Importing RC gear from the US

[manybodycpa]

Hi!

I've moved to the UK from Austria, and I'm thinking about a comeback in RC.
In the past, I used to order RC gear from, eg, Stormer Hobbies as it was way cheaper than in Europe. However, I don't know what the duty rates for imports
to the UK are? VAT seems to be 17.5 %, right? Has anyone ordered from the US
recently and can he/she answer my question?

Thanks a lot.

Martin

[jim76]

this has come up in several threads in the past. if you search for "import" it should find you a few results.

it's not something that we actively encourage on here as we prefer to support our local shops to keep them in business!

[bigred5765]

get them to list them as scale model replica kits working or not working ull get em import duty free and right fully so as well but ull have to pay vat at 17.5 % still way cheaper than uk prices

[McLaren4life]

Originally Posted by jim76

this has come up in several threads in the past. if you search for "import" it should find you a few results.

it's not something that we actively encourage on here as we prefer to support our local shops to keep them in business!

most local shops have to order parts which i could do myself and i would normally have to pay tax. its a cruel world. In addition i pay track fees of 15 bucks when i go. also it is so much easier to arrive from work and see my box 'o' goods at my door. not to mention some hobby shops charge a arm and a leg for some things that are readily available on the internet.

[bigred5765]

Originally Posted by jim76

this has come up in several threads in the past. if you search for "import" it should find you a few results.

it's not something that we actively encourage on here as we prefer to support our local shops to keep them in business!

no we dont
lol

[Ron Burgundy]

In fairness to local hobby shops they do have overheads therefore have to jack up the prices, i.e staff wages, rent, electricity, water blah blah blah and to be honest seems much harder than i am sure it used to be.

The problem is that now the world is such a very very small place and shops cannot and/or have not been able to keep up with the market. Gone are the monopoly days where you could only get parts from your local shop exclusively. The birth of the internet was basically the death of the local business... They operate with little or no overheads, have a worldwide customer base of god knows how many billions of people and have a much bigger scope in terms of ordering capabilities...

A local shop just cant compete with that. What manufacturers should do if they are interested in local shops surviving, is to change warranties to restrict out of country purchases, which they are now doing...

Good for the shops, bad for consumers... but you cant have it both ways

[philly]

Originally Posted by Ron Burgundy

In fairness to local hobby shops they do have overheads therefore have to jack up the prices, i.e staff wages, rent, electricity, water blah blah blah and to be honest seems much harder than i am sure it used to be.

(edit)
A local shop just cant compete with that. What manufacturers should do if they are interested in local shops surviving, is to change warranties to restrict out of country purchases, which they are now doing...

Good for the shops, bad for consumers... but you cant have it both ways

In the interest of debate, I don't see why shops can't compete. One of the great things about the internet is that anyone can use it. Including the shopkeeper.

I do agree that business for a small hobby store must be harder than in yesteryear but business must evolve. Gone are the days of the monopoly, true, but that must be a positive, how long did people put up with poor service and high prices because there was no option.

One of the largest internet hobby stores is based here in yorkshire and love 'em or hate 'em, for me probably the latter, you do have to admire the way they have moved on a small shop to an international concern.

The guys that turn up on race days are another matter, as well as selling parts, they are providing a serice and so you expect to pay a premium, even though often you get good deals.

So in essence, yes, I agree, support your local store. But make sure they are helping themselves and not just taking you for granted.

I'm glad I got that off my chest!

[Lee Martin]

if you choose not to support your model shops eventually there wont be any and that means, no new drivers and no track side shop.