Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
'The pricing is by Scott Catalog in US dollars. Thus the invoice will be charged in US funds at current exchange.'
So... what's he saying? That the $85 will be processed into US dollars resulting in a US dollar charge of about $55-60? That is how I took it but maybe not. In case you wonder why I don't just ask him, I prefer not to bother him further as I've already pestered him asking about other issues with this transaction.
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The transaction will be charged to your credit card based on the terms of your credit card agreement. Some charge fees for currency conversion, some don't. Check with the card issuer.
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OK, but- will I see a charge on my bill for $85 or the US equivalent. Possibly $50-60 based on current exchange rate?
That was my main concern and I probably wasn't clear about that, thanks.
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Were there any terms & conditions noted on the website or within the ad? Was the price or starting bid annotated "USD" ? I don't recall that I've ever bought or bid on a lot (or seen a lot for that matter) where the currency wasn't spelled out.
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Your card will be charged the "$85.00" at whatever the exchange rate is for that date and time. The conversion fee will be listed. Canadian dollars are worth about the same as ours so there should not be much of a difference, if any.
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$85 Canadian translates to around $65 US currently- a bit of a difference.
This was an approval selection, not a website. I am for now assuming that when he quoted $85 that was in Canadian. If in US he's going to be a bit overpriced for me to continue with him.
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I think that "at current exchange" is what's causing the confusion, and he should have omitted those words, as the basic sentences are, "The pricing ($85) is in US dollars," and "The invoice will be charged in Us funds."
Ted
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05:59:03pm
I believe he is stating it poorly. This is what I think you will encounter.
1) His pricing is in US$
2) If he is like most dealers, his bank does not give him the option of processing credit card charges in US$. All his charges must be presented to the bank in C$. Therefore, the charge that he will process will be about C$112.20 (US$1 = C$1.32 , xe.com.
3)Your bank will convert the charge back to US$ on your bill, at whatever rate they use, which will surely be slightly different than whatever he uses to convert. Assuming your bank uses US$1 = C$1.30, (for example), the charge will appear on your statement as US$86.30 (C$112.20)
In order to clear the matter up, ask him if he is going to process the charge in C$, and the exact C$ amount, at what exchange rate. Then you will know everything except what rate your bank will convert back at.
The "bank exchange rate slippage" is usually little enough that the convenience outweighs the slight extra cost.
Roy
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I emailed him asking for clarity and so far, no reply.
He probably is stating it poorly, I do wonder if there is a disingenuous element in that he doesn't seem to want to directly answer my query. I think Roy is correct, and so it appears he is selling his wares at what works out to 75% of Scott. I just find that a bit much.
I will buy this lot and see how the next one goes meanwhile being on the lookout for someone selling at a more realistic price.
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Roy's spin on this was correct. It is $85 US which actually works out to 80% of so of Scott for what he sent. He did offer to reduce the charge to $65 for this time, so that's fair.
As stated I will see how the next selection goes then decide if his materiel is worth it. Right now I suspect I can do much better on this materiel (French Colonies, mint hinged) buying through Ebay or the APS.
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04:12:42am
Unless he stated "USDs" in his literature somewhere he should be charging $Can. Anything else is deceitful and I'd deal with someone else. I assume a Canadian dealer does a significant proportion of his business in Canada and his price to Canadians is $85.00 Can which is about $65.00 US.
Would he last long sending his Canadian customers a bill that says; "$85US, ($112.00 Can)" ?
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Yeah I am starting to think the same. He would have charged $85 CDN to a customer in Manitoba and been happy with getting that. Along comes a US client and the $85 becomes US funds. It's not leaving the best feeling on my part.
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Snick 1946, as I read your original message I reckon that you will have your credit card charged with US$85, with no additional currency fees (unless your credit card is not USA).
His account will be charged fees for the conversion to CA$.
I have an UK credit card that I use for European purchases and occasionally an ebay or other seller charges in dollars and I get a foreign currency fee applied.
You should by now be able to check your credit card account and verify what charges have been applied.
Vic
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10:10:41am
"I assume a Canadian dealer does a significant proportion of his business in Canada and his price to Canadians is $85.00 Can which is about $65.00 US.
Would he last long sending his Canadian customers a bill that says; "$85US, ($112.00 Can)" ?"
Wrong assumption.
We are Canadian dealers, and 90% of our business is with non-Canadian customers. After all, the population of the Northeastern United States is nearly double the entire population of Canada (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeastern_United_States ). The US$ is the "universal currency" (as evidenced by the fact that all business on Stamporama is conducted in US$). It would cost us business if we asked our US and oriental customers to think in C$ terms, when most collectors are familiar with their own exchange rate into US$, but not C$. In a recent thread here on Stamporama, the statement was made that "US$ and C$ are nearly the same" (I may be paraphrasing) -- and that shows the confusion, because the C$ is currently worth only about 75¢ US.
