Buying+Shipping a Guitar from Sweden (i'm in UK)

[JTM45]

Hi.
I'm thinking of buying a guitar from a private seller in Sweden and would really appreciate some advice and help on getting it done safely.

What would be the best company to use to get the guitar from Sweden to me in Wales(UK)and does anyone have a rough idea of what it will cost? Can I arrange it from my end or does the seller have to sort it at his end?

Is there a safe way of paying the guy to minimise the chances of getting ripped off ? I've spoken to the guy on the phone and he seems ok (but then don't they all,lol) and it's a known guitar which is known to actually be in Sweden so everything seems up-front but I want to be as careful as I can.

If anyone can advise me or answer any of my questions it would help me out a lot.

Thanks in advance..................Dave.

[The Euphor]

Originally Posted by JTM45

and it's a known guitar which is known to actually be in Sweden

Must be the heart guitar.

[JTM45]

No. It's nothing that unique or well known.

I just meant that I've spoken to people who have confirmed that the guitar was sold to someone in Sweden and is still there as far as they know.

[AndersPGM]

Well I guess one simple way for him to ship it to the U.K would be
by the swedish postal service "Posten".

What kind of shipment is the seller suggesting?

[JTM45]

Hey,someone from Sweden,what could be better.

Thanks 'Anders'.
He isn't suggesting anything at the present time.

Basically the advert was pointed out to me by someone on this site.It's a Swedish website for people to place private ads to sell their guitars and stuff.
I telephoned the guy today and he said there was someone interested in the guitar but he didn't know if they were actually going to buy it so we agreed that if he hadn't heared back from him by tomorrow I could buy it.

I asked him if he knew how much shipping would be to the UK and he didn't so I said I'd look into it so I'd know whether I could afford the shipping when I phone him back tomorrow.

So this 'Posten' you speak of, would the seller have to arrange shipping with them or could I do it and do you have any idea of how much it would cost?

I don't think I'd have to pay any tax or anything on an item being sold within the EU,or would I?

I'd be grateful for any advice or help please Anders.
Thanks.

[AndersPGM]

I think the seller will have to arrange the shipping,
it depends on what kind of deal you guys make.

I made a quick search at www.posten.se
and the cost, door to door shipping, Sweden-U.K
will be about 500 SEK (36,48 GBP)

(This is a quick estimation based on a relative lightweight
guitar such as a stratocaster in a hardcase.)

If you know exactly how much the guitar weighs and how large the
case etc will be, I can make a more precise estimation.

(You can visit www.posten.se and click on the English translated version
but it didn´t seem to be very extensive to me at a quick glance.)

[JTM45]

Many Thanks for that Anders!

At least that gives me some sort of idea and I can suggest using that shipping service to the seller.

If you wouldn't mind I will PM you when I get some further info about the weight and stuff (that's if someone else hasn't already snatched the guitar out from under my nose!).

The sellers listed in the advert as living in 'Uppsala Ian'.I think Uppsala is a province or county isn't it and the 'Ian' bit had two dots above the 'a' (is it called an 'umlat' or something.I think that could be the German name for the dots.)

Anyway,Thanks again for your help. I will get back to you once I find out some more information tomorrow.

All the Best!............Dave.

[AndersPGM]

Sure, PM once you get some more info.
Glad I can help.

Yes, "län" means province or county.
"Uppsala" is an old university town, north of Stockholm.

[Jem7RB MK]

Dave, Bank Transfer or PayPal, both over £500 compensation, and banks are quick to reverse fraud charges, PayPal a little slower

Does this happen to be a 7 string with reversed headstock

Rob

[fettouhi]

Let's see some pics !

Regards

André

[fettouhi]

The Swedish postal service is a good choice and probably the cheapest. Others would be UPS or FedEx but then the seller must apply for this and that and will delay everything.

Regards

André

[10pizza]

I recently sold a JS10th to someone in Scotland. I shipped it from holland to scotland with UPS for around 80 euros. I had him transfer the money including the shipment cost by bank and then I sent it to him. Took UPS only 3 days to deliver it to his doorstep. Thanks to the EU, no taxes were applied.

hope this is useful

[fettouhi]

Originally Posted by 10pizza

I recently sold a JS10th to someone in Scotland. I shipped it from holland to scotland with UPS for around 80 euros. I had him transfer the money including the shipment cost by bank and then I sent it to him. Took UPS only 3 days to deliver it to his doorstep. Thanks to the EU, no taxes were applied.

hope this is useful

3 days??? That's a bit slow for UPS. I had a guitar coming from Canada took one day but cost 150 €.

Regards

André

[zerolight]

Use UPS. It will cost somewhere between 40 and 60 quid. Should get to you in 2 to 3 days depending on the service he uses. Express would be 2 days, Saver would be 3. Its traceable, and has insurance, unlike using the postal service. Get the guy to send you a tracking number so you can trace it.

Pay money direct to his bank account, not via paypal, or through western union or similar. This way you know exactly where the money went and they bank can get it back for you should something go wrong.

I've bought and sold via Europe and USA this way without problems. As its coming from Europe, I don't think there will be customs duty to pay.

[JTM45]

Many Thanks for the info and advice guys. It is very much appreciated!

I've been trying to decide whether to go for it or not and I think I probably will.

I'll keep you informed!