Buying items from US on Ebay UK

Kua

Hi

I'm considering buying the below: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-Series-7-Chronos-NP700Z5AH-15-6-750-GB-Intel-Core-i7-2-2-GHz-8-/261142103922?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item3ccd484772

But is there any chance of me being hit by customs fees or anything, or is everything included in price of delivery?

Thanks!

Chickabiddybex

I've never been hit with customs charges when buying from US eBay but I wouldn't advise spending so much money on something that has to travel so far to you. Plus it will possibly be setup for region 1 etc and have a US keyboard.

kremmen

I have been caught for tax on some items and others have been no problem. I no longer buy expensive things out of the EU as Mr taxman can add a nasty surprise.

soolin

Kua wrote: »

Hi

I'm considering buying the below: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-Series-7-Chronos-NP700Z5AH-15-6-750-GB-Intel-Core-i7-2-2-GHz-8-/261142103922?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item3ccd484772

But is there any chance of me being hit by customs fees or anything, or is everything included in price of delivery?

Thanks!

There is a very high chance of you being hit with all the duty, tax and handlign charge when buying electrical equipment from the US. The seller will need to send it all properly insured and that will attract attention.

Also, I would be wary of elctrical goods bought from abroad, how are you going to return it if it goes faulty? Also have you actually looked at the feedback- from a 'private' seller using stock information and no photos of the actual item?

soolin

Dd this feedback not worry you at all, seriously?

I just received the item, but it doens´t work well. have a problem31-Jan-12 11:27 BlackBerry PlayBook 16GB, Wi-Fi, 7in - Black (#260922294174)

Used from a private seller and with very little actual description of the item andno actual photo...

I am actually worried that anyone would consider this knowing that returns would be hugely difficult.

zzzLazyDaisy

This has scam written all over it.

It is a used laptop, with no photos of the laptop itself, just stock photos and stock blurb. If all you get is a dud, you would have to return it tracked at your own expense in order to win a SNAD claim. And the seller is going on holiday so there will be a delay posting... so by the time is fails to arrive (or arrives a wreck) you will probably be too late for a snad claim anyway.

Way too risky (in my view)

prowla

The auction has now ended.

As far as getting it to the UK, customs would charge tax and the courier would add a handling fee.
Also, if there was an issue with it then it would be extremely difficult to get it resolved.

porto_bello

Take a look at the seller's feedback:

3 out of the last 7 and 2 out of the last 3 are negative
... that's more than unlucky!

Avoid at all costs

RFW

Putting aside the possible seller issues. Whether you end up paying tax and a handling charge to the courier is a lottery and you should always expect to.

Unless it's a rare item there won't be much value in buying electrical equipment via mail order from the US, not at the current exchange rate.

A crude (but mostly effective) way of working it out is to say that the amount in dollars is what you will end up paying in pounds after tax and charges.

Gikes

If customs inspect your packages and hit you with some tax ask to have it sent back then the seller will re send it this time hopefully avoiding customs.

James_Lahey

Some things are great to buy from US/overseas and can save you a lot of money (especially if you can stay under VAT threshold.)

For expensive electrical items I echo what others have said here - buy from a UK seller and save a lot of headaches (and I'd imagine get covered by more UK laws.)