I've been trying to buy a cel from them for months now.

First they want cash ('crisp new Yen with no creases') - no go, because you can't send cash registered mail and it must have a customs declaration saying 'cash' on the outside.  Also, where to get unused Yen?

Then they suggested a bank cheque, from a bank with the nearest branch hundreds of miles away (and cheques can only be issued in person).  No go there either.  Also, Australia is one of the countries they won't accept an international postal order from.

Finally, when they agreed to either a local bank cheque, or a wire transfer I was pointed to the FAQ which says something like 'ask us for the name and address, account details'.  I asked them for the account details.  They said 'have you sent the money yet'.  I explained they have not told me where to send the money to.  They have never replied to e-mails since.

When I found out I had a business trip that would enable me to visit the bank they like (Citibank), I e-mailed them explaining I had a limited window of opportunity to get to a Citibank, would they please tell me who to make the cheque out to and where to send it - no reply, opportunity missed.

I have given up trying - how can I even trust them to fulfil my order?  They obviously have a very serious credibility problem - makes the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld seem like good business practice.   They must have some other business on the side, because they should have gone out of business by now with they way they treat their customers...

Oh - and I received an e-mail saying their server was down and they lost all their mail.  But they don't reply to email sent to the new address either...

To top it off, they have a policy that they will keep your payment if they don't like it until you send one that they do like - and given how they leave you guessing on what they like and don't like - it seems you could be sending them money forever.

Even so, it seems that people in this group have had some success with them and if somone would be willing to act as a go-between [ie: they are able to pay them in a way they like and accept an international cheque / Western Union money order or (if a dealer) accept Mastercard from me and order on my behalf, having the parcel sent directly to me by giving Mangaya my name and address], I would be interested in considering any offer of assistance.

I guess it is clear why the cell I have my eye on hasn't sold yet, though :-)