SEVERAL YEARS AGO I SHIPPED A KNIFE TO A COLLECTOR IN ROME. IT GOT TO CUSTOMS THERE BUT VANISHED IN CUSTOMS. THE COLLECTOR SAID HE WAS TOLD IT WAS THERE BUT HAD TO WAIT FOR CUSTOMS TO CLEAR IT, LATER THE SAME ONES WHO SAW IT COULD NOT FIND IT. I WAS LATER TOLD THEFT WAS A BIG PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE. THE PACKAGE WAS INSURED SO THE BUYER GOT ABOUT A FORTH OF ITS VALUE BACK. THE WORST PART IS THE THIEF DID NOT APPRECIATE THE KNIFE AND THE COLLECTOR LOST A VALUABLE ONE OF A KIND ADDITION TO HIS COLLECTION.
QUITE A FEW COUNTRY'S HAVE THIS REPUTATION THRU-OUT THE WORLD SOME DESERVING IT MORE THAN OTHERS. SO WE JUST HAVE TO TAKE OUR CHANCES. BUT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE MONEY IN HAND BEFORE SHIPPING AS IF PROBLEMS ARISE THERE IS VERY LITTLE YOU CAN DO AND VERY LITTLE HELP WILL BE FORTHCOMING. CASH IN HAND KEEPS THE SELLER FROM BEING SCAMMED (THERE IS A LOT OF THAT AROUND TOO) BUT THERE IS NOT MUCH PROTECTION FROM THE THIEF FOR THE BUYER. GOOD LUCK