importing a new machine

[mark barrett]

hi , if i import a new golden mask detector from bulgaria what will be the differences to a uk model [ voltage different  ? ] and what about the guarantee etc, what are the pitfalls of importing.

[bymatt666 (byron)]

i cant see the voltage being different....they are all battery powered.....a guarantee may be difficult to pursue though...but good luck...byron

[outlaw]

Anyone can in theory import a metal detector provided you pay the import taxes !

When contacting overseas manufacturers, you should always ask what their returns policies are ? Whether its suitable for use in uk

The pitfalls of purchasing anything further than an hours drive down the motorway, is
that its bl--dy frustrating if anything does go wrong and you cannot easily confront the seller !

That counts for anything we buy ! 

Good luck with it !

[detectordave]

I know that tesero in the states come with a lifetime warrenty but in this country it only has a years cover,pay a visit to a few dealers and show them the colour of your money remember in this country CASH IS KING and the average mark up on machines is between 40% and 50% dont be afraid to haggle hope this helps.

[Jonola (Jon)]

I've bought a couple of things from the good old U.S. of A. and just the once I got caught for the import tax. Postman asked me for it when it arrived! You have to be careful about these things.

[rjm]

hi , if i import a new golden mask detector from bulgaria what will be the differences to a uk model [ voltage different  ? ] and what about the guarantee etc, what are the pitfalls of importing.

Hi

If you do buy a Golden Mask 3 or 3+, I would buy from Evergreen Detectors who are the importers. They offer a 5 year guarantee.

I bought a GM3 from another UK supplier and found it had a lower amp battery pack and only one year guarantee. I then part exchanged it for the GM3+ via Evergreen Detectors. I found them to be very friendly and fair with their prices.

I am part exchanging my GM3+ for an XP Deus via Evergreen and they have done me a good deal.

I did look at importing but with insured postage and import tax it worked out about the same plus I wouldn't have the guarantee and ease of getting it fixed etc.

My advice is it isn't worth saving a few quid. Better to get from Evergreen for piece of mind.

........And no, I don't have any connections with them!!!

PM me if you want further details or chat.
Bob

[zorro]

i'd sugest pm'ing ukbrian, i know he has/had a place in Bulgaria and to be honest what he doesnt know about detectors......well forget it. that includes difficulties with importing them

[ROMAN STEVE]

You will have to find an imagrant to translate the instructions for you

[detectordave]

BRING IT TO LLANELLI THERES HUNDREDS HERE

[Gadget(Ian)]

if i can recall correctly anything over the value of £18.00 you will have to pay import duty at about 15%.
hope this helps.

[Chef Geoff]

it's now up to £100

[betel23]

You need to add 3.5% Import Duty to the cost of the imported item,
Then the delivery costs and then add the VAT on top ..
Quite expensive eh???

[outlaw]

not sure where you get £100 from Chef

But i have very very recently just bought two tectors from the other side of the globe.
for about £250 the import duty was £45 

Tectorists in general shouldnt be put off from trying other sources to buy new tectors, the mark up on well known brands is day light robbery 

[Chef Geoff]

Here you go Outlaw
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_ShowContent&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_PROD1_028770

I think your getting your import duty and your VAT mixed up.
I have just found out that Bulgaria is now part of the EU (no one asked me) so there is no duty or vat to pay.

[Tinman (paul/Lisa)]

When I bought a garrett a few yrs ago I bought it from Canada as it was a few hundred  pound cheaper, When it rrived customs seized it and i had to pay about £100 to get it out (but i was still £100 better off than uk). Anyway a few months down the line and it started developing problems thats where the fun begins. Had to send it to the UK garrett dealer but they wouldnt touch it ,so it ended up going to Germany where they lost it. Then about 4 months later it turned up on my doorstep. I played hell with garrett and slated them on their forums, in the end i had a phone call from Mary herself and sent it to the UK dealer, it came back good as new .So be warned before you buy from abroad you may save a few quid but you could lose a lot more without that warranty.