Idiot Ebay Buyers - Morphed - Customs Debate

I've probably waited too long on the sidelines here, as everyone has probably fled the carnage. I have watched with interest for a couple days now, though.

I can appreciate both sides, actually. As a Canadian, I would never ask a seller to falsify a declaration. I lived in the States for 5 years. Oh and by the way, the declaration form is a U.S. form, not a Canadian form. I suspect the U.S. enforces what goes on the form so as to continue to enjoy an amenable relationship with Canadian authorities. We do the same for them the other way.

But on the other hand -- in defense of the other side -- I appreciate the seller (within some legal wiggle-room) disguising the contents as "numismatic item", and declaring a *reasonable* -- yet not necessarily top market -- value.

In short, a buyer who threatens a neg unless the document is falsified is clearly wrong (and probably even should be reported). And a seller who can't bring himself to make a fair declaration (covering his butt while keeping the buyer in mind) deserves less future business. He's risking the success of the transaction.

I'm convinced the moral truth lies somewhere in between these extremes.

PS: I'm surprised the WpgLwr camp didn't come up with the following analogy: You call a cab to the airport. You're running late for your flight. You politely ask the cabby to step on it a little. But, sadly, you get the one cabby on earth who won't speed, even 1 mph. Now even scubu would be ticked if he missed that flight! (admittedly an imperfect analogy)

(of the coffee...out the nose...)

Coffee...?

Hey, I'm not responsible for your monitor, remember that.