Importing from abroad?

[Olive_Oil]

Does anyone import from abroad and what are your experiences? I am just researching suppliers and have found what i am looking for in China....

Ideally i wanted to stay 'British' if possible but there is nowhere that is making what i want....

DOes anyone else import from abroad?

[Chiggs]

I'm in the middle of buying some embellishments from a new supplier in China, I've sorted out the payment (they don't take credit cards, so it's had to be a money transfer, which has added to the expense). Just waiting for the goods to arrive now (the worrying part, lol!)

I've previously dealt with a company in Thailand, and they were great- ordered through their website, credit card payment, goods sent by DHL and were here within a week. Unfortunately, they don't do the product I need, hence the new supplier.I feel it's a bit risky dealing with an unknown company at the other side of the world, but it's the only place I can get the goods, so it has to be done!!:)

I've tried to 'buy British' with everything I need for the 'Wheels', but the only companies I've found to supply embellishments were importing themselves! Some things just aren't produced in the UK anymore.

[chris]

Does anyone import from abroad and what are your experiences? I am just researching suppliers and have found what i am looking for in China....

Ideally i wanted to stay 'British' if possible but there is nowhere that is making what i want....

DOes anyone else import from abroad?

Yes, I do. Good and bad experiences. Bad at first (cos I was naive) but I quickly learned! I try to pay by credit card where possible. I have also been informed by an accountant that, if you have to send money by banker's transfer, you can pay for a special form at the bank. It has an official name/number but I can't remember . sorry. This form ensures that your money is not paid to the company until someone has independantly checked that the goods you ordered are the goods being shipped. My bank never told me about this form and I ended up with useless goods with no way to get my money back. Anyway, just to say if I had my time again, I know it is yet more expense, but it may be worth the cost of this form if you have to send money directly until you are sure of your supplier.
On a good note, I have traded with China, USA, Peru, Africa, Russia and everything was fine.

[Mary Poppins]

I would find out how much postage costs are going to be before placing your order. I have just dealt with a company abroad and at checkout I expected it to give postage costs at the end like it does in the UK. Next thing it said Thank You for placing your order. I received an automated email from them immediately saying that my postage costs would be worked out and added to the final invoice. I contacted them straight away to find out how much the postage cost would be and explained that I expected the information to be on the checkout page as it wasn't on their delivery information. They took 3 days to respond to my email and then only when they told me that they had shipped the goods. They are charging me £50 to send the goods.

[trogette]

ouch!!

[Mary Poppins]

ouch!!


Ouch exactly. Not only did they charge me £50 to deliver the package but I have just received the package this morning and I have been charged £49 by UPS for taxes too. :angry-smi123