Buying In The US Discussion Area

dand2202

Hi all

I was wondering if any of you could answer a question for me? I am going to America for a celebration next year and need to pay for the restaurart / hotel room before i arrive. The bank I am with is currently offering the worst exchange rate and I was wondering what other options I have to pay for the goods. I don't think the restaurtant will accept Paypal, so would I be better off and getting a credit card with a better exchange rate? Is there any lists of best exchange rate offered on credit cards.

Thanks
Dan

dmg24

dand2202 wrote: »

Hi all

I was wondering if any of you could answer a question for me? I am going to America for a celebration next year and need to pay for the restaurart / hotel room before i arrive. The bank I am with is currently offering the worst exchange rate and I was wondering what other options I have to pay for the goods. I don't think the restaurtant will accept Paypal, so would I be better off and getting a credit card with a better exchange rate? Is there any lists of best exchange rate offered on credit cards.

Thanks
Dan

Which bank are you with? Most banks offer the same rate (plus their loading fee).

dand2202

Hi with HSBC - only offering around $1.49 to the £ - whereas you can get $1.58 with some online exchange rate companies

snoopsuede

Hi guys,

this is my first post so please excuse me if I touch upon something which has been addressed previously:

I have an American friend who is willing to purchase a laptop for me and then ship it over to me. The laptop costs around $800 and is £800 in the UK. Does anyone know the best way I could go about this i.e. saving the most money whilst having the item safely sent to me.

Thanks guys.

custardy

snoopsuede wrote: »

Hi guys,

this is my first post so please excuse me if I touch upon something which has been addressed previously:

I have an American friend who is willing to purchase a laptop for me and then ship it over to me. The laptop costs around $800 and is £800 in the UK. Does anyone know the best way I could go about this i.e. saving the most money whilst having the item safely sent to me.

Thanks guys.

if they use a courier then you will be charged
customs would most likely disregard any gift declaration

snoopsuede

custardy wrote: »

if they use a courier then you will be charged
customs would most likely disregard any gift declaration

Thanks for your reply.

Is there anyway that my friend could say that it was my property that I had left in the US whilst holidaying, by mistake and that he was sending it on to me?

If not and I do incur a charge, how much do you imagine it would be for? Do you feel it is still worth importing it or would the charge prove to be so much that it's better off buying in the UK?

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

custardy

snoopsuede wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

Is there anyway that my friend could say that it was my property that I had left in the US whilst holidaying, by mistake and that he was sending it on to me?

If not and I do incur a charge, how much do you imagine it would be for? Do you feel it is still worth importing it or would the charge prove to be so much that it's better off buying in the UK?

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

declaring that would be fraud
your friend can declare what they like
its what customs decide and lets be honest
a brand new laptop is going to stand out to them

you can look on the customs site for fees but it will be at least VAT and the couriers clearence fee's

Amys

snoopsuede wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

Is there anyway that my friend could say that it was my property that I had left in the US whilst holidaying, by mistake and that he was sending it on to me?
.

Nope, if they opened it they would see it was a US laptop from the keybaord and if they wanted to check they can check the serial no with the manufactuer.

wabbitwabbit_2

Hi,
Hope someone is able to help me......I have been ordering fabric (material) from the USA and each time kept the order under £18.00 to avoid any taxes. I really would love to order larger amounts.....I am rather confused with all the tax stuff.....what is the best value of goods to order so that I can avoid the highest charges.....below £36.00 to avoid VAT? Under £135.00 to avoid duty? Have I read it right that if the VAT to be collect is less than £7.00 they will waive it? Fabric in the states is easily less than half price here including postal charges.
I would appreciate any help.
Thanks from a very confused Wabbit x

custardy

wabbitwabbit wrote: »

Hi,
Hope someone is able to help me......I have been ordering fabric (material) from the USA and each time kept the order under £18.00 to avoid any taxes. I really would love to order larger amounts.....I am rather confused with all the tax stuff.....what is the best value of goods to order so that I can avoid the highest charges.....below £36.00 to avoid VAT? Under £135.00 to avoid duty? Have I read it right that if the VAT to be collect is less than £7.00 they will waive it? Fabric in the states is easily less than half price here including postal charges.
I would appreciate any help.
Thanks from a very confused Wabbit x

you need to also factor in the savings on larger orders
then compare it to the worst case scenario on duties
how are the roders coming? RM?
if so,how would larger orders be sent?