Is it just me ....?

[pcasa]

I feel like the exporting of airstreams is really heating up - especially if you read our classifieds - is the weak dollar fueling this or is the demand really that strong ... at any rate, sad to see so many leaving us.

[3streams]

I totally agree! I think a lot are being sent over seas because the demand is there and other economies are not quite as desperate as ours. With the Capetown to Cairo caravan there will be a lot fewer. Also it seems to be all vintage trailers that are being exported. I guess if you wanted a new one- Airstream Europe is up and running and that would be much cheaper the exporting one. The European new Airstreams are pretty sporty and I like the layouts a little better than the current US lineup. Anyway- it is sad to see more and more going.

[monah]

We met someone while camping a few weeks ago who told us his friend sold an AS for $3500 to someone in Japan...can't even imagine how much freight charges were for that one!! I think there's an overall heightened interest in "old is new" for Japanese collectors...recent antique expos here in PDX have quite a few tourists purchasing Bake Lite, Pyrex, etc

[HowieE]

And they will pull them with all the 57 Chevys that have goen overseas.

[monah]

LOVE the mailbox....we plan to pull our AS with our '59 Chevy Apache when it gets up and running....

[cameront120]

As long as they're being used and enjoyed, it doesn't bother me that they go overseas to new owners.

[monah]

absolutely agree....it's so much fun to see similar passions....

[KeithC]

Hi All,

Please be careful about overseas buyers wanting to purchase your U.S. based product, be it an Airstream, a Gulfstream aircraft, or anything else. Such ads are trolling grounds for "Nigerian Scam" artists.

As most of you know, a typical Nigerian Scam starts with the seller being contacted by someone, by e-mail or in writing, usually writing in sub-standard english.

The writer says something to the effect that he is very interested in what you have for sale and by chance a person in the U.S, Canada, the United Kingdom, already owes him money.

He will have that person send you a Cashier's Check / Company check / Bank Draft, which will always more that the asking price of the item you have for sale.

He then asks that you send him the balance, usually several thousand dollars more, because of the trusting soul he is, by Western Union. In addition, you should keep several hundred dollars for your trouble.

If you deposit the check it will take several weeks for the bogus check to be returned to your bank as a fraud. In the mean time, if you sent the money by Western Union, it is now long gone.

Thousands still fall for this scam, that is why they keep fishing the "for sale ads" for large ticket items.