e-bay: Troopies For Sale: Any Experience With These Guys?

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Hi Dave,
I don't want to spend $4/minute to call you, so i hope that you will check back on this thread. I would like to apologize directly to you for the carelessness of my wording. I know you said that the damage has been done, but I hope you will accept my apology. I never should have used the words I did, as they were incorrect. Your ads give a lot of detailed info about the trucks, and appear to be very straightforward, showing them, "warts and all". Plus you are very upfront about what you are offering. So I have no doubt you are not trying to scam anyone. And I really do apologize for using that type of wording. It was a mistake on my part, as that was not what I meant to say.
And yes, I do think you are quite capable of booking the freight to ship a vehicle overseas. That was part of the point I was trying to make. That part is the easiest part of the deal. Obviously it is one of the most important parts of trying to ship a vehicle overseas, but it takes no real effort to call a forwarder & book space. As I mentioned above, for people that don't already have connections over there, your offering would be very appealing, as it would be virtually impossible to ship a vehicle out of Australia without it. But for people on this board, that have friends over there, I see it as an added expsense, that isn't necessary.
Incidentally, please google, "Incoterms". They are the international Chamber of Commerce perchase terms. Virtually all intl. purchase contracts use them, in order to protect both buyer/seller from confusion over the purchase terms. It basically lays out who is responsible for what, and when the buyer owns the freight. Since you say, "shipping included" but dont' lay out the specifics to closely some buyers might think you are offering shipping all the way to their door. IF you are that is great, but it sounds like you are offering delivery, "ex-ship" meaning the goods delivered to the named port, alongside the ship (so people pick up their truck at the port). This means that they would be responsble for several hundred dollars of port fees, plus domestic delivery. If you explain your terms a little better, it will help protect you from an ugly situation later. Anyway, I am sure you are pissed at me, so I don't expect to hear from you. But I have 11 years or so of experience in intl. shipping & supply chain management, and my wife is a US Customs Broker. So if you do have any questions, or need any help/advice, please feel free to ask me anything. I would like to have the opportunity make things, "square" between us, as I really didn't mean to give anyone the impression that you were a scammer or anything. I am truly sorry for that.

Best,
Abe
 
So, Goldchaser can you please educate us on the delivery included? Is it Delivered Duty Paid? What's included in your delivery?
 
goldchaser,

I can't recall if I've just read your posts before or we've had a transaction, but I don't remember our path crossing(s) being negative at all (I believe it was the opposite, IIRC).

That said, although I cannot comment on other people's position/feelings, but as far as I'm concerned the damege has not been done. The fact that you bothered to come unveil(sp) yourself and let us know that you were the seller deserves some credit in my book.

Sorry if I've got you mistaken with someone else though! :hillbilly:

Abe,

It says something about your character for apologizing like a real man.

Now we can all get back to being buddies (or mates) again, eh? ;)
 
I may very well have been the guy that got all of this started, and that's not good. I hate drama. (have a 13 yo girl so I know it well)

I was perusing ebay and found Goldchasers trucks and emailed him to ask a couple of questions. He mentioned that he was just getting into this business. I pointed this site out thinking if he wasn't aware of it, it would be a great place to connect with the community. He then pointed me to this spot (which I really didn't know existed before) at which time I PM'd Abe to ask if he'd had any direct contact along with some other questions (which he went above and beyond to answer b/t/w). I think that started all of this.

In my opinion, I'm very impressed with both Abe and Goldchaser for their honesty and willingness to step up.

Don't know what my timeframe is, or for 100% that I'll ever make the move, but I'm considering selling my hundy and getting an HJ of some kind to build into an expedition type of truck... that's how I got into this... my wife would say to just enjoy the little stable of trucks you have but I look at the stable as my funds for the next adventure :grinpimp:

Anyway... sorry this got out of hand.
 
Goldchaser,

Firstly: I will apologise for my remark about grammar: that was uncalled-for and I am sorry.

Secondly, and with all due respect: while I am certain that running an outback tourism operation is a difficult ask, and I am equally certain that you did a fine job and ran a tight ship; I don't see how this qualifies you as an exporter.

It is not simply a matter of receiving the money into your Paypal account and then dropping the car off at the docks. As gr8ful has rightly pointed out, there are some very crucial items of paperwork which have to be done in order for the vehicle to be allowed in to the US by US Customs.

Thirdly, and this is not intended as legal advice: The name you are doing business under does not appear to be a registered company name in Australia (I checked this here:Check that people or companies are licensed - Australian Securities and Investments Commission), nor is it a Pty Ltd. Thus, you could be opening yourself up to significant liability: both through your somewhat open offer of 'shipping included' and through holding yourself out as a business. Remember too that in Australia, holding yourself out as a business may entitle those dealing with you as such to sue you as though you were that company if things go pear-shaped (see Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Chapter 2B for more details on 'assumptions people dealing with companies are entitled to make').

