Man wants refund for fighter jet purchase

[big bad john]

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=696272006&source=somnia

Man wants refund for fighter jet purchase
BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese businessman who bought a Russian fighter jet online wants his money back after finding it could not be shipped to China, state media reported on Tuesday.

Zhang Cheng, a Beijing businessman, bid $24,730 (13,330 pounds) and paid a $2,000 deposit for the former Czech air force plane on Chinese-based eBay, Xinhua news agency said.

But legal experts informed Zhang that the MiG-21, located in Idaho in the United States, was "almost impossible to ship back", Xinhua said, quoting the Beijing Times.

Moreover, the seller had clearly confined the destination of the plane to the United States and Canada, Xinhua quoted a member of eBay's public relations staff as saying.

Chinese Web surfers have accused Zhang of trying to gain fame, but others suggest it merely shows the improved living standards of the Chinese, Xinhua said.

The buyer, however, said he was building a collection.

"I like to collect valuable items," he said. "I have the buying power and my company has an empty space where I can display the plane."

 

[Michael OLeary]

Caveat emptor, looks like he should have read the fine print and done his research before bidding.

 

[Haggis]

For that price, maybe the CF should buy it.  Heck we've spent more money on dumber things (LSVW).

 

[geo]

a fool and his money are soon parted...............

 

[Burrows]

eBay is very misleading with their different countries, which just adds to the confusion.

 

[Enzo]

So what's the problem? He either loses his deposit, puts it back on eBay or begins a long bureaucratic process to sort this out.

Who knows, if he throws enough money at this problem, maybe he'll be able to look at it in his collection one day.

 

[geo]

or put it back on sale on ebay......

 

[Burrows]

Or just hire a pilot to fly it back?

 

[Korus]

It could be more of an exporting issue as opposed to a simple transport issue.. Besides, I'm not sure if the Mig-21 has the range to fly across the Pacific ocean.. Unless maybe it flew up to Alaska, then into Russia, stoping to refuel on the way?

Either way, if it goes back on e-bay.. for $25k... hmm... I saved up a bit of money on my tour.. I don't *need* a truck or a house... hhhmmmmm....

 

[AFireinside13]

Chinese Web surfers have accused Zhang of trying to gain fame, but others suggest it merely shows the improved living standards of the Chinese, Xinhua said.

That kills me, a guy buys a MiG, and that means living conditions have improved. Maybe for the wealthy buisness man, but not everyone else! :blotto:

 

[Zartan]

For that price, maybe the CF should buy it.  Heck we've spent more money on dumber things (LSVW).

Heck, Mig-29's have even shown themselves on ebay before, and a former Blue Angel.

 

[CougarKing]

That kills me, a guy buys a MiG, and that means living conditions have improved. Maybe for the wealthy buisness man, but not everyone else! :blotto:

If you ever go there, you'll see that the living standards within the cities and coastal industrial areas are getting better because of China's booming economy. Still, on must admit that the wealth gap will only get larger between the rice farmers in the rural provinces and the entrepreneur elite in the urban areas. Note the farmer uprisings mentioned in the Asian edition of Time not too long ago- titled "China's Rural Rage" in the March 13, 2006 issue.