Great 'Buy now from the US' Hunt.

cwep2

People asking about foreign currency exchange - there are a few specialists in London who you order currency from they come to you (within central London, ideal if you work there), normally same day and you pay them in cash when they give you dollars or euros (I assume they do a few more ccys but only used them for these so far).

The rates you get will be at least 1% better than those you would get in travelex, and i would bet, any booth. I work in the currency markets and the rate I typically get is 1% from the mid market interbank rate at the time, airport currency exchange / M+S etc tend to be between 2-4% away from the mid interbank rate, plus you sometimes pay commission on top.

I use them as it's cheaper than an ATM (using my nationwide visa) because of the 1.5% cash withdrawal fee (+interest unless you load up your account with positive balance before travelling). Of course you risk carrying all your cash up front and it's less safe than travellers cheques.

I imagine they are aimed at transactions of £500+ but due to low margins they can still make money on this. I will check with the company I use before posting their name without their permission but I'm sure google is your friend

As to changing a load of money now for trips in the future, or simply to speculate on the rate changes in the future.... well the former is maybe OK if it's not too far in advance, remember the rate can go up as well as down and oyu won't get interest on your GBP in the mean time.

As for speculating, well you will need to get a good rate in the first place, and don't bother with doing it with banknotes as you lose interest (not to mention security of having thousands of $$ lying around) and the charges for changing both ways / 'spread' from the mid market (interbank) rate are likely to be wide. There are ways to speculate by opening accounts and trading by posting capital and using that as margin etc etc but this is not the place to discuss this and many smarter people have lost their shirts doing this.

Paul1_2

fatboyonadiet wrote:

Not really, you will get hit for some extra charges from customs and excise, how much are they worth? The only way to could possibly get around this is by getting the sender to mark the item as a gift or used or of lower monetary value on the customs form. But this is illegal and I think customs can open and search the box if they want. I could be wrong though.

Bought glasses for 39 Dollar.com based in NY, fast delivery by US mail and no charges at all.

Paul1

irish_angel

Art wrote:

No you can't buy Dell's in shops but you can order by phone or on the net. Remember to know what spec you want so that you can compare the price with the UK price.

Most laptops work on dual voltage these days but you will have to check that the leads are suitable for charging once you are back in the UK.

A very important thing to check is to see that you can get the laptop repaired under warranty outside the US. Some companies won't do this. Maybe as Dell is sold worldwide they will look after you.

I am currently in the US and finding that many prices are no longer the bargains they once were. Check what you are paying and what it would cost in the UK. Also remember that you might get caught for duty when you return to the UK.

Regards,
Art.

I have just spoken to my aunt who thinks Dell reps visit the mall nearby,she is going to check this out for me and if not I will order on line as it is still much cheaper than buying at home.Thanks for taking the time to reply. PS can you recommend any other items worth buying?
Kind Regards
Irish Angel

hi123

hi my wife is off to sf next week
can someone please suggest places/outlet stores to shop at
designer watches and clothes ,possibly slr camera

Coloradokazz

Hi there from across the pond, apologies if I have already posted, not too good at this, but if you are over here, TJMax, Ross, Marshalls, and my fav. Kohls super bargains at Kohls, always a sale, good value. Walmart sell George clothes, and I think at a fraction of the price of the UK George clothes.

If you do a search on-line you will find many websites offering discounts for entrance costs, if you search by State.

https://www.wow-coupons.com, excellent too. Also when visiting Las Vegas http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/las-vegas-coupons.htm.

Enjoy!!! Lots of goodies to the dollar these days!

Regards

Coloradokazz

ps. also for computer stuff, cameras etc. try the Micro Center, based in quite a few States, if not on-line too.

cabra1

The best buy I have ever made overseas
and still buy on a regular basis.

My cat has Advantage flea treatments
from the vet,my cousins cat uses Frontline
Plus,anyone who uses these flea treatments
on a regular basis knows how expensive
they are.My vet charges £45 + VAT for
a course of once a month doses.My cousins
vet charges £36 + VAT.This is for a three
month course.

I found out that both these brands are
only available from vets in the UK on
prescription.But in Australia they are over
the counter medications available in
pet stores for anyone to buy.

We buy online from Pets megastore
and save a fortune.Just looking at
a recent reciept here thats on my desk,
Last time ordered the Frontline for
dogs,for a friend

1 x Frontline plus flea control cat 1 - 23lb £12.64
1 x Frontline plus flea control dog 10-20kg £13.45
Shipping to GB - £1.30

They usualy arrive in a week,
they have a free phone number
for UK customers -

0800 731 8045

Allow for the time difference so
ring after 11pm at night.

You can order online,fax,phone
or by mail.

Also from time to time they
have a free P&P on orders
as well.

Your invoice has the Australian
dollar prices on it alongside the
UK price and they charge your card in
Sterling.

We have never paid duty but
have always ordered in amounts
under £30 to avoid it.

I know my vets not too pleased
but we are a low income family
and if this was not available to us
there is no way we would be able
to afford to buy these products on
a regular basis.

HCDayantis

Now, I know for a fact that Apple Macbooks are comparatively dirt cheap in the states (what costs a grand here, the top Macbook, is $1,499.00 in the USA!), and I really want one. That's £761.153 (yes, that's a 3000th of a penny!) Of course, it'd come up to around £800 with exchange rates that conversion companies have (this is from xe.com), plus shipping and taxes. I think the warranties are international, but for obvious reasons the Apple US store won't ship overseas. Does anyone know what the cheapest way to get a MacBook from the States would be?

I'm not going there, so shipping to the UK is essential. Anyone know what kind of shipping and taxes it would be assosciated with? If the answer is >£200 worth, then clearly it's not worth it, although that seems a rather large sum!

Many thanks!

Art_2

HCDayantis wrote:

Now, I know for a fact that Apple Macbooks are comparatively dirt cheap in the states (what costs a grand here, the top Macbook, is $1,499.00 in the USA!), and I really want one. That's £761.153 (yes, that's a 3000th of a penny!) Of course, it'd come up to around £800 with exchange rates that conversion companies have (this is from xe.com), plus shipping and taxes. I think the warranties are international, but for obvious reasons the Apple US store won't ship overseas. Does anyone know what the cheapest way to get a MacBook from the States would be?

I'm not going there, so shipping to the UK is essential. Anyone know what kind of shipping and taxes it would be assosciated with? If the answer is >£200 worth, then clearly it's not worth it, although that seems a rather large sum!

Many thanks!

VAT alone would add about £130 to your costs. if you also add in shipping, insurance etc it looks like your saving won't be anything at all. In addition to VAT you might also be charged import duty.

Regards,
Art.

Psykicpup

Does anyone know if Windows XP bought in the States would operate ok on a pc here? & if I arranged for it to be sent to a friend in Ontario & then posted on what I might be liable for in Tax etc?