10d (edited) • General discussion
Building my business (update)
Not sure if this is the correct place for this. But I thought the stress and burnt purchasing power would at least make for an interesting read.
long story short, I'm building a beekeeping business (in Japan). I've purchased a few plots of land, and have permission to use others, and I'm in the middle of discussing my production facility/office with an architect & my friend who is a carpenter (we're in the same volunteer firefighter unit). I wanted to use Sankyo Frontier for a variety of reasons but since I have an unusual financial position (aprox. 85% of my purchasing power is in an overseas bank.) I would have to delay building until the 5th month of next year, meaning I'd probably miss an entire year of production.
WHILE I'm attempting to organize this, some tools & such I ordered from a Chinese company arrived by boat (1,600USD worth). I've never handled sea-freight before and searched for an agent, but everywhere I called said they only handle company contracts and individuals are required to do the paperwork on their own, (sucks for me since I can't finalize my incorporation until my office is built.) though all provided exceptional information for me to follow through with.
I spent a day to drive to the tax office in Yokohama (each trip is about 130USD). Where everyone was again amazingly helpful and friendly, I'll admit I was nervous about making a mistake on the paperwork but none was made and everything went well. Until I was asked about the nature of one of the items. I explained it, and the officer said he wasn't sure if that item would be held under a specific law regarding food production & health. So I called and went to another office in Yokohama, rinse and repeat 3 more times because no one was really quite sure at first.
Eventually a decision was made that the item did in fact require an inspection (that the quarantine office told me as the customer it was pointless to apply for, especially since I only ordered 1 of the machine) or proof of inspection. The Chinese company (and the shipping company) played dumb, blamed me, then even said it was my fault that the items were held at customs since I was unwilling to lie to the officers about the nature of the machine. They tried to refuse a refund and make me pay for the return shipping. Which costs more than the entire purchase order suspiciously. However, since there was no legal contract or written agreement signed by me, they had no legal way of enforcing any of that, so after failing to get them to cooperate. (I genuinely just wanted to be refunded and ship them back their products, the machine that didn't have the paperwork is readily available on Amazon even, so it wasn't a big deal.) I simply told them I refuse to spend any more of my own time or money on the issue, eventually the dock where the pallets are collecting fees with, will come knocking on the shipping companies door for payment since they have no legal recourse to come for me. After realizing this, the shipping company said they would handle the issue but needed me to sign some paperwork in order to do so.
They attempted to send me a contract that would imply I would take all legal and financial obligations for the matter even those that may (would most definitely) arise in China. I couldn't believe how stupid they thought I must be, and read the contract 3 or 4 times. The lady finally called me to discuss it, and guess what! she was Chinese. after a very unpleasant but not overtly hostile conversation, she gave up and an hour later a Japanese lady from the shipping company called me. I explained to her how ridiculous what they were asking me to sign was, she agreed. and the matter was dropped. A few days later they called me in pure desperation realizing they still needed me to sign release forms at the tax office since the paperwork was placed on hold until all parties came to an agreement. I went down, signed the release form and the rest of the problem is now the shipping companies.
Regarding the matter, the tax office helped so much in resolving the issue and giving advice beyond the scope of their legal powers that I feel obliged to bring them some gifts soon.
ultimately, after 3 trips to the tax office (700~USD) I'm down 2,300~USD (plus a few coffee "dates" with an EX to break up the long drive home). In Japan we have a "cooling off" period for contracts/payments, however, the period between payment and arrival of goods exceeded that period of time, so my last recourse is to dispute the charge with the CC company, which unfortunately means I'll be waiting months to see that money come back since the Chinese company will continually try to extend the window for documentation submission. Though it would be foolish of them to submit anything, as all communications with them would show multiple cases of them lying or encouraging me to lie to the officers.
I figured I'd give that Chinese company a chance since they did offer one product I really have an interest in that I can only get from other Chinese companies or an Australian one (made in China anyway). But that is the last time I'll ever do that. I've always had a rule about only spending my money within my community, city, & prefecture for a reason.
overall, not a huge loss at all. but the headache made the loss feel 10X its value.
EDIT: haven't written this much English in a long time, I made so many typos.
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Building my business (update)
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