Running Bear's October 2023 Coffee Shop

[NorthBrit]

No, it's always somewhere on the Web page they state "goods will be marked as Merchandise", no exceptions.

We speak the same language, but at the same time, we don't.

I've dealt enough times with US companies to know that they are obeying US and UK custom regulations, it's just that if I buy from a company, the package is always marked as "Merchandise" which is correct, but at the same time it's incorrect, it's the slight difference in the definition of "Merchandise" in this context in the UK, Merchandise means that I'm importing something for re-sale, which attracts a higher % of import tax, which is incorrect as I'm importing it for personnel use, which attracts a lower %.

Dawn has been in similar situations. She used to buy clothes from the U.S., but the tax became too much.

 

[migalyto]

When TomO sent the cars he weathered for me plus a few other bits and pieces, same as MikeGTW and Dave has, I still had to pay import tax, but although value-wise the stuff TomO sent was greater, I paid about 35% less than I have for the Loco simply because it wasn't marked as Merchandise, because rightly, it's for my personnel use, not re-sale.

Wow! I didn't realize you guys got raked like that on taxes.

 

[migalyto]

Went out to pack the car at 6 this morning and lo and behold, there is no car! My 2022 Jetta, a nothing fancy but practical car is missing! Security video from the complex show a towing company that says we Specialize in Repos was seen with my car and another going out of the gated community gates. Since the car was paid for when I purchased it that’s not the reason it’s gone. The police have the video and just called saying there is no towing company by the name shown in the video. They believe the car was stolen. Duh!

Tom: So sorry to hear of this!

Did they have any clue for you on the chance of recovery?

 

[TLOC]

Gawd Tom: You have been having a bi tch of a time lately. Now we have 'Virtual Towing Companies' manned by ...hmmm; you guess. Just as bad as SanFran with the nimrods using powered inflatables to steal the smaller boats. They pull the power from the inflatable, then sink it and take off in the stolen boat. Geesh - so there is a tow truck hidden in some building somewhere while your car gets parted or re-licensed. Can't see this being a 'one of' type of crap.

Todd, the police told Terry that the tow company checked in at the gate at 3AM to be let in. Had papers for 2 cars to pickup. Nope, nobody checked to see what cars or where in the community they were to be picked up. They were not stopped 20 minutes or so afterward, just waved on by the security on duty!

A few hours later I’m still ticked off but we really didn’t lose anything besides the car. Only things in the car were 4 diet Dr Peppers in the trunk and 6 Diet Pepsi in the plug-in cooler. Ok the cooler was the most expensive thing in the car

I did let the insurance company know. They asked if the police requested to VW to turn on the location tracker. Said I didn’t know we had that. She said it’s an extra that is on some VW models and the salesperson when we got the car should have told us. Because after the 1st 2 months you pay for it we might have said no to the sales guy so he didn’t bother explaining it in full. I don’t remember it ever being mentioned but we would have said no. The lady asked for the name of the police department and she said she will handle it!

She asked me how many miles on the car and I told her less than 12,000. She said oh dear! I asked what? She said we may have to get you a new replacement because of the low mileage. Well yeah I said. She said our policy says an equivalent replacement which means same type of model car with similar miles. She doubts they can find that. She said call her again next week for an update!!! I called our agent, let her handle it from here

The plane is on its way, about 90 minutes late

 

[TLOC]

Wow! I didn't realize you guys got raked like that on taxes.

I have sent a few things to Chris and he actually has it better then the custom taxes paid to Italy and Croatia for models sent there. For anything going to Italy I always insure because they seem to get lost until you file the claim. Then they seem to magically appear

 

[TLOC]

Tom: So sorry to hear of this!

Did they have any clue for you on the chance of recovery?

Mike, We got the feeling the officer who came by didn’t care less. One of questions asked different ways 3 times was, “are you there was no reason for someone to take your car”. We didn’t know at that time it was hauled away with another car. It was in the driveway! The other question was, do you leave the keys in the car? Nope, showed him the electronic key fob as did Terry show him our traveling back up set.

Based on a previous stolen car while in the Great State of Texas it’s either already being taken apart for pieces or heading to Mexico.

 

[TLOC]

Good morning, all! Willie your rain has arrived. The thunderstorms seem to be staying to the east, mostly over Galveston Bay. Certainly, welcomed rain as lawns were really looking bad in the neighborhood.

