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Brexit: Alternatives to Amazon.co.uk

masterboy123

I have seen on the news that prices of goods ordered from UK are going to spike in case of no deal Brexit.

I am wondering what are the alternatives available?

Does Amazon.de seem to have similar products available? And what about using English language on .de website?

Any one could share their experience /opinion on this?

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Muahahaha

Have used an adaptor on a coffee grinder I got from Germany without problem for years now. Only hassle with them is how much extra it sticks out from the wall. Though given the grinder is well outside the warranty period anyway I should really just change it over for an Irish plug.

Macy0161

I've brought from amazon.com - they just add the charges at point of purchase. Is that not the more likely outcome?

AutoTuning

That's more of a question of ancient sockets that should have long since been replaced still hanging around in some buildings on the continent rather than a problem with CEE 7/X. It retained backwards compatibility with some obsolete systems that aren't really part of the standard at all.

Denmark's rather unfortunate decision to design an socket outlet that fits the earthed plugs used throughout the rest of Scandinavia, the Nordic region and Germany without connecting the earth is really an issue with the Danish system, not Schuko. They're now installing French type sockets in Denmark btw - which is basically polarised Schuko, with shutters.

I mean, China managed to adopt US 2-pin sockets and use them with 230V. That doesn't make it a problem with the US system, rather someone making some very odd design choices elsewhere. It can result in some interesting experiences for US and Japanese tourists who plug in 100-120V appliances into 230V.

If for, for example, Schuko were adopted (or rather re-adopted as we did use it once) here in Ireland after Brexit, it would be only using modern fittings. There would be no non-grounded sockets of any type, the safety shutters would be mandated (as they are in France, Belgium, Nordic countries etc) and the plugs wouldn't fit the BS1363 sockets that are here already. So, none of those problems with obsolete systems would exist here.

The main thing we need to do with the Brexit situation is ensure that there's clear information on what adaptors are safe and proper regulations about banning dangerous travel adaptors that are often not fully compatible with any plugs. Plenty of them, for example, accept our 3-pin plugs, yet have no contacts in the earth receptacle! I've seen several UK/IE to Chinese (grounded) adaptors that don't connect the ground at all.

The simple reality is going to be that appliances will be arriving here with continental plugs regardless as we're part of a single market and the only big user of the connectors used here has left. So we either provide people with safe information and adaptors, or we pretend it's a non issue and it will result in people using stupidly dangerous adaptors that don't connect earths or that are complete rubbish.

Pre-1993 and the single market, it wasn't at all unusual for appliances here to be sold with CEE 7 plugs or no plugs at all, with the expectation that you fitted your own. A lot of our appliances would have come directly from continental sources as there was still a customs barriers to all other then EEC markets, so it wasn't all that logical to just plug into the UK supply chains.

Also all European appliances and fixtures / fittings have evolved in fairly harmonised safety steps due to the evolution of the Low Voltage Directive, which goes back as far as 1973. Things like the adoption of finger protection on UK/Irish plugs came about because of that. Originally they'd none at all.

The issue for us now is that the UK may well wander off into its own bubble entirely on these things and we can't use UK equipment that isn't CE approved. In the short term that won't matter. In the medium term, you may see a lot more non-CE marked things appearing in the UK. It's not a tiny market and it shares technical standards with places like Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong etc...

We end up being the EU market with the weird legacy UK standards.

The one that's concerning me far more is cars. All of a sudden there'll be a market of about 6 million (Ireland, Malta and Cyprus) driving on the left, of more than half a billion (EU, EEA, etc) who drive on the right. Our cars will still have to meet European norms for safety, emissions, etc etc... but the EU RHD (Left of road) market will have shrunk from 72+ million to just 6. It's no issue in the short term, but give it a few years and you could find the UK's car market is linked directly to Japan or Australia/NZ.

At present cars marketed in the UK comply with the same rules and regulations as cars marketed in France or Germany. That may all change, particularly if they think there's an economic advantage in doing that or they decide to maybe relax environmental regulations or emissions standards - could popular amongst some Tories etc to be able to buy gas guzzlers.

It could mean we will need derogations on car imports.

That's not something we can solve with a plug adaptor.

stimpson

There are problems with Shuko plugs. They can be inserted into two-pin unearthed CEE 7/1 sockets they can also be inserted into some sockets with a different form of earth connection that will not mate with the earth contacts on the Schuko plug (e.g., some variants of the Danish socket). Many shuko sockets also lack the cavity required to prevent users from touching the pins whilst inserting the plug.

From a safety perspective the U.K. style plugs are better.

AutoTuning

We need to provide some solid advice on plugs & adaptors.

I'd like approved Irish to CEE 7 (Schuko) adapters being regulated by the NSAI or EU agencies.

There's a lot of nonsense floating around. Continental plugs are earthed, when they need to be. There's two pins and the earth is the clip on the top and bottom. If they don't need earth, there's no earth strip.

