Online shopping and shopping in the US- cheaper or a con?

How could you possibly prove it though? Nobody has receipts from a year ago, or from something that was a present. Obviously if you have a large number of something (I phones, leather jackets etc) it raises suspicion but the majority of Christmas shoppers would just have stuff for their own use.

Use ebay and Amazon all the time and save a ****load. Delivered to my door, have never had to collect them from anywhere. Haven't bought a cd/dvd or book in an Irish store in about 2 years. The price here is a joke. Also brought back a new Gibson Les Paul Special from the U.S. - cost $600 in a sale and saw it here for 2 grand. Strolled through customs no bother although the fact that I decided to help a nun with her luggage might have saved me from those clowns, I had Jesus on my side and he loves a bargain so he does.

Disco Stu wrote: »

I've bought over a hundred DVD's, games and CD's from Play.com over the last 7 years and never had a problem with them, way cheaper than the shops here, better choice and normally delivered in a couple of days. If you have to go back to them for a return they are pretty easy to deal with too..!

It doesn't bother you that you are being charged more than customers in the UK?

Mossy Monk wrote: »

It doesn't bother you that you are being charged more than customers in the UK?

Not really... still a huge amount cheaper than buying here...

Although the business is based in Jersey, it's essentially a UK retailer and so the cost to the customers in it's main market will always be a bit less. It has to factor in higher delivery costs to everywhere else so they make that back with their exchange rate...

Claire121 wrote: »

Re customs - how do they know where and when you bought the stuff? I lived in New York last year and bought clothes over there (suits, blouses etc) to wear to work while I was there, surely I should be entitled to bring them home? And how do they know if it's something you just bought or something you've had for a while and brought on holidays with you to wear? What if it was a Christmas present from a relative in the US? Sorry if it sounds stupid but I've never really thought about it.

loose the tags, bags and receipts on clothes, fold them bad to crease them, basically make it ook like you took them with you. scuff shoes a little might draw attention away from them being new, dirty soles means they isn't new . also having 50 pairs of jeans in multiple sizes in your suit case is a dead give away so if you're buying just keep the sizes consistent, of course if its for yourself you've no trouble there.

on the electrical goods, with a camera take some pictures then it's used and you brought it with you. get an envelope stick the user manual in it and post it to yourself including proof of purchase so you can register the warranty and stuff. MP3 players may be more difficult coz you may not be able to upload music to them.

to be honest i think if a customs guy stops you and you're not pulling the piss he'll probably let you off or just make you pay the tax. I think they're looking for people that travel over with empty cases come back with cases full of cloths of various sizes for resale over here without paying the taxes

Claire121 wrote: »

What's with all the talk of smuggling and tax evasion then?

there is a limit to the value of personal items you can purchase abroad and bring into the country. if you bring it in you are suppose to pay import duty on it. I think someone said the threshold is €175 per person anything above is taxable.

Disco Stu wrote: »

I've bought over a hundred DVD's, games and CD's from Play.com over the last 7 years and never had a problem with them, way cheaper than the shops here, better choice and normally delivered in a couple of days. If you have to go back to them for a return they are pretty easy to deal with too..!

Just that they have used the sterling->euro exchange rate to make up for the free shipping that they offer for years. They only recently made a small change to it. Still good value most of the time though I agree.

loose the tags, bags and receipts on clothes, fold them bad to crease them, basically make it ook like you took them with you. scuff shoes a little might draw attention away from them being new, dirty soles means they isn't new . also having 50 pairs of jeans in multiple sizes in your suit case is a dead give away so if you're buying just keep the sizes consistent, of course if its for yourself you've no trouble there.

Yeah always take the tags off for that reason. I don't see how else they could accuse you of smuggling - I often take new shoes on holidays and don't end up wearing them - it's none of their business! I'd say the reason they don't stop people is that it's so difficult to prove anything. Obviously those who buy in bulk to sell on are doing something dodgy but I don't think those going over to buy themselves a few things are committing a crime. 175 euro is ridiculously low. I spent more than that when I was there, and I wasn't going over on a shopping trip, just getting work clothes and shoes for my job over there. It's bad enough living in rip off Ireland, without not being able to pick up a few clothes while on holidays without worrying about customs charges. Grr!