This is directed at PJRC/Robin and the shipping method they currently use (USPS) for orders made through the PJRC online store.
I've just just been stung again, by our local post office here in the UK.
The rules in the UK state that if you import anything over £15 (15 GBP) then you have to pay VAT. Fair enough, i haven't got a problem with that.
I purchased 2 x OctoWS2811 adaptors @ $10 USD each. Shipping was another $13.67 USD to the UK (with useless tracking info) for a total of $33.67 - not a problem, ship it!
However, the UK tax man wanted £3.96 for VAT as the stated value of the package was $20.00 - But, (here is the kicker) the local post office charge £8 ($10 USD) for collecting the VAT. So the total i paid for 2 x OctoWS2811 adaptors delivered is $49.90!! I want to give you my money, not our shitty post office (which, is a commercial entity, not a national institution).
On the same day i ordered those boards from the PJRC store, i also placed an order with Mouser. I purchased 3 x Teensy 3.2 boards @ £17.90 each, with free shipping, however it incurred an additional £5.11 upfront for VAT/customs charges. The Mouser package arrived 5 days later (even though it was the Christmas holidays), via DHL with great tracking and no additional charges, because i had paid up front.
Please stop using the crappy United States Postal service and look for alternatives. The USPS is slow (3 times as long as the DHL parcel from Mouser), expensive and not able to deal with customs charges, and worse they hand of to the UK post office who demand an £8 handling charge even if its only £0.10p worth of VAT to collect.
If you cant find a cost effective alternative, then please could you stock more of your items with Mouser??
Many thanks,
your loyal customer
HSIBOY
I've just just been stung again, by our local post office here in the UK.
The rules in the UK state that if you import anything over £15 (15 GBP) then you have to pay VAT. Fair enough, i haven't got a problem with that.
I purchased 2 x OctoWS2811 adaptors @ $10 USD each. Shipping was another $13.67 USD to the UK (with useless tracking info) for a total of $33.67 - not a problem, ship it!
However, the UK tax man wanted £3.96 for VAT as the stated value of the package was $20.00 - But, (here is the kicker) the local post office charge £8 ($10 USD) for collecting the VAT. So the total i paid for 2 x OctoWS2811 adaptors delivered is $49.90!! I want to give you my money, not our shitty post office (which, is a commercial entity, not a national institution).
On the same day i ordered those boards from the PJRC store, i also placed an order with Mouser. I purchased 3 x Teensy 3.2 boards @ £17.90 each, with free shipping, however it incurred an additional £5.11 upfront for VAT/customs charges. The Mouser package arrived 5 days later (even though it was the Christmas holidays), via DHL with great tracking and no additional charges, because i had paid up front.
Please stop using the crappy United States Postal service and look for alternatives. The USPS is slow (3 times as long as the DHL parcel from Mouser), expensive and not able to deal with customs charges, and worse they hand of to the UK post office who demand an £8 handling charge even if its only £0.10p worth of VAT to collect.
If you cant find a cost effective alternative, then please could you stock more of your items with Mouser??
Many thanks,
your loyal customer
HSIBOY