At Least I'm Not Dead. (official Blog Update)

[wermy]

IMHO his name is EvilDragon and his boss doesn't understand the importance of the Pandora suffiicently

I sincerely hope you've just chosen your words poorly... It would be hard (not to mention insulting) to argue that he doesn't "understand the importance of the Pandora sufficiently" when he's one of a very small team who've started it and put so much work into it. Yes he may not be the best at communicating progress -- but you know the irony of it? That is probably a direct result of him spending most/all of his free time (a precious few minutes, I'm sure) doing Pandora-related things. The fact that we have one member of the team (ED) who's job seems to be (among many others) to keep us informed is enough to keep me happy, and I think shows a good division of labor amongst the team (though I admittedly know very little about how the work is divided up).

So just because you want it yesterday (like we all do), don't assume he "doesn't know how important it is."

Also, try to remember, this is a GAME console we're talking about here. It's ok to be excited (as everyone else is) about it -- but good gosh, don't let it consume your life!

 

[kelargo]

only use DHL if you like dealing with the worst shipper ever conceived...

DHL is bankrupt and closing down in the USA. (reference - http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/...ised-to-profit/ )

Here's a list of some Freight Forwarders in my local area (Memphis)... which is a very large logistical hub in the USA. I think its the largest Air Freight center in the USA.

http://www.duncanair.com/
http://www.panalpina.com/www/global/en/home.html
https://www.valexander.com/home.aspx
http://www.marinefreight.com/ <not practical>
http://www.pacer.com/
http://www.kn-portal.com/

Come up with a set of questions.. like an RFP (request for proposal) and evaluate each company for their service offering and support for the Tax and Duty issues described.

for example, ask
1. What experience do you have working with "Temporary Import Bonds" ?
2. Do you have references of customers that used Temporary Import Bonds ?

 

[gp2.eXe]

It would be better if we had one voice of reason the community could put its faith into ...
IMHO his name is EvilDragon and his boss doesn't understand the importance of the Pandora suffiicently
What a cunt. Craig never misunderstood the importance of the Pandora.

IMHO his name is EvilDragon and his boss doesn't understand the importance of the Pandora suffiicently

I sincerely hope you've just chosen your words poorly... It would be hard (not to mention insulting) to argue that he doesn't "understand the importance of the Pandora sufficiently" when he's one of a very small team who've started it and put so much work into it. Yes he may not be the best at communicating progress -- but you know the irony of it? That is probably a direct result of him spending most/all of his free time (a precious few minutes, I'm sure) doing Pandora-related things. The fact that we have one member of the team (ED) who's job seems to be (among many others) to keep us informed is enough to keep me happy, and I think shows a good division of labor amongst the team (though I admittedly know very little about how the work is divided up"].[/quote]So just because you want it yesterday (like we all do"], don't assume he "doesn't know how important it is."[/quote]Also, try to remember, this is a GAME console we're talking about here. It's ok to be excited (as everyone else is"] about it -- but good gosh, don't let it consume your life![/quote]I don't know why I feel like this didn't come out right... let's see...

Isn't EvilDragon supposed to have a real-life job which is not related to Pandora and where his boss makes him busy? At least that's what I recall from ED.
Also do you guys really picture Craigix as ED's boss? ... I thought they were teammates or something.

So I think what Monk was trying to say got misunderstood , but it's nice to see people stepping up for Craigix every once in a while.

 

[kelargo]

here's some more info I hope is useful...

http://www.cargolinkairfreight.com/CustomsEntries.htm

QUOTE
"Temporary Import Bond
These types of entries are for goods entering USA temporarily and are intended for re-export to the original county. This is useful for trade fairs and exhibitions. Since these goods never enter the commerce of the United States you need not pay duty on these shipments"


Search "Temporary Import Bond" in this book
http://books.google.com/books?id=VUJnsh9dZ...lt&resnum=2

http://books.google.com/books?id=VUJnsh9dZ...lt&resnum=2

 

[kelargo]

- the uncertainty over import/export paperwork/brokers is a little off-putting to say the least

Happenstance and reality.