TomO - That had to a sickening feeling, to walk out suitcase in hand only to find your car gone.
Smudge - language, there are 3 to's in the English language. How do you spell tos'? (sic)

Gas at the nearby discount station $2.86, around $3.11 elsewhere.

Maybe soon switch later this afternoon.

STAY SAFE
LATER

Hughie, more of frustration than a sickening feeling. I walked back in and said to Terry, I parked the car in the driveway last night, right? Yes was the answer, me: it’s not there! Her, oh sh..!

We had a SUV disappear while roaming Texas in 2014 just after I retired. Disappeared from protected hotel secured parking in San Antonio. That’s the last time we left anything of value in a vehicle overnight. We travel much lighter since then

 

[migalyto]

Mike, We got the feeling the officer who came by didn’t care less. One of questions asked different ways 3 times was, “are you there was no reason for someone to take your car”. We didn’t know at that time it was hauled away with another car. It was in the driveway! The other question was, do you leave the keys in the car? Nope, showed him the electronic key fob as did Terry show him our traveling back up set.

Based on a previous stolen car while in the Great State of Texas it’s either already being taken apart for pieces or heading to Mexico.

That just plain sucks!!!!

Having never dealt with anything like this before, would your insurance company pick up the cost of a rental car while this is being sorted out?

 

[chadbag]

That just plain sucks!!!!

Having never dealt with anything like this before, would your insurance company pick up the cost of a rental car while this is being sorted out?

Typically if you have towing coverage in your policy they would. I don't know if it is different by a theft (vs a damage claim)

 

[Smudge617]

Wow! I didn't realize you guys got raked like that on taxes.

Hah! Import tax is 20% of the cost of the item including postage, that's why I'm always moaning about the postage.

The guard rails I ordered from Bowser for the 630M was $15 and postage was $20, so depending on the exchange rate on the day it arrives import tax just for them will be around £6-8

 

[kbkchooch]

Supposedly gas use is way down, so demand is down, and prices will drop.

I noticed my local station, was $3.65 at the end of August,, this morning $3.29

 

[TrucTrain55]

Gasoline prices had dropped another nickel per gallon. Did someone release more oil from the reserves???

No Willie the winter blend is blended well now with the regular gas so it’s time to drop the price what a gimmick they use every year.

 

[TrucTrain55]

I did more ground foam and cleaned up all of the cars at the liquor store.

Looks good Willie now I have to do the same to mine

 

[TrucTrain55]

We are heading home

Hope you have better day tomorrow Tom be safe

 

[santafewillie]

No Willie the winter blend is blended well now with the regular gas so it’s time to drop the price what a gimmick they use every year.

The oil reserve comment was a tongue in cheek veiled political comment!

 

[TrucTrain55]

political comment!

Got ya Willie thought so. Just had to put my thoughts in.

 

[migalyto]

Hah! Import tax is 20% of the cost of the item including postage, that's why I'm always moaning about the postage.

The guard rails I ordered from Bowser for the 630M was $15 and postage was $20, so depending on the exchange rate on the day it arrives import tax just for them will be around £6-8

So, you get taxed on postage as well?

What a racket!

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Started out the day doing a blood draw that may need to be redone. Don't ask. I had a late afternoon appointment at the sleep lab. The only reason I can figure out why we had it is so we can sign for the equipment. Ridiculous. Anyway, while I was there, I got my yearly flu and covid shot. I have to drive the wife to the same facility tomorrow at 6:30 am for her foot appointment. It still hurts her foot to drive. She will get vaccinated tomorrow.

Joe- Great news about your son. I'm sure you can't wait to see him again.

Smudge- Great video.

Willie- Nice detailing. Our price is $3.43 and rising.

TomO- Very sorry to hear about the stolen car and the other issues. My car has been broken into but not stolen.

I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[CambriaArea51]

Time to go and Dump Truckin might be a short day with the rain coming in.

Lee, here's the single axle I drive. I transferred from water and sewer to highway. The stainless box I've been working on polishing up. Much more work to do on it but this is one once over. You can see how dull it was by the last pic.

 

[Smudge617]

So, you get taxed on postage as well?

What a racket!

Yep, Government always wants their pound of flesh.