Postage from USA to UK takes too long

[Divingdud]

I ordered a leather jacket in the USA 27/04/15 and this was sent via USPS, it arrived in the UK in 3 days, but since then Parcelforce have taken over and it has not yet arrived.
I have not disputed the 20 p.c. VAT plus an extra £8 required by Parcelforce for 'handling'. Here's the point, just imagine waiting for a watch purchased in the USA for delivery in UK, the package will go from Parcelforce 'hub' to HMRC then to to area delivery office, then a letter informing the VAT charge and only after that the package will arrive having been three weeks in transit. Who will want to purchase a watch from the USA pay the VAT and then wait three weeks?

[MonBK]

Todays is 13/4/15 ?

[AK797]

If sent by FedEx they usually send the package on to you and a few weeks later a VAT request comes to you.

[kilyung]

Why wouldn't you just buy in the UK?

[RichM]

I think he meant 27/03/15.

[mike]

This has NOTHING to do with Rolex. Post in the correct forum.

[Rootbeer]

It sounds like postage from the USA to UK only took 3 days. Your issue is with Parcelforce who aren't used for high value items like Rolex watches.

[TheBluePrince]

No-one would use USPS and Parcelforce to send a Rolex or other high value item, that's what couriers like UPS and Fedex are for.

[Divingdud]

Originally Posted by mike

This has NOTHING to do with Rolex. Post in the correct forum.

I think this is of importance to forum readers because you only have to search rolex watches for sale on ebay (UK) and there are so many listed for sale from the United States. Already someone has responded saying the better way for sending a watch is to use a courier!
One other point, I mistakenly put 04 for the month when this should be 03 (March).

[GermanyMatt]

customs.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Divingdud

I think this is of importance to forum readers because you only have to search rolex watches for sale on ebay (UK) and there are so many listed for sale from the United States. Already someone has responded saying the better way for sending a watch is to use a courier!
One other point, I mistakenly put 04 for the month when this should be 03 (March).

No it isn't. The Rolex forum is for the discussion of Rolex watches not how to send them or any other some place else. With the influx of new members that do not READ THE RULES the Rolex forum has become a dumping ground for any topic.

People just post there either because they think it'll more clicks or shear laziness. This has to stop.

[Divingdud]

I should imagine I am like any other forum member, who, because we are interested in looking for the next rolex, will occasionally search 'rolex' on ebay.
I have noticed that on ebay (UK) almost half of the watches have United States as the location, not only that, the prices are little difference to prices for the same model in the UK. Yet by then clicking 'sold' some watches are indicated as having attracted a buyer.. My thread highlights that the seller might dictate postage because this is a cost which is easy to calculate. Also, I have informed forum members in my thread that VAT will be charged plus a Parceforce 'Handling' charge of £8 on a watch coming into the UK via the post. Actually with higher value goods,the handling charge will be £15.
IMO makes better reading than a thread asking for a pic of your watch and your college degree/ car/ or what ever!!

[SeaDweller50]

Originally Posted by Divingdud

I ordered a leather jacket in the USA 27/04/15 and this was sent via USPS, it arrived in the UK in 3 days, but since then Parcelforce have taken over and it has not yet arrived.
I have not disputed the 20 p.c. VAT plus an extra £8 required by Parcelforce for 'handling'. Here's the point, just imagine waiting for a watch purchased in the USA for delivery in UK, the package will go from Parcelforce 'hub' to HMRC then to to area delivery office, then a letter informing the VAT charge and only after that the package will arrive having been three weeks in transit. Who will want to purchase a watch from the USA pay the VAT and then wait three weeks?

Why would you purchase from the U.S. Anyway? You pay two lots of taxes plus import duty. You'd have to be mad to even consider it unless it was a vintage that was available nowhere else, perhaps?

[Sarajevo]

Where's that emoji of the little yellow guy eating popcorn?

[mike]

Originally Posted by Divingdud

I should imagine I am like any other forum member, who, because we are interested in looking for the next rolex, will occasionally search 'rolex' on ebay.
I have noticed that on ebay (UK) almost half of the watches have United States as the location, not only that, the prices are little difference to prices for the same model in the UK. Yet by then clicking 'sold' some watches are indicated as having attracted a buyer.. My thread highlights that the seller might dictate postage because this is a cost which is easy to calculate. Also, I have informed forum members in my thread that VAT will be charged plus a Parceforce 'Handling' charge of £8 on a watch coming into the UK via the post. Actually with higher value goods,the handling charge will be £15.
IMO makes better reading than a thread asking for a pic of your watch and your college degree/ car/ or what ever!!

It's time to stop.

[Divingdud]

Originally Posted by RolexplorerII

Why would you purchase from the U.S. Anyway? You pay two lots of taxes plus import duty. You'd have to be mad to even consider it unless it was a vintage that was available nowhere else, perhaps?

Well the jacket (WW11 aircrew style) was from San Diego and being new and in goatskin was far less money than the same jacket in England. Only when I get it will I be able to see if it has been a good purchase. I wanted a leather jacket to wear when I drive my vintage car. As for ' two lots of taxes' it's more the delay in transport I find frustrating.

