buying from USA to Europe

Martin Such

Martin Such

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hey brothers,

do you have any experience with buying or selling basses (or other stuff) from States to the Old Continent?

I want to become a Warwick owner again, and the prices are so much better in States.
But how much the shipping would be? Is it easy to arrange?

I'll be thankful for any input.
 
I've sent a bass overseas. It was a bolt on, and I took the neck off to make the package smaller. it wasn't too expensive. much cheaper than sending it in one piece though. can't remember exactly....
 
I've bought from USA and Japan.
But I wouldn't buy Warwick in the USA, they'ree much cheaper here in Italy
 
I do not know about Europe but shipping to Australia is veeery high. I sold my LTD 2001 Thumb to a guy in Australia and i am having to unbolt the neck as well because going USPS it is about $200 USD for shipping due to length limitations on the package. If I do not do this then I need to go Fedex and that was over $500 USD to ship.
 
I've sent 3 basses from here (United States) to Europe and the most it cost was over $500. But I think that was a rarity. Like what was said before, if it's a bolt-on it will be much cheaper. The one that was $500+ was a neck-thru so the box it was in was taller than I am.
 
Mr.Rabble is right.Buy from Italy Martin.You'll save a heap.
 
I guess it's gonna be OK. Unless you live in Norway. Because the state and the mail will think of new ways to twist your nuts around for you to chip in for the prime minister's new cabin at the lake.
Hell, they'll even make you wait a lot longer than reasonable for it. And the people who work in the postal service don't know shit about anything, they just get packages and deliver them to you.
Oh, did I just charge you double for tax? We'll see if I can do anything about that, if not, you'll just have to pay double. I'm just a 50 year old woman working in the postal service, you 16 year old boys waiting for new bikeparts should know better than to hand me the wrong papers!

I love ranting ^^
The point is, Norway sucks. But I still think it'd be better to buy a Warwick from italy/germany. And if you buy second hand you can probly get a deal anywhere (but if you live in norway you'd probly have to pay tax etc. etc. ) But you don't live in norway, consider yourself a little lucky on that part ;) ^^
 
Martin Such said:
hey brothers,

do you have any experience with buying or selling basses (or other stuff) from States to the Old Continent?

I want to become a Warwick owner again, and the prices are so much better in States.
But how much the shipping would be? Is it easy to arrange?

I'll be thankful for any input.
Click to expand...

Cheaper in the States. :shock:

You'll find cheaper in the UK at the moment... easily! Italy / Germany and a few other European destinations are reasonably cheap and shipping from Germany in particular is very cost effective (unlike shipping FROM the UK). However, I'd certainly be checking out he UK at the moment as there are 'some' bargains to be had depending on the model you want. I know that an excellent condition Corvette Jazzman FNA sold for £450... what's that, about $900; I doubt you'd get one from the States at that price especially as you'd have to add $100 - $300 shipping and then add 23% for Import duty and Taxes.
 
Add one third of the price you pay for a rough estimate on shipping/insurance and taxes. :)

I bought my SS1 from the States but a friend shipped it for me.
 
I bought my thumb bo new on e-bay. it was shipped from the US, cost me about 100$ and took about 3 weeks, ground shipping. Air is way more expensive. it is risky, because the handling is awful. I noticed a dent on the case, inside out but the bass was fine. the final price was cheaper than any other I could find in EU music stores on the net.
there were taxes to be paid (customs + VAT), guess this depends on the country the item is shipped to.
to sum it up, I think buying from the US is o.k., the prices are better and the US dollar rate is down as well.
good luck.

=g=
 
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