We just have a system that has 3 pin plugs for two wire appliances that don't need earth, so the 3rd pin is unused and the plugs are unnecessarily enormous.

There are absolutely no technical differences between Irish and continental appliances, other than the shape of the plug. You can either use an adaptor plug, or cut the plug off and fit an Irish one. This, however, might cause issues if you try to return something for a refund, other than where it is faulty

I just see a load of nonsense online about this topic, mostly from people who are clueless or Brexity types droning on about how superior British standards are. The reality is both systems are completely safe and reliable - dodgy adapters need to be regulated out of existence though, if CEE 7 plugs are going to end up being a common feature here due to Brexit.

They'll be a regular feature if more of our shopping switches to continental supply chains and online ordering.

Poncke

Ubbquittious wrote: »

Rarely is the lowest price. The sh1t in the garden works as a fertiliser so also not a bad idea

Rarely Amazon is more expensive than anywhere else

Sheep Shagger

So according to RTE News, Revenue have confirmed that for online shopping from the UK...

Purchases up to €22 - no duties
€23 to €150 - additional VAT only (no duties)
€150 + - new duties for importing from outside the EU

Not sure about people here but 99% of my Amazon purchases would be worth under €150 so basss on the above there just be an increase in VAT (which we see anyway already)?

Ubbquittious

Poncke wrote: »

This is like taking a shiiiit in your own garden, doesn't make sense because it would affect only yourself having to put in a lot more effort to get the same items at a higher cost.

I absolutely love Amazon, one stop shop at the lowest price.

Rarely is the lowest price. The sh1t in the garden works as a fertiliser so also not a bad idea

Wrongway1985

Poncke wrote: »

This is like taking a shiiiit in your own garden, doesn't make sense because it would affect only yourself having to put in a lot more effort to get the same items at a higher cost.

Not only that he seemingly also wants Irish job losses up to around 5k people, ridiculous notion outta him!

Poncke

Ubbquittious wrote: »

I hope amazon will phooq off out of this part of the world for good and that their popularity will drop like a stone after the big Brex

This is like taking a shiiiit in your own garden, doesn't make sense because it would affect only yourself having to put in a lot more effort to get the same items at a higher cost.

I absolutely love Amazon, one stop shop at the lowest price.

Pasteur.

ELM327 wrote: »

And when the shops in your town are selling for double the price on amazon?

Buy half the amount

jj880

Price compare for all European Amazon sites:

https://www.hagglezon.com/

Ubbquittious

rodia77 wrote: »

Only if they choose to actively screw their customers (which is likely, if you ask me). My latest order from Amazon UK was shipped to Ireland from a warehouse in Italy and the 'free UK delivery' still applied no probs, so the logistics isn't a problem. The problem is Ireland's attachment to the UK and the 'English ways' when it comes to consumer products (electic plug, bathroom systems, cars etc), and the Irish market not being important enough for anyone to care (so I hope I'm wrong but I doubt Amazon will set up warehouses in IE offering the same choice of goods as in UK).

I hope amazon will phooq off out of this part of the world for good and that their popularity will drop like a stone after the big Brex

rodia77

Poncke wrote: »

It depends on shipping to IE, because for example, with a DE Prime, shipping to NL is mostly free, just like UK Prime shipping to IE. But ES, DE, IT, FR shipping to IE probably is going to cost something.

Only if they choose to actively screw their customers (which is likely, if you ask me). My latest order from Amazon UK was shipped to Ireland from a warehouse in Italy and the 'free UK delivery' still applied no probs, so the logistics isn't a problem. The problem is Ireland's attachment to the UK and the 'English ways' when it comes to consumer products (electic plug, bathroom systems, cars etc), and the Irish market not being important enough for anyone to care (so I hope I'm wrong but I doubt Amazon will set up warehouses in IE offering the same choice of goods as in UK).

Poncke

el Fenomeno wrote: »

Will Prime still include free delivery (even if we have to add VAT or Import Duty)?

I will wait and see what happens 1 January and if the prices go up etc for whatever reason, I am going to ask a refund for my UK Prime and get a DE, FR, IT or ES Prime account, depending on where I get the most bang for my buck.

It depends on shipping to IE, because for example, with a DE Prime, shipping to NL is mostly free, just like UK Prime shipping to IE. But ES, DE, IT, FR shipping to IE probably is going to cost something.

el Fenomeno

Will Prime still include free delivery (even if we have to add VAT or Import Duty)?

Captainsatnav

Hyperbollix wrote: »

Oftentimes the delivery charge to Ireland from UK sellers on Ebay and Amazon UK can be a bit excessive so I use Parcelmotel to get the item shipped to Antrim, then DPD bring it down to a locker locally.

I presume a workaround like this will also suffer in the event of a no deal?

Dpd parcel wizard is shutting down this Friday

Poncke

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Have seen that email for about tbe 50th time on god knows how many different threads on boards today..

