I'll be honest and say my purchase hasn't worked out as decent as I thought.

In fact im pretty sure 99% of shops would probably discount you the tiny saved amount if you asked, it's pretty damn pointless.

Also i've waited nearly 2 weeks to get it and a local uk shop could send it to you in 2days without the hassle.

I agree.

i am always surprised at the amount of parcels that don't get charged,look at it this way if company in usa sends you a parcel they pay the US postal service to send it, once it arrives in the uk parcel force sort it,transport it and deliver it, but they get no money for doing it, equally sending something the other way means the US postal service get nothing, its a reciprical agreement, however if it attracts a charge parcel force will get on average £11 for doing the paperwork. now it makes perfect business sense to me, don't do anything and i have to deliver for free or do some quick(inaccurate) maths stick a label on and bill for £11, i am surprised any parcel gets delivered without a charge.

my main gripe is i know of at least 3 model shops in uk that buy from abroad as its cheaper than uk suppliers, do they pass the savings on to us...no, so whats good for the goose is good for the gander.

I know Tamiya are active in leveling the cost of a Kit globaly, so the days of being able to buy the kit half price will be gone in another year, but there is something you got to remember. When buying a Losi or AE item, in America, Losi (Horizon) and AE are their own distributors, but when it comes to the UK, it got to come from the US based distributor and then to the UK distributor, and the UK chaps still got to make their dosh.

I do feel for the likes of CML and Helger, they are, to a certain extent, being stiffed. So they have to make a mark-up, so Uk shops have to sell it a little higher and leaves no ground for negotiation, as most, although there is an RRP, normaly slash that to just be competitve with other UK shops.

Does anyone find UPS love charging you customs?

Just got my parcel from the states.. I ordered it sunday, arrived today with no customs or handeling fees. The company under priced the post without me even asking.. result!

you do know that Horizon (own Losi) also own Helger now.

How long has that been in effect chris?

I thought that has been common knowledge for a while Paul....

obviously not... :rolleyes:

i pay 25% tax 10% national insurance 17.5% vat 80% tax on petrol 90% on fags 5% on energy council tax i think if he loses 25 quid from my hobby tough sheep i sick of proppin up chavs and asylum seekers who mostly fiddle the system to death i dont mind any genuine folk who need help if it all went on the people who do need it id pay 99%duty but it dont:o

sorry for upsetting anyone, your right of course the £25 you avoided paying could have been used in a benefit payment to a junkie and allowed him/her to pay for their next fix. you pay tax they spend it, sometimes on stuff you agree with sometimes not. justifying your avoidence of tax because it might be used on something you don't believe is worthwhile is i suppose equally as valid as my point that avoiding tax is witholding money from something useful such as the NHS.

never had any probs getting kits from abroad at the right money,anyone can get a xxxcr kit 2 front wishbones 1 rear wishbone set both shockmounts and 5 sets of rims for the price of a uk kit
get firm to label kit as a scale model replica scale kit you then only pay vat17.5% and a 12 quid handling charge from parcelforce uk about 215 all in sorry no pound sign yanky keyboard

Just a tip OJ, I was told by someone.. they ordered some stuff from states.. 3-5days i think! n most time got court with tax.. went for the longer delivery n never got court since.. ;) :rolleyes:

its nothing to do with dodging the taxman we all take the chance if he dont charge you cool but if you get caught you pay it thats the bottom line but my statement was we all pay loads of tax do you see the result my wife works for the nhs they are struggling like crazy then you see some scumbag driving a new merc scammin the state laughin at us all which u have paid for for its the little man just avin a perk thats all:mad:

Cheers anyway Nick but I've already ordered and its taken nearly 2weeks so far.

got a letter from parcel force yesterday informing me of the charges.

still its an experience!

I think when i ordered my first B4, from the states it took 3-4 weeks! and i got charged from customs.
I think it's all down to luck of the draw to what they pick up.