B&H Shipping Options

PaulieC

Hi All,

Just looking at making a purchase on B&H. It's over 100 euros cheaper incl postage than KEA. They have three shipping options - Fedex, UPS and International Express Mail. I know Fedex and UPS act as VAT/Duty collection agents and if I use them I will get billed for VAT/Duty on my purchases, but does the International Express Mail option use the Post Office here as it's delivery partner? If this is the case, there is the option that I won't get stung for VAT/Duty.
The purchase, incl shipping, comes to EUR 680. KEA's price, incl shipping, is EUR 785. The VAT/Duty, if payable, would come to about EUR 170.

It's worth the risk, right?

rymus

afaik, USPS will use GLS as their delivery agent here...

I'd imagine you'll get caught for duty, so no, I'd say not worth the risk

digitalage

I use this route alot and it gets delivered here via (an post)SDS, only got stung once were the package was held down in portlaoise until I paid the duties. But 9 times out of 10 the package will arrive and not have to pay duties.

PaulieC

Thanks for the replies. I think it's worth the risk - nothing like living dangerously !

positron

Brilliant!! I was under the impression that one would end up paying tax on all purchases from the US.

I am considering a 17-40L and it works out €590 with Kea-Photo+shipping where as its only €510 with bhphotovideo + international express mail.

I am really tempted, but may be I should wait till you get your parcel, cambo_gueno!

Carrigman

positron wrote:

Brilliant!! I was under the impression that one would end up paying tax on all purchases from the US.

I am considering a 17-40L and it works out €590 with Kea-Photo+shipping where as its only €510 with bhphotovideo + international express mail.

I am really tempted, but may be I should wait till you get your parcel, cambo_gueno!

For the sake of €80 I wouldn't take the chance. I'd go with Albert in Kea. And be satisfied in the knowledge that you are still saving €349 on the Irish price.

Fajitas!

Carrigman wrote:

For the sake of €80 I wouldn't take the chance. I'd go with Albert in Kea. And be satisfied in the knowledge that you are still saving €349 on the Irish price.

Here here.

Beano

rymus wrote:

afaik, USPS will use GLS as their delivery agent here...

I'd imagine you'll get caught for duty, so no, I'd say not worth the risk

GLS havent been the european agent for USPS for the last 18 months. GLS lost the contract after a multitude of complaints. It all goes through An Post now. Say what you like about An Post but they're a vast improvement on GLS.

PaulieC

I'm having a real hard time at the moment with UPS. I ordered a video camera and it appears to be gone missing in their depot. Customer 'services' are absolutely no use.
Also had to take FOUR days off work recently to get a delivery from Fedex. The first two days they tried to deliver it to the wrong address, the third day they tried to deliver to my address, but 2 hours after the stated time and on teh fourth day I had to go out to their depot in Santry and pick it up.

At least An Post just try to deliver once and then leave the package in their depot for collection and if you have a problem you can ring that depot directly, not a call centre in England where the staff are reading off the same tracking page as you are...

never thought I'd be sticking up for An Post

City-Exile

cambo_gueno wrote:

Also had to take FOUR days off work recently to get a delivery from Fedex. The first two days they tried to deliver it to the wrong address, the third day they tried to deliver to my address, but 2 hours after the stated time and on teh fourth day I had to go out to their depot in Santry and pick it up.

I think the best thing to do, is to request FedEx to ship your stuff to your registered address, then, when you get the tracking information, ring them up and get them to change the address to your office.
That's what I do, as I can't be taking time off work, in the hope that they'll turn up.
UPS turn up whenever it suits them and never let you know that they've called.

With regard to An Post, I deal with the delivery office in Phibsboro' and have always found them to be a pleasure to deal with.

PaulieC

City-Exile wrote:

I think the best thing to do, is to request FedEx to ship your stuff to your registered address, then, when you get the tracking information, ring them up and get them to change the address to your office.
That's what I do, as I can't be taking time off work, in the hope that they'll turn up.
UPS turn up whenever it suits them and never let you know that they've called.

With regard to An Post, I deal with the delivery office in Phibsboro' and have always found them to be a pleasure to deal with.

We're not allowed get personal post in work since the whole anthrax scare a few years ago (I know, some people have little to be dealing with). I did change the delivery address last week with UPS and this appears to have caused them a lot of hassle. They're obviously not used to things like that happening. Muppets. And they blatantly lie to you on the phone...give me AnPost anyday, especially with all purchases covered by credit card insurance.