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Originally Posted by Samgotit
 This is my experience in every time I'm forced to go to my local post office, and it's no exaggeration:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/3009588-post65.html |
I guess when I refer to 'international shipping', I'm talking about CDs; LPs; an interconnect cable, maybe a consumer grade headphone, or a little small box of surprises like a TTVJ Milletts tube amp (please please don't get lost..!). Wow. I'd never know how to order something as much as $2499. Wouldn't it be easier to get a friend or mule to bring it over? Lol. Okay. Stubborn mules won't budge and bring anything over. That's wayyy too much!
I guess you're referring to serious importing stuff. I have no experience of this, but it sounds like what you're saying is sensible for high cost items.
Generally for smaller (< $$) items, used items, or items manufactured in the United Kingdom, the objection most people here have, is the unjust and unfair levying of a 'Clearance Fee' imposed on us, depending on how US sellers write the Customs form. The Customs Fees (which run at 15-17.5%) are less worrying, than a Clearance Fee, which is levied, in addition to the same Customs Fees on the postage that a US sender, might pay. In summary: we pay a £11 clearance fee + 17.5% tax on postage alone - not on the item. This rule, only came in after 2001: it was not there before. This rule, oddly does not apply to digital cameras, but it does to film based cameras. This rule, also does not apply to <US$18 (or us it US$25??). Thus, for a LP valued at US$26, we could be hit with import tax of 17.5% + 17.5% of the postage cost + £11 clearance fee. Whereas if the LP was valued at $24.99 - then we would just pay the US$ cost of the LP + straight postage. Equally, some of us prefer to 'barter' and swap equipment, CDs or LPs: bartering should not be subject to Customs Taxes. It's just unfortunate that often we have nothing to barter with, except for money
These VAT and export duties would have already been paid once on leaving the UK when manufactured (new), say to the USA. If a USA seller re-sells to someone in the UK, then the UK buyer would be charged with customs and a clearance fee and a postage VAT fee, for a second time for the second-hand products. This is a gross injustice and an abuse of the Her Majesty's Customs & Revenue Department which we have been subjugated to. This is why, Americans celebrated a cup of English tea at the Boston Tea Party. This is also why, there is mass civil disobedience on a covert and national scale, when it comes to paying English 'customs charges'. The UK system is corrupt, and in favour of the government's revenue department: not in favour of any justice. Large companies can bypass paying VAT through exemption clauses and loopholes to serve their own financial benefit: all legally too. As geeks and gear heads - we're not trying to rake it in either: we're just hoping to test out new audiophile gear we might like to listen to, used or secondhand...
Well I think you'll see that most of us outside of CONUS are happy to work a system which suits both seller and buyer, as long as there is a communication channel to work things out together. Personally, if I sent something internationally to someone in the States and it got 'lost', I wouldn't feel happy about asking them to accept responsibility for the lost package. How could they? They are powerless and helpless in the post and carriage cycle: I'm not sure how I could ask someone to absorb the loss, because of a postal error, beyond the control of either sender or buyer. Maybe I'd ask if they could understand, that it wasn't my fault and that it is a bad experience for everyone involved. I'd hope they would understand, although I'm sure they would be as frustrated as I would be about it. I'd still feel, that it would be my duty, as the seller and sender, to resolve the issue with the postal service, since I posted it - I have more leverage on the postal system to find out what went on, than the buyer.
This happens less than 99.9% of the time to me. When it does, it really is discretionary, between the seller and buyer, how amicable they can resolve such bad experiences. It isn't either person's fault usually, however it can be so frustrating, that mistrust starts to creep in.
If I had 3 bad experiences like you, I guess I would probably not want to post at all. Collect and pay in cash only!
Generally, if the buyer can communicate in English it helps too. Try conducting a postal enquiry in a foreign language!
I see no reason why US sellers shouldn't expect to ask for higher international shipping: us in the rest of the world outside of CONUS would expect higher international shipping too. It's no big deal, as long as the parcel is not marked: "PRECIOUS! DO NOT STEAL!! VALUABLE $$$$$ INSIDE!" the Customs Form with all the receipts and paperwork. Customs in the UK can be worse than officious bureaucrats who are not always as reliable as we would like to think.Hope that helps....?
