Buying stuff from America.

[G]

I know a few people off here have bought stuff from America in the past, can anyone explain the process and communication that you have to go through?

If you find something online in America how do you go about buying it?
Can you pay by credit card for security?
How does the exchange rate get sorted out?
Do you have to phone the store in America to explain the situation?
Hope does it get shipped here and does it get shipped directly to your door?
At what point and to who do you pay the import tax?
What % is import tax?

The saving seems to be massive and lots of people have been doing it, I'm just not sure on the process so if anyone can explain it that would be brill.

Thanks

Originally Posted by G

I know a few people off here have bought stuff from America in the past, can anyone explain the process and communication that you have to go through?

I've always bought online, and only a few times, but to try and answer your questions...

Originally Posted by G

If you find something online in America how do you go about buying it?

Click on add to basket, then checkout usually

Originally Posted by G

Can you pay by credit card for security?

Yep usually - never done it without.

Originally Posted by G

How does the exchange rate get sorted out?

Your credit card company will do the rate for you - it's usually pretty good and likely to be the best way to get it exchanged.

Originally Posted by G

Do you have to phone the store in America to explain the situation?

Never had to - sites I've used have had international shipping options. If you need to explain (say, you want them to put a "different" value on the package? ) then I'd expect you can email them.

Originally Posted by G

Hope does it get shipped here and does it get shipped directly to your door?

International shipping (just like a normal parcel delivery), and yes to your door.

Originally Posted by G

At what point and to who do you pay the import tax?

IF they catch you...then it depends on the delivery company. Some send you a note later with the charges (and usually a fee from them too!), some withhold your parcel until you pay up. Don't know which does which though - I suspect Google is your friend here

Originally Posted by G

What % is import tax?

It varies dependent on item I believe, but you're probably looking at 3.5% or something like that. It's VAT that's the killer - estimate about 20% on top of the price (including shipping) to cover taxes.

As of about 3 years ago I no longer have to buy online etc as the fiancee is American and I just cart it back in my luggage

[G]

Cheers, working out the final price could get abit complicated then by the sounds of it, hard to figure out whether its worth while of not.

Originally Posted by muffles

As of about 3 years ago I no longer have to buy online etc as the fiancee is American and I just cart it back in my luggage

Going across anytime soon? lol

That would make life so much easier and stress free lol

Originally Posted by G

Cheers, working out the final price could get abit complicated then by the sounds of it, hard to figure out whether its worth while of not.

It's not too hard to get a rough price, but if you need exact amounts it could get a bit fiddly. I'd just do 2-1 dollar to pound to get the price including shipping, and then add 20%. Tis rough enough for me

Originally Posted by G

Going across anytime soon? lol

That would make life so much easier and stress free lol

I'm going in August! Unfortunately, any room I'll have (and not sure if I will this time as it's my wedding/honeymoon lol) is going to fit an exhaust for the other bike

[northwind]

I buy lots of stuff from the states... It's quite often worth emailing them as sometimes the automatic postage prices are a bit silly, I bought some wee parts for my PC last year from the US for instance and the online price was about $40, which was daft- emailed them and they sorted it for $10.

Sometimes you get stung for tax, sometimes you don't, seems to be no rhyme or reason so I just let them get on with it and pay it when I have to. Parcelforce/Royal Mail really take the mick with it tbh, their handling charge is huge... But still, I tend to come out ahead.

[SoulKiss]

See this thread about my customs woes when I bought this load of stuff from the US

[G]

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

See this thread about my customs woes when I bought this load of stuff from the US

That is exactly the worse case scenario that I can imagine happening to me.

The Item in the UK is roughly ?450-?500 generally in the US it $500 = ?250.

So there is a massive saving, I'm just trying to figure out after shipping $70 and then TAX/Duty ???? who knows....whether its worthwhile or not.

When it comes to money I'm tight and like to know exact figures lol but its hard in the case

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by G

That is exactly the worse case scenario that I can imagine happening to me.

The Item in the UK is roughly ?450-?500 generally in the US it $500 = ?250.

So there is a massive saving, I'm just trying to figure out after shipping $70 and then TAX/Duty ???? who knows....whether its worthwhile or not.

When it comes to money I'm tight and like to know exact figures lol but its hard in the case

My opinion. only buy from the US if

a) You cant get it in the UK (like the stuff I got)
b) You are bringing it back yourself through customs
c) You are getting a SERIOUS bargain - like saving ?100 AFTER you add a third to what you are paying.

Warranty issues/returns should also be taken into consideration.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by G

The Item in the UK is roughly ?450-?500 generally in the US it $500 = ?250.

If you are genuinely considering buying it in the UK at ?450-?500 then it's definetly worth the risk of paying an extra ?100 in duty to get it from the States (Warranty issues aside)

[G]

Originally Posted by Stu

If you are genuinely considering buying it in the UK at ?450-?500 then it's definetly worth the risk of paying an extra ?100 in duty to get it from the States (Warranty issues aside)

I probably couldnt justify the ?500 Uk price, especialy knowing the prices they are avilable elsewhere, but if it was ?250 and then a maximum ?100 in tax/duty then I could handle that.