On Feb 6, 2007, at 6:33 PM, The Bus Depot wrote:

> Incidentally, I would argue that this actually IS Vanagon related
> subject
> matter (with the admitted exception of my last comment). Vanagons
> being a
> German product and most members of this list being in the U.S. and
> Canada
> (themselves two different countries), many list members have bought/
> sold
> parts (or even whole Vanagons) internationally. A discussion of
> safe or
> unsafe payment options for international transactions has direct
> relevance
> to Vanagon ownership for many listmembers, even though the original
> post
> happened to be non-Vanagon related.   Of course if Jim disgreees, I
> will
> completely respect his decision and humbly offer my apologies.

I haven't said a word.  I had exactly the same problem with some
parts from SA.  The only way to get the money there was in a series
of letters with a crisp, new US Grant in each one.

It got there, but...  There just wasn't any other way.  Wire transfer
started at 40% of the total transaction value.  Paypal and Western
Union don't play in SA. FedEx wanted 75% of the total for an 'envelope."

I sent cash. And I got my pair of sets of mud flaps. (Thanks Fig!)

Jim