US only sales WHY???

T_bone, none of my comments were relative to a seller giving up their responsibility to the buyer as it's not something I'm likely to do. I give what I expect and that means the seller is responsible to deliver as advertised. We certainly concur that if a buyer and seller agree to specific terms that's their business.

In my experience someone who will openly game the system is likely to do the same to me. So I avoid them.

Asking a seller to undervalue their product on the invoice exposes them to a potential loss in the event of shipping damage as shipping companies generally will not payoff more than the items declared value. If an individual wants to scam their government that's their business. given some of the tax laws I can even understand why they would. But asking me to be complicit is a step too far.

BTW, I am not opposed to international sales or purchases, though my preference is for US transactions, especially for larger purchases. These are always paid for with USPS Money Orders and the funds delivered via the USPS. If there is a scam or deceit it's a Federal offense and the likelihood of the authorities taking action is greater. I may not get my money back, but there is a greater chance the culprit would not do it again! (yes, mildly delusional, but it brings me comfort...)

Here's a quiz for everyone. There are two worlds; each has its pluses and minuses:

In the first world, a seller has no responsibility to deliver their product to the buyer in the condition advertised. If there is shipping damage it is the buyer's responsibility to accept the loss. There is no need for freight insurance, therefore any value for the item being shipped can be declared.

In the second world it is the responsibility of a seller to deliver their product to the buyer in the condition advertised. If there is shipping damage it is the seller's responsibility to accept the loss. The seller is allowed to insure their product, but doing so requires an honest declaration of the product's value.

Which world do you want to live in?

Thanks for playing.

Ironmine, you have no knowledge of my income level and it is only relevant in that it is not so great that I can afford to lose money on bad deals. My position on doing business honestly comes in part from the need to protect myself from unethical people.

As a businessman dealing in both domestic and international markets I have learned to avoid buyers and sellers who exhibit certain behaviors. One of them is asking my company or me to do something shady or dishonest. Falsifying information on shipping documents fits that description. In my experience it is a strong indication that person may not be trustworthy and business with them may have undesired consequences.

There are plenty of honest buyers and sellers available, so the few that exclude themselves by their actions are inconsequential and there is certainly no sense of loss on my part. In the perfect world such people wouldn't even exist, but, alas, this is obviously not a perfect world.