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doodlebears Doodlebears
UK
Posts: 7,414

doodlebears Celebration Ambassador

I recently was so happy with my purchase from Ebay.com I bought a beautiful bear, paid for it right away and sat back awaiting her arrival. The bear was posted with insurance and sent via USPS. I had a tracking number so was tracking my bear's journey online. Yesterday the message online was that the couriers had tried to deliver the bear at 7.42 am. Now way there was four adults and two dogs at home at the time and if the doorbell had rang then the dogs would have barked. I phoned around trying to locate my precious bear with no avail. Later in the day I phoned Yvonne (Bebbin Bears) and she told me that it was most likely at a depot in Milton Keynes. I managed to find the phone number and yes indeed they do have my bear, I now have to wait for a letter to arrive with a bill for 73.71  (130.334 USD) plus delivery charges on top of that. I already paid 38 (67.1918 USD) delivery. This bill is for import charges and tax from the couriers. I then have to send a cheque to them before they will deliver my bear. What a shock, I could have chosen a bear from the artists themselves at Hugglets last month. I was so please that I was getting one of their bears at a reduced price, all I can say is PHOOEY! Never again will I get stung like this, it's really spoilt the excitement of my new bear.


Hugs, Jane.  bear_cry  bear_cry  bear_cry

DebbieD Posts: 3,540

bear_cry  Oh Jane, I'm so sorry the taxman spoilt your excitment over your new bear  :hug:  :hug:   Give it some time, I'm sure you'll be happy with it and forget about the added costs.   bear_wub

SueAnn Past Time Bears
Double Oak, Texas
Posts: 22,132

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner Sponsor

What a really tacky thing to do . . . say they tried to deliver it when, in fact, they didn't!  Ack.  Those hidden fees are most unpleasant.   :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Gantaeno Je Suis Lugly!
Posts: 1,065
Website

That happened to me when I bought my Steiff bear last year Jane- got her from a lady in America and then got £20 tax- not as bad as your admittedly, but still annoying  bear_angry  bear_angry

Jigpaws Jigpaws
Edinburgh, Scotland
Posts: 564

Ouch Jane........£73!!!!!   bear_shocked  bear_cry  bear_shocked

I've also been stung with customs charges but nowhere near as much as this!! I hope despite you're disappointment you're happy with your bear when it does arrive  :hug: 

Hugs
Janice

Carolyn Green Draffin Bears
Auckland New Zealand
Posts: 5,354
Website

Hi Jane bear_flower

It does peeve you off when this happens.

I had to end up paying some import tax charges and it does take the shine out of your new purchase.

Sorry Jane but I am sure once you get your new bear you will be happy and be able to forget about the other.

Hugs
Carolyn
bear_flower

Laurie Laurie Lou Bears
Norfolk
Posts: 3,246

I would be pretty fed up too if I was you Jane.All the money that they have charged you  bear_angry  bear_angry  bear_angry  bear_angry
You could have bought another bear with that amount bear_angry  bear_angry  bear_angry
It always puts me off buying overseas as I worry about hidden charges bear_sad
Hope you have a better day today bear_flower  bear_flower  bear_flower  bear_flower  bear_flower
Laurie :hug:

Amanda Pandy Potter Bears
Staffordshire, UK
Posts: 1,864

Ahhh! I have been stung twice too. Once for fabric and years ago for my wedding album! We got married in Vegas and they made the photo albums up after we left. I'm not 100% sure but they may be putting the customs limit up at the end of the year, to £100, I think this would really help. Its not been raised for years. Its around £18 at the moment, utter rubbish. Then if you do get caught out they charge tax on the postage as well!