"Would he last long sending his Canadian customers a bill that says; "$85US, ($112.00 Can)" ?"
That's exactly how we do it, and we have been full time dealers now for 16 years, with a staff of 4 -- so the answer is to the question is "yes".
And, for what it's worth, the discussion did not involve a Canadian dealer to a Canadian customer, but rather a Canadian dealer to a US customer.
However, please note that, while I agree with the method of doing business (as imposed by the credit card companies), I disagree with the dealer's lack of clarity in his explanation.
Roy
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04:14:48pm
" ... I disagree with the dealer's lack of clarity in his explanation...."
I think that was also my underlying assumption.
Clarity and communication, that is the key.
I do recall that recently I bid on, and won, a lot at Vance Auctions and hadn't really thought about whose dollars they were working with, only to pleasantly discover that the invoice reflected roughly a 25% discount from what I thought I owed.
I imagine if the foot were in the other shoe I might not have been so pleased.
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I am awaiting my second shipment from this dealer, he says it was mailed 3-28.
This is one other problem with this situation. It takes so God awful long to get mailings from Canada. I bought two lots on Ebay last week from Europe, they both are here now. Unless his next selection is stellar, I am bailing on him. I also cannot shake the impression he is playing a shell game on the percentages and exchange rate. Life goes on..
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New York to California is usually in the 3 to 5 day range but it is not unusual for it to be 7 to 10 days - I assume it depends on routing. With approvals from Canada you are dealing with both Canada Post and the USPS as well as Customs - I would think allowing 12 to 14 days would be reasonable.
Mail in this country used to be delivered twice a day. In the 1950's regular mail from NY to California went by air whether or not franked with air mail rate and often was delivered the next day.
I doubt that delivery times (or service) will improve. Even Fedex is not what it used to be.
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I find domestic mail in the US to be wonderfully fast and reliable..... 2/3 days just about anywhere in the continental US.
Mail to/from Canada and the US is a disaster, and it appears to be the border. I can geet to any functional European or Asian country much faster than from any place in the states to Canada and vice versa.
David
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David:
As one who mails a lot at work, both for Canada and the U.S., Canada Post is a mess. Delivery times outside of major cities are a disaster. It seems Canada Post does not want to deal with letter mail (mail pieces weighing less than 500 g).
David
Ottawa, Canada
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It took forever (it seemed) for my stamp order to arrive from Roy. But I kept in mind that it was coming from Canada, which may as well be Timbuktu, as far as mail delivery goes.
Don't cut off your Canadian dealer's business to spite our postal systems, the failings of which are beyond his control.
Ted
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Domestic mail in NS Canada , at least in my area, is within 24hours...as for mail going to the rest of Canada and the USA allow at least a week.....
Cheryl
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If I do drop this dealer it won't be out of spite at the postal situation. That is clearly not his fault. But.. it is realistic to factor it into my decision process. Having to wait weeks to get material from him all the time worried that I may find myself in difficulty if it is missing; that is on my mind.
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The USPS does seem to be losing more mail recently - they aren't perfect either. Dad's birthday card disappeared and one of the lady stamper's round robins vanished, too. I went for years and years with nary an envelope missing in the USA and now two within just a few months. Maybe I live too close to the Bermuda triangle or something??? LOL
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At work, I handle all the outgoing and incoming certified mail pieces, 25-50 each day, each way (they have green cards that get signed by the recipient, then mailed back to us). I can't believe how many green cards for other companies get mis-delivered to us, and can only wonder how many of ours don't find their way back to us. And for several days, not too long ago, the green cards that were returned to us all looked like they had been through a Magic Bullet blender.
Really, I would say the USPS needs to be privatized, but, then, I have read too many stories about UPS and FedEx employees "misdirecting" parcels.
Ted
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01:10:28am
".....Maybe I live too close to the Bermuda triangle or something??? ....."
More likely you are too close to the Miami-Dade sorting facility.
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there aren't many instances where private does things better than federal, and far less where the common good is a goal and not merely an accidental outcome.
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I recently got a lot from a dealer in Canada who enclosed an invoice for $85. It's a fair price, that is not the issue. What I do not get is how this will be transacted when my credit card is charged. Here is what he said in reply to that question:
'The pricing is by Scott Catalog in US dollars. Thus the invoice will be charged in US funds at current exchange.'
