concerns.

paul.

[monsta]

I gotta say techno, I read the thread and I agreed with loony till you told the full story. And I gotta agree... I'd be pissed off as well!
To be honest, you come across as a bit of an arse in that thread, I reckon you should have posted more details there.

I wonder if anyone else here actually read the thread beside loony?
I've never had any drama's with getting things from the states, and I'd bought shitloads!   
but there was this guy in Melbourne that ripped me off for a set of headers!  .....

good luck with it mate.

[proclivity]

I have also had no problems selling things abroad......quite a few of my customers are from Europe, because of the weak US dollar and Australia because of the same as well as the difficulty in finding parts there. This is one of the reasons i send my items internationally. I just sent $2k worth of Ohlins to Germany, and i will probably be sending the rear Ohlins to China.......yes, China.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130279710370&sspagename=STRK%3AMESOX%3AIT&viewitem=

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=130284336430

Who knows where the swingarm, motor, or Sidis will end up?  I don't care where i ship, so long as the buyer pays the shipping and pays securely.

The only problems i have had are with stateside buyers, ironically.....oh yeah, and couple in Spain that didn't pay.

I do appreciate the support from fellow members..........FWIW, i said i would be sending a refund as soon as the parts return. Should be by the end of this week. If it doesn't get here, i will refund the money anyhow. I could have been quicker on the draw with e-mails, i admit. I was visiting my new nephew in Michigan from the 6th to the 13th.  He's a cute kid.


@ Techno, please don't base your experience of US sellers off of this one unfortunate experience. Feel free to lambaste me, as you are, it will not affect me from selling to Australia.  I've been there on three different occasions (Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney) while in the US Navy and enjoyed each one.....except for the mayo on a sandwich at Subway....that turned me off a little however after a few swigs of Victoria Bitter, i was ready to rock.  No hard feelings.

I will have another s4rs coming in with great parts in about a week if anyone is interested, including you techno.........i'll post it up.

I've also agreed with the administrators to become a sponsor of the board.

peace brother......ride safe [moto]