The FastDay Forum

Help Needed. RE::: eBay purchases from USA
I want an item really badly that's not available in UK my hubby is totally against me buying from the USA because when the conversion from $ to £ how do I know what the final price will be???? I personally think its a good price inc the shipping price and am looking at involving family members to help and as payment is PayPal someone has told me that they give full price at the end in sterling is this the exact price taken out by my bank? I do trust P/Pal and have used it many times but we have had " fraudulent" activities twice in the last 9 months
That's the reason for his extra caution. HELP!!!

Hi Sue

Can't comment on the 'how much you pay' as its been a while since I purchased from the states. However, depending on value, hows it declared for customs etc, there may be duty to pay when it gets to the UK.

Some parcels slip through, others get caught and you are then required to pay this in top.

Plus whoever delivers it will request a fee for the handling. You won't know if you will have to cough up until they try to deliver to your door. They pop a card through requesting payment before delivery.

It can take quite a while for a delivery to make its way across across the water, last parcel I had (which was tiny) took 10 weeks.

Might be worth a gander on the Customs website and a quick check on Paypals site for overseas purchases to be double sure

You could definitely be charged import duties if it's over a certain amount. I think this is in the region of £25, but you'll have to check that Sue.Q as Minigill suggests.

in Ireland the the revenue provide a handy calculator for customs calculation on revenue.ie - it probably isn't too much different to the UK if it wanted to have a look at that.

Also with paypal- I have had fraudulent activity and they refunded me everytime - whereas western union just handed my money to a stranger

Thanks to all of you for replying I will check that customs site later but looks doubtful I'll be buying based on this info:::: the fraud wasn't eBay but did know they paid back as a friend got done. And we were paid back by our bank but I just think twice now before I purchase anything. My goods are roughly £50 plus £19ish p+p will just have to look for a plan B or something !! x