Stupid Post Man

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

One of my mates is building a studio, (no grouse lodge! but mainly home recording).

Long story short, ordered a PC interface, compressor and loads other stuff like cables, stands.... of thomann on dec 10th. Interface was out of stock, so the order was held up, combine that with the time of year, we were told it would be after xmass when we got it. We assumed it would be here today, but not joy. Rang thomann, order dispatched to DHL, rand DHL, they passed it on to An Post. Went to the local post office. The package was addressed to my mates place or work, (the studio is in the middle of nowhere). The address couldnt have been clearer, however they managed to give it to the wrong address. and the person at the address signed for it, signed with a different name than that on the delevery address.

This is the best part, went into the post office:
we asked "who signed for it?"
PO"Joe Bloggs"
us "where does he live?"
PO "How do we know!"


I D I O T S

henessjon

sorry to hear your probs hope its resolved for you

but I dont think you'll get sympathy here,,, buy Irish...is the mantra



did that rant get you over it

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

henessjon wrote: »

sorry to hear your probs hope its resolved for you

but I dont think you'll get sympathy here,,, buy Irish...is the mantra



did that rant get you over it

It arrived today

Well i do buy a lot of my gear at my local shop. in terms of money spent, i have bought all of my guitar setup either in my local shop (guitar, amp and 75% of me pedals), or on adverts (guitar). Most of the band's PA was bought on adverts; the bins, tops, desk, poweramp, and mics were bought on adverts. The cables, stands and lights were bought of thomann, as it was a lot cheaper.

as for the studio, the local shop didnt have what we needed, so it was handier get it of thomann.

DamagedTrax

henessjon wrote: »

but I dont think you'll get sympathy here,,, buy Irish...is the mantra

maybe when we had money but not now!

maybe the mantra should be "buy irish when we stopped getting ripped off"?

as an example, i just looked into pricing a UAD quad from an irish store (who shall remain anonymous)

irish store price price - €1600

thomann price - €1399

american dealer who will ship to ireland - €1150 inc. shipping

says it all really. im all for supporting local stores but when some of them are charging 450 extra for the same product? i think not.

Neurojazz

I've tried to buy irish and last time i did they asked for my lazer pin... I'm also astounded that the food companies stick stuff like 'from ireland' on a pack of oranges - as if to instill a sense of pride that ireland can indeed grow it's own oranges or *insert product here* is an authentic irish product...

If paul had put prices on his website he'd have about 15k of my money so far - i don't want to ring up for quotes, i want to click/buy and get on with life.

And i really have tried to spend my money locally and now will not.

THIS POST WAS MADE IN IRELAND.

(but typed by an english person, using a chinese made computer with an american processor - brought in england)

PaulBrewer

Neurojazz wrote: »

I've tried to buy irish and last time i did they asked for my lazer pin... I'm also astounded that the food companies stick stuff like 'from ireland' on a pack of oranges - as if to instill a sense of pride that ireland can indeed grow it's own oranges or *insert product here* is an authentic irish product...

If paul had put prices on his website he'd have about 15k of my money so far - i don't want to ring up for quotes, i want to click/buy and get on with life.

And i really have tried to spend my money locally and now will not.

THIS POST WAS MADE IN IRELAND.

(but typed by an english person, using a chinese made computer with an american processor - brought in england)

We don't have the personnel to maintain a web store I'm afraid.
Most of our custom is systems with a lot of our sales based on trying equipment in your own studio and keeping mission critical customers going!

So we're not really a box shifter. Horses for courses I guess.

However all calls welcome!

PaulBrewer

DamagedTrax wrote: »

american dealer who will ship to ireland - €1150 inc. shipping

Including Vat ?

DamagedTrax

nope, ex vat (or retail tax)

either way retail tax in america varies from 2% to 8% roughly so its still a much better deal than anyone here could offer.

just seen sweetwater are doing them for €1040 ex tax but with free shipping. even better!

PaulBrewer

DamagedTrax wrote: »

nope, ex vat (or retail tax)

either way retail tax in america varies from 2% to 8% roughly so its still a much better deal than anyone here could offer.

just seen sweetwater are doing them for €1040 ex tax but with free shipping. even better!

