1502 Update - Whatthefuckingfuck!

"Tripper" (tripe46) 01/03/2019 at 17:10 • Filed to: None

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This will probably come as no surprise to The Actual RootWyrm, but it has been just a fucking shit mess since the car arrived at port in Baltimore on 12/26.

Communication hasn’t been great throughout the process but the worst has come from the US importer (broker). Here is a “quick” summary:

-Car arrives in Baltimore on 12/26 and the ship heads to Jacksonville, I know this because I have watched the ships every little move since it left port in Amsterdam.

-12/27 I post !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on Oppo, then decide to email the broker to see when I might be able to expect delivery and if there will be any delays due to the government shutdown.

Minutes later I get a response saying “Car is all set and on the way to you already. Driver will be in contact”

A few more minutes later I get another email “Sorry, just called the trucker and he cancelled on me. will get another one going for you ASAP> Can be delivered today or tomorrow.”

12/28 I send another email asking if he was able to secure transport, no response. I wait a few hours and call him. He’s out of the office dealing with a family emergency and wont be able to get to it until the following Wednesday. Rough, but ok family is family.

1/2 Still no word from the import guy. So I send another email, no response. Again I call. He answers and says something to the effect of “yea I dispatched it on Friday, the driver said something about having trouble picking it up. I will have him call you directly”. Then he sends me an email with the driver’s number.

I immediately call the driver, and he said yea I’m at the lot and they only have a record of 3 BMW 1502's two are in California, and one is in Oregon. I PANIC internally. The driver says “this was an auction right”. I’m like “yea...well kinda it was an online auction, but I didn’t “win” I had to make a side deal with the seller.”

Him: “oh ok well I need the sellers info then...?”

Me: “ok but I don’t know if that will help you he lives in Amsterdam”

Him “oh damn...yea uhh well I’m at this auction yard and they said the car would be here.”

Me: “hold up, auction yard? This car came overseas on a boat, I’m pretty sure it’s at the port.

Him: “OOOOOOOh its at the port? That’s all I need thanks bye”

This morning I get out of a meeting around 10am and have not heard anything, so I gave the driver a call just to see if he has everything he needs:

Him “Yo man I’ve been here for two hours, what’s going on?! I need a delivery order/dock receipt they’re charging me $50/hour to be here!”

Me: Whoa, the broker has that. I will send you everything I have and contact the broker.

Both myself and the driver are trying to get in touch with the broker (it’s 7:30am ish on the west cost at this point)

He finally responds to the driver with an email with the wrong document!

I send him another text and tell him that the document he sent is wrong and the driver is going to leave if we don’t get it in the next few minutes.

A half dozen more calls and a few texts later the driver gets the document that he needs but then finds out that hes in the wrong location again!

At this point he’s ready to bail because he’s had to pay $200 in fees to the port and wasted most of his day. He asked the broker about covering the fees and said that the broker acted like he didn’t even ask the question, he just stayed silent on the phone.

So I told him that I would pay for whatever fees he had to pay as long as he can provide receipts, then I will go back to the broker to try and get some money back. I’m offering this knowing for certain that I definitely wont get money back from the broker. I don’t care at this point, I just need the car and need this whole thing to be over with. It has been on my mind for too long.

The driver agrees, apologizes, and thanks me. I thank him for sticking it out all day. It’s lunch time at the port and for the driver, so we end the call hoping that the car actually exists, is where we think it is, and that the driver has everything he needs to get it. Both of us are equally uncertain of all of that.

A few hours go by and I think “FUCK, what if this thing does not start, or he doesn’t know how to start it.” So I send him a quick message saying “ if you do actually find the car...here’s how to start it in case you have trouble.”

He says “I’ve already got it started. I was born and raised in Portugal and have been around 2002's my whole life. I’ve seen a lot of their ignitions converted over like this. Then he sends me two quick videos of him driving it around the lot saying that its stalling a little at idle, but it’s beautiful and is running well otherwise. The second video he said that it was low on gas which is why it was stalling, he added a few gallons and had it idling with no problem!

He said that he might have to pick up another car, but he was trying to get this all done tonight, at the latest tomorrow morning!

