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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 76
Location: Kent, England | Please can anyone either in the USA or members based in the UK help me?
I am considering buying directly from the USA into the UK (particularly as the exchange rate is favourable) but am unsure of what the financial impact may be and wonder whether anyone has any experience of this either from a buyers point of view or indeed a seller’s viewpoint.
I am thinking about buying an Elite 1778lx and if possible a Legend 12 string 6756lx (plus also a hard ovation case for my mandolin).
I know the current costs of UK import duty are about 4% plus VAT at 17.5% on top of the purchase price and carriage, but is there additional carriage to be paid once it hits UK shores or can carriage be arranged and paid for from shop to my front door? Also is import duty and VAT paid on just the cost of the goods or does it include the cost of carriage as well?
This would be my preferred way as I know up front how much I am going to pay in total and therefore won’t be surprised by any “tail end” stings.
If by using an international carrier operating in both the USA and in the UK does anyone here know if I could do it that way? I don’t want to circumvent any rules and regulations as that is just not my way.
Therefore in your opinion is purchasing directly still worth doing providing you choose your dealer well?
I would also welcome anyone’s views on both guitars as unfortunately I don’t always get the opportunity to play ovations in the shops unless you go into central London and then the selection isn’t always great (or indeed the opportunity isn’t always there to go and do it!)
In particular I have the following questions:
• What in your view is the difference in playability/sound between the elite 1778lx and the standard elite 6778lx (which is relatively easy to get hold of here)? Is it distinctly noticeable for the extra cash or is it just mainly cosmetic?
• Does anyone own or play the legend 6756lx 12 string. I have read about the lifting of the bridge over time (through possible a fault with the glue?) and wonder whether this was a design fault now sorted on new guitars or if it an general issue and needs to be kept a close eye on
Thanks in anticipation! |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 640
Location: boulder | terry,
I just posted a little info about shipping in other thread about postal rates. If your dealer/seller is competent and packs well, the guitar should make it fine in a hard shell case. The actual shipping is not hard and I find the US post office to be the best for tracking and insurance and price. Most of the guitars and pedals I have sold this year went to overseas buyers.
The taxes are on the declared value of item only. shipping is an afterthought. hope this helps, peace mike |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 120
Location: UK - Canterbury Kent | Hello Terry
I have a 1778LX that I bought in the UK 2 years ago at £1500 and I belive it was the second 1778LX brought in to the UK. Very expensive at the time and now available cheaper in the UK. I think you may be able to buy in the USA for say $900, SO £450, no matter what you pay on duty and VAT, you will be pounds better off.
Without doubt you can do better buying direct from the USA, as the UK distributor puts on X % and then the shop X %. Although I have never bought from him, you have to get a price from Al at Lost Art. Everybody speaks very highly of his service and prices and he is an offical Ovation agent.
Piers |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Al will give you a price second to none. He will pack it like it was a baby.
When it gets to the UK the Royal Mail will write you a letter telling you to either send them the duty/vat or go to the Parcel Force depot and pay on the spot and take it home with you.
I've done this three times. Simple. You will save a fortune and you will help al pay for the next remodelling on his house. He's missing the builders now they've gone and he wants them back. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | So, Schroeder, they pack babies in pizza cartons over there? |
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December 2004
Posts: 370
Location: Isle of Man, UK | Terry - They're right.
I've had a couple of guitars from the US, and it does work out cheaper, even after you've paid the import tax etc.
Shipping should be a one-off fee from dealer to door, so that's something less to worry about!
I've never had the pleasure of dealing with Al, but so many people here have, and clearly can't be wrong!
Go for it, especially now that the $ is 2-for-1 to the pound!
JB |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 76
Location: Kent, England | Thanks for the advice everyone. I've already had an email from Al - top of the list anyway!
Now I just have to finally pursuade "she who controls the purse strings!"
Cheers |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Mark - he never uses pizza boxes for international shipping. It breaks some import/export health rule. I was very disappointed.
BTW - TerrOr, ask al to understate the value of the guitar on the customs declaration....... always a favourite with him. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 76
Location: Kent, England | I'm sure I read in a post a couple of years ago Al complaining about being asked that! He does have his high reputation to consider...
Cheers |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Rats!!! I always enjoy a little carnage in the morning. It smells like fun. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | fry with your carnage with some scrapple |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Someone translate that for me. Or should I just go forth and multiply? |
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October 2005
Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | I've got an extra calculator if you need one... |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | scrapple is a breakfast pork product indigenous to the philadelphia area |
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Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Yes, and nobody in their right mind from anywhere else will touch it!! ;)
--Karen |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | That's the first thing they warned my against when I moved down here from NYC - right up there with Panzarottis. |
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Is the exchange rate a cure for long term GAS?
