Anyone ever bought gear/clothes online from the US? I'm not sure of some of the brand names but there look like some excellent deals on some sites even with shipping.
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 Yep, from various companies, provided that the deals are good enough and the shipping not too exorbitant. I accept that returns aren't really going to be feasible, but do my research and up til now have never needed / wanted to return anything. Customs dues have been hit or miss for me, though I gather in these austere times it's rather more hit than miss.
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 I bought a Golite rucksack recently, albeit from from a British distributor. I've not had much chance to test it out yet, but I've been very impressed with it so far. Metric Kate hit the nail on the head though, you really need to do your research before buying anything because returns would be impractical. With that in mind I'd generally steer clear of things that you really need to see and/or try in person before buying such as rucksacks or clothing.
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| Edited: 28/10/11 00:48 |
 Yes, Go-lite tarp, Henry Shires Tarptent, Golite and ULA backpacks, Montbell jkt. I just find a better selection of gear from the US. What Kate says .
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I agree with Kate, but watch out for non-delivery. I had one shipment delivered to my work address and I never saw it. I had to jump through hoops before my credit card provider accepted my side of the story. Parcel Force claimed it was delivered and signed for, but the signature was for the Postcode which covered 4 companies in the office block. None of the 4 companies, who use receptionists, claimed to have received it.
I think the U.S. postcode meant it got nicked. Serves them right it was a delivery of freeze dried food!
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That's almost hilarious! Almost!
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 Only done so once from the US. Before the Osprey Exos 58 was available in the UK, I bought one from a US retailer. Very good customer service from (I think) Backcountry.com. Things to consider: - Sterling is not what it used to be; the pound has declined in value against the US$ by about 25% over the last 4 years.
- You will be charged VAT on the item by importing it into the EU.
- You will also be charged a "handling fee" by Parcel Force. From memory this was about £35. Sounds exorbitant to me but we're not allowed to criticise Royal Mail on this forum so hey ho
 . - As someone else has pointed out, returns are highly impractical.
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 ... not allowed to criticise Royal Mail on this forum so hey ho.
ha ha, bit you on the arse last time didn't it? 
(Parcelforce & Royal Mail are two seperate companies btw) ...and I've never been charged a handling fee either by Parcelforce or RM, so hey ho
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| Edited: 17/11/11 17:27 |
 The 'handling fee' was either £8 or £13 the last time i checked. I've bought a fair bit from the US over the years, and used to get 'caught' roughly 20% of the time from Customs. They seem to have got their act together now though, and most things get charged. I haven't ordered much since the good old $2/£1 days though.
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| Edited: 17/11/11 17:44 |
 Yep, Tarptent. RM handling fee was £8 I got 'hit' by HMRC and Border Agency for £40 between them.
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Can't believe Parcel Force charge for delivery. There must be a law somewhere.
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Anyway, my point was going to be that I was thinking of trying to take advantageof their post-Thanksgiving sales for some gear. These guys have some deals. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/Main.aspx?
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 I've ordered lots from US. (More when £1 =$2)
Now I find it's only worth it when:-
a) The item is substantially lower priced in the US. VAT, Import duty and handling charges usually eat up the price differential.
b) It's a private sale (eg. ebay) and the seller will 'manipulate' the value for me.
c) The item is just not available this side of the pond.
I've had no problems so far with items going missing , but then I live in a rural area where all the posties know me, and where I live, and I know them.
Cathy
P.S. I've imported from NZ too. The postal costs were very reasonable, and HM Customs and Excise just didn't seem to notice.
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| Edited: 23/11/11 17:03 |
... not allowed to criticise Royal Mail on this forum so hey ho.
ha ha, bit you on the arse last time didn't it?
(Parcelforce & Royal Mail are two seperate companies btw)
Yes, it did. Royal Mail seems an odd choice for a sacred cow but there you go - just one of the oddities of OM. Subsequent threads by other members criticising Royal Mail have been deleted entirely. Both Parcel Force and Royal Mail and are part of Royal Mail Group so under common management and ownership.
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Have dealed with Titanium Goat and the new site Ruta Locura (carbon stakes) and Seek Outside for UL tipi. Only problem I had was import costs
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