Klarinet Archive - Posting 000278.txt from 2001/10

From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.us>
Subj: RE: [kl] Wiseman Cases
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 07:56:06 -0400

I just paid for a case from Wiseman that I ordered at Fest. My brochure
concisely stated that payment was by wire transfer in pounds sterling and
that was how I paid. Don't forget shipping and handling fees. Since the
customized design of my case is very different than yours, I can't quote a
price for you. Howard was very fair and courteous to me, so I have no axe
to grind. Hope things work out for you.

Nancy

Nancy E. Buckman, Technical Assistant
School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, Maryland 21012-1895 USA
Phone 011-410-777-2316 Fax 011-410-777-2233
nebuckman@-----.us

> -----Original Message-----
> From: CBA [SMTP:clarinet10001@-----.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 12:12 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: [kl] Wiseman Cases
>
> I have a technical question for whoever is good with
> international currency. (It is music related.)
>
> My question came up on a much smaller scale earlier
> this month about Abe Galper's books, but was easily
> fixed by a small financial transaction by someone in
> England.
>
> I am in the process of purchasing 2 Wiseman cases from
> Howard Wiseman, who was at the Clarinet Fest in New
> Orleans. The $456 (I believe this was the amount he
> had on his brochures, PLEASE correct me if wrong, as I
> can't find mine) was in US dollars. When I was
> contacted about sending money for the 2 cases, Howard
> Wiseman said the amount in US Dollars Would be $918
> (close to the amount I'm thinking of) but that he
> cannot accept US dollars. The actual price would be
> 650 GBP (pounds). This would make the amount $923 by
> the 1.42 US to 1 GBP exchange rate he quoted. I was
> more than accepting of this amount to send. The rate
> online is 1.48 US to GBP,making the amount $962, which
> I was still ready to pay, even though, I don't agree
> with having to do the transfer of currency when the
> original amounts at Clarinet Fest were in US dollars.
>
> Unfortunately, Wiseman Cases, Inc doesn't accept
> Credit Cards, leaving me to get the money transferred
> to cash or check in Great Britain Pounds. In going to
> the bank, (Chase Manhattan, where I bank) I found out
> that the conversion rate here at a bank is 1.6 US
> dollars to 1 GBP, making the amount $1040 dollars, and
> then there is a $25 wiring GBPs or a $25 foreign bank
> check fee to make a check in GBP. This brings the
> amount to $1065 US, which is a hell of a lot more than
> the original $912 for the two cases quoted at Clarinet
> Fest. Western Union was even more...the conversion
> there made the amount $1007.30 dollars plus an
> additional $83 dollar wire fee, bringing the grand
> total to $1090.30. Yikes! Even with the $1065 from
> Chase Manhattan, this brings each case to $532.50, and
> I agreed to $456.00.
>
> This $153 (at the bank) makes the cases unaffordable
> to me, and I am trying to find out a way to either get
> the charges of the currency transfer down, or to
> figure a way to get Wiseman to do the transfer.
>
> Since the original prices were in print in US dollars,
> is it my responsibility to do the currency transfer? I
> would assume getting them the exact amount they asked
> for in print makes it binding, no?
>
> I am willing to compromise if a good solution is found
> for the transfer. Any help is greatly appreciated from
> the financial gurus of the list, which I'm sure there
> are some out there.
>
> I am looking for either...
>
> 1. A cheaper way to do the transfer from US to GBP,
> but with a rate of transmission closer to the currency
> exchange of the day. I would automatically get this
> rate if I used my credit card, or at least close, and
> would have no wire fee with a card, but Wiseman
> doesn't take plastic.
>
> 2. A particular way to transfer US dollars in a way
> that Wiseman Cases could receive the monies without
> great expense. Or...
>
> 3. Find a good way to discuss this with Wiseman, as
> the real financial burden for currency exchange is
> theirs, I believe, since they printed US Dollar prices
> for the cases.
>
> Has anyone else gone through this process with Wiseman
> Cases that ordered at Clarinet Fest? I don't believe
> they are bad people, especially not Howard Wiseman,
> who has been so helpful in the past with talking on
> the phone, and in e-mail. I do believe that they
> should have printed British prices if they expected
> funds to be in that currency, and not US dollars.
>
> HELP!!!!!
>
> Sorry about all the financial jumbo, but I think it is
> relevant since it is a discussion about dealing with a
> non-international company that sells music products.
>
> Kelly Abraham
> Woodwinds - New York City
>
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> Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
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>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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