So I’m still not counting any chickens (except the 3 in my back yard) until it’s actually in my driveway. At the very least it’s in the possession of someone I trust a lot more than the broker I hired and then did 60% of their job.

Obviously I will update Oppo very soon!

Happy New Year!

Manny05x > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:15

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This is nerve racking.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:18

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oh man! What a harrowing story. Glad you were able to get that video and confirmation that it’s in the US. I hope that’s settled your nerves at least a little.

As you know, I just bought a car. And the amount of things that people don’t follow through on when it comes to the car business is staggering and annoying and it’s exactly why people hate buying cars (in many cases, I’m sure there are good people out there).

Tripper > Manny05x 01/03/2019 at 17:22

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I’m telling you man, my nerves are shot. On top of this I had a plumbing disaster at my house over the weekend and a really hard time getting holes drilled and anchors set for the carport I got for this car...I need to be able to touch it so I can just live my life again, haha.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:22

3

Sounds like the driver was an MVP to put up with all that stupidity. And making sure it ran, and adding gas...

pip bip - choose Corrour > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:24

0

the import process sounds like “fun”

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:25

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remind me to always buy cars within our borders cause this just sounds like a nightmare

Tripper > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 01/03/2019 at 17:26

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I do feel a lot better now than I did this morning. I saw my therapist today, so that helped very slightly, haha.

Totally agree on the car buying process. This is vehicle #15 in my driving career and only one of those was easy to buy and it was the worst one.

This import company though is something else. I cannot believe how bad everything has gone with them. Everyone else has been awesome. Seller, export co, and driver.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:26

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Holy shit what a rolla coaster of emotion that was, hope it turns out well!

Tapas > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:29

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So I’m guessing this is not good for people who have anxiety? lol

Tripper > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 01/03/2019 at 17:29

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Honestly this is going exactly the way I thought it would before I ever got serious about importing a car, which is why I never did it before.

Once I made the deal on this car and talked with a few people I thought, eh maybe it wont be so bad...and it wasn’t for the most part. The seller has been great, the export company has been great, and obviously the driver has been awesome. It’s just the import company that has just royally fucked up and for no good reason. While the driver was at the port someone who worked at the port was nearby and helping us through the whole process. She said “What you’re going through is very typical, it happens all the time and it’s almost always because of import brokers, they are crooks.”

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:31

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I’ve already got it started. I was born and raised in Portugal and have been around 2002's my whole life. I’ve seen a lot of their ignitions converted over like this. Then he sends me two quick videos of him driving it around the lot saying that its stalling a little at idle, but it’s beautiful and is running well otherwise. The second video he said that it was low on gas which is why it was stalling, he added a few gallons and had it idling with no problem!

This bit was a beautiful relief to this saga. 

Tripper > Tapas 01/03/2019 at 17:32

2

Haha yes and no. Before I started working on myself I would not have been able to even pull the trigger on something like this. So it’s partially a statement to my progress with anxiety.

Then on the other hand no, this is a terrible experience for an anxious car person who is irreversibly emotionally and financially invested in a situation/purchase.

Tripper > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 01/03/2019 at 17:33

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Me too man I just need it to be over.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:34

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Got my stress level up too, damn. 10/10 should stiff importer $200 for these shenanigans .

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:34

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Sending positive vibes and hoping the next update we see shows you with a massive grin behind the wheel of a certain green BMW!

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/03/2019 at 17:34

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It was right then that muscles in my face and jaw relaxed just a little.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:34

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Sounds like US importers know they have us over a barrel and can’t get away with doing fuck-all so long as they deliver most of the time.

What a fucking mess.

87mgte! > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:36

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I heard W.J. Byrnes & C ompany is really good at clearing cars

... that’ s where I work

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:37

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Wow i missed a lot, when did you buy a 2002 thats obviously not from the US?

Tripper > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/03/2019 at 17:37

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He’s already paid or I would have canceled his services and gone direct through the driver. If they don’t respond or don’t respond well to my request for the money I will have to pay the driver. I will go though my credit card company for a partial charge back, which is a coin flip, but I’m not caring much about a couple hundred at this point.