No - you're liable to our 21% Vat on that too and up to 4% Duty - unless you've a registered Vat number B2B dealer.

DamagedTrax

PaulBrewer wrote: »

No - you're liable to our 21% Vat on that too and up to 4% Duty - unless you've a registered Vat number B2B dealer.

or unless you dont get charged at point of entry. most US stores are happy to mark the package as "gift" to get business.

ive had countless packages of all sorts from the US. only once been charged entry VAT. and that came as an invoice from fedex 2 weeks after i signed for the goods. there was no mention of the VAT charge on the initial documents so i told em to piss off. never heard back from them.

PaulBrewer

DamagedTrax wrote: »

or unless you dont get charged at point of entry. most US stores are happy to mark the package as "gift" to get business.

Which of course is illegal.

DamagedTrax

PaulBrewer wrote: »

Which of course is illegal.

oh boo hoo.

the prices that irish retailers charge should be illegal. but they're not so whatever little illegal "fuk you" we give them is fine by me :-)

PaulBrewer

Ya reap what you sow ...

DamagedTrax

PaulBrewer wrote: »

Ya reap what you sow ...

exactly. and now some irish retailers are reaping the rewards of years of ripping people off. and rightly so..

i have absolutly no sympathy whatsoever when i hear of certain businesses struggling.

dont get me wrong, there are good guys out there who will always get my business but theres a certain few (and we ALL know exactly who they are) that deserve evrything they get.

madtheory

DamagedTrax wrote: »

most US stores are happy to mark the package as "gift" to get business.

Obviously you haven't bought anything from the US in the last 3 years... this is no longer true. They get blacklisted from international trading if they do that.

DamagedTrax

madtheory wrote: »

Obviously you haven't bought anything from the US in the last 3 years... this is no longer true. They get blacklisted from international trading if they do that.

i buy stuff from skatewarehouse all the time and they always do it amd have done many times within the last 3 years. who's gonna know? they just post me my invoice seperatly.

also having an american resident purchase for you and mail it works just fine.

SeanHurley

As it goes, Sweetwater don't, in fact they warn you of the fact that they declare everything when you are ordering by phone.

DamagedTrax

SeanHurley wrote: »

As it goes, Sweetwater don't, in fact they warn you of the fact that they declare everything when you are ordering by phone.

well ive not had dealings with sweetwater before but it STILL works out nearly 400 cheaper than buying here.

madtheory

DamagedTrax wrote: »

i buy stuff from skatewarehouse all the time

How much do they charge for a Countryman DI?

PaulBrewer

I'm sure advocating tax fraud is against the boards.ie charter?

SeanHurley

DamagedTrax wrote: »

well ive not had dealings with sweetwater before but it STILL works out nearly 400 cheaper than buying here.

Yes but when you put your VAT and import duty on that becomes more like 150. But I take your point there is savings to be made, however my experience of late with Irish Retailers is a willingness to at least match "genuine" internet prices. I feel there has been a see change in attitude by alot of the Irish guys since Mr. T came to the game.

Also if you are serious about you music career register yourself for VAT here and immediately the Irish prices seem nicer. It pays to be legit in my opinion.

DamagedTrax

PaulBrewer wrote: »

I'm sure advocating tax fraud is against the boards.ie charter?

paul, im aware you like to protect your business interests here and im sure the idea of people going overseas to spend isnt exactly gonna sit nicely with you but dont start that boards charter **** with me. i havent advocated anything, just said what i do.

im sure overpricing and ripping off is against the human moral charter.. doesnt seem to bother too many retailers though, does it?

PaulBrewer

DamagedTrax wrote: »

human moral charter

And where do we read that ?

I know where we can read the Boards one ...

madtheory

1. VAT admin is a PITA and you need a high turnover before it makes sense. Only good for those who make living excusively from music.
2. It pays to shop around! Four years ago, US was the cheapest for me to buy my little Pro Tools rig, including import duties. In the last year, Irish and European retailers are far more competitive. Sterling is favourable too.

So it pays to shop around...

DamagedTrax

PaulBrewer wrote: »

And where do we read that ?