These guys are airing the challenges they are facing.. and not hiding under a rug with lies saying "Everything is peachy, it will be here any day now!"

Do you really think things like this do not happen with "real businesses" ? They hire lawyers and consultants and pay them big bucks to "make the problem go away."

 

[kelargo]

some more info .. on TIB and ATA Carnets.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsro...onunderbond.doc

and this company appears to provide Bonds... and has an interesting document comparing TIB and ATA Carnet
info kiosk - http://www.atacarnet.com//CarnetInformationKiosk.aspx
comparison PDF - http://www.atacarnet.com/uploads/file-277.pdf

http://www.atacarnet.com/CarnetInformation...nUnderBond.aspx

and also ATA Carnet.. some more background on ATA Carnet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATA_Carnet

Maybe the ATA Carnet is the "better" way to go?

..
and some more info on Carnets... from the "United States Council for International Business"
http://www.uscib.org/index.asp

http://www.uscib.org/index.asp?documentID=1675
http://www.uscib.org/index.asp?documentID=868
http://www.uscib.org/index.asp?documentID=1556
this last link says "Air Couriers -While BAX and DHL accept Carnet shipments, FedEx and UPS (small package divisions) generally do not."

 

[#1 GameMaster]

Use Fedex. B)

 

[goldbott]

Use Fedex. B)

Yah my dad and uncle have been usuing fex ex for various shimpments and they swear by it.

 

[Monk]

It would be better if we had one voice of reason the community could put its faith into ...
IMHO his name is EvilDragon and his boss doesn't understand the importance of the Pandora suffiicently
What a cunt. Craig never misunderstood the importance of the Pandora.

EvilDragon's BOSS is ALSO called Craig? Just like CraigIX is? How bizzarre is that? I had no idea!

Or does comprehension simply escape you?

IMHO his name is EvilDragon and his boss doesn't understand the importance of the Pandora suffiicently

I sincerely hope you've just chosen your words poorly... It would be hard (not to mention insulting) to argue that he doesn't "understand the importance of the Pandora sufficiently" when he's one of a very small team who've started it and put so much work into it. Yes he may not be the best at communicating progress -- but you know the irony of it? That is probably a direct result of him spending most/all of his free time (a precious few minutes, I'm sure) doing Pandora-related things. The fact that we have one member of the team (ED) who's job seems to be (among many others) to keep us informed is enough to keep me happy, and I think shows a good division of labor amongst the team (though I admittedly know very little about how the work is divided up).

So just because you want it yesterday (like we all do), don't assume he "doesn't know how important it is."

Also, try to remember, this is a GAME console we're talking about here. It's ok to be excited (as everyone else is"] about it -- but good gosh, don't let it consume your life![/quote]Try not to get SO excited yourself that you forget that EvilDragon actually has a real-world job, and it isn't Craigix that employs him. Nor is this real-world job anything to do with the production of the Pandora. this is, after all, just a GAME console we're talking about here - don't get so blinded by your enthusiasn that you have a go at someone before comprehending what they quite plainly said.

Thanks chaps for leaping down my throat in your ignorance. [bleep]. How about stoping and thinking before you post, just once in a while?

I don't know why I feel like this didn't come out right... let's see...

Isn't EvilDragon supposed to have a real-life job which is not related to Pandora and where his boss makes him busy? At least that's what I recall from ED.
Also do you guys really picture Craigix as ED's boss? ... I thought they were teammates or something.

So I think what Monk was trying to say got misunderstood , but it's nice to see people stepping up for Craigix every once in a while.

LOL, no - you're not only completely 100% accurate (EvilDragon having employment outside the arena of producing the Pandora, where his boss has apparently insisted he sometimes waste time neither updating us nor progressing the Pandora) but you also have considerably more restraint than I do this morning. I thank you on both counts

 

[Pleng]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/...ised-to-profit/[/URL] "]

If that's the case then Craig really needs to pull his finger out and get this sorted ASAP else there's a change that those items (what is this shipment, anyway - main boards?) could end up somewhere in no-mans-land!

