Sears.com - exchange rate rip-off

thelawnet

Just a warning that Sears.com will rip you off.

They use an exchange rate of £1 = $1.1 for orders sent to the UK.

So if you buy something that they sell to US customers for $110, they will charge you £100, whereas the true value is only £73.12.

Also you will be charged tax on the inflated value, plus a £2 admin fee if you prepay taxes.

If you DON'T prepay taxes, you will be charged £10 admin fee by DHL

It may be cheaper to get your item shipped (free) to a reshipper, than let Sears rip you off with their exchange rate.

zax47

Where's the "rip-off"?

If you CHOOSE to shop overseas then that's what it costs, no-one holding a gun to your head.

Exile_geordie

zax47 wrote: »

Where's the "rip-off"?

If you CHOOSE to shop overseas then that's what it costs, no-one holding a gun to your head.

Oh stop talking sense man.

forgotmyname

Same with a lot of US sellers, for some odd reason they charge silly amounts for postage. They are not ripping me off because i checked the total price and ordered direct from China for much less.

LilElvis

American stores and websites always show prices exclusive of sales tax as they vary not just from State to State but also by county.

Sears is a very "low end" chain in any case - generally all the cheaper brands and Argos quality jewellery.

paddyrg

Are they levying VAT@20% for the prepaid taxes thing?

thelawnet

zax47 wrote: »

Where's the "rip-off"?

Try reading the post.

If you CHOOSE to shop overseas then that's what it costs, no-one holding a gun to your head.

You're on the wrong site.

I pointed out that Sears takes a 35% markup on its exchange rate, and explained how you can avoid it.

If you don't like that, please feel free to go forth and multiply.

thelawnet

paddyrg wrote: »

Are they levying VAT@20% for the prepaid taxes thing?

You can choose to pre-pay taxes, in which case they charge 20% plus an undisclosed fee, or post-pay, in which case you will be charged 20% by DHL, PLUS a £10 handling fee (which they don't bother to disclose in advance).

In either case they also stick you for 25% on their exchange rate.

thelawnet

LilElvis wrote: »

American stores and websites always show prices exclusive of sales tax as they vary not just from State to State but also by county.

No sales tax is applicable on international orders.

Sales tax is based on the state of residence of the customer.

We do not have sales tax in the UK, we have VAT, which is applicable when items are imported. Sears posted prices, based on their £1 = $1.10 exchange rate do NOT include VAT.

Sears is a very "low end" chain in any case - generally all the cheaper brands and Argos quality jewellery.

What's your point?

paddyrg

thelawnet wrote: »

In either case they also stick you for 25% on their exchange rate.

Sounds like they don't want the hassle of international customers!

The-Truth

Oh good. At least a thread like this will shut the rip off Britain types up!