Pre-Christmas Present!

And good things do indeed happen for those who wait. A bit of a Pre-Christmas present for me last week as I couldn’t wait to open it. That’s right, more Hello Kitty stuff, only this time a gorgeous set of 15 different stone crystal bracelets from California, all hand-made. First World Problem indeed, but we had some drama with the parcel containing them, lasting more than a month.  Now resolved and rejoicing so much about it that I had to jot down my relief and doodle about it in my sketchbook…

So What Happened?

Back in the beginning of November, I ordered those bracelets from the supplier whom I had previously ordered from quite a few times without issues. This time, though, I was charged €278 (US$ 300) in import duties via UPS for items that totalled much less than the actual items! Uh?? It turned out that the Supplier had filled in the forms incorrectly by stating the total amount as unit price which of course caused the total to exceed $1000! The Seller was apologetic about it, and together we tried to resolve the issue. We decided to have the parcel returned to the U.S. and start again. That proved impossible, and I would still have to the duty as it has indeed already been imported to the Netherlands.. Furthermore, we were told that it would cost us $100 to amend the documentation for the Customs. The Seller then thought it would be an idea to have the parcel abandoned rather than returned to her to avoid duty payment. 

Continuing Drama

And now why would you want to do that? Abandoning the parcel containing the beautiful bracelets she worked so hard to create made me very sad. I also wanted those bracelets badly! Besides, she kindly went out of her way to refund me the items which I felt even worse about. She’d also be out of pocket! Then one day in mid-December, an invoice came through the post demanding me to pay still the €278 import tax even though we asked it to be returned to the U.S. or worse, abandoned. ”You still have to pay it”, my Dutch partner advised, “doesn’t matter if it is going to be returned. Otherwise pay the $100 and it will take ages to fight for it.” And even if it is abandoned, I still have to pay it. Damn. I would not only be out of pocket, but no bracelets! And hence after discussing with the Seller, I was further refunded for difference of the cost and what she had already refunded and went ahead and paid the duty. What an expensive drama this is!

Almost There

All that was in the middle of December. After numerous phone calls and emails with UPS, I finally backed down and reluctantly settled the amount. What an anxious moment that was because I didn’t hear back for a few days even after paying until I kept pestering them. Then last Wednesday I finally get an update on my tracking that the parcel is on its way! You can imagine what a heart-thumping moment that was. And when the UPS delivery man arrived with the parcel, I was so elated! I guess I could have waited till Christmas to open it, but nah, I was just too excited. After FIVE WEEKS of drama, my beautiful bracelets have arrived! Although we are both out of pocket over it, I have to say it was certainly worth the wait. Lesson to learn if you are ever selling items outside your country: Always make sure you have filled in the Customs Forms correctly!!

So now this “rant and rejoice” sketch! Doodled firstly on a two-page spread of Strathmore sketchbook with my black Faber Castell Pitt Artists Pen. Then colored in with water soluble oil pastels including Caran d’Ache Neocolor II. Fluorescent Pink is from Molotow markers, and the bracelets were filled in with Glitter Gel Pens by Uni.