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Pumpkin & Pickle BearsI had a lady contact me via Bearpile about my miniature clown bear, Caspar. She wanted to know if he was still available. I sent her an email saying that he was and if she wished to adopt him she could go through the order process in Bearpile.
I've had a response from her but I can't seem to understand exactly what she's asking me to do (she's Italian). I've added the main of the email here.....if you can figure out what she is trying to ask It'd be much appreciated. From what I can tell she is asking if she can buy direct from me instead of through Bearpile because of taxes??! There'd be no difference in the way the bear was postage if she went through Bearpile or direct from me....I'm confused (which doesn't take much)!!!
Dear Gemma Jeffries,
I saw your "CASPAR" on Bearpile and I'm still interested in him.
But there is a problem: one month ago I bought n. 1 Limoges box
(amount $110,00) with PayPal from Texas and there were some
duty taxes for $ 46,50 USD.
Now I have discovered your personal web-site and I would buy
directly "CASPAR" only with the normal shipping costs from
England, without duty taxes.
If is it possible, I would be interested in "LULA & SNOWDROP".
Since your bear are very beautiful (I like the miniature max 4"),
I would continue to buy directly for the future times if you will
send me early the e-mail about new/available bears.
I PAY WITH PAYPAL. Sorry for my English!
I await your notices.
Thank you.
Best regards.
I'm going to have to tell her that Lula and Snowdrop are already adopted though - I think she thinks all the bears in my gallery are for sale!
Bears by JodiHave you marked them adopted ??? If not go in and do that. Gee !! I am not sure what she is talking about. Maybe you can tell her you won't insure it and send it as a gift but if it gets lost you will not be responsible for it. I am not sure what would save her the tax money. Boy does any one else have an idea? And let Gemma know if I gave wrong advice !!!
Hi There,
Ellen is absolutely right. This lady had a problem before because she bought something from the USA, which is outside the EU (obviously, haha!). However, you are in the UK and she is in Italy, so there shouldn't be any likelihood that she would get hit with customs duty as you are both within the EU. From her e-mail she is keen on your bears so I would do my best to reassure her and cultivate her business 
You can declare the full value of anything you send her (and insure it too) without worrying that she might have to pay duty at her end. I wish more of my collectors were in the EU - it would make life so much more straightforward!!
Good luck with this sale - it should be fine and you may have a collector for life!! 
Hugs,
Christine
Pumpkin & Pickle BearsThank you so much everyone. :hug:
I have emailed the lady and explained the tax situation to her. Hopefully she'll adopt Caspar now!
Posts: 8,574Cobngratulations Gemma- i hope she does too.
Customs is an awkward thing- I was amazed that to Canada UPS there are two people at your door to collect money from you.
Yet the penalties for not being truthful are steep and not worth it. I think this is the first super positive thing i have heard about the EU- and congratulate you folks for no longer having to do the custom taxes think within the EU.
If Presidents of Mexico and the States and PM of Canada succeed in their latest adventure that combines Canada, Mexico and the States into "one big happy family" I wonder if that will do away with customs here too? Hmmmmm....
For those of you in the states who haven't heard about this, its to be called The North American Union----it would essentially abolish our constitution too. hmmmmmm.......a whole other topic
best wishes on your impending sale Gemma
dilu
Don't worry Dilu...it will never happen. Canada is already not noticing any good from NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)... free trade...what a joke that is... any new unions or new agreements would be about the same...no appreciable difference for the ordinary joe... notice I spelled it with a small J because that is what we all are..."nothings" really when it comes to business ventures and free trade unless we are BIG corporations here..i. ... and if you are talking about Canada just "becoming" part of a "big happy family" of states..... trust me it ain't gonna happen.................. hahahhaha........
The reason UPS (which by the way is NOT your United States postal service..it is the "Brown guys" Parcel Service but most people don't seem to understand that ) is because they have their own system of conducting business. If they have to get your parcel through customs...they charge us for it.... and they set their own charges as well as they also have their own rates for the actual shipping.....so by the time we receive parcels carried by them.... we pay about twice the amount of what anything is worth.
On the other hand..if u send it through the regular mail....that would be your USPS........United States Postal Service............ then Canada Post gets its cut...although at least they only charge a flat rate of $5 if the customs people have to handle any parcel. If for some reason...things bypass customs...we only pay taxes on the amount of our purchase (we pay on any amount above $20 for purchases)......But if it is a gift...we also have to pay taxes on any amount above $60. Also if it is sent as a gift.... you must make sure u wrap it in some nice paper and/or send a card or note with it so that we have proof it is not a purchase....... because if they open it and it appears to be a purchase...then we get charged accordingly.
Pumpkin & Pickle BearsThanks for the responses everyone!
She bought Caspar - he is going to live in Italy!! :dance: ...... I LOVE Italy!
Posts: 3,540:clap: Congratulations Gemma!!! :clap: I just love it when my bears find homes in new countries Will you be trying to fit into the box with him? 
Dilu, Let's hope that does NOT come about 
Very much like the mad, mad idea of trying to microchip every single animal in the US. Methinks the people that come up with these ideas are the ones who stand to make the megga bucks!
Bumblebearies, thanks for explaining how the different systems work going to Canada 
I'd often wondered, but then I get easily confused. 
I do best when I stick to the Postal Service.
Newcastle, OntarioYep, UPS is okay going into the US - you guys don't pay for it, but I will not accept anything shipped to me by UPS, as I will not pay their charges. I only order by USPS. Confusing though, for you guys.
hugs,
Brenda
Kiprie BearsHi Gemma,
Congratulations 
Casper is truly adorable !! 
Jellybelly BearsWonderful news Gemma :dance: It is so funny how we get by even when we speak different languages lol