Tripper > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 01/03/2019 at 17:40

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Hah, it all starts here and the rest can be found ) with a few unrelated posts chronologically here

Tripper > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 01/03/2019 at 17:43

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Yep. However the person working at the port explained who to call there and how to do most of the work myself next time which I definitely would do. I would also use the shipping company from Amsterdam again. Communication wasn’t frequent but it was good and they did what they were supposed to do with minimal effort from me.

f86sabre > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:44

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Dang. Sorry to hear that  it has gone so rough. When I did mine the broker did pretty well. He and the seller went back and forth a bit, but it was smooth with me. I picked up at the port myself though.

shop-teacher > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 17:45

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Jeeze! I don't drink, but just reading that, I think I may need to start!

Tripper > f86sabre 01/03/2019 at 17:51

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Picking up myself was my original plan and am now wishing I stuck to that. However it would have just been me instead of the driver at the wrong location(s) with incorrect paperwork.

Tripper > shop-teacher 01/03/2019 at 17:52

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I was thinking of having a beer when I get home but I’ve got a headache instead!

CaptDale - is secretly British > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 18:03

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Fucking hell dude. Fucking hell.

Urambo Tauro > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 18:07

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Oh man, b etween this and that HOA article, this is not a good day for  my blood pressure.

WilliamsSW > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 18:18

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OK, that was scary - but the driver is a hero!  Hope you get to meet him when he drops the car off?

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 18:43

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Man, craziness. Glad you lucked out with a good driver willing to help out, do the right thing, and knew a thing or two about cars!

What exactly does the “importer” do? Do they have some kind of licensing or certification that makes them a necessary part of the process? Or are they just there to make money just via the fact that people getting cars shipped over like you just have never encountered this process before? Very eager to look in to doing something similar on the west coast (and I live in a Port city), but no clue how much of a nightmare it will be.

Hope the car just appears at your door step tomorrow and this is all over with for you !

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 18:45

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That truck driver is a-ok, man. The broker can fuck a duck. 

CompactLuxuryFan > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 18:50

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Truck driver right now:

 jk jk

Soon to be you, though! 

DipodomysDeserti > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 19:07

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Damn, so you have to pay the importer 100% down before you get the car?

Fuck that.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 19:12

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Welp at least it sounds like you're driver is a good one

Tripper > WilliamsSW 01/03/2019 at 20:08

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He sure is and I’m sure I’ll get to meet him, at least if he wants that cash I promised hah

Tripper > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 01/03/2019 at 20:14

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Yea the driver has been awesome. The importer files all of the customs and EPA paperwork etc. I get the customs bond through them and they store the car (i think) . Then then charge me $1200+$375 for delivery.

They did all of the customs paperwork but communication was terrible there too. Lots of unanswered questions and short responses.

One of the first emails to them received a very snarky reply when I had asked if they had worked with the shipping company from Amsterdam . That was when I was like oh boy these guys are in a custom service business (at least that is what they tout on their website, and on their hold music) and they’re terrible at it! This is going to be a nightmare.

Tripper > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/03/2019 at 20:14

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Seriously!

Tripper > CompactLuxuryFan 01/03/2019 at 20:15

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Haha, I will post the videos he sent once the car has arrived safely. Definitely going to be me!

Tapas > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 20:49

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Thanks for sharing that :)

Your boy, BJR > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 21:04

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Whats the brokers business/name? You should def spread the word about the lazy ass.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Tripper 01/03/2019 at 21:48

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Aaaaaaand this is why RootWyrm has this one broker he doesn’t share with anyone (no matter how much I like you, no offense, because he’s only sorta my broker, ) and this one shipping company he doesn’t share with anyone (except your guy did better than mine.)

Also please remember that the EPA does not consider tire smoke a smog causing pollutant. Well, I mean, before the EPA got taken over by a bunch of terrorists and literal retards. The current EPA recommends children under 3 eat wall candy.

Tripper > Your boy, BJR 01/03/2019 at 22:20

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Once they have had a chance to respond I’ll let everyone know each of the companies involved. And yes, obviously I will calmly  be going internet nuclear if they decide to stick it right up my butt.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Tripper 01/04/2019 at 09:07

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Good that most of the people involved have been good! The inverse would’ve been disastrous.