Local Unmentionables: Notes on YOUR corner of the world

IANAL... (Jeff...), but it seems that if you made a good-faith effort to find out, plus stating in the contract that you were not responsible for these costs, then you aren't responsible for them. You could be a mensch and regift something from your Mac closet/garage/underground depot he'd like, if that'd make both of you feel better.

Yes, I ran into the Canadian customs charge (Ccc) on some much smaller and non-tech thing. Can't even remember if I was the sender or recipient.

ddt

If you're trying to take the high road just because, throw him a bone, but to be honest as long as you made it clear and plain up-front, it sounds more like he didn't bother to read/understand and wanted to whine about it. As much as we all want to "do the right thing" and "be responsible for the failures of others" (two concepts not necessarily linked) people do need to take responsibility for their own lack of attention.

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John Willoughby
I think that a lot of people will mark things as gifts to avoid this kind of surcharge, but that's probably illegal.

Yeah, I didn't want to bear any of that responsibility. I'm sure customs' senses are especially heightened for a highly-trafficked object like this right now.

I know I'm in the clear - I mentioned the buyer's responsibility for customs before the sale, and again when I shipped it - so I guess I'm trying to figure out the Right Thing. Wish it didn't take money. I made about $80 after the fees, and refunding him shipping would drop that to $40.

Yes, legally you're in the clear. Is this an eBay transaction, or something else where you might get negative feedback? If not, I think customs duties are simply an area of "buyer beware"--you warned him (perhaps not of the amount the duty might be, but you warned him) and he chose to proceed in the face of a known risk. Even if your concern is the Right Thing, and not the law, I don't think you owe him anything.

eBay changed their reputation system so that there is no such thing any more as negative feedback. Interesting decision, from a social science standpoint... .

ddt

My accountant died soon after being diagnosed with cancer. I hate that stuff.
http://www2.indystar.com/cgi-bin/obituaries/index.php?action=show&id=128351

[Edit: I had to shake my head. Next email in my inbox was from "Papa Murphy's" pizza.]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2011 02:17PM by El Jeffe.

This may make me seem like a bit of Jerk, but the $160 customs fee is the price he pays for getting his iPad2 straight away and not waiting for it to arrive at his local store.

Don't beat yourself up about it, JK.

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ddt
eBay changed their reputation system so that there is no such thing any more as negative feedback. Interesting decision, from a social science standpoint... .

That's only for sellers leaving feedback for buyers. Buyers can still leave negative feedback for sellers.

Ah, thanks for the clarification. Though I stand by my last sentence (to a more limited effect).

ddt

Thanks all, I'll let myself off the hook. He was polite and maybe naive, but it still amounts to whining. Yes, eBay - negative feedback would be easily answered, FWIW.

It's a bit stressful to sell something worth real money online. After getting my laptop stolen last year and the detective mentioning how many are fenced through Craigslist, I've lost my taste for that. And I hear eBay's trust system is shot now. When looking at some of the highest-priced iPads sold, they usually were "won" by an unregistered user, hmmmm. (Though most of us are familiar with that strategy.) Heard horror stories about international buyers claiming that it didn't get to them, as tracking across borders gets tricky. I think eBay/Paypal is happy to make its money off fees, scams be damned.

I'll be Grandpa Simpson and tell you a "when I was your age" story I've probably told you before... my first Internet transaction in 1995 (still have the emails). Found a guitar pedal for a great price on Usenet, it was shipped to me COD and I paid with a personal check.

About to walk down to Moscone for Google I/O.

How many Sporkers do we have left in San Francisco? Any of you have time to get some coffee or a pint?

Hey, if you have time on Thursday, come to my program's final projects presentation! About 10min walk from the Downtown Berkeley BART stop: http://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/newsandevents/events/finalprojects2011

Sadly, I will be nose to the grindstone until then, what with that and a final paper I really should get on. Now excuse me, it's time for a nap and then a bike ride.

(Glad we're having good weather for your visit... if you're going to be outdoors at all.)

ddt

I will actually have a car on Thursday so I'll make an effort to get there. We're planning a trip up to Fairfield to see my childhood home and visit the Jelly Belly factory. We fly back to MN on Sunday morning.

I'm around but I'm halfway down the peninsula and working very hard at my new job. I will be in the city for something else until 9:30 on Wednesday though.

Cool, CS! Parking can be a bitch, though, as is bridge traffic.

Alan, glad you're working (even if it's over-, as usual). Is the family life in one location now?

ddt

Sorry I can't make it to your presentation, ddt. What with being across the country. Too bad I didn't time a trip to AZ then. Looking forward to seeing the results, though! Good luck.

Thanks, johnny! They listed the judges for my presentation and I don't know them, and am not sure if they're really up the project's alley... any idea if I should cater my talk to them, or to the general faculty? There might be prizes involved.

ddt

(Oh, and: http://people.ischool.berkeley.edu/~ddt/digitalcompanion/)

ddt

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Cloudscout
About to walk down to Moscone for Google I/O.

Did you get a tablet, CS?

I am in sausalito today, south bay and peninsula tomorrow, then berkeley and sausalito on thursday. are you free for beers on Friday or Saturday?