Finally: Please do no think that anyone here on Mud has any issue whatsoever with some bloke starting up a Cruiser exporting business-in fact, I am sure that everyone supports it. I also completely agree with you on your price: if someone is willing to pay you US$16,000 for that troopy, then that is a fair price.

What I and others are taking issue with is simply the lack of clarity surrounding your business. To export it as a private bloke who is willing to help on this end is one thing. To export it as an export business is something entirely different. Experience must be gained in a particular field to make one an expert. Similarly, being an expert in one field (ie: outback tours) does not automatically make one an expert in all fields (ie: import/export). MOT simply asked what the people on Mud thought of your listing, and that is what everyone here has provided: their thoughts.

So, I hope you will accept my apology for the grammar remark and I wish you all-the-best in your Cruiser export endeavours.

Best Regards,

Josh
 
Abe thank you for some of that info i will look into it.
Hj47, no we haven't registered that business name,i spoke to my wife about it and we decided to try and get a couple of cars under our belt and then see if its worth setting up correctly,a business name will not protect you from being sued,unless you set up a company and hide behind the company name,and these days im pretty sure you'll find directors can be sued,im not looking this up im going from memory,you will also find a large majority of businesses in australia hj47 are not companies,you can also trade as a soletrader,setting up a company is usually done to lower your tax if your making good money,alot of people will set up a company in say their family name and not even use the business name,this is all common knowledge.
Im wondering how much time you spent checking me out on the computer when you obviously will never deal with me,i find that a bit disturbing.

I will be a bit more specific in our adds regarding shipping but i think most people at the moment understand it,ive spoken to alot of guys the last two weeks and not one has complained about it being hard to understand.
We will be using a freight fowarder that i have been speaking to for months and if we have any problems or hick ups early on its simple,i'll fix it or sort it out.
I honestly don't think we will be sued for advertising free shipping or shipping included,thats is just ridiculous.

goldchaser
 
Richard Dexter from Bluefreight is a great guy down there. Ring him up if you need help. Lloyd international down there is a bit cheaper but they don't generally call back quickly. I use Lloyd Int.

I just shipped in 3 trucks in a container. Obviously you would ship your trucks RORO. There are many hidden fees like port handling charges, gas surcharges, delivery charges, port fees on both ends, etc. The average joe here in the US will likely use a customs broker on this side which costs $400 USD or so. Clarifying in detail what's included will be key and get these guys off your balls. "Free" shipping in total would include all costs including fees here in America. "Free shipping to the port of Baltimore, LA, Houston, etc" would imply shipping costs are covered until the boat bumps the docks here in the US. It's a small distinction but will save you some drama down the road. I'm in the wine business and we do "free shipping" all the time and it works!!!!

HJ47 is a good friend of mine but unfortunately for him and all of us, he is a lawyer and even worse a smart lawyer. I don't think you'll win an argument with him!!!!

But I do love a good argument so I'm going to sit back and enjoy!

Goldie- if you want any help or advice further, feel free to PM me. I've imported about 30-40 trucks in the last 5 years. Happy to help in any way. Free Advice Included!
 
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Just checked the ebay listings-

That yellow one is nice and is a faily good deal including shipping. Bet you'll get around $10K in the end.

The red one is way too cheap in my opinion. You could get $7500 or $8K I bet. That engine is very clean. I'd buy that for $6K in a heatbeat and anyone considering should jump on that one fast.

Low mileage on both of them. If you keep finding trucks like this you'll be fine!
 
I will be a bit more specific in our adds regarding shipping but i think most people at the moment understand it,ive spoken to alot of guys the last two weeks and not one has complained about it being hard to understand.
We will be using a freight fowarder that i have been speaking to for months and if we have any problems or hick ups early on its simple,i'll fix it or sort it out.
I honestly don't think we will be sued for advertising free shipping or shipping included,thats is just ridiculous.

goldchaser

That's not a clear answer. I asked you a specific question and you give a politician's answer.

When you say shipping included, what do you get as a purchaser?
 
Call me anything but a poly please nevada:)

Shipping is to the port of choice,yes you will have to clear it and pay import duties,ive just included the shipping fees so theres only one up front price, thats all.

The mustard one is heading to canada.

cheers goldchaser
 
Thank G.C I appreciate it. No more Poly's...
 
hey no probs,sorry for the confusion.

goldchaser
 
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