Jellybelly Bears Jellybelly Bears
Australia
Posts: 4,066

Ouch indeedy!!!   bear_sad  bear_sad  bear_sad  poor Jane  :hug:   and I can't help converting those UK pounds to Aussie money, yikes!!!

puca bears puca bears
Posts: 1,934

Oh Jane - how rotten for you! I'd be p.....ed off as hell with the delivery guys for a start...........
but 18 quid seems a ridiculously LOW threshold for import duty.
My big bugbear with customs here is that they tend to pick out the odd parcel and then SIT on it for weeks........puts me right off buying from abroad.
I hope the bear, when it arrives, makes up for your annoyance and disappointment!
huggies
Maria

desertmountainbear desertmountainbear
Bloomsburg, PA
Posts: 5,399

Just yesterday I got a message from a lady that I sent a piece of fabric to in the UK.  She really scolded me because I did not mark the customs form that the fabric was a gift, or that I did not change the price so she would not have to pay the tax.  She said I should have done that as a common courtesy . I told her that would have been suppling false information on a federal document which is against the law, I have sent fabric all over the world and have never done that or been asked to.  (I am now waiting for the negative feedback) It's funny how I hear no blame aimed here at the person who sent the bear.  Thank you, for understanding where the blame needs to be, with the government, not the seller
Joanne

KJ Lyons KJ Lyons Design
Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,413
Website

I love you all in the UK bear_wub
But I don't list the UK on my auctions and my reason is not the import fee (although that's a good reason!). It's the LOng time each piece is held in customs! Both my customers and I have heart failure with some of the wait times! As long as 2 weeks for USPS Priority shipping. I can ship to Japan or Australia in as little as 3 or 4 days! What are you doing over there?  bear_wacko
Karen

thumperantiques Newcastle, Ontario
Posts: 5,645

Karen,
     I ship the the UK all the time and my parcels usually arrive in three days - far less that to someone in Canada OR the U.S..  Funny yours take so long.

                                                 hugs,

                                                 Brenda

KJ Lyons KJ Lyons Design
Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,413
Website

Brenda,
Do you think they're just more suspicious of we Americans  bear_laugh  That's why it takes longer to get through customs?
Karen

thumperantiques Newcastle, Ontario
Posts: 5,645

Hi Karen,
     That's too funny!  I do feel the Canadian and UK customs charges are more similar.  We get dinged for almost everything.  Maybe they feel sorry for the Canadians. :crackup:  :crackup:

                                                         hugs,

                                                         Brenda

doodlebears Doodlebears
UK
Posts: 7,414

doodlebears Celebration Ambassador

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Well here she is, Mirrelle has finally arrive and she is wonderful, despite costing me an arm and a leg.
I thought I would share pictures of her with you all.

Hugs, Jane.  bear_flower

puca bears puca bears
Posts: 1,934

She really is gorgeous, Jane - Gunther and Eva's bears are always stunning - and their dogs.......... bear_wub  bear_wub
Apart from the arm and leg, I guess it's ended well?!
huggies
Maria

Carolynn Teenytinyteddybears
Posts: 444

oh Jane she is wonderful. I am not suprised you paid all the extra. Love her nose. Toooooo cute

Laurie Laurie Lou Bears
Norfolk
Posts: 3,246

She is gorgeous Jane and well worth the extra it cost you.I do love the Dufeu bears and often admire them when they exhibit at Hugglets bear_wub  bear_wub
Laurie :hug:

desertmountainbear desertmountainbear
Bloomsburg, PA
Posts: 5,399

What ever you paid, she was worth every penny,  just a wonderful bear
Joanne

SueAnn Past Time Bears
Double Oak, Texas
Posts: 22,132

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner Sponsor

bear_wub  bear_wub  bear_wub  bear_wub  bear_wub  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

karenaus Melbourne
Posts: 694
Website

awwwwwwwww what a face! Good choice Jane bear_original

Carolyn Green Draffin Bears
Auckland New Zealand
Posts: 5,354
Website

She is beautiful Jane and I love her outfit.
You must be happy to have her come and live in your hug!

Hugs
Carolyn
bear_flower

Margaret Always Bearing In Mind
High Wycombe, Bucks.
Posts: 118
Website

Poor you, Jane.  :hug: That really sounds expensive and I hate that delivery performance (NON performance) so infuriating when you KNOW they couldn't have rung.  But the look on the bear's face is so loving and just says "You know I'm worth it"!   :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

momanimallover Taber, Alberta
Posts: 1,795

she is beautiful though! even her nose matches her outfit bear_grin  bear_wub  bear_wub  bear_wub  bear_wub

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