Mulling my first China order - many questions...

[ceedee]

Jun 27, 2017 21:41:15 GMT domesticextremist said:

Jun 27, 2017 21:17:32 GMT ceedee said:

Rather than putting in one large order with FT, split it across several small orders to keep the value of each one as low as possible.
This will reduce the chance of you being hit with vat (and something like an £8 handling charge) if the parcel is inspected by HM Customs when it arrives in the UK.

So how low is low?
£20, £50, less than £100?

FastTech will usually under-declare your order but - officially at least - personal imports valued at over £15 (including shipping and insurance) are liable to vat.
I've never had an order inspected but would much rather they hit me for the vat on £25 than £50!

[Perpetua]

Jun 27, 2017 21:41:15 GMT domesticextremist said:

Jun 27, 2017 21:17:32 GMT ceedee said:

Rather than putting in one large order with FT, split it across several small orders to keep the value of each one as low as possible.
This will reduce the chance of you being hit with vat (and something like an £8 handling charge) if the parcel is inspected by HM Customs when it arrives in the UK.

So how low is low?
£20, £50, less than £100?

You can also request ( and they oblige ) to declare a $15.00 value on any parcels Dom . . . . .

[Lee]

And discreet packaging or something along those lines, so they remove their logo off the parcel
Something I have done with my recent purchases

[domesticextremist]

Jun 28, 2017 4:19:54 GMT Perpetua said:

[You can also request ( and they oblige ) to declare a $15.00 value on any parcels Dom . . . . .

So where on the form do I indicate this, do I just add a note?

[domesticextremist]

Jun 28, 2017 8:25:49 GMT Lee said:

And discreet packaging or something along those lines, so they remove their logo off the parcel
Something I have done with my recent purchases

Same question as previous post. I see something called protective packet, is it this?

[domesticextremist]

Payment method of PayPal is unavailable due to Aspire products in shopping basket...bitcoin only is offered

[Edge]

Jul 4, 2017 18:31:48 GMT domesticextremist said:

Payment method of PayPal is unavailable due to Aspire products in shopping basket...bitcoin only is offered

Buy something else to the same value, pay for it, then cancel it.
You will be given the option of a gift certificate - take it.
Use the gift certificate to buy the Aspire bits.
Bit of a silly faff but works.

[Perpetua]

Jul 4, 2017 18:29:04 GMT domesticextremist said:

Jun 28, 2017 4:19:54 GMT Perpetua said:

[You can also request ( and they oblige ) to declare a $15.00 value on any parcels Dom . . . . .

So where on the form do I indicate this, do I just add a note?

You can add a note on your order . . . . or open a ticket Dom. I tend just to add a note to save some palaver on the checkout page:

Jul 4, 2017 18:31:48 GMT domesticextremist said:

Payment method of PayPal is unavailable due to Aspire products in shopping basket...bitcoin only is offered

You'll need to order those separately, as Fasttech in theory aren't permitted to send authentic Aspire items to the UK due to the user agreement that exists elsewhere.

Order goods to their value, pay for then cancel it . . . . . you'll be given the options of a refund or a Gift Certificate - take the GC. Then using that code which they send immediately, apply it to pay for your Aspire items.

It's a bit pesky, but unfortunately that's how it is for Aspire.

[domesticextremist]

Thanks for the replies - found the discreet packaging option, but my itchy fingers got the better of me so I removed the Aspire stuff and did not add a note.

Now the waiting (and the fear)...

[Perpetua]

Jul 4, 2017 18:48:27 GMT domesticextremist said:

Thanks for the replies - found the discreet packaging option, but my itchy fingers got the better of me so I removed the Aspire stuff and did not add a note.

Now the waiting (and the fear)...

You can still open a ticket Dom . . . . go to your order, click on Details, Options & Support - you'll get this:

[domesticextremist]

Well, it seems to add an extra day for shipping and I have a limited time window at home again.

I'll have to live dangerously this time - they don't call me DomesticExtremist for nothing

One more Q: I went for UK Express ePacket, does that go via Royal Mail on this end?

[Edge]

Jul 4, 2017 19:12:21 GMT domesticextremist said:

Well, it seems to add an extra day for shipping and I have a limited time window at home again.

I'll have to live dangerously this time - they don't call me DomesticExtremist for nothing

One more Q: I went for UK Express ePacket, does that go via Royal Mail on this end?

UK Express ePacket arrives via Royal Mail, been about 8 days for me in past.

[yourgurnard]

domesticextremist
In addition to all the more detailed advice above; ALL My kit ('cept My 1st e-Go/Pro-Tank...) has come from FT & I've never had any probs.

[oldleatherlungs]

.

[domesticextremist]

OK, it looks like one of the items I ordered won't be in stock for a few days which pushes the delivery time outside the window when I will be there to get it. Is it possible to alter the shipping address on the order before they send it?