Things from China...

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LouiseScot
Posts: 1167
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:51 pm
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Things from China...

#1 Post by LouiseScot » Thu Nov 10, 2022 2:16 pm

A month ago I purchased a UPlanFLN 100x/1.30 via a seller on Ebay that I've used before. It was just a small upgrade for my AmScope 720Q.
A while later I got a message from the seller apologising for the delay and saying he would dispatch it by FedEx. At the time I thought it a bit odd since it seemed to be on its way (shrugged shoulders). I replied 'No problem' as I wasn't in any hurry for it. Anyway, it was delivered by FedEx on 1st Nov. so I thought that was good service. It appears, though, that there was still one travelling on its way to me via the post! This morning I got a text from Royal Mail saying they had a package but there were customs charges of £82.82 to pay. At first I thought it was a scam though it was placed with other previous Royal Mail texts on the phone. Had a card in the post today so that confirms it. So it looks like I have a second UPlanFLN en route and at a cost of the customs charges! On the one hand I don't desperately need another such objective though could use it on my infinity rail system, but a cheap second one does seem a bargain! Of course, I've tried to contact the seller but he's apparently away until Nov 24. I'm presuming it was a mistake stemming from all the disruption still taking place out there but who knows. Last week my Mandarin class teacher said her hometown of Anshan (Near N. Korea) has been locked down. Oh, just to mention, I didn't have to pay FedEx any customs charges for the objective they delivered :)

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

apochronaut
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Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 12:15 am

Re: Things from China...

#2 Post by apochronaut » Thu Nov 10, 2022 3:25 pm

You wouldn't want to take advantage of the seller's mistake now would you.? Perhaps you should offer to return it at the postage cost ?

Sure Squintsalot
Posts: 393
Joined: Mon May 16, 2022 3:44 pm

Re: Things from China...

#3 Post by Sure Squintsalot » Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:14 pm

You're lucky to have TWO units to compare and select the better from! It'd be interesting to see what you come up with.

Sidenote - expect crazy-exorbitant shipping fees for sending packages overseas from the US. This makes returning things completely moot.

LouiseScot
Posts: 1167
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:51 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: Things from China...

#4 Post by LouiseScot » Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:38 pm

apochronaut wrote:
Thu Nov 10, 2022 3:25 pm
You wouldn't want to take advantage of the seller's mistake now would you.? Perhaps you should offer to return it at the postage cost ?
Well, I'll see what he says when he replies to my message! Um, it's a bit tricky as I've had to pay over £80 customs duty on it...
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

LouiseScot
Posts: 1167
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:51 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: Things from China...

#5 Post by LouiseScot » Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:40 pm

Sure Squintsalot wrote:
Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:14 pm
You're lucky to have TWO units to compare and select the better from! It'd be interesting to see what you come up with.

Sidenote - expect crazy-exorbitant shipping fees for sending packages overseas from the US. This makes returning things completely moot.
I imagine they'll both be the same. I've not even tried out the FedExed one yet! If I end up sending the posted one back I would expect the seller to pay the cost and the insurance - and refund the duty!
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

Alexander
Posts: 402
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:10 pm

Re: Things from China...

#6 Post by Alexander » Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:56 pm

LouiseScot wrote:
Thu Nov 10, 2022 2:16 pm
Oh, just to mention, I didn't have to pay FedEx any customs charges for the objective they delivered :)
Fedex features the habit to send an invoice for customs and duties plus a hefty fee some time after the delivery.

LouiseScot
Posts: 1167
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:51 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: Things from China...

#7 Post by LouiseScot » Thu Nov 10, 2022 5:07 pm

Alexander wrote:
Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:56 pm
LouiseScot wrote:
Thu Nov 10, 2022 2:16 pm
Oh, just to mention, I didn't have to pay FedEx any customs charges for the objective they delivered :)
Fedex features the habit to send an invoice for customs and duties plus a hefty fee some time after the delivery.
I had wondered whether I might yet still get a bill...
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

LouiseScot
Posts: 1167
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:51 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: Things from China...

#8 Post by LouiseScot » Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:42 pm

I'm so disappointed! I just received the post I'd paid the customs charges for. Only, no objective - just a small bag of tiny prisms and lenses and a note saying the objective was being shipped via FedEx! If I'd realised, I might have just not paid the charges though that would have been dishonest! Oh well, the world has returned to balance and karma is good. I just hope I don't get a second charge from FedEx - that would be unfair! I don't think it's likely now, but fingers crossed on that!

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

Sure Squintsalot
Posts: 393
Joined: Mon May 16, 2022 3:44 pm

Re: Things from China...

#9 Post by Sure Squintsalot » Sun Nov 13, 2022 4:59 pm

It's like waking up from a dream in which you've found a trunk full of cash.

LouiseScot
Posts: 1167
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:51 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: Things from China...

#10 Post by LouiseScot » Sun Nov 13, 2022 10:19 pm

Sure Squintsalot wrote:
Sun Nov 13, 2022 4:59 pm
It's like waking up from a dream in which you've found a trunk full of cash.
Well, it's not a big deal. Not a financial downer - just disappointing to not receive something I thought I might get. I've not even tried the one I did receive via FedEx yet! Maybe over Christmas... I find, as I get older and older, that everything seems to take longer whilst time passes quicker!

Cheers

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

Dubious
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun May 09, 2021 7:55 pm

Re: Things from China...

#11 Post by Dubious » Sun Nov 13, 2022 10:55 pm

LouiseScot wrote:
Sun Nov 13, 2022 10:19 pm
. . .
I find, as I get older and older, that everything seems to take longer whilst time passes quicker!
. . .
I've noticed that myself. If the universe were fair, it should be the other way around...

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