Anyone else have packages from Demos stuck in Customs/limbo? + to keep it fun, a poll

I have purchased from this firm before and been overall happy with the results...until now, though not necessarily their fault.
My order from December 5th (which was paid same day via Wise) has been stuck in Polish customs for over a month (since December 9th)!
I reached out to them back in late December and asked if there was a reason why my package had been stuck in customs for the last 2 weeks.
To which, to their credit, they replied the next day stating:

"Dear Ryan,


I've checked your shipment details.

Your package appears at Polish customs.

I contacted FedEx regarding this issue and told me

*****************************************************************

"Shipment detained under the control of the Customs Office"

*****************************************************************

Polish customs control the packages too long and keep them waiting.


We have forwarded all the necessary documents requested from us to them.

And we are waiting just like you.

Please contact FedEx soon.


Thank you for your understanding



Thanks&Regards

ENES YALCIN

DEMOS AC SPZ O. O."

I just sent a follow up email the other day asking for updates stating that I would prefer the coins than a refund (I did pay for insurance, but what does that do when a country is holding your package hostage...insert one liner here) as nothing has changed on the Fedex tracking and more of the same, "hold tight" response:

"Dear Ryan,


We have talked to FedEx and customs about your package.

We received the information that the customs controls are continuing.
We have other clients in the same situation as you.
We continue our follow-up and pressure, and your package will be on its way as soon as possible.

Thank you for your analysis and patience.


Thanks&Regards

ENES YALCIN

DEMOS AC SPZ O. O."

The thing that strikes me is that this is their 6th auction! I have purchased from them before a couple of times and had no issue.
What gives customs??
Ironically, I had a friend from Eastern Europe send me a gift that just got sent back by US customs!
It seems to me that customs wants Demos to provide something that they cannot provide or else something that they have received but question. Though if that is the case then why hasn't it been an issue before?
As well, if they have supplied customs with the documentation being requested and my coins still sit idol what are the chances that I end up getting them?
Not sure I have any other course of action than to wait and offer sacrifice for the gods favor. If I had paid via Paypal I could get that money refunded if the items do not arrive. But as is, I am sitting here in limbo...

To add insult to injury I will share how AWESOME this package is. Nothing mind boggling expensive (thank Zeus) but some really fun stuff!
I really like the detail on him and think Augustus looks like Dennis the Menace on this one. Now, is that circle behind Augies neck a countermark? We may never know:
MYSIA, SYRIA or CYPRUS (Bronze, 13.24, 27mm) Ephesus, Pergamum, Antioch or Paphos(?) Augustus. 27 (BC-AD 14) AE dupondius, struck ca. 25 BC
Obv: AVGVSTVS - name clockwise behind bare head of Augustus right, all within dotted border
Rev: large CA within rostral wreath (ships' beaks and laurel-branches) between dotted inner and outer borders; between wreath ties, a large pellet.
RPC 2234; BMC 721; Howgego 2b




That's right, my buttcrack Victory is out there all scared and being handled by strange men with, possibly, nefarious schemes of keeping her!

CAPPADOCIA (1,77g, 15mm) Caesarea, Nero (54-68), AR Hemidrachm
Obv: NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GERMANI; laureate head of Nero, right.
Rev: Nike standing, right, with foot on globe and inscribing shield set on knee
S 83, BMC 411, Walker 470–2, RIC 618, Ganschow 60, RPC I №: 3646

And finally I was so very excited to have my own Bonus Eventus coin (in pretty good shape all things considered):

L. Scribonius Libo, AR Denarius (Silver, 3.52g, 20mm), Rome, 62
Obv: BON EVENT – LIBO - Diademed head of Bonus Eventus right
Rev: PVTEAL – SCRIBON - Scribonian well decorated with garland and two lyres; hammer set on base.
Babelon Scribonia 8. Sydenham 928. RBW 1500. Crawford 416/1a.



Anybody having a similar issue with customs and Demos or in general. Anybody have any ideas for what to do in this situation? And please, if you have any of these coins or just want to share please do

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Clearly the coins are vital to the cultural heritage of Poland.

I am sorry you have to deal with this.

 

Right!? Lol. Thanks Donna
I don't want to jinx myself, but it will be pretty hard to beat the 362 days it took Timeline (whom I do not recommend for non coin antiquities) to get me my coins won shortly before COVID hit (late Feb and they had to get export licenses).

 

Yikes, I hope they are released soon.

That wreath made of ship prows is wacky! (By wacky I mean awesome and I want one).

 

... and menacing:

Thanks TIF Good eye as always. The rostral wreath and detail on the portrait were the reasons I had to have it... get locked up in Poland that is

 

My favorite is clearly Victory’s buttcrack...

That is a bummer Ryan. I bet you’ll get them eventually. The delay is probably more to do with apathy on the part of customs than in any real intentions to deny export I would guess. I have had wins from Naumann that took a month or more to get through customs and they were sent through Fed-ex too if I remember correctly.

In the meantime here is a Cappadocian coin.

Cappadocia, Caesarea-Eusebia,
Vespasian (AD 69-79)
AR Hemidrachm, Caesarea mint, struck AD 77/78
Dia.: 16 mm, 12h
Wt.: 1.6 g
Obv.: AYTOKP KAICAP OYЄCΠACIANOC CЄBA, Laureate head right
Rev.: Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm frond
Ref.: RPC II 1659; Metcalf 17

 

Ummm, @Curtisimo your Victory...


Don't recall seeing a pregnant Victory before. My best guess, let's get Zeus on the phone and hear him out

 

><

 

..i have my 1st ECU on its way from London town and no tracking....

 

Well I bought a coin back in July from a Czech seller on eBay that I haven't received, whom I've bought in the past without any issues. At least I got a refund after waiting nearly three months!

 

You're a better man than me. After a month, month and a half I start getting impatient... hence this post
But glad to read since it was ebay you got a refund

 

Good news! Demos must've gotten whatever paperwork customs was demanding (almost two months later).
Look what the FedEx driver just dropped by