Solidoodle international shipping options

Jeez that fixed cost is scary. I also wish they used dhl for international orders. I have had nothing but impeccable service from them here in oz.

I ordered the S2 and a couple of rolls of filament to be shipped to the uk

shipping costs $105, then I had to pay customs/VAT import on that of $194...near the entire price of the printer!!

i ordered 2 new hot ends, shipped to the uk

shipping costs $52.40, then I had to pay customs/VAT import on that of $44 (this came in a box half the size of a shoe box, we all know the size of the SD2 box and weight, so where they got the $52.40 from is anyones guess....randomly plucked from the air I guess... (did someone say these guys had a 2million turnover last year?...surpised...?.... much?) No.

I just bought another 4 rolls of filament, but needless to say, not through SD...too expensive, and to be honest, it would be a last resort for me to buy anything from the US/Australia/China again, due to the shipping and import costs..

just not worth it...

maybe SD2 could enter a partnership with a european distributer? If there was an option for this, then I would probably only use SD for supplies/spares.

The customs you paid is to replace the VAT you would have paid domestically, so you pay the same.

How do i pay the same? I had a parcelforce charge an import charge and VAT?

If I bought it in Europe, I would pay what the price is advertised.. no additonal addons for importing, tax or additional delivery expenses.

we would be just like the guys in the states, pay the advertised price and shipping only...

I had a similar reaction when I tried to order a guide rod: the rod was $6 but the shipping was $18.  When I complained, I was told that was the way it was.  They use standard boxes, which seems to drive the shipping costs up unnecessarily.  You can get similar rods on eBay with much lower shipping.

Seems as if they just don't care about this issue.

That is because of the import laws, and the common market. Anything from the EU is from the common market. No VAT or duty is charged to you (it was already included in the advertised price). Anything imported outside the EU, you get both customs and VAT charged (VAT on top of the total including customs charges). It is basically protectionism. To deter you from purchasing over seas items (as an individual).

If SD had a redistributor in the EU (therefore creating EU jobs) then you would not not be complaining. Although the redistributor will be charging VAT, so depending on how the redistributor charges for the SD. It would of been advertised as the equivalent of $600 ($500 + 20% VAT), then the shipping costs on top of that. Working how you normally shop online.

Parcelforce is basically acting as the redistributor, and invoices you for the sales tax you should of paid. Therefore costing you the same as if it was brought in europe from a european store. See how that works?

If you don't like it, move to a country with different import rules. Or start your own company registered for VAT so you can claim it back (but I doubt you do enough trading of goods to qualify). Or start to lobby/hassle your representative to create or increase the cut off at which VAT is charged for goods. Here in Australia imported goods have to be more expensive than $1000 before we get charged our 10% GST (same as VAT).

You guys could look into flatrate stuff for the spare parts at least. I just sent 12lbs in a 13x8x6 box to the UK for $60. Same box/weight to Canada for $35.