The uSA is evil, everyone knows that. Why, most of the politicians and the New York Times tell us that every day, so it must be true (eavesdropping on sweet friendly terrorists and monitoring their bank wires, not to mention illegal wars against modern day Hitlers.) Oh and don't forget we use an insane amount of energy causing global warming which hurts poor polar bears.
M. Valdemar
Well-known
Huh? Morality is absolute. You said so. Even if it's a "safety issue", you're breaking the law.
But you DO have a choice to not send foreign governments money in the form of excess customs duties. You don't have to blindly obey some obscure questionably "moral" concept.
I'm not a socialist and I hate NPR.
But you DO have a choice to not send foreign governments money in the form of excess customs duties. You don't have to blindly obey some obscure questionably "moral" concept.
I'm not a socialist and I hate NPR.
dadsm3
Well-known
You crossed the line here in your first comment. Balance ignored.
Anupam
Well-known
What's with all the spurious US bashing and absurd talk of morality over what is such a subjective and trivial issue. It depends on the person. Don't like the conditions of a sale? Move on - don't get the blood pressure all worked up.
No. I am not American. There are a lot of reasons to criticize the US, but US only sales and declared value on RFF classified sales are way down on the priority list, IMO.
No. I am not American. There are a lot of reasons to criticize the US, but US only sales and declared value on RFF classified sales are way down on the priority list, IMO.
shotput8
Newbie
It is not the biggest moral issue of the day, but I don't do it.
I won't turn you in for doing it, but I don't do it.
My obligation to the buyer is to accurately describe the item, pack it carefully, and sent it in a timely manner.
One has to set their own moral code. Where does one set the limit? It can become a slippery slope before you know it.
I once sent a $500 lens to a Scandinavian country. I couldn't buy insurance. If the item was lost, I would return the money to the buyer.
I once sold a Revox tape recorder. I carefully tested the item and then carefully shipped it to the buyer. I received an email from the buyer saying the recorder was bad. I had them ship it back to me. When I received it, I took it apart a found some problems had occurred during shipping. Revox had put too short screws into one circuit board. It came loose and damage some other non-replaceable parts. I returned the buyer's payment plus shipping.
You have to set your own moral code.
Why is this issue so important to you?
I won't turn you in for doing it, but I don't do it.
My obligation to the buyer is to accurately describe the item, pack it carefully, and sent it in a timely manner.
One has to set their own moral code. Where does one set the limit? It can become a slippery slope before you know it.
I once sent a $500 lens to a Scandinavian country. I couldn't buy insurance. If the item was lost, I would return the money to the buyer.
I once sold a Revox tape recorder. I carefully tested the item and then carefully shipped it to the buyer. I received an email from the buyer saying the recorder was bad. I had them ship it back to me. When I received it, I took it apart a found some problems had occurred during shipping. Revox had put too short screws into one circuit board. It came loose and damage some other non-replaceable parts. I returned the buyer's payment plus shipping.
You have to set your own moral code.
Why is this issue so important to you?
dexdog
Veteran
I see no reason to be complicit in anyone evading taxes that a country may impose.
Are Euro countries buying bullets now? If so good; peace through strength. 
David Goldfarb
Well-known
Who wants to deal with some different company to insure a package? If I had to do that, I wouldn't bother to sell things on the internet. The post office and shipping companies offer insurance, so it's easiest to use their insurance, and that entails insuring for the same amount as on the customs declaration, to avoid having the insurance denied in case of damage or loss, and to avoid having the package delayed or returned in case of a customs exception.
If the buyer accepts the risk of loss or delay, I'll declare an item a gift, but otherwise, it's not worth my time.
If the buyer accepts the risk of loss or delay, I'll declare an item a gift, but otherwise, it's not worth my time.
M. Valdemar
Well-known
I personally insure with DSI but never had a claim.
However, from extensive contact with other people who do use DSI, they are very good about honoring claims.
shotput8, I'm very honest in my personal dealings. You and I are talking about two different things.
I started this thread because more and more people state "they will not lower value" on customs forms, and I wonder why?
There are arguable reasons pro and con. It gets people all worked up.
However, from extensive contact with other people who do use DSI, they are very good about honoring claims.
shotput8, I'm very honest in my personal dealings. You and I are talking about two different things.
I started this thread because more and more people state "they will not lower value" on customs forms, and I wonder why?
There are arguable reasons pro and con. It gets people all worked up.
M. Valdemar
Well-known
DSI and a couple of others are FAR BETTER than the USPS insurance. Ever try to collect a USPS claim? I have. A nightmare.
Once you have set up a DSI account (about 5 minutes), it's a 10 second click to insure new packages.
Once you have set up a DSI account (about 5 minutes), it's a 10 second click to insure new packages.
bmattock
Veteran
M. Valdemar
Well-known
Why? Isn't it true?
A Government can kill enemies or evil-doers, but the Mafia cannot? An individual cannot? At what point does an organization become big enough to be entitled to kill enemies?
Just a hypothetical question, that goes to morality. When should you follow your own morality and not morality that is dictated to you?
A Government can kill enemies or evil-doers, but the Mafia cannot? An individual cannot? At what point does an organization become big enough to be entitled to kill enemies?
Just a hypothetical question, that goes to morality. When should you follow your own morality and not morality that is dictated to you?
bmattock
Veteran
That's the best part.
bmattock
Veteran
I do everything the voices in my head tell me to. They like you, but they're not sure about your buddies.
The newspapers are all criticizing Bush for not having enough support from other countries; one should get ones news from other more reliable sources than the papers.
bmattock
Veteran
Viva Sarkozy & Berlusconi
dexdog
Veteran
Originally Posted by M. Valdemar View Post
You don't evade any taxes. The United States does not collect ANY taxes or customs duty on packages you ship out of the country.
They could care less. Declaring a high value on packages simply helps the foreign government to which you ship levy high fees on the buyer.] QUOTE
I do not have a problem declaring a "high value" on an item if that is what the item sold for on eBay or other venue. Can't see why it should be my problem how the tax policies of other countries affect any taxes that buyer may have to pay
You don't evade any taxes. The United States does not collect ANY taxes or customs duty on packages you ship out of the country.
They could care less. Declaring a high value on packages simply helps the foreign government to which you ship levy high fees on the buyer.] QUOTE
I do not have a problem declaring a "high value" on an item if that is what the item sold for on eBay or other venue. Can't see why it should be my problem how the tax policies of other countries affect any taxes that buyer may have to pay
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Ororaro
Well-known
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