macinblack wrote:
Likewise but I liked the fact I gave £8 to the Royal Mail after paying $27 post and packing. I think I know what that song "Shot by both sides" refers to now.
Customs and courier charges done to death in previous (fairly old threads). It stings but that's the "price" of buying direct outside the EU (lets not get into Brexit!). You're effectively importing.
IIRC couriers / carriers are responsible for the duty or goods. The import duty etc isn't too bad on small items but can easily be doubled by the "handling charge". Again, it stings, but unrealistic to expect them to do it for free.
There's the odd fiddle around it by declaring as "gifts" / repairs / warranty returns etc but that can either be an outright lie or something you may have to actively demonstrate (carriers often assume worst case i.e. import charges apply whatever). It's also a bit of a lottery from some countries and whether you get hit.
I long resigned to it otherwise it'd be like railing against at the tides
Be interested to see how you all get on with the Kestrels as I think mine's on the small side (I like mat inside bag).