I know where we can read the Boards one ...

clearly you do since you reported my post.

glad to see you're a stickler for rules. must make for a very interesting life.

PaulBrewer

madtheory wrote: »

. Sterling is favourable too.

...

Not quite as much with their Vat returning to 17% and ours dropping to 21% again it leveled the playing field somewhat.

PaulBrewer

DamagedTrax wrote: »

clearly you do since you reported my post.

glad to see you're a stickler for rules. must make for a very interesting life.

Damage you came on here to rant and were skewing the argument in your favour by avoiding facts.

You then come on saying you are party to tax fraud, which is illegal.

A bit of balance is a good thing in the interest of a fair discussion and to the forum's readers.


If I were you I'd leave it at that.

DamagedTrax

Damage you came on here to rant and were skewing the argument in your favour by avoiding facts.

er what in gods name are you talking about. avoiding facts? the facts are that irish retailers are more expensive EVEN with import tax. you gonna argue hard numbers?

A bit of balance is a good thing in the interest of a fair discussion and to the forums readers.

yeah from a retailer with his own interests in mind? dont make me laugh.

If I were you I'd leave it at that.

why, will you go crying to someone else? stop spitting your dummy out and act like a man, crying to mods.. seriously?

PaulBrewer

DamagedTrax wrote: »

er what in gods name are you talking about. avoiding facts? the facts are that irish retailers are more expensive EVEN with import tax. you gonna argue hard numbers?




yeah from a retailer with his own interests in mind? dont make me laugh.




why, will you go crying to someone else? stop spitting your dummy out and act like a man, crying to mods.. seriously?

You missed a bit ....

"You then come on saying you are party to tax fraud, which is illegal."

DamagedTrax

PaulBrewer wrote: »

You missed a bit ....

"You then come on saying you are party to tax fraud, which is illegal."

i missed it because im not even gonna dignify it with an answer.

you come to me with a 100% clean sheet in life and then ill answer you but until then ill leave it there looking as ridiculas and childish as it does.


i noticed you still didnt answer why you went crying to mods about it? is it because you just love boards SO much that you felt you had to uphold the integrity of the site? .. or maybe something a little more self orientated?

madtheory

DamagedTrax wrote: »

crying to mods.. seriously?

Calm down there, and check your facts:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/infraction.php?do=view&p=63808471

And take a look at this:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/faq.php?faq=bie_faq_guidelines#faq_bie_faq_guidelines_forbidden

DamagedTrax

madtheory wrote: »

Calm down there, and check your facts...

And take a look at this:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/faq.php?faq=bie_faq_guidelines#faq_bie_faq_guidelines_forbidden

as i said to the mod in question, i didnt advocate anything. i discussed a situation that happened with me before.

and im sorry but do you really think anyone on this board doesnt know what im talking about?

so no offence but this isnt your battle .

from the same link

Don't backseat moderate

madtheory

OK. Best advice- shop around!

SeanHurley

Just for info there is an Irish dealer selling the UAD 2 Quad for €1399

DamagedTrax

that matches thomann's price. who is it?

SeanHurley

Studio Solutions out in Ballycoolin stock U Audio stuff and are listing it as 1399 on their website.

DamagedTrax

SeanHurley wrote: »

Studio Solutions out in Ballycoolin stock U Audio stuff and are listing it as 1399 on their website.

ah cool. ill give darren a buzz about it.

PaulBrewer

I know an Irish dealer who'll do one for Euro 1350 !

SeanHurley

PaulBrewer wrote: »

I know an Irish dealer who'll do one for Euro 1350 !

Moral of the story is that Irish dealers can compete with international sellers. Which I think is good for everyone. Happy days, balance has returned to the force.

PaulBrewer

And to borrow the original poster's title ....

Don't make a 'Stupid Post, Man'

studiorat

DamagedTrax wrote: »

oh boo hoo.

the prices that irish retailers charge should be illegal. but they're not so whatever little illegal "fuk you" we give them is fine by me :-)

Can you prove that Irish retailers charge a higher margin after import duty and shipping etc. or is this a personal little rant 'cause you feel hard done by?

