Buying In The US Discussion Area

eggspert

it is hard to believe that someone could want something from the united states that is not even worth seven pounds, isn't it; what would that thing be?

cheers.

Justin_Scotland

Is it possible to get other companies added into the main money saving article as I would like to very strongly recommend Sierra Trading Post

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

This company offer an affiliate scheme of 5%-10% so would also benefit MSE. And for customers I feel they offer the best customer service for an international retailer in the form of a LIFETIME returns policy.

About 8 years ago I was introduced to them through American relatives and purchased items from the store in Cheyenne. Subsequently I have also purchased a large amount of ski wear and other clothing to be delivered internationally. They are always very helpful in the arrangement of international delivery and handling the few returns that I have made.

Would be nice to see this store recognised for the excellent price and service it provides.

Justin

slazman

Martin's article states "The European Union (EU) has set a goods allowance of £145 (excluding tobacco and alchohol) rising to £290 next year, on bringing items back to the UK from countries outside the EU".

If I buy an item e.g. a Guitar from the US for say £400 would I only pay duty (between 3% and 3.7%) on the difference of £110?

I guess I would pay VAT at standard rate on the total £400. Still a potential bargain!

casper6116

I have ordered 2 books from amazon.com to the total of 27.51 GBP. I am a little confused as to what other charges I might expect. Can anyone help explain?

pingua

I am looking to buy some bedding has anyone any ideas as to the best way to get it to the u.k and I am a bit worried about these stories of when items turn up being stung with extra postage. Is there a way of knowing in advance/working out this. Just so I know what the total price would be before I buy??
Have never bought from the us before and have no clue at all.

marshallsusanp

Am trying to place an order on Abercrombie and Fitch US website . However everytime I enter www.abercrombie.com it forces me to the UK site where items are much more expensive. I can pick the order up from a colleague next time I am over on business
Anyone know how I can get on to their US site. Thanks

laurmurph

I want to be able to shop regularly on US sites for delivery to my mother in New York but with me paying the bills from the UK.

Aside from big sites like Amazon.com, who'll now accept a UK billing addess, the sites i want to use won't. I've been recommended by one company to use www.USA2ME.com which is a mail redirection service along, but would also give me a US address, with virtual credit cards and pre-paid cards. I've never heard of these and i don't like the sound of it. The pre-paid card i looked at was extremely expensive ($620 for $500 pre-pay) and couldn't be topped up.

Is there any other way to achieve what I want? Does anyone have experience of these virtual cards? What about if i applied for a credit card using my mother's address, would that work?

Any help would be really gratefully received: my elderly mother is housebound and has no family nearby. I want to be able to do her shopping online for her (another problem altogether - why don't they have online grocery shopping like we do?) and keep getting stopped at every turn!

emmsy_2

Hi there,
Am a little confused by something in the original article. Martin says that customs duty isn't charged for laptops. Does that mean that if I buy a laptop in the US, it won't count towards my £145 allowance?

Lets just say that I bought a laptop worth £145 and some clothes worth £100. Does that mean that I'll have to pay customs duty for the clothes (even thought they are worth less than the £145)?

Hope that makes sense - any help appreciated.

Ex

Georgeous

Hi everyone,

I'm a designer based in the UK, and have recently bought an expensive bit of equipment (£300) and realised in the US the particular item is much cheaper.
A higher end version has come out, priced in the UK @ £830, but in the States it is $999 (£505), more than a third cheaper! And naturally, I'd like to spend less if I consider buying one.

Could anyone tell me more about the following 'options' for saving this money!?

1. I've seen Borderlinx (http://www.borderlinx.com/), has anyone seen/used it before? Do you avoid import tax/duty this way?

2. I have friends in the states; what if they were to buy it and send it to me (i.e. gift/personal package rather than a package from a retailer)?

3. I go to the states now and again... what if I bought it while there any bought it back with me? - If this was an option would it be best to bring 'on-board' or put it in my hold luggage?

4. God forbid I have to pay the ridiculous import fees (ok, not ridiculous, but the fact is US consumers save an awful lot compared to us in the UK) what are they likely to be on a product which retails in the UK for £830, in the states for about £505?

I don't want to seem like a cheapskate/a miser but I am a bit '!!!!!!!' about the fact American consumers can have the product for a fraction of the price we have to pay, and would like to know my options! Any input is appreciated guys.

Cheers

G

LesD

Hmmmm....strange you just joined today to post this obscure message on this board!

And exactly the same message over on the travel board.

Can you assure us this is not spam.