Stiff drink time

[D-Rider]

Well, let's break out some stiff drinks.

I need something to help me recover from the daylight robbery that an ugly bunch of Customs Officials and delivery companies have perpetrated.

I bought some concrete moulds from USA - couldn't find anything suitable nearer to home.

The price wasn't bad for what I got.
USPS delivery was expensive but still made the deal worthwhile.

I was braced for Import VAT @ 20%.

What I wasn't braced for was that the Import Vat is not only charged on the goods but also on any delivery, packing, insurance and sundry charges too


What's more, despite having paid a huge fee to USPS for getting them here, I have received no less than 6 letters from ParcelForce detailing separate Import VAT charges - it seems that the one order was probably sent in 6 packages. For EACH ONE, ParcelForceYouOverABarrel have charged an £8 Clearance Fee - so that's an extra £48 on the one order just to act as a middle man with Customs.

Total bill was only just under twice what the goods cost!

This lot could teach Somali Pirates a thing or two.

As it's a Pirate thing, Break Out The Rum !

[blinkey501]

Oh dear. Put your head on my shoulder.
That is a bit steep andy. I bought a drive belt for my mates Harley 883 last year.
The price was quite a good one from the USA.
The price was still good after the import tax but the tax was annoying.
On another note I went to southern Ireland for my honey moon back in 2004.
We visited Waterford crystal whilst there.
I bought sally a crystal dolphin for a keep sake. In front of us were a couple of yanks paying for some of there goods, when we were in the que for the tills
Because they lived outside the GB they didn't pay VAT. That really pissed me off as we had to.
Very annoying

[Willopotomas]

Feel your pain mate. I've also been stung like that before. Tossers.

[fatboy]

I recently bought some LED indicators from Hong kong, the seller emailed me that they would arrive by some Belgiain parcel service labelled as 'low value goods' to avoid import tax
A mate at work bought some harley side panel supports, £15, with shipping £22.
When they arrived, with import tax and Parcel Farce ahem, handling fee, £85
Theiving bastards
Overseas sellesr should point out import duty ect

[Willopotomas]

Overseas sellesr should point out import duty ect

Not their job really. Same as if I was to sell something overseas, I've no idea what, if any, extra charges there may be.

[D-Rider]

I was prepared for import VAT on the goods - just not the VAT on the postage that was bought in America and largely provided in America and international airspace. Even more unexpected were Parcelforce's rip-off fees.
As far as I was concerned I'd paid USPS to get the stuff here and never even thought that Parcelforce would be involved - let alone charging me 6 times for sorting out customs on my one order.

[Falcorob]

It's borrox mate. I feel for you.

Tell you what. Have a nice Cockspur on me.

[Aladinsaneuk]

As per my phone call Andy


http://psych0naut.livejournal.com/36270.html

[D-Rider]

Cheers Pete - however having paid the fee I think it's going to be very difficult to get it refunded.

Were I not still swamped with officialdom in sorting out my Dad's affairs since he died, I might relish the fight - but not sure this camel's back has capacity for taking on another (which does grate a bit).

[Aladinsaneuk]

oh

a letter to othem asking them to explain their fee

then another letter quoting chapter and verse, copy to UPS ......

has to be worth a little bit of time to use as stress relief....

[randomsquid]

I bought some concrete moulds from USA - couldn't find anything suitable nearer to home.

Tip for next time. Just throw some yoghurt on the concrete and let nature do it's thing.

[D-Rider]

Good thinking that man .... but with a good idea like that, keep it under your hat or everyone will be doing it.