So... what's he saying? That the $85 will be processed into US dollars resulting in a US dollar charge of about $55-60? That is how I took it but maybe not. In case you wonder why I don't just ask him, I prefer not to bother him further as I've already pestered him asking about other issues with this transaction.
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03:05:50pm
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
The transaction will be charged to your credit card based on the terms of your credit card agreement. Some charge fees for currency conversion, some don't. Check with the card issuer.
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
OK, but- will I see a charge on my bill for $85 or the US equivalent. Possibly $50-60 based on current exchange rate?
That was my main concern and I probably wasn't clear about that, thanks.
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03:39:49pm
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
Were there any terms & conditions noted on the website or within the ad? Was the price or starting bid annotated "USD" ? I don't recall that I've ever bought or bid on a lot (or seen a lot for that matter) where the currency wasn't spelled out.
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
Your card will be charged the "$85.00" at whatever the exchange rate is for that date and time. The conversion fee will be listed. Canadian dollars are worth about the same as ours so there should not be much of a difference, if any.
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
$85 Canadian translates to around $65 US currently- a bit of a difference.
This was an approval selection, not a website. I am for now assuming that when he quoted $85 that was in Canadian. If in US he's going to be a bit overpriced for me to continue with him.
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
I think that "at current exchange" is what's causing the confusion, and he should have omitted those words, as the basic sentences are, "The pricing ($85) is in US dollars," and "The invoice will be charged in Us funds."
Ted
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BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 500 categories
25 Mar 2016
05:59:03pm
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
I believe he is stating it poorly. This is what I think you will encounter.
1) His pricing is in US$
2) If he is like most dealers, his bank does not give him the option of processing credit card charges in US$. All his charges must be presented to the bank in C$. Therefore, the charge that he will process will be about C$112.20 (US$1 = C$1.32 , xe.com.
3)Your bank will convert the charge back to US$ on your bill, at whatever rate they use, which will surely be slightly different than whatever he uses to convert. Assuming your bank uses US$1 = C$1.30, (for example), the charge will appear on your statement as US$86.30 (C$112.20)
In order to clear the matter up, ask him if he is going to process the charge in C$, and the exact C$ amount, at what exchange rate. Then you will know everything except what rate your bank will convert back at.
The "bank exchange rate slippage" is usually little enough that the convenience outweighs the slight extra cost.
Roy
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
I emailed him asking for clarity and so far, no reply.
He probably is stating it poorly, I do wonder if there is a disingenuous element in that he doesn't seem to want to directly answer my query. I think Roy is correct, and so it appears he is selling his wares at what works out to 75% of Scott. I just find that a bit much.
I will buy this lot and see how the next one goes meanwhile being on the lookout for someone selling at a more realistic price.
Login to Like
this post
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
Roy's spin on this was correct. It is $85 US which actually works out to 80% of so of Scott for what he sent. He did offer to reduce the charge to $65 for this time, so that's fair.
As stated I will see how the next selection goes then decide if his materiel is worth it. Right now I suspect I can do much better on this materiel (French Colonies, mint hinged) buying through Ebay or the APS.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
28 Mar 2016
04:12:42am
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
Unless he stated "USDs" in his literature somewhere he should be charging $Can. Anything else is deceitful and I'd deal with someone else. I assume a Canadian dealer does a significant proportion of his business in Canada and his price to Canadians is $85.00 Can which is about $65.00 US.
Would he last long sending his Canadian customers a bill that says; "$85US, ($112.00 Can)" ?
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
Yeah I am starting to think the same. He would have charged $85 CDN to a customer in Manitoba and been happy with getting that. Along comes a US client and the $85 becomes US funds. It's not leaving the best feeling on my part.
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
Snick 1946, as I read your original message I reckon that you will have your credit card charged with US$85, with no additional currency fees (unless your credit card is not USA).
His account will be charged fees for the conversion to CA$.
I have an UK credit card that I use for European purchases and occasionally an ebay or other seller charges in dollars and I get a foreign currency fee applied.
You should by now be able to check your credit card account and verify what charges have been applied.
Vic
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28 Mar 2016
10:10:41am
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
"I assume a Canadian dealer does a significant proportion of his business in Canada and his price to Canadians is $85.00 Can which is about $65.00 US.
Would he last long sending his Canadian customers a bill that says; "$85US, ($112.00 Can)" ?"
Wrong assumption.
