'METHODS OF PAYMENT' US CLIENTS.
Sometimes the world seems very small... other times?
Buying
nice Antique or Estate Jewellery items is easy. The hardest part is arranging to
pay for it, and although is seems too much trouble at first, once done, it
becomes easier. A bit like falling in love!
Firstly,
we are sorry because we do not take credit cards, and we can't accept personal
cheques as that cost $30 to clear and has to be sent back to the States first.
As we have many clients from the States, most of them solve the problem in one
of several ways. Here are some suggestions which you might like to consider:
1:
The preferred method is a bank cheque/draft. IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS. That way you
know exactly how much the item is costing you when you send for it. The exchange
rate at the moment is approx .60 cents US = $1 Australian... so it is ALWAYS in
your favour. ($100 Australian is equal to $60 dollars US)
2:
Many of our US clients actually send cash!!!
Yes I know that sounds stupid, but as long as you have a secure postal envelope
such as registered post...which you can insure...and list the contents as
documents??? Just wrap the money in some cut newspaper. It works.
This is ideal for smaller priced (under $100) items.
3: Some places are really hard to get a bank cheque in
Aussie dollars so we do except a Bank cheque/draft in US dollars, but please add
$7 US to cover for the exchange. It is important to
establish from the bank that they have a branch or agent bank in Australia to
facilitate the exchange (otherwise it has to be transferred all the
way back to the States to clear and then back again to place the money into our
account. A procedure which can take up to a month....during which time the
client waits for dispatch). NOT GOOD! Bank Boston and Bank of America are both
okay.
4: Western Union (or so I am led to believe) also does a
cheque in Australian dollars. It might be worth you looking into that. We have
never received one....but who knows.
5: Thomas Cook
does a bank cheque/draft in Aussie dollars. I don't know their charge, but
several of our clients use this as it is as good as cash.
6:
Someone has suggested Continental Express money orders? I don't know
anything about them but I do have a client in CA who uses them with Australian
companies. Might be worth a phone call or two?
7: Amex does Travellers cheques which are as good as cash but more risky to send as you have to sign them twice before you send them, to make them okay to exchange.
8: There is also an electronic funds transfer done by Western Union for a fee of about US$15-
$20 which they exchange into Australian dollars. Worth finding out about if you are near a branch as it can save quite a bit of TIME. (we dispatch same day).
9: We have just registered with BIDPAY so you can pay for any item with your credit card (very secure) over the phone or on the net at their website. The fees are very reasonable and we dispatch within 24 hours of confirmation. A great time saver and very
convenient. However please remember that funds are being sent in US Dollars, so we do ask an extra US$7 extra to be added for the Bank Exchange fee.
Postage is a flat rate US$13 for items based on AUD$100 in value or less.
The extra insurance cost is only US$2 for every AUD$100 or part thereof in value
and is well worth sleeping nights to get. Highly recommended.
We are finding mail from the USA is taking approx 5-7 days
to reach us with an Airmail insured package back to you taking approx 7-10 days,
as they have to sign for it etc, which somehow seems to slow the postie down!!!
Please also be aware that the US Customs may charge you
import duty on
arrival in the States...they may not. Most items over 50 years old are
classified as Antique in the States and are import duty free.
We always ship items as 'USED FASHION ACCESSORY' and find items are
delivered without any problem.
We will hold the
item(s) for 15 working days (three weeks) pending receipt of your payment. Thank
you.
Hope this helps. If you need anything else,
please don't hesitate to contact us, as we are here to help you buy at the best
possible price....and we are nice people too!!!
Take
care and watch the road.
regards. David and Patricia
(gemmo1)
