Okay guys, I need your opinions.

I had an auction going on ebay to sell my Dad's Rolex Yachtmaster watch. It's only 7 months old, but he asked me if I could sell it for him. Actually the sale of the watch is also to my benefit, as the money is going towards one of our mutual projects, but anyways....

I was really paranoid about scams, paypal chargeback schemes, things of that nature. But then a very unusual request came up.

An old guy from Germany agreed to the buy it now price ($6250 which is really cheap for this watch). He wanted to use the buy it now button so as to make a record of our agreement. I checked his feedback, and it's 100%. about 98 different transactions, all in german, so I couldn't read them, but they were expensive gold collectible coins...things of that nature. I know he's actually in germany, because I called him on the phone and I had to dial the international code for germany. I asked him why he would fly all the way to florida just to pick up a watch? He said, it's cheaper for him to fly to the U.S., and stay a night in orlando, and pick it up in person...than it is for me to ship it to him in germany, and he get hit with some crazy 29% customs fee on 6k. Does that sound plausible??

Anyways, he wants to fly to orlando, and meet with us at a jewelry store to verify the autheticity of the watch. The jewelry store can be our choice. He will be paying with a bank draft from CitiBank. My dad and one of our german neighbors will be driving down to deliver the watch, and they can make the transaction at the bank to verify that the funds are secure.

Does this whole deal sound crazy? or do people actually do this kind of thing? Seems like alot of trouble for a freakin watch?? The german is an older guy, said he's retired and looks forward to meeting my dad. (side note. my dad carries and has his CCW) hehe

Tell me what you guys think?

here is the finished auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESO:IT&ih=002

 

sounds like its gonna be fun

 

weird but what do u have to loose !!!

 

at first glance, it seems kinda crazy, all for a watch. however, you mentioned that he is retired, and he obviously has the cash flow to entertain his little hobby for pricey items, so it makes sense. thus, he's got money AND time to travel. that way he can check the authenticity, too! let's hope he doesn't try any funny business w/ you when he gets there haha

 

I think that the Euro is worth twice as much as the dollar...

That means he is probably saving big $$ by not buying it in Germany.

Also he is saving by wearing it back instead of paying crazy customs/tariff fees.

Think of it this way.. in the US a GTO is what 30K?
Well in the UK they sell for 35k Pounds.. or 70k dollars! (Sold as a Vauxhall)

Yup.. that's right. A car that they have trouble selling in the US for 30k sells for $70k in the UK.

that's world economics for you.

 

My parents shipped me a digital camera when I was in Germany and the import tax ("Steuer") was something ridiculous (29% sounds about right). As I recall the tax was something like 60 Euro. Apparently I can get that money back from the German embassy here in the states (because they wouldn't give it back when I was leaving the country like the post office said). I haven't looked into it, but considering the exchange rate, it might not be a bad idea now!

Oh, and the exchange rate is probably another reason he's willing to fly here to get it - by trading in his Euros for USD it will cost him about 20% less than a year ago (or more, not sure of the exchange).

 

Thanks, you guys bring up some good points. It makes me feel a little more at ease. I didn't even think about the fact that if you fly back into germany, you'd have to declare anything you are bringing back in...but a watch, just freakin wear it right? Declare nada....

It's pretty depressing though, that europeans are coming here to get more for their dollar, hahaha.. Reminds me of the last time I went to the outlet. Saw a european couple that had 3 shopping carts full of nikes. I was like WTF? They were picking up Shox like they were giving them away, hahaha.

 

Haha funny mental image... although if this keeps up our GDP will improve, and hopefully as a consequence our overall economy will strengthen and the dollar will increase in value once again.

 

my friend sold a pair of jordans for over $1,000 and the guy flew to maryland to come get the shoes.

 

Ya some valid points from some of the members should make you at ease

 

I wonder if Europeans like collector's baseball cards?

I've got TONS of those!

 

I would take the guy out and buy him a hooker while he is in the US... Treat him right...

 

Just be careful because there are a lot of check scams that go unrealized with these type of transactions especially involving bank checks. Have him make the bank check out to himself cash it and give you cash right there. That way you are covered. Good luck with the transaction.

 

ha, there was a story on the local news this morning on a burglary of baseball cards, hahah.. 30k for a mickey mantle rookie card???

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/n...storyid=104647

 

or we could always send him tito