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Stiff drink time

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 2:50 pm
by 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
:smt013

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 !

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:41 pm
by 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 :smt013

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:54 pm
by Willopotomas
Feel your pain mate. I've also been stung like that before. Tossers. :smt011

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:00 pm
by 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 :smt009
Overseas sellesr should point out import duty ect

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:17 pm
by Willopotomas
fatboy wrote: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.

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:31 pm
by 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.

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:43 pm
by Falcorob
It's borrox mate. I feel for you.

Tell you what. Have a nice Cockspur on me.

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 8:46 pm
by Aladinsaneuk

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 8:59 pm
by 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).

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:43 pm
by 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....

Re: Stiff drink time

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:47 pm
by randomsquid
D-Rider wrote: 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.

:smt002

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:50 pm
by D-Rider
Good thinking that man .... but with a good idea like that, keep it under your hat or everyone will be doing it.

:smt002