DamagedTrax

studiorat wrote: »

Can you prove that Irish retailers charge a higher margin after import duty and shipping etc. or is this a personal little rant 'cause you feel hard done by?

i already gave the prices. it works out cheaper. enough proof?

PaulBrewer

You're a gas man ....

There are only 3 Pro Audio Dealers in the country and you didn't check with at least 2.

One of which is cheaper than Thomann.


STOP DIGGIN THE HOLE !

DamagedTrax

PaulBrewer wrote: »

You're a gas man ....

There are only 3 Pro Audio Dealers in the country and you didn't check with at least 2.

One of which is cheaper than Thomann.


STOP DIGGIN THE HOLE !

paul. seriously. grow up.

im not digging any holes here. if you want to ammuse yourself with notions that irish retailers are a great old bunch then go ahead.

anyone with half a brain knows differantly which is exactly why our (the consumers) business is going abroad so much.

we get cheaper priced products so i really dont give a toss anymore.

end of my reading of this thread.

PaulBrewer

Looks like I get the last word so ...;)

jtsuited

genuine question here....

if i order something from the states and the company marks it 'gift' and I don't get charged anything at the point of entry, have I done something illegal?

Surely it's the company who have carried out the illegal act?

ZV Yoda

jtsuited wrote: »

genuine question here....

if i order something from the states and the company marks it 'gift' and I don't get charged anything at the point of entry, have I done something illegal?

Surely it's the company who have carried out the illegal act?

Although I’m no expert, I’ve a fair bit of experience in this area from my day job…. there's a few aspects to this... first & foremost, for imports coming from outside the EU into an EU member state, then there is a requirement to pay:
1. Import duty (if applicable on that type of product... e.g. computer parts have been zero rated for duty for a number of years... but consumer electronics/audio equipment do attract duty)
2. VAT (unless the importer has a VAT exemption from their government).

Depending on the terms of sale, in the case of most consumer internet purchases, the shipper is liable for shipping costs to the destination - but not taxes & duty. An exception to this rule is if the goods are sold "DDU - Delivered Duty Paid" - in that case, the shopper assumes liability for taxes/VAT. In reality though, if goods are shipped DDP, then the purchase prices to the customer will be a lot a higher.

To your point about "gift". The shipper has made a false declaration... shipping a "gift" by default means it is a non-commercial transaction (which is untrue). If this is investigated, the shipper can be prosecuted under US law (which is why a lot of them won’t do it). In addition, if Irish customs uncover this, they can impound the shipment until you pay the required taxes / duties.

Also, another thing that is often suggested is that people ask the shipper to declare the shipment at a lower value so the taxes & duties will be lower. Goods should be declared at the market value (in most cases), so again, this is a false declaration. Also, if the shipment gets damaged & you need to claim from your insurer, then you’re only likely to receive compensation at the lower value.

Having said all of that, going back to the original argument, while I'll always look to Irish suppliers first, all of my large purchases in the past 18 months have come from either the UK, Germany or 2nd hand from eBay US. Even with delivery, taxes & duties, they've all been about 15% cheaper than I could negotiate with Irish suppliers. If money was no object to me, then I'd probably go with Irish suppliers... provided they had the goods in stock. In most cases, they don't (for larger items anyway).

jtsuited

so the buyer is not the one committing 'tax fraud' no?

In which case no charter rules have been broken?

After all the illegal activity is taking place somewhere else, and by somebody else.

PaulBrewer

jtsuited wrote: »

genuine question here....

if i order something from the states and the company marks it 'gift' and I don't get charged anything at the point of entry, have I done something illegal?

Surely it's the company who have carried out the illegal act?

Genuine ?

henessjon

nah last word

digidesign eleven rack 875 local

web abroad 625

but im still looking

Seziertisch

The reality is that for more expensive items (anything over a couple of hundred dollars worth) I think there are few enough sellers in the US who would be willing to devalue items on the customs form or mark them as a gift. The reason for this is that the insured value is the same as the declared value, and ultimately if it did arrive broken the seller would be left footing the cost. Regardless of the charter or the legal implications, I would say that if you buy something from the US that costs $1000 you can expect to pay import duty on it.