[Rootbeer]

Originally Posted by Divingdud

I should imagine I am like any other forum member, who, because we are interested in looking for the next rolex, will occasionally search 'rolex' on ebay.
I have noticed that on ebay (UK) almost half of the watches have United States as the location, not only that, the prices are little difference to prices for the same model in the UK. Yet by then clicking 'sold' some watches are indicated as having attracted a buyer.. My thread highlights that the seller might dictate postage because this is a cost which is easy to calculate. Also, I have informed forum members in my thread that VAT will be charged plus a Parceforce 'Handling' charge of £8 on a watch coming into the UK via the post. Actually with higher value goods,the handling charge will be £15.
IMO makes better reading than a thread asking for a pic of your watch and your college degree/ car/ or what ever!!

Just because an item is showing as sold on ebay.co.uk it does not mean that it was bought by someone from the UK. Lots of items have worldwide visibility and lots of sellers ships to lots of places.

Your thread title about it taking too long doesn't make any sense without knowing what shipping service was used and how many days beyond their stated delivery window they are. I suspect the answer may be that the item is on time, it is simply that you don't like the shipping service that the seller used. But that is between you and your seller and as you are no doubt aware faster services are available if you are prepared to pay extra.

As many have pointed out, high value items whizz around the world with a variety of couriers, though not parcelforce. I have received jewellery from US to UK on occasion via Fedex within 18hrs of shipping. It normally takes me longer to get myself door-to-door across the Atlantic so that is not bad in my book.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Divingdud

Well the jacket (WW11 aircrew style) was from San Diego and being new and in goatskin was far less money than the same jacket in England. Only when I get it will I be able to see if it has been a good purchase. I wanted a leather jacket to wear when I drive my vintage car. As for ' two lots of taxes' it's more the delay in transport I find frustrating.

aero leathers make nice jackets. please post pics of your jacket when it arrives.

[Divingdud]

Originally Posted by Rootbeer

Just because an item is showing as sold on ebay.co.uk it does not mean that it was bought by someone from the UK. Lots of items have worldwide visibility and lots of sellers ships to lots of places.

Your thread title about it taking too long doesn't make any sense without knowing what shipping service was used and how many days beyond their stated delivery window they are. I suspect the answer may be that the item is on time, it is simply that you don't like the shipping service that the seller used. But that is between you and your seller and as you are no doubt aware faster services are available if you are prepared to pay extra.

As many have pointed out, high value items whizz around the world with a variety of couriers, though not parcelforce. I have received jewellery from US to UK on occasion via Fedex within 18hrs of shipping. It normally takes me longer to get myself door-to-door across the Atlantic so that is not bad in my book.

Once we have paid for an item plus the extra cost of shipping, ($50-$60USD) we are then in the hands of the seller, who having received instructions to send by courier, might well think the Priority service of USPS is OK (and it obviously is through the USA), because there are handy USPS shipping boxes available and a nearby collection facility. My thread simply highlights how when the package quickly reaches UK, Parcelforce take over and then the package goes from A to B to C and finally when it reaches a local sorting office, a letter is then sent to the addressee informing the cost of Value Added Tax plus Handling charge to be paid before the package can be released for delivery.
When we find that sought after Rolex we are looking for on ebay.co.uk how can we insist the seller (perhaps just selling that one watch, not a dealer in watches) sends by courier and not USPS after we have hit 'buy'?

[MonBK]

You simply instruct the seller how you want it shipped, geez.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Divingdud

When we find that sought after Rolex we are looking for on ebay.co.uk how can we insist the seller (perhaps just selling that one watch, not a dealer in watches) sends by courier and not USPS after we have hit 'buy'?

By doing what eBay explains in their buying processes. Ask your questions in advance of committing to buy...

From their policy (my emphasis in red ink): "Before you bid, review the item description, seller information, and shipping policy. If you have any questions, email the seller."

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by GermanyMatt

customs.

In a word, yes

[GermanyMatt]

Originally Posted by brandrea

In a word, yes

I see what you did there.

[Divingdud]

Currently there are 8729 hits on 'what sunglasses do you wear with your rolex' and 198 responses. Methinks, perhaps my next thread had better be 'what vintage car do you drive wearing your rolex? Yes, where is that emoji eating popcorn?

[swils8610]

FedEx or UPS only for me.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Divingdud

Currently there are 8729 hits on 'what sunglasses do you wear with your rolex' and 198 responses. Methinks, perhaps my next thread had better be 'what vintage car do you drive wearing your rolex? Yes, where is that emoji eating popcorn?

make your next thread pics of your jacket.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Johny

make your next thread pics of your jacket.

Or popcorn.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Or popcorn.

or both.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Johny

or both.

x2, probably better then the whining so far.

[Divingdud]

I've joined in and listed a pic of my steering wheel on 'Let's See Those Steering Wheels' (53,396 hits)!