Buying from the US

I had an interesting experience today. I have been loking at buying some stuff from the US, initially on Ebay, but came across a couple of online stores with some amazing deals, including a pair of new sallopettes I have been looking for. I cant get them in the UK for under £130, and found them for $129 at www.sunandski.com
I emailed them to see what they charged to ship to the UK, and the reply came back that they didnt do it currently. I emailed back to ask why, and to see if they would reconsider, and I was told to go to their website and talk to an online operator, so I did.
This person initially said the same thing, but said he would take a look into it if I was ok to wait a short while. He came back and said they could use UPS, and I asked for a quote. Unfortunately, they wanted $95 dollars, so I asked them if they could use the same service that sellers on Ebay use, USPS Priority Mail (normally). He again looked into it, and said he could mail for $30. Thanks very much, I'll place the order pal!

Not only did they have some terrific deals, but the service I received was superb, and they provided a service bespoke to my individual request. I am certain that had it been a UK based website and someone from America asking, they would not have got the same result.

Just wanted to share the experience with people on here, and hope people give this company a look.

I`ve just had a butcher`s at the site and they seem to have some decent stuff at good price`s.Look`s like you have yourself a good deal there Tony,But how many pair`s of sallo`s does a man need as your getting quiet a collection?





AJ Adele

The secret to buying gear in the US, is constant monitoring of sales at the stores you know will have good sales.

Another of the many eye openers when I moved here was the concept of clearance sales. This really means that the business really wants to get rid of the gear, period. It is not uncommon to see 75%/80% and even the occasional 90% off. As the gear already started out far cheaper than UK prices, the cost of shipping becomes viable. As I said above though, You have to check online stores often. Also, you often don't have time to think about. Everyone is looking for those bargains too.

It has always been a misconception in the UK that Americans are richer. The reality is that most Americans don't earn a lot more than might be earned in the UK. The huge difference is the cost of living, which used be up to half that of the UK. Things are changing fast and the cost of living is rising, but it's relatively cheap compared to the UK.

Typical might be these jeans, where you just turn the pound into a dollar sign and instantly halve the price.

http://www.jeans-direct.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65_68

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=levi+501

I have bought the same 501s for $29.99 when on sale.

Now the big problem with all these clearances for Americans is that everyone ends up with too much stuff.

Trencher


Trencher

AJ wrote:I`ve just had a butcher`s at the site and they seem to have some decent stuff at good price`s.Look`s like you have yourself a good deal there Tony,But how many pair`s of sallo`s does a man need as your getting quiet a collection?





AJ Adele

Excuse me....I have one pair of black Columbia ones with 4 holes in them, and a pair of red ones. The Columbia ones can now go in the never ending bag in the loft, and be replaced by the new black North Face ones. Thats 2 pairs, Adele. 2. Hardly a collection.

Tony,
To think that you turned down the opportunity to obtain my neverworn, skin tight, go faster, dress to the right/or left, bound to go quicker, racing salopettes. I am mortified. Multitudes of J2skiers begged you to go for them.

You would have been instantly recognisable among European skiers. An opportunity to create an Avatar that would simultaneously create both fear and respect among your compatriots.

There is a tide amongst men.......

20% import tax or whatever would not be nice on your gift. See if you can get em to plaster gift on it and mail the invoice seperate.

Tony, I'm certain you have done your sums on these trousers. I would be interested to read what the applied charges are once you get them. I think you'll get Import Duty, VAT and a Handling Charge :roll: applied by the Post Office.
When I have got stuff over from the US in the past, I always seemed to underestimate the charges :(

bandit wrote:Tony, I'm certain you have done your sums on these trousers. I would be interested to read what the applied charges are once you get them. I think you'll get Import Duty, VAT and a Handling Charge :roll: applied by the Post Office.
When I have got stuff over from the US in the past, I always seemed to underestimate the charges :(

does the vendor charge US sales tax though? aren't you technically exempt if the vendor is on the ball?

that's how it always is here, not being part of the EU there's import duty, good vendors like Telemark Pyrennes don't charge TVA in France and then Swiss customs charge Swiss duty on import, that's correct. Some vendors don't deduct the overseas tax so you pay twice, ouch :cry:

The current dollar rate does make it worth looking for bargains in the US though.