Crazy Indo asked me for a quote.

[CougTek]

Some weirdo from Indonesia requested a quote for a few systems from our store. We are a 6 employees store with annual sales in the six figures, not a multinational corporation dealing with millions. He asked if we take credit (from Indonesia???) and also asked for delivery periods.

Someone has to be insane to believe that a town store would be willing to ship for several thousand dollars-worth of equipment to the other side of the world to a country where we have little or no way to insure that we'll be paid. A small order to Australia could pass, but 10 whole computer systems to a country with an emerging economy... Got to be out of your mind.

I told him we couldn't ship the systems, but that we offer on-site service if he pays the plane tickets (both ways). Man would he have fun when he would find out that I speak English like a Chinese speaks Zulu.

 

[Tannin]

You get those emails all the time, Coug. Well, every month or so. A typical request is (e.g.) 100 Pentium 4 CPUs, or 50 200GB SATA hard drives.

This is obviously a pretty common scam. I have never bothered trying to figure out if it's aimed at getting the systems/drives/etc. and not paying for them, or simply at getting access to your bank details. But who cares?

Want to help some retired general out with his pile of money in Nigeria?

 

[Santilli]

Cultural problems, too. In dealing with my ex, I learned that after signing a contract, we think we have a deal. The Japanese view that as time to start bargaining. A VERY different approach to business.

Don't know about Indo, but, for that kind of deal, I'd want cash up front, and, insurance on the shipping, with a service agreement based on their paying for everything.

some people have no respect for you, unless they pay you a lot of money.

S