Birthday present for Mother... updone.com?

Thirdfox

Hi guys,

I remember reading about these guys on this site a few threads past - people got things printed from them right? What did people use? Matte or glossy canvas and did they go for the assembly/self-assemble/rolled up version?

I'm thinking of doing a print for my Mother's birthday - maybe a 50x33cm pre-assembled one? Shouldn't be hit for tax either

...finally would this be a gift that you'd like (if you weren't a photographer who probably takes better portrait photos than me )
oh - and as to selecting the right picture - do you think portrait or natural/intimate moment shot is better? I'm leaning towards the candid family stuff...

Thanks for any advice!

kensutz

My order from updone has been shipped on Friday. It's one of my niece for my brother and got a second done for the parents. I went for the assembled and I think it was matte although I'm not too sure as mine was ordered during the Christmas holidays. Don't forget that you can tell them what price to put down on your order just before you complete it. Handy to avoid import duty.

Thirdfox

Really? I know anyway that anything below E22 is exempt from duty (E45 for gifts).

Does anyone know if delivery cost is factored into the cost of the item for tax purposes?

Finally when uploading what colour space should I use? I know our college newspaper prints with CYMK...

quilmore

Thirdfox wrote: »

Does anyone know if delivery cost is factored into the cost of the item for tax purposes?

yes, it does
and if not specified UPS or customs will guess at a delivery charge (usually a very expensive one)

Thirdfox

Thanks - they're using fedex so maybe I'll be okay (delivery is around 11 dollars)

Borderfox

UPS suck and blow for Customs charges.

leohoju

quilmore wrote: »

Thirdfox wrote: »

Does anyone know if delivery cost is factored into the cost of the item for tax purposes?

yes, it does
and if not specified UPS or customs will guess at a delivery charge (usually a very expensive one)

Thirdfox wrote: »

Thanks - they're using fedex so maybe I'll be okay (delivery is around 11 dollars)

FedEx do exactly the same as UPS in this case. If you query the bill they send you, they'll ask you to go back to the company who shipped you your package and they'll (the company who shipped) be charged a $30 admin fee for changing the waybill to reflect the correct shipping costs. You'll then get another bill from FedEx with the corrected VAT/Duty (plus their €10 admin fee as well!) charged to reflect the true shipping costs.

Save yourself the hassle and request Updone to declare the correct shipping charges!

Thirdfox

Oh, okay thanks! Do many companies not declare the shipping charges?

I'm just very new at online buying (very new at owning a credit card! )

And as for delivery - do they tell me what day I need to be home to collect it? What happens if I miss the collection date? (I'm just not very knowledgable about distance buying)

leohoju

Thirdfox wrote: »

Oh, okay thanks! Do many companies not declare the shipping charges?

I'm just very new at online buying (very new at owning a credit card! )

And as for delivery - do they tell me what day I need to be home to collect it? What happens if I miss the collection date? (I'm just not very knowledgable about distance buying)

Quite a few companies in my experience do not declare the shipping charges. I've no idea why, except for maybe to save you having to pay VAT/duty...

As for delivery, the courier will probably try to deliver to your address and if you're not home leave one of those "Sorry I missed you" slips. You'll be able to call them and either re-arrange a delivery time or go to their sorting office and pick up the delivery from there.

One thing I forgot to mention about FedEx, UPS, et al - they may deliver your package to you and then many weeks or even months later send you a bill for the VAT and duty to be paid.

stcstc

thirdfox


if you get stuck give me a shout i can sort you out a canvas etc



steve

Thirdfox

Went with updone in the end - I will probably pay only 0.10 euro tax or something (it came to around 23 euro in the end).

quilmore

Thirdfox wrote: »

it came to around 23 euro in the end

you pay tax over the total (including delivery)
not just over the excess

Thirdfox

I was pretty sure it was just the excess... hmm - well even if it's 5 euro it won't be that bad.

And taking a quick look at currency converters right now - $32.25 works out to be E21.70 +/- 10 cent...

But hey it may prove to be another interesting law case for me to get some real life experience with

quilmore

in my case the bill from Updone.com was 49 dollars (38 of prints and 11 of delivery)
when arrived to UPS it said: "value: 49 dollars, shipping: 0"
that's when custom guessed the delivery charges by wheight
I end up paying 20 euro in charges plus 16 euros to DHL, 36 euro in total for something that cost me 38 dollars to start with...

Thirdfox

In their comments box I specifically added that the shipping charge must be clearly labelled or else there will be an extra charge for me...

so hopefully I won't have that problem.