Buying from the States

[robbie]

Fearing the wrath of all the sponsors, i however ask what experiences people have had buying high value fishing items from the states via the internet. The benefits and the pitfalls

[al44]

I've bought a couple of reels from the States and it's worked quite well apart from Mr Brown and his crew extracting duties and taxes out of my pocket.

The only problem you may have is that if there's a problem with what you've bought then returning and dealing with the customs duties might be somewhat cumbersome.

From my experience you take the price paid to the US including postage, then add 3.7% duty and then 17.5% VAT on top of that. So when you're pricing up those dollars make sure you put this into the cost equation.

At over $2 to the pound at the moment though, it's well worth considering because there's some very good tackle made in the States.

[donnieW]

I've dealt with Cabelas a few times and never had any problems with duties/taxes but I'm assured I've just been lucky. Apparently if you buy from Bass-pro you're guaranteed getting bother with customs.

[woodcockandsewin]

I have bought quite alot of gear via contacts made whilst fishing there, and ebay etc. Sometimes you pay tax, sometimes you don't; no great rhyme or reason.

As for upsetting sponsors....in the years since the dollar has dropped against the pound, they have made no effort to pass on any savings to punters (in my experience). Wasn't it a fellow called Gordon who said "Greed is good"? Its the "world" we live in, so use all of it to your own greedy benefit...and sleep at night knowing the kids in the sweatshop in Taiwan who actually made your bespoke equipment have earnt their 20 cents....its the "world" we live in......!!

Yes, I have got a hangover, and yes, the "Burt Baccarach" song is depressing me, but this is my answer to the question posed

W&S

[colliedog]

Hi Robbie,

Good point from W&S - we don't see any benefit from the UK tackle trade when the doller falls against the pound - maybe not the fault of the individual retailers but certainly in the hands of the distributers.

I have a fair bit of experience of buying from the US, both direct from dealers and via ebay traders. I haven't had any significant problems. On larger items I find I get caught for duty about 50% of the time but have factored this in - it is still cheaper than buying in rip-off Britain. What really p*sses me off though is the Parcelforce "handling charge" for collection of the duty - adds an extra £8-£15 depending on the value - money for nothing.

Smaller items (fly lines, gelspun braid, fly tying material) tend to get ignored by customs due to the lower value. Why spend £30+ on 300yds of braid when you can get it delivered in 5 working days for $25!

I would recommend The Fly Shop, Welches, Oregon (www.flyfishusa.com) for a huge range and fast delivery.

Best way of course is to have a mate who regularly travels on business to the US and can bring back goodies for you without the additional tax!

Regards

CD

[charlieh]

Agree with everything C'dog has said. As a rule of thumb, I'd allow about 24% over whatever you pay in the US to cover VAT & customs, plus a tenner for the collection charge from whatever carrier is used (you used to be able to avoid this if it was sent via USPS/Royal Mail, but I think even they are charging now).

If things are still cheaper once you've added the 24%, it's a good deal, and if you manage to slip under the Customs' radar you should be doubly pleased. But don't buy things on the basis that you will avoid duty or it might get expensive.

One general point to bear in mind is the question of honouring guarantees if there is a problem. Some manufacturers are better than others in this regard; for example I have two Redington Wayfarers that I bought from the US because I believe any dealer will process a warranty claim. But beware of buying Simms wading boots, as if there is a problem you may have to post them back to the US which becomes costly.

[robbie]

Thanks for your input everyone. I was contemplating ordering some G3 Waders from Cabelas. however doing the maths based on being captured,VAT, Tax, Courier etc. etc. and the fact I can get up to 20% off over here, meant a saving of only about £30 and a difficult warranty situation. Unless I or someone I know is off to the States soon I think I will buy here.
ATB
Robbie

[magpie]

If the US based company that you deal with is sending a replacement rod on the basis that the first one was defective, and clearly writes this on the packaging, will this be sufficient to avoid paying the tax?

[clydesider]

Magpie
When I sent my Simms G3s back to America the return packaging was noted "warranty repair" and no duty was charged.

I agree with other posters about rip off Britain. I go to Florida twice a year and usually have orders from fishing cronnies the length of my arm.
On my first trip years ago I brought back over 100 rapalas for some friends. They were less than half the UK price and what I didnt know at that time was that the boxes were stamped made in Ireland just across the water!

[Deveron loon]

Robbie,
I bought a Lamson Litespeed LS4 reel and 2 spare spools from IFly shop in Canada which cost me £50 more than the reel itself cost on this country, including carriage! Well worth the effort although I did incurr a charge from DHL which was insignificant compared to the savings I made.
As far a I know the shop owner had done this many times to UK and Norwegian customers and sent it as a low cost item?? I believe now he has raised his prices somewhat.

Ross.

[robbie]

Hi Ross,
How much did DHL charge you ? is this store the same IFLY that is based in Houston (I googled IFLY) ?

[Deveron loon]

Robbie,
If you follow the link, hopefully this should get you to the shop - it's Ontario , Canada - the guy I spoke to - David was very helpful.

www.iflyshop.com/index.html.

The charge from DHL came months after the reel/spools arrived and although I can't remember exactly what it was, i'm fairly sure it was no more than £30.

Ross.

[donnieW]

donniewhiteford said:

I've dealt with Cabelas a few times and never had any problems with duties/taxes but I'm assured I've just been lucky. Apparently if you buy from Bass-pro you're guaranteed getting bother with customs.

Me and my big mouth! Got a pair of waders from Cabelas and decided to pay extra postage to get them delivered quickly. Got hit with a tax bill for £33 as well. Hope they don't leak cos I won't be sending them back.

[woodcockandsewin]

For future reference, if you get the package labelled as repaired or replacement items, you should be ok.

W&S