Great 'Buy now from the US' Hunt.

point3

newleaf wrote:

I think the thing is that most things are cheaper there, but having them shipped over here is not - especially when you factor in duty/VAT/handling charges.

Agreed. I also think it's a mistake to rush out and buy from the US just because of the current exchange rate. Fine if you were going to buy anyway ... but after shipping and custom charges the savings to be had are very small. It may be different if we were buying in bulk, but most folk here will only be ordering small value items and the savings above the 'normal' exchange rate will hardly amount to a fistful of dollars! (:D )

stumcgoo

helenyw wrote:

I've never tried these mail forwarding services myself, but sounds like a good idea.
You have to sign up, and get your own US mailing address, useful for all those free postage offers on websites. They then forward the items to you for a fee.
http://www.myus.com/
http://www.mailforwarding.biz/

So if I bought a camera worth $100 USD that weighs 2kg ($33 USD p&p) how much can I expect to pay in duty, tax and handling charges?

coolio_2

Anyone found any websites that are 'customs friendly'?

AndyC111

Another good web site is:

http://www.glooks.com/

They sell watches, Gucci/Cartier etc. I purchased a watch from them a couple of years ago and can recommend them . The prices in dollars normally match what you would pay in pounds here, so a massive saving can be had when you convert to pounds. The shipping is $39 (I think) and you are liable for import duty, but still a great saving.

carl_east

I can recommend using the US ebay site for super cheap bargains. I've just bought some golf equipment from there and even after postage costs it was a lot cheaper than it would have cost from ebay here. Always try and agree on postage costs prior to the auction ending for multiple items. You can often get big discounts.

Mattjimf

Cheezy wrote:

If your into buying CD's, then I have found the small independent record companies tend to try and help you out in the USA

In the 90's when everything was "Subpop" I used to get my CD's direct from them from a "paper" mail order list. I used to send notes via recorded delivery and they always used to put on the packaging that the CD's where a free sample for customs purposes!.

Recently I revisited them to get a new CD on their lable, I paid via credit card on the web site, and they still ticked the free sample box on the customs sticker, and they put in a free limited addition white lable CD!.

Obviously if your into major lable main stream music...no help what so ever.

A good american site for cd's and dvd's including second hand hard to get stuff, visit http://www.djangomusic.com/ i have never had a bad experience with them, fast delivery, plus you often get free delivery offers even to the UK via email offers.

Aardup

The Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar so you get the same good rate for HK products. It's also worth noting that HK uses the same 240v 3 pin plugs as we use in the UK so you don't need any adaptors

Annando

This isn't so much a "Buy it cheap in the US sort of tip, but it might be a clever way to use the dollar weakness; I am sure I saw this on this website before...anyway here goes...

If you want to book an online ticket on eurostar website state that you live in the US, it will give you the prices in US Dollars and... surprise surprise... they are much cheaper than the British ones! You can book them and pay online and have the tickets sent to a British address no problem.

If you try this but seem unable to switch from the US site to the British one try deleting the cookies from your pc.

Sui_Generis

stumcgoo wrote:

So if I bought a camera worth $100 USD that weighs 2kg ($33 USD p&p) how much can I expect to pay in duty, tax and handling charges?

Phone Customs and Excise for the actual rate but expect

cost + shipping + say 5% duty + VAT on the total ( + ~£6 if it comes via Royal Mail ). And yes they do charge VAT on shipping and duty ...

longdog_2

I could write a book on this topic. For ther last 6 years I have been going at least once a year to the US. The best buys are definitely achieved by going to the US. For the last 4 years I have flown free taking into account my savings. I have bought a laptop, high end digital camera and a PDA and saved a fortune....... bought for less $$s than the cost in ££s here in the UK.

The best tip if you do go is to search out the 'Outlet Malls' where famous brands are sold cheap. One example from a Levis Outlet in Oregon: 2 pairs Levi jeans, 3 Levi shirts and a sweat shirt for $120 .... at the time about £70!!
Two pairs of Rockport shoes for $135 (about £80) as opposed to UK price of over £100 for ONE pair.

Buy the stuff early in your trip and wear/wash them before you return...... never had a problem getting the stuff back into the UK.

Also if you do it regularly and save your airmiles (the airline United has a good airmile account) you can get upgrades/ lounge passes. I fly 1st class free for every four trips I make.