Just been nailed for VAT on a record coming in from the States, where the seller put the actual value ($40) on the US customs declaration.

Don't really blame them for the £5.19 VAT as I didnt ask them to put a lower value, but got an £8.00 extra charge from the Post Office for 'Royal Mail International Handling Fee' - very cheesed off as the tune no londer a bargain.

The Post Office thing annoying as another record from the States arrived at the same time, postage paid of course.

I got nailed yesterday too When I looked at the sellers ebay summary regarding posting / shipping , he had in BIG letters - I WILL NOT LIE TO CUSTOMS ABOUT THE VALUE OF THE MERCHANDISE - THIS IS THE BUYERS RESPONSIBILITY !!!!! - I missed it in my quest for a bargain !!!!

I got nailed yesterday too When I looked at the sellers ebay summary regarding posting / shipping , he had in BIG letters - I WILL NOT LIE TO CUSTOMS ABOUT THE VALUE OF THE MERCHANDISE - THIS IS THE BUYERS RESPONSIBILITY !!!!! - I missed it in my quest for a bargain !!!!

I don't know how many sales these US sellers have actually lost by people not buying their records because of this statement and similar, but I have bought 3 records from the States this year, this time last year I would have bought 50 or 60 minimum in the same period.

I have more of a concern with the risk of a package being stolen if someone notices it's got a high value recorded on it

I have more of a concern with the risk of a package being stolen if someone notices it's got a high value recorded on it

Never thought of that!

I don't know how many sales these US sellers have actually lost by people not buying their records because of this statement and similar, but I have bought 3 records from the States this year, this time last year I would have bought 50 or 60 minimum in the same period.

Pete, not all of the US sellers are like this.

I have more of a concern with the risk of a package being stolen if someone notices it's got a high value recorded on it

Yeah, it's like a big advert saying, look at how valuable this package is, STEAL ME!!!

Ridiculous system.

I dont get how we have to pay VAT on 2nd hand items!

Pete, not all of the US sellers are like this.

I know, I just mean the ones who put that statement on their adverts, and there are hundreds now (I think ebay might actually suggest that they write that statement when listing as it's always worded very similarly)

Pete,

The people who do that are only hurting themselves. The ones that boggle the mind are the ones listing soul 45s that won't ship outside the States. Apparently they don't have any idea where the most demand is.

Pete,

The people who do that are only hurting themselves. The ones that boggle the mind are the ones listing soul 45s that won't ship outside the States. Apparently they don't have any idea where the most demand is.

Rednecks!! they probabley don't even have any idea where England is!! let alone the demand

I've heard stories of people coming up to some dealers at shows and asking if they have soul 45s, to which they get a response like: "I have all sorts of those in the basement. You want that s*it?"

That's about the time you say, "Yes I do. How about a tenner for the lot?"