Date:         Tue, 6 Feb 2007 20:23:09 -0800
Reply-To:     Jim Arnott <jr.arnott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Arnott <jr.arnott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Looking for a secure payment from Germany
Comments: To: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <04a601c74a60$6bddc3c0$0b0ba8c0@RON>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

On Feb 6, 2007, at 6:33 PM, The Bus Depot wrote:

> Incidentally, I would argue that this actually IS Vanagon related
> subject
> matter (with the admitted exception of my last comment). Vanagons
> being a
> German product and most members of this list being in the U.S. and
> Canada
> (themselves two different countries), many list members have bought/
> sold
> parts (or even whole Vanagons) internationally. A discussion of
> safe or
> unsafe payment options for international transactions has direct
> relevance
> to Vanagon ownership for many listmembers, even though the original
> post
> happened to be non-Vanagon related.   Of course if Jim disgreees, I
> will
> completely respect his decision and humbly offer my apologies.

I haven't said a word.  I had exactly the same problem with some
parts from SA.  The only way to get the money there was in a series
of letters with a crisp, new US Grant in each one.

It got there, but...  There just wasn't any other way.  Wire transfer
started at 40% of the total transaction value.  Paypal and Western
Union don't play in SA. FedEx wanted 75% of the total for an 'envelope."

I sent cash. And I got my pair of sets of mud flaps. (Thanks Fig!)

Jim