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KaiserWAVE's miraculous adventure: The German Customs Authorities
KaiserWAVE:
Sony and Nintendo don't care as much. I imported the black Hori Digital Controller for Gamecube along with the Mega Man Anniversary collection and a Dual Shock 3 PS3 pad from Play Asia. I even chose shipment via UPS and had a sticker on the package telling me it was pre-opened and checked by my local customs office. But it all came through without any problems.
I'm sure they know it's a genuine and licensed product and they're just making a point. I think Snowcone bought it at a GameStop and they know they'd get in deep shit selling fake products. But as I said, there's no way of appealing the decision. Obey or face the consequences and I don't feel like engaging a death match against Microsoft :)
I just learned the hard way that I'll never try to import an official Microsoft product again
UncleBob:
I'd say fight them in court, but good luck. ;)
Maybe you should send this story to Kotaku and get some advice from them?
My Panasonic Q got held up in US customs... not as exciting as your story. Apparently, DVD players need some kind of special declarations form - but game systems don't - and they were confused as to what this was.
KaiserWAVE:
Nah, I'll just accept it. I'll file it under tough luck and put it in the shit happens folder. I mean, as a company it's their right to place a ban on Microsoft products. What I didn't know is that this ban includes all licensed products wth the "X" logo (which are pretty much all of them).
And what I don't understand is that they claim it's a fake product when it's obviously not. I mean if it is they should sue Amazon, Gamestop and Toys R US for selling them ;)
At least I would have expected the courtesy of them telling me "Dude, we just don't want you importing this. Sorry, but that's the way it is, deal with it" instead of taking me for a fool.
UncleBob:
Question for Snowcone - did you pay with a credit card when you bought the stick?
If so, initiate a charge back against GameStop for selling you fake merchandise - have KW send you the documentation from MS/German Customs stating that the merchandise was fake...
Snowcone:
--- Quote from: KaiserWAVE on April 11, 2009, 07:44:42 AM ---Soooo, got a letter from Microsoft today. Or lets say form their lawyers :) The expert witness came to the conclusion that the Fight Pad Snowcone bought for me in a normal store is a fake product (which of course it isn't but I have no way of appealing against this decision). Now I have to sign a declaration of consent that they can destroy(!!!!) the product or else they will take legal measures.
In other words I'm forced to allow them to burn my money and I won't see any compensation for it. 71 Euro ($95 as of right now) down the drain. The next time I decide to import something I will NOT choose courier shipment :)
--- End quote ---
Ok, this is seriously bullshit. I'm going to write about this on SBG and see if we can get some coverage for it and see if anyone else has run into this type of problem.