Being asked to pay customs on my prize win

jamielmdjs

Funnily enough, I emailed the guys at Zencube yesterday because they said i should receive a December delivery of my Zencube and oils that i won in their email comp. Got a reply last night saying there is a £16 customs charge and that the item will be with me soon.

To be honest, I did think the item would be coming from abroad so i did expect customs charges to maybe rear their ugly head and they have. Frustrating, but £16 to get a £200 item (plus the oils) isn't too bad. I like the idea of it. If it's nice, i'll keep it and be happy at £16, if not, i'll sell it and keep the profit.

Some companies preempt customs charges and agree to pay for them, others don't (a start-up were always more likely to veer towards the latter).

My friend won a PC from America. Told him to expect about £300 in customs charges and VAT to claim it based on the value. In the end, the company decided not to send the items at all but pay the full value of them into his Paypal account so it turned into a great cash win.

Phudge

Good points! Would it have put me off entering the competition? Probably not, I just wasn't expecting it.

jamielmdjs, you won one too? They have replied to you after my emails obviously! At least you know about the charge and are prepared. The first I knew about a charge was when the courier knocked on the door! As for the oils...not sure they are coming as I saw a note somewhere saying they had been delayed. I will let you know when mine is redelivered It is a cool prize, well done to you!

jamielmdjs

Phudge wrote: »

Good points! Would it have put me off entering the competition? Probably not, I just wasn't expecting it.

jamielmdjs, you won one too? They have replied to you after my emails obviously! At least you know about the charge and are prepared. The first I knew about a charge was when the courier knocked on the door! As for the oils...not sure they are coming as I saw a note somewhere saying they had been delayed. I will let you know when mine is redelivered It is a cool prize, well done to you!

Yeah, i was doing some admin so emailed them yesterday lunchtime and got a reply last night.

I joined their mailing list through entering a comp. They then ran a comp for those on the list asking for you to reply with what you like best about Zen Cube. Put quite a bit of effort into my reply so was delighted when chosen as the 1st prize winner (Zen Cub plus oils). 2nd place got a Zen Cube, 3rd place got the oils.

Courier attempted delivery today (typical that i chased yesterday - if i'd have waited a day...). Missed courier but carded and says £16 on the card.

It does look ace so looking forward to seeing it. Well done on your win.