Cycling Gear from US Web Sites

ne1880

Has anybody purchased cycling gear (team shirts, bib-shorts, bib-pants etc) from US web sites "cyclingdeal.com" or "cycling-outfit.com"? I am looking to upgrade my Lidl/Aldi stuff but it seems outragously priced here..!!

Beasty

You can expect to pay Customs Duties and VAT on importing stuff from the US, which could significantly reduce, or eliminate altogether, any savings

07Lapierre

Beasty wrote: »

You can expect to pay Customs Duties and VAT on importing stuff from the US, which could significantly reduce, or eliminate altogether, any savings

+1 I bought socks from sockguy.com once...most expensive socks i ever bought!

They are nice though.:D

ROK ON

ne1880 wrote: »

Has anybody purchased cycling gear (team shirts, bib-shorts, bib-pants etc) from US web sites "cyclingdeal.com" or "cycling-outfit.com"? I am looking to upgrade my Lidl/Aldi stuff but it seems outragously priced here..!!

Beasty wrote: »

You can expect to pay Customs Duties and VAT on importing stuff from the US, which could significantly reduce, or eliminate altogether, any savings

I have purcahsed gear from two sites, http://redkiteprayer.com/?page_id=1510 and http://dz-nuts.com/store/mens-apparel.html.

The RKP stiff just arrived without any hassle. The DZ nuts gear was held by An Post for Customs and Excise, which was incorrectly calculated. I had to fight with them and eventually threaten legal action before the correct amount was levied. To be clear - I did not refuse to pay, I simply refused to pay what they calculated (which was more than the entire cost of the apparel that I purchased).

All in all the experience has made a deep impression on me. It is simply too much hassle to but clothing from the US IMHO.
I was not looking to make a saving, but simply buy some gear that I liked. Given the amount of places in the EU that you can get cheap cycling gear, you need your head examined if you think that you can save money by buying from the US.

mel.b

I haven't purchased from those shops but have from Aero Tech Designs...

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/

They deliver through the regular postal service and I havent been done for VAT, customs etc yet. Seems to be more when I order things that are delivered via fed ex etc that I get stung (like the binoculars I got off ebay for 30euro and then got charged 25euro in VAT and charges )

Hungrycol

Just bought some Hollowtech crank pinch bolts from Jensens (couldn't find an EU online retailer with 'em) and they were emphatic about VAT & Customs and not writing Gift or devaluing items on customs declaration. Only cost me $19, $11 of which was shipping for two tiny bolts and be here on the 13th (if I'm lucky!). I wouldnt bother normally but this was kinda essential so I had to buy them.

Look at dhb stuff on wiggle which is good quality and cheap.

QueensGael

Hungrycol wrote: »

Look at dhb stuff on wiggle which is good quality and cheap.

Agree - it's decent stuff and well priced, I got the winter tights and they're mighty The US sizes are a bit funky too, so can be a hassle to exchange them, whereas wiggle is relatively painless for this. All in all, I'd avoid US sites, given that there are good options available from European ones.

greenmat

I've bought from them. It's ok for what you pay. really cheap. It's sent from Hong Kong not America, it's copies, good ones at that, bib short pad is fairly good but not suitable for any very long rides. Sizes are very small, like italian sizes.

ne1880

Kinda figured they might be from the far east all right. Just come accross "Mick Cycle Jerseys" on Amazon.co.uk has anyone bought from him?