The Ford Barn

Ron Pilger · 03-04-2021, 02:08 PM

I have bought hundreds of parts over forty years using cash, with personal cheques, with a pay-ya-later handshake, with money orders, with bank drafts and with etransfers. I have used Paypay a few times but it wasn't for me. I get it that some of you love this method.

In the swap meet area, a couple of weeks ago, I noticed some NOS dash knobs that appealed to me. Price - $50. I thought what the heck - let's do it.
I contacted the seller who graciously agreed to hold these for me until I snail-mailed the money, plus an estimated $18 for return ground mail service of this mini-box of parts. (well less than a pound of weight, including packing, I'm very sure).

Now, it's important for me to disclosure that I'm from that far off, unknown, mis-understood and foreign ice-laden land of Canada. But, we do have banks and credit unions that safely store whatever money we don't blow on vintage auto parts. I went there, perhaps slightly embarrassed, to tell the cute teller that I just blew $68 on a set of Ford dash knobs. (I assured her they'd be beautiful).

Not that you should care, but here's the math for me buying from out-of-country: note that our currency is worth less than the USD
After exchange the $68 converts to $86.06
My own stingy bank charges me $15 to prepare a certified bank draft, which means they essentially hold the money in limbo, and guarantee it remains available until it gets deposited at the recipient's' bank.

I wanted the knobs. After buying an envelope, adding postage, the bank gouge, paying for the parts, and the return mailing gouge, I now have about one hour of time and $102.56 into parts from someone I will never meet in person, but deep-down believe exists.

This morning, I get a Fordbarn message back from the kind seller, owner of good parts. He's taken my certified bank draft to his bank. They advise him that they would have to send "it out for COLLECTION" which would cost $75. SEVENTY-FIVE FRIGGIN dollars. I've bought parts from U.S. suppliers dozens of times and never heard such garbage. But, it gets even better....

The good and honest seller, recognizing that this fee is not warranted, "told them to forget it". The bank then proceeds to DISCARD the guaranteed funds bank draft. This now means my financial institution, who has been been holding my funds somewhere in imaginary cyberspace, cannot give me my money back.

UNLESS: of course, I pay a fee. That fee - $12.00. So, I get no dash knobs but i have paid $27 in bank fees, through no fault of me or the seller.

I'm guess I'm done with buying parts out of country, unless it's at Hershey or Portland, with cash.

Hope this story helps someone else, whether you're from Sweden, Russia, New Zealand, Canada or elsewhere.

03-04-2021, 02:08 PM	#1
Ron Pilger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camrose, Alberta Posts: 396	sometimes all we can do is laugh! I have bought hundreds of parts over forty years using cash, with personal cheques, with a pay-ya-later handshake, with money orders, with bank drafts and with etransfers. I have used Paypay a few times but it wasn't for me. I get it that some of you love this method. In the swap meet area, a couple of weeks ago, I noticed some NOS dash knobs that appealed to me. Price - $50. I thought what the heck - let's do it. I contacted the seller who graciously agreed to hold these for me until I snail-mailed the money, plus an estimated $18 for return ground mail service of this mini-box of parts. (well less than a pound of weight, including packing, I'm very sure). Now, it's important for me to disclosure that I'm from that far off, unknown, mis-understood and foreign ice-laden land of Canada. But, we do have banks and credit unions that safely store whatever money we don't blow on vintage auto parts. I went there, perhaps slightly embarrassed, to tell the cute teller that I just blew $68 on a set of Ford dash knobs. (I assured her they'd be beautiful). Not that you should care, but here's the math for me buying from out-of-country: note that our currency is worth less than the USD After exchange the $68 converts to $86.06 My own stingy bank charges me $15 to prepare a certified bank draft, which means they essentially hold the money in limbo, and guarantee it remains available until it gets deposited at the recipient's' bank. I wanted the knobs. After buying an envelope, adding postage, the bank gouge, paying for the parts, and the return mailing gouge, I now have about one hour of time and $102.56 into parts from someone I will never meet in person, but deep-down believe exists. This morning, I get a Fordbarn message back from the kind seller, owner of good parts. He's taken my certified bank draft to his bank. They advise him that they would have to send "it out for COLLECTION" which would cost $75. SEVENTY-FIVE FRIGGIN dollars. I've bought parts from U.S. suppliers dozens of times and never heard such garbage. But, it gets even better.... The good and honest seller, recognizing that this fee is not warranted, "told them to forget it". The bank then proceeds to DISCARD the guaranteed funds bank draft. This now means my financial institution, who has been been holding my funds somewhere in imaginary cyberspace, cannot give me my money back. UNLESS: of course, I pay a fee. That fee - $12.00. So, I get no dash knobs but i have paid $27 in bank fees, through no fault of me or the seller. I'm guess I'm done with buying parts out of country, unless it's at Hershey or Portland, with cash. Hope this story helps someone else, whether you're from Sweden, Russia, New Zealand, Canada or elsewhere.