Where to buy?

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thehitman123

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Hi guys I'm based in the UK and wondering whether I should buy from a UK or US seller on eBay. Seems most items seem to be cheaper in the US and I've found some good deals such as the the MXL V67G for $106 which is about £67 whereas here it costs £125.

So yeah just wondering how much customs charges I'll have to pay if I buy from the US and whether it will work out cheaper or more expensive than buying from here.

Thanks
 
At that price point you'll probably make up the difference in postage, plus it's getting less likely that you'll pass through customs unnoticed.
What are the customs charges? 20% or something?

Plus, ParcelForce and the likes charge you a flat fee for 'their trouble'. I have a feeling it's about £15
So with postage, holding fee and customs charge you could potentially be paying up to about £50 over the odds.

I'd stick with the UK for certain.
 
Actually $106 is including the shipping but yeah I guess it all works out even in the end
 
Plus there's warranty to think about, if it's new.
At least if you buy local, it's nice and handy to return should something go wrong.
 
Yeah good point well depends you could send it to manufacturer as well. Also just used the duty calculator and total cost comes to only £75.10. This is still £50 cheaper than buying from here and delivery is via UPS not sure if they have a handling fee
 
thehitman123 said:
Yeah good point well depends you could send it to manufacturer as well. Also just used the duty calculator and total cost comes to only £75.10. This is still £50 cheaper than buying from here and delivery is via UPS not sure if they have a handling fee
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Well, how about trying Amazon? I've seen pretty cheap prices going on about in there.
 
thehitman123 said:
Yeah good point well depends you could send it to manufacturer as well. Also just used the duty calculator and total cost comes to only £75.10. This is still £50 cheaper than buying from here and delivery is via UPS not sure if they have a handling fee
Click to expand...

Sounds like you got your answer then. :)
 
thehitman123 said:
Seems most items seem to be cheaper in the US and I've found some good deals such as the the MXL V67G for $106 which is about £67 whereas here it costs £125.
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Ah - the holy grail of microphones.

I told him we already got one!

 
I've seen them at times around $86. to $89.


Now go away less I taught you a second time :p
 
Fetchez la vache!


You can't find a second hand one on the UK ebay?
 
Even if I do it's likely will be similar price to new from US. I'm a bargain hunter me ;)
 
thehitman123 said:
Hi guys I'm based in the UK and wondering whether I should buy from a UK or US seller on eBay. Seems most items seem to be cheaper in the US and I've found some good deals such as the the MXL V67G for $106 which is about £67 whereas here it costs £125.

So yeah just wondering how much customs charges I'll have to pay if I buy from the US and whether it will work out cheaper or more expensive than buying from here.

Thanks
Click to expand...

If you are in the UK buy from the UK (or at least Europe).

Buying from the US the voltage will be wrong, you will have large shipping charges plus Customs Duty + Agents fee + VAT.

Also, any guarantee is with the dealer, so you would have to ship back to the USA if it goes wrong under guarantee.

It's nearly always best to get from your own country.

If you are in the UK I would buy quickly - especially if it's made in Europe - Sterling has slumped from about 1.24 @ to the £ to about 1.17, so I would expect to be seeing price rises soon to the exchange rate change.
 
thehitman123 said:
Yeah good point well depends you could send it to manufacturer as well. Also just used the duty calculator and total cost comes to only £75.10. This is still £50 cheaper than buying from here and delivery is via UPS not sure if they have a handling fee
Click to expand...

You need to add 20% VAT and the handling fee - assuming a £15 fee that was mentioned it comes to £108.12.

Also - does this price include transit insurance to your door? If it's damaged in transit it would have to be sent back to the USA.

As the guarantee would be with the dealer in the USA and the UK distributor will not touch it, it's not worth the trouble I would say.
 
I used dutycalculator.com so the 20% was included. And UPS don't charge a handling fee.

Not sure about the insurance will have to look into it.

Anyway not buying anything yet anyway just pre-planning for when I sell my current microphone in a few months time :)
 
It boils down to this....

Do what you want, but almost anyone you ask will have been burned at one point or another.
I won't buy from US unless I'm getting a ridiculous bargain, and ridiculous would need to be a few hundred quid off something.

The last mental bargain I got from the states ended up being returned because it was damaged in transit.
It was accompanied by a lot of pushing and pulling and a very long story, but eventually I got my money back, less shipping of course.

Either way, best of luck. :)
 
Yeah seems the disadvantages outweigh the advantages or advantage(price) :p
Thanks for the help guys!

Should probably make a new thread but anyone know how the AT2035 and Rode NT1-A compare against the V67G?
 
thehitman123 said:
I used dutycalculator.com so the 20% was included. And UPS don't charge a handling fee.

Not sure about the insurance will have to look into it.

Anyway not buying anything yet anyway just pre-planning for when I sell my current microphone in a few months time :)
Click to expand...

Not sure how you could do this accurately as there is no correct product category listed in that program.
 
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