 

[fireball87]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/...ised-to-profit/[/URL] "]

If that's the case then Craig really needs to pull his finger out and get this sorted ASAP else there's a change that those items (what is this shipment, anyway - main boards?"] could end up somewhere in no-mans-land![/quote]Did something change while I wasn't looking to make it so they were shipping something threw DHL instead of UPS...? ... ... or have you just decided that reading isn't a necessary step in your attempts to fan the flames.

 

[EvilDragon]

It's UPS that's holding them, not DHL, so the items won't disappear

However, it seems like weird custom problems do seem to happen sometimes.
I experienced the same (also with UPS) with GP2X.

8 out of 10 shipments went fine, the two others were held at the customs and they did ask for a permission to do the custom work for me.
Which is weird, since they already got that permission and since I have a custom number (and UPS have that number), they don't need to do anything but tell the customs what goods arrive together with my custom number...
It took a few days figuring out what to do, so I guess it's the same here.

The ATA Carnet sounds like the best solution, too. However, craig posted he DID fill out all the temporary export documents... so maybe he already did that...?

And no, craig is not my boss
I don't have a boss. Yes, I do work in real life (TV stuff), however, I'm my own boss since April

 

[Monk]

... or have you just decided that reading isn't a necessary step

This is The Internet - apparently reading is an optional extra

 

[fireball87]

This is The Internet - apparently reading is an optional extra

Which is one reason I preferred oldschool dialup BBSes... the fact that most people could find out who you were locally on most of them made quick posts a tad less common. Actually I should try to con someone into hosting a Pandora BBS after the things out. BBSing on a hand-held, what 80's me would've done to be part ah that.

 

[Monk]

To keep it simple... apologies, I hadn't realised you were entirely self-employed since April. for some reason I had thought some boss had kept you busy/away from Pandora stuff more recently than that (I'm sure I have chastised him - anonymously, and where he doesn't read - on this board before for not realising you have more important stuff to do than work for a living!)

 

[EvilDragon]

To keep it simple... apologies, I hadn't realised you were entirely self-employed since April. for some reason I had thought some boss had kept you busy/away from Pandora stuff more recently than that (I'm sure I have chastised him - anonymously, and where he doesn't read - on this board before for not realising you have more important stuff to do than work for a living!"]
[/quote]It's not a boss that keeps me more busy - it's food that keeps me more busy.
Pandora doesn't make any money yet - and I need to make a living (which isn't that easy being self-employed during in these days...)

 

[maxz]

You need money? Open up the damn pre-orders.

 

[saboteur]

Don't know where in the us you are shipping to, but a peice of advice I will offer is DO NOT USE DHL.

They appear to be winding things up in (all?) areas in the US, so delivery and collection can be problematic at best.

UPS or Fedex are the way to go in the US - just be aware that once US Customs get there claws into you it can take many, many more shipments before you see problem free US shipping again - no matter what carrier you use - I do three or four shipments to the US a week and know how much of a pain customs can be if you piss em off .

Shipments into the UK from outside the EU that are being assembled and re-exported - you have to apply for Inward Processing Relief.

What this allows you to do is import something - defer any customs payment and then as long as u ship it back out before the relevant time period ( usually 6 months ) and notify customs, then no duty is payable.

U need to check this out in the states - but I can't see that they don't operate a similar sheme.

Would probably be worth contacting a carrier in the US and asking them, but DO NOT ask Customs these questions - the way they see it, they are there to enforce the rules, not tell u about them and if ignorance of the rules by you causes you a problem then tough.

Cheers

 

[WizardStan]

However, it seems like weird custom problems do seem to happen sometimes.
I experienced the same (also with UPS) with GP2X.
Ok, dude, I am seriously starting to lose respect for you guys. You know you've had problems with UPS in the past. You've told us about all the problems you've had with UPS in the past. Why are you still shipping with UPS? The abusive relationship has got to stop! It doesn't love you. It's not going to change. It needs you more than you need it, don't forget! Separate now, before you get in too deep. There's still time to find someone else, someone who actually cares about you.

 

[Monk]

Tell me about it - I have been self-employed since about 1990 - which basically means that everyone thinks they are my boss :rolleyes: