Buying from the USA

[hosedoctor]

Just trying to put a deal together on buying a watch from the USA from a private seller,what's the safest way to make sure I don't get caught sending the funds? And no clever answers like fly over and pick it up! LOL.
Thanks

[GCH]

Which city is the seller in?

[hilly10]

Have you allowed for the import taxes etc as nothing seems to get through now. For what it's worth I have bought three times from the US and always been good. Just be careful, as they say do your homework and if you have any doubt , abort

[hosedoctor]

Hi guys thanks for the replys ,the watch is in California.. The value of the watch is around $15,000 so not sure what the import duty would be?

[PJ S]

hosedoctor said:

Hi guys thanks for the replys ,the watch is in California.. The value of the watch is around $15,000 so not sure what the import duty would be?

VAT on converted amount the date it lands in the UK, on the declared value and shipping cost added.
Duty is 4.5% of declared value, but if the amount is less than £9, it’s not collected.
At that price, presumably UPS or FedEx will be handling it, in which case they’ll issue an invoice a week or two after delivery.

A risky private sale, if you ask me – be very thorough in your due diligence.

[hosedoctor]

PJ S said:

hosedoctor said:

Hi guys thanks for the replys ,the watch is in California.. The value of the watch is around $15,000 so not sure what the import duty would be?

VAT on converted amount the date it lands in the UK, on the declared value and shipping cost added.
Duty is 4.5% of declared value, but if the amount is less than £9, it’s not collected.
At that price, presumably UPS or FedEx will be handling it, in which case they’ll issue an invoice a week or two after delivery.

A risky private sale, if you ask me – be very thorough in your due diligence.

Thanks guys,I have spoken to the guy selling the watch and he seems ok,but to be honest I think I'm going to re think it,I have a pal that lives near the guy,so might get him to go check it out? I'm gutted really it's not in the uk as I've been looking for one for ages!

[coldsnap]

hosedoctor said:

Thanks guys,I have spoken to the guy selling the watch and he seems ok,but to be honest I think I'm going to re think it,I have a pal that lives near the guy,so might get him to go check it out? I'm gutted really it's not in the uk as I've been looking for one for ages!

Well if the seller is genuine then they will seem ok and if he's a scammer they too will seem ok. That's quite a sum to risk so maybe be patient for a bit longer, keep looking and wait till one comes on the market in the UK.

Care to share what watch it is?

[hosedoctor]

Pam 172.

[coldsnap]

hosedoctor said:

Pam 172.

Yep, had to google that one. Happy hunting and tread carefully as they say.

[hosedoctor]

Cheers mate!

[7184c]

I know not the answer you wanted but 24.5% in taxes to bring it here is 3k.

You may not have the time but if I wanted something that much I would fly out there for 600, spend a few nights there and fly back with it on my wrist at least 1500 quid up.

[hilly10]

7184c said:

I know not the answer you wanted but 24.5% in taxes to bring it here is 3k.

You may not have the time but if I wanted something that much I would fly out there for 600, spend a few nights there and fly back with it on my wrist at least 1500 quid up.

It's what I would do, makes perfect sense.

[hosedoctor]

7184c said:

I know not the answer you wanted but 24.5% in taxes to bring it here is 3k.

You may not have the time but if I wanted something that much I would fly out there for 600, spend a few nights there and fly back with it on my wrist at least 1500 quid up.

Haven't got the time and the watch is in California! I think I'm going to ask my pal if he can go have a look at it then if I get it he can bring it over when he comes here next.

[hilly10]

hosedoctor said:

Haven't got the time and the watch is in California! I think I'm going to ask my pal if he can go have a look at it then if I get it he can bring it over when he comes here next.

That's a better idea, as long as your mate knows what he is looking at