Buying online from a US site

woj101

I'm interested in buying the latest Timex Speed/Distance monitor and HRM combined watch. You can get it on ebay from the UK for about £140 plus £8 postage.

But I've seen it on a US site for $178. With the current exchange rate that shouldn't be much over £90 (am I correct - did I hear the US dollar has dropped to 50p?). If this is so, how much more am I looking at when including postage and import duty?

Thanks

mm66

Most sellers wont ship overseas but if they do depending upon the weight it would cost less than £20 to ship.

raeble

Hmm it depends on how much you are willing to spend on delivery, the cheapest option will take the longest. For more info on duty costs see the dhl site here. Then work out if after postage and duty it will actually be quite so cheap in comparison to the uk.

gasmark7

Watch out for postage. I recently bought from an american seller and by the time I had added postage and duty it wasn't such a bargain

George_Bray

Some observations I've made after several purchases from the USA:
1. Many eBay sellers will agree to ship to the UK, even if they state 'USA only' in their shipping. Ask the question ahead of bidding.
2. There's a 50/50 chance of paying duty and VAT plus (worst of all) the savage Royal Mail duty collection charge on top.
3. USPS (United States Parcel Service) - their standard mail is the carrier to go for at reasonable cost. Delivery is fast (3-4 days), unless it's an emergency and you really, absolutely must have the item yesterday. Why pay more?

Regards
George

urban_i

I have a friend who is stopping in the UK for a couple of hours (connecting flight) from the US. I want him to get me a digital camera from the US.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to best do it? as i dont really want him to open the box and pretend its his camera (as its a christmas present).

What are the chances of him getting stopped at UK customs? and what will happen if he does ..say if the camera is about $400

LD

I have a friend who is stopping in the UK for a couple of hours (connecting flight) from the US.  I want him to get me a digital camera from the US.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to best do it? as i dont really want him to open the box and pretend its his camera (as its a christmas present).

What are the chances of him getting stopped at UK customs? and what will happen if he does ..say if the camera is about $400

they will charge him, give him a receipt and state it is refundable on leaving the country with the camera

George_Bray

I have a friend who is stopping in the UK for a couple of hours (connecting flight) from the US. I want him to get me a digital camera from the US.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to best do it? as i dont really want him to open the box and pretend its his camera (as its a christmas present).

What are the chances of him getting stopped at UK customs? and what will happen if he does ..say if the camera is about $400

Low chance of being stopped in the first place. Given he'll be leaving again within 2 hours, I doubt if C&E would bother logging the item. But if he's 'air side' at the airport, is it worth 'entering' the UK and then leaving again? Or perhaps he goes through immigration at Heathrow (long queues, long wait?) and is then due to make a connecting flight within the UK.

lofty_2

You would be cheaper buying it from the UK seller, At least you know it is compatable with a uk computer and if anything goes wrong you can usually get it sorted out and refunded. I was going to get some computer parts from the usa but they wanted $150 for Shipping via UPS. OK UPS are not the cheapest but when i looked on USPS It was still $60 (£30) and i would have to wait 4-6 weeks. Better off supporting the UK Seller, you wont save much (if you save anything).

mm66

You would be cheaper buying it from the UK seller, At least you know it is compatable with a uk computer and if anything goes wrong you can usually get it sorted out and refunded. I was going to get some computer parts from the usa but they wanted $150 for Shipping via UPS. OK UPS are not the cheapest but when i looked on USPS It was still $60 (£30) and i would have to wait 4-6 weeks. Better off supporting the UK Seller, you wont save much (if you save anything).

It is highly unlikely that the camera would be cheaper in UK even in a bargain. The saving is likely to be substantial. All camera work everywhere in the world and the max you will need is a £2 adapter for the electric socket. USPS regular service is less than 5 days and most costs $20 with insurance. I regularly get all my electronics from USA. Most big name manufacturers have worldwide service guarantees so that is also not a problem.

The only prob is likely to the short 2 hour time frome to do immigration twice. Call heathrow and ask if there is a posting facility in the international arrival lounge? or your friend can befriend somebody who is coming out in UK? if all fails have him mail it and i am sure the extra cost is still worth it.

George_Bray

....USPS regular service is less than 5 days and most costs $20 with insurance....

Agreed. It's fast. I get so annoyed when US retailers/eBay sellers refuse to use USPS but insist on some over-priced courier. I had a fairly heavy lens for an SLR camera sent over (heavier than my entire digital camera). The freight cost wasn't much more than Royal Mail within the UK, and it arrived in a few days, safe, sound and with no duty or VAT added.

Regards
George