Western Europe Looking for someone near the country of France to help with a purchase

[kobura]

Hello! I thought I might inquire for some help on purchasing and shipping a vintage computer from Europe. It's listed on https://www.leboncoin.fr/ and I don't have a phone number I can use to create my account. I live in Pennsylvania, USA. Is there someone that can help me proxy the sale? I have a shipper from Germany that I've used to forward shipments, but if you are willing to help me ship it too, that would be great.
It's for this: https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/ordinateurs/2761388711

 

[Abmvk]

My French isn't great, but I noticed this site has sister-sites in other countries, one of which I know. These aren't translated sites of the same marketplace, so I think the site you try to use is really focused on France.

That being said, if the site works the same as the dutch version they refer to, shipment and payment should be handled by the website. I doubt a bit you can use your German shipper in this case.

And I could not really find why you need a phone number? As far as I tried (didn't complete the process though) you can make an account via the "se connecter" option in the upper right corner of the website.

Anyway, I don't know if this helps a lot, my main point being, you probably need someone in France to help you.

 

[kobura]

When I create an account, it asks to verify a phone number to finish. It doesn't allow USA numbers.

 

[jdreesen]

You do realize realize it has a french keyboard (AZERTY) ....It is incredibly annoying if you are used to qwerty...

 

[kobura]

Yes, I do realize that. The computer doesn't work so I was going to use it for parts. I have a qwerty for this computer.

 

[lolo799]

For your information, judging on the weight of the computer, shipping from France to the US will be almost 140€/152USD.
If you can receive direct packages to your german shipper, a 10kg parcel from France to Germany will cost 46€.

 

[jplr]

Hi, Kobura, I can help translate, as I am French. You don't need a Leboncoin account, as you will have a similar problem to pay.
It will be easier if the seller agrees to sell you directly and be paid with Paypal.
Another possibility is for him to create an ebay ads.
Do you want me to ask the seller if he would agree to sell you (in USA) directly, what would be shipping costs, and what payment method he would agree?

 

[kobura]

Hi, Kobura, I can help translate, as I am French. You don't need a Leboncoin account, as you will have a similar problem to pay.
It will be easier if the seller agrees to sell you directly and be paid with Paypal.
Another possibility is for him to create an ebay ads.
Do you want me to ask the seller if he would agree to sell you (in USA) directly, what would be shipping costs, and what payment method he would agree?

Yes, that couldn't hurt. Thank you!

 

[jplr]

Done!

 

[jplr]

I didn't receive yet any answer from the seller on leboncoin.fr

 

[jplr]

I should have waited a few more hours, as he answered he would not sell outside the European Union.


Jean-Pierre

 

[kobura]

Thanks for letting me know and your help!

 

[jplr]

If you can propose a mechanism where I do not pay anything out of my pocket, I can buy this computer for you and send it to you.
The shipping price for a 10kg parcel to the USA via the French postal system is 133,80 € or $145.73
Then I would have to pay for the cardboard packaging (maybe I could reuse the one from the seller) and a few other items like a transparent plastic pouch for customs documents.
Let me know what you think.

 

[oldsarah]

I saw your post about needing help purchasing a vintage computer from France. I actually just returned from a trip to France last month and had a great experience. With the help of my tour guide from https://gowithguide.com/France I was able to navigate buying items locally that I wouldn't have been able to on my own. It's always nice to bring home a memento from your travels. I hope you were able to work something out with @jplr