Hello.
I have a customer who bought lots of wine box sets from us. He paid 30%TT then we started our production. After finishing the production we shipped the goods right away.
Our payment terms is 30%TT, but we usually asked for the rest 70% payment after sending the copy of B/L, packing list and Invoice to the customers.
This time, we sent the copy of the documents to him and then sent an email, no reply. I don't think it's good for us to ask for rest payment too urgent, so I just sent him an email again about one week later, still no reply. Days later, I called him and talked with him on phone, he said he would give me a reply, then I kept waiting. Still no reply.
At last, after several calls, I told him the ship will arrived at their port very soon, he told me there's no problem.
How happy I was when hearing that.
Because on the phone he've told me that they've sent the TT, I didn't insist on asking for the bank slip because I believe in him. (Frankly, I am believing in him now.)

But it has been more than 10days and we still haven't recieved the TT. I got stress from my boss and he asked me to call him again and get the bank slip.
I did, but no one answered the phone just a passage of sound--recording in French (German?) which I dont' undersand at all. The only sentence that I understand is the last one --- Thank you.

Can anyone analyze for me or give me any advice.
It's normal that the TT will take so long time? By the way, this customer is in Belgium.
Thanks in advance.
Best regards!

Replying to [Fei Wong]:
Hope it all works out for you, i might ad someone stated it takes 48hrs for TT, i think this is too short estimate.

I have done TT payment from australia to india, bank tells me 5 - 10 days, one went through in 6 days, other payment got diverted and ended up in state bank, took nearly two weeks for my seller to get his money but did in the end, i had to post (not email) a copy of the bank receipt before he could get his money even after my bank gave me a tracking number to send to him.

Replying to [Fei Wong]:
Hi,Fei;
Sorry to hear your story.
Be carefully, i had meet the same story before.My customer delay collect the goods nearly a month,he got big reward the warehouse charge him a lot for his delay. haha...

Lucky, you used your forwarder,i am sure he will go back to you.
Just be patient,and reminder him that will costing him much if he delay to collect the goods .

Anyway,good luck to you ya.

I agree with Grigo, NEVER send the goods until you have confirmation of receipt of payment from the Bank. You will find real customers expect this anyway as normal business practice.

Good luck with your pursuit of the balance.

Wish you well

Replying to all :
Dear all, thank you very much!!! From the bottom of my heart.

Mr. Indra Kurniawan, thank you very much for your kindness!

Dear Crazy Turk, Your words make me feel better.

Dear David Frencken, thank you for your advice. I will take care next time and 100% irrevocable L/C at sight sounds good. Thanks.

Dear katiekat, your experience make me feel safer. That's what I wanna hear.

Dear smilesun, thanks!

Dear koala, I will take care and take care from now on! Always ask for full payment before shippment.

Replying to [Fei Wong]:Hi friend, after heard your story, I think the key problem you worry about is once your client give up the goods, the lost of you will be large, or he can not take away the goods without original B/L, this is assured. You must make sure he will go to take the goods, or the rist will be large, or you can find some special orgnization to take a reasearch.

Replying to [Fei Wong]:Dear Fei. i am a new comer in this big family.I do hope your problem will be solved quickly and successfully,andyou customer will transfer money to you very soon.

May be you need to make sure, if he can get the goods without the original B/L,since we have heard some fraud,i am quite worry. Always,we prefer do business in FOB terms,and the shipping company was appointed by the clients.
I think you also need to contact the shipping company to know the whole things.

Good luck.

Replying to [Fei Wong]:
Hi, Fei Wong,
Don't throw your time for thanks! ha..ha..!
Here, as a forum friend, I feel what you feel at this situation, we all family at here.and hoping everything will fine immediately.

God bless you !

Replying to [Fei Wong]:
Hello Fei
I dont want to sound pessimistic or negative but you should concentrate to find another buyer in europe.
Never mine this customer , he wont pay you,
he lost the order and cannot pay you , he cut his losses and now you are stock with the problem.
If you still want to persue this deal with this customer
go to the link below , suscribe and do a check up and credit check on that company, then you will see if this guy is for real
good luck
http://www.dnb.com/us/

Replying to [Fei Wong]:

Any news from customer now?
Waiting for your update.

Replying to all:
Thank you very much for your attentions, frinends!

Dear maxxx, you make me feel terrible.
It's a real company.

I called them and they said they would send the bank slip copy to me, but two days later, I still haven't received the fax.
I will call them again this afternoon.