Good for you, it wasn't posted on this thread, so there

Sheep Shagger

Have seen that email for about tbe 50th time on god knows how many different threads on boards today..

[Deleted User]

We need an Amazon.ie pronto now

Poncke

From Amazon

Hello,

As you have placed an order on Amazon.co.uk and selected an EU delivery address in the past, we wanted to let you know that from 1 January 2021, when the Brexit transition period ends, you’ll see some changes when you shop on Amazon.co.uk and select an EU delivery address. These changes could include:

- VAT (or the regional equivalent, if applicable, https://www.amazon.co.uk/vatrates) being due in the country of delivery, or your package may be subject to customs duties, taxes and fees (“Import Fees”)
- the collection of VAT, or an estimation of Import Fees (“Import Fee Deposit” https://www.amazon.co.uk/ifd), which may result in a price change at checkout.

We will continue to accept eligible returns. If the reason for return is the result of an error (e.g. if the item is defective / damaged / incorrect), any costs incurred for the return will be paid by Amazon. Otherwise, any costs incurred for the return (including transport costs, as well as any associated import fees or customs where applicable) will be payable by the person returning the goods https://www.amazon.co.uk/returnshelp.

We hope this helps and we see you again soon.

Regards,

Customer Service Department
Amazon.co.uk

Poncke

Deleted User wrote: »

If it’s something you just leave plugged in you don’t even need an adaptor or to rewire it (which is easy enough anyway) you can just push the two pin plug into our sockets easily enough a screwdriver or scissors into the earth pin easily releases it to push in the two pin, I do it all the time.

Just buy a fecking 2 euro adapter

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tech-Traders-TTSCHUKO-European-Adaptor/dp/B078NG6THX/ref=sr_1_75?

No need to cut wires and void warranty

Hyperbollix

Oftentimes the delivery charge to Ireland from UK sellers on Ebay and Amazon UK can be a bit excessive so I use Parcelmotel to get the item shipped to Antrim, then DPD bring it down to a locker locally.

I presume a workaround like this will also suffer in the event of a no deal?

Harry Palmr

Amusingly the Amazon website can be opened by clicking the thread title at the bottom of the page.

rodia77

This thread is now more relevant than a year ago so I'm not starting a new one.

As stated a few times earlier in the discussion, ordering from different Amazon sites in EU is not a problem, but convenient and cheap delivery is. I don't know of such mail forwarding channels from continental Europe to Ireland as we had from the UK (ParcelMotel, DPD ParcelWizard, An Post AddressPal), where you could order with a free UK delivery (not only from Amazon but from whatever merchant was offering that option) and only pay for the forward. DPD is shutting down the service in a few days, I don't know about the other two.

Has anyone come with any viable ideas of how to set oneself up for good online shopping experience from 2021 onwards?

dam099

masterboy123 wrote: »

I have seen on the news that prices of goods ordered from UK are going to spike in case of no deal Brexit.

I am wondering what are the alternatives available?

Does Amazon.de seem to have similar products available? And what about using English language on .de website?

Any one could share their experience /opinion on this?

A lot of the news stories I have seen are overstating the impact by suggesting Irish VAT will add 23% to items.

Presently Amazon already charge 23% if shipping directly to Ireland (not the UK rate of 20%, any company selling over a certain threshold cross border within the EU has to do this).

Post Brexit they would be able to treat this as an export outside the UK (EU no longer relevant) and zero rate it for VAT.

Receiving in Ireland you would be liable for 23% VAT but what you paid Amazon would have been 23% less than before.

Where they will get you is on Customs Duty if item is above €150 and processing admin fees charged by the postal/courier company which would make small items in particular not worth it.

There was a suggestion in the Indo a few days ago from An Post that the likes of Amazon may do a duty paid model (like they do on the US site) where they would charge you up front for the VAT and duty as part of their pricing. It also mentioned sending stuff straight into An Post who would be doing the checking. Depending on how automated they make that and with the discounts they can probably get at their volumes the added cost to customers for this processing might not be that bad.

ILoveYourVibes

Marcelo Better Gap wrote: »

Items from the US are also subject to duty and VAT.

Its still often cheaper i find.

Anyway there are lots of versions of the site within the EU too.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Use the American site.

Most things ship to Ireland its not that much more expensive than shipping within Ireland weirdly.

Items from the US are also subject to duty and VAT.

CelticSeaShip

KungPao wrote: »

Try having a look in the shops in your town, instead of sending all your money to Amazon / the Fatherland.

I was looking tmat buying something earlier in the year. It was 150 euro in argos. I checked amazon.co.uk and I forget the price but I bought it from amazon.de for 90 which also included delivery. I got a few great deals shopping on amazon.de.

Then there's other stuff I buy and local shops just wouldn't have the supplies I want/need for my hobby and I go online. I try to buy from Irish shops but I put in orders to the UK and also to Germany.

CelticSeaShip

I shop on amazon.de and some other German websites using Google chrome. Google chrome translates pages.