We are Canadian dealers, and 90% of our business is with non-Canadian customers. After all, the population of the Northeastern United States is nearly double the entire population of Canada (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeastern_United_States ). The US$ is the "universal currency" (as evidenced by the fact that all business on Stamporama is conducted in US$). It would cost us business if we asked our US and oriental customers to think in C$ terms, when most collectors are familiar with their own exchange rate into US$, but not C$. In a recent thread here on Stamporama, the statement was made that "US$ and C$ are nearly the same" (I may be paraphrasing) -- and that shows the confusion, because the C$ is currently worth only about 75¢ US.
"Would he last long sending his Canadian customers a bill that says; "$85US, ($112.00 Can)" ?"
That's exactly how we do it, and we have been full time dealers now for 16 years, with a staff of 4 -- so the answer is to the question is "yes".
And, for what it's worth, the discussion did not involve a Canadian dealer to a Canadian customer, but rather a Canadian dealer to a US customer.
However, please note that, while I agree with the method of doing business (as imposed by the credit card companies), I disagree with the dealer's lack of clarity in his explanation.
Roy
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
29 Mar 2016
04:14:48pm
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
" ... I disagree with the dealer's lack of clarity in his explanation...."
I think that was also my underlying assumption.
Clarity and communication, that is the key.
I do recall that recently I bid on, and won, a lot at Vance Auctions and hadn't really thought about whose dollars they were working with, only to pleasantly discover that the invoice reflected roughly a 25% discount from what I thought I owed.
I imagine if the foot were in the other shoe I might not have been so pleased.
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
I am awaiting my second shipment from this dealer, he says it was mailed 3-28.
This is one other problem with this situation. It takes so God awful long to get mailings from Canada. I bought two lots on Ebay last week from Europe, they both are here now. Unless his next selection is stellar, I am bailing on him. I also cannot shake the impression he is playing a shell game on the percentages and exchange rate. Life goes on..
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11:04:01am
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
New York to California is usually in the 3 to 5 day range but it is not unusual for it to be 7 to 10 days - I assume it depends on routing. With approvals from Canada you are dealing with both Canada Post and the USPS as well as Customs - I would think allowing 12 to 14 days would be reasonable.
Mail in this country used to be delivered twice a day. In the 1950's regular mail from NY to California went by air whether or not franked with air mail rate and often was delivered the next day.
I doubt that delivery times (or service) will improve. Even Fedex is not what it used to be.
Login to Like
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
I find domestic mail in the US to be wonderfully fast and reliable..... 2/3 days just about anywhere in the continental US.
Mail to/from Canada and the US is a disaster, and it appears to be the border. I can geet to any functional European or Asian country much faster than from any place in the states to Canada and vice versa.
David
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
David:
As one who mails a lot at work, both for Canada and the U.S., Canada Post is a mess. Delivery times outside of major cities are a disaster. It seems Canada Post does not want to deal with letter mail (mail pieces weighing less than 500 g).
David
Ottawa, Canada
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
It took forever (it seemed) for my stamp order to arrive from Roy. But I kept in mind that it was coming from Canada, which may as well be Timbuktu, as far as mail delivery goes.
Don't cut off your Canadian dealer's business to spite our postal systems, the failings of which are beyond his control.
Ted
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12:33:21pm
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
Domestic mail in NS Canada , at least in my area, is within 24hours...as for mail going to the rest of Canada and the USA allow at least a week.....
Cheryl
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
If I do drop this dealer it won't be out of spite at the postal situation. That is clearly not his fault. But.. it is realistic to factor it into my decision process. Having to wait weeks to get material from him all the time worried that I may find myself in difficulty if it is missing; that is on my mind.
Login to Like
this post
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
The USPS does seem to be losing more mail recently - they aren't perfect either. Dad's birthday card disappeared and one of the lady stamper's round robins vanished, too. I went for years and years with nary an envelope missing in the USA and now two within just a few months. Maybe I live too close to the Bermuda triangle or something??? LOL
Login to Like
this post
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
At work, I handle all the outgoing and incoming certified mail pieces, 25-50 each day, each way (they have green cards that get signed by the recipient, then mailed back to us). I can't believe how many green cards for other companies get mis-delivered to us, and can only wonder how many of ours don't find their way back to us. And for several days, not too long ago, the green cards that were returned to us all looked like they had been through a Magic Bullet blender.
Really, I would say the USPS needs to be privatized, but, then, I have read too many stories about UPS and FedEx employees "misdirecting" parcels.
Ted
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
12 Apr 2016
01:10:28am
re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
".....Maybe I live too close to the Bermuda triangle or something??? ....."
More likely you are too close to the Miami-Dade sorting facility.
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re: Question re Transaction with Canadian Dealer
there aren't many instances where private does things better than federal, and far less where the common good is a goal and not merely an accidental outcome.
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