UK Pricing? Can someone please explain?

DaveP · #1 02-05-2006, 02:56 PM

I see this all the time when searching for a good used guitar. Are the price of guitars that much higher in the UK? The price is almost always double the US price for used equipment.
Who in there right mind would pay almost 1600 for a used JS1000BP. It's not like they are hard to find and easily picked up for 700-850 used any day of the week.
Even if I lived in the UK and bought one in the US, the shipping is only about 85 dollars. Your still money ahead.
Am I missing something??

Gurj · #2 02-05-2006, 03:06 PM

I think the cheapest way to ship a cased guitar from America to the UK and over a reasonable timespan (4 to 10 days) is USPS Airmail which costs $125. Then there's the 22% VAT we have to pay, additional small tax goes to the EU (around 2% I think) and then Parcel Force charge around £15 for a clearance fee.
So you're $800 turns into a $1150. Of course this can be done cheaper with the help of the seller

DaveP · #3 02-05-2006, 03:19 PM

I see your point, it really adds up. I guess it's something we in the US never think about. We don't have to pay anything extra other than the additional cost of shipping due to the distance.
These counties really need to open up free trade. All those customs taxes and declarations are a real pain in the azz.

Gurj · #4 02-05-2006, 03:21 PM

So there's no tax to pay if you're importing something, say from the UK?

Rich · #5 02-05-2006, 03:27 PM

There's no such thing as free trade. US buyers pay 10% on imported goods. [unless shipped through the postal loophole]

Darran · #6 02-05-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gurj

Of course this can be done cheaper with the help of the seller

If you're on holiday in the US and you wish to bring a new guitar back to the UK with you, what are the chances of a guitar store accidentally reducing the price shown on the receipt?

DaveP · #7 02-05-2006, 06:04 PM

USPS is the easiest way to ship internationally. And the cheapest. I shipped a guitar to Germany through UPS using the buyers UPS account and it still was a hassel. More paperwork than USPS.
I have also received guitars from the UK and Germany, never had to pay 10%. They just showed up at the door. Good ole USPS.

sam_at2001 · #8 02-05-2006, 07:11 PM

re:tax/import duty

The UK aren't the only ones to get stung - everyone pays it when you go from one continent to another (I think) - ie: You don't pay any when shipping within Europe. The UK get stung more than most others because the 17.5% is higher than most other countries

Ant1981 · #9 02-06-2006, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveP

I see this all the time when searching for a good used guitar. Are the price of guitars that much higher in the UK? The price is almost always double the US price for used equipment.
Who in there right mind would pay almost 1600 for a used JS1000BP. It's not like they are hard to find and easily picked up for 700-850 used any day of the week.
Even if I lived in the UK and bought one in the US, the shipping is only about 85 dollars. Your still money ahead.
Am I missing something??

I can get new JS1000 guitars for no more than £1200 and second hand are about £800 depending on age and condition.

Bezial · #10 02-06-2006, 07:04 AM

i just bought a brand new j custom for 450 pounds (thats what the reciept said) it also said it was used and in good condition

make friends with the guitar shop

King Knall · #11 02-06-2006, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveP

USPS is the easiest way to ship internationally. And the cheapest. I shipped a guitar to Germany through UPS using the buyers UPS account and it still was a hassel. More paperwork than USPS.
I have also received guitars from the UK and Germany, never had to pay 10%. They just showed up at the door. Good ole USPS.

So far my experience with USPS has been less than satisfactory.

Liggy · #12 02-06-2006, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bezial

i just bought a brand new j custom for 450 pounds (thats what the reciept said) it also said it was used and in good condition

make friends with the guitar shop

Please be aware that the price tag the dealer/shop puts on the receipt is also the insurance value.
What if you purchased a $2000 guitar from out of the EU and its been priced up as $500 and it gets lost in transit (and it does happen). Is it worth the risk???

DaveP · #13 02-06-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamikaze_1

So far my experience with USPS has been less than satisfactory.

It all depends how cheap you want to go. USPS ground could take anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months. Air Parcel Post 4-10 days. I guess it all depends on where your shipping from and to. I will agree that USPS is almost the bottom of the barrel when it comes to shipping services.

King Knall · #14 02-06-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveP

It all depends how cheap you want to go. USPS ground could take anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months. Air Parcel Post 4-10 days. I guess it all depends on where your shipping from and to. I will agree that USPS is almost the bottom of the barrel when it comes to shipping services.

I used the Air Parcel Post and it didin't arrive at my doorstep in the course of two months. Instead it went back to the seller.

I'll be taking a break from international purchases from now on.

Oh, and sorry for the slightly off-topic discussion.

DaveP · #15 02-06-2006, 11:24 AM

I feel the same way, it can be such a pain in the azz for both buyer and seller. Either you pay 250+ for UPS or FedEx or risk USPS and pray.
You end up shipping it then you get emails 2 weeks later asking where it is, than 2 months go buy and the buyer thinks he lost his money then 3 months go by and the package shows up looking the Ace Venture delivered it.