The price of parts

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chewy999
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The price of parts

#1

Post by chewy999 »

I have often mentioned, (moaned) about the price we have to pay for bikes and spares in the UK (and other parts of the planet), compared to you lucky people in the US.

This is the latest example.

Long story short, after reading the great advice here, I wanted to replace the carb float valves with genuine items, but maybe there are suitable alternatives from other sources.

Anyway, found two on Flea bay, listed as NOS, which duly arrived. Then I ordered the remaining two needed from Partzilla.

The items were priced at $49 (£38) EACH
Postage came in at $25 (£19) EACH which seems a lot, but then,
Import duties at $15 (£12) EACH

So that's $89 (£69) EACH delivered to my door, or a total of $178 (£138) for the two.

Now, if I'd bought the two from our best supplier, David Silver, though sure there are others, the same two items would have cost $99 (£78) EACH or $198 (£156) for the two, NOT INCLUDING POSTAGE.

So even though I feel slightly ripped off with the postage and import duties, I'm still up on the deal!


Rant over!

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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robin1731
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Re: The price of parts

#2

Post by robin1731 »

You could always move to the US.

.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
EdK
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Re: The price of parts

#3

Post by EdK »

Ouch, I feel for you brother.
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow human beings. Real nobility is in being superior to your former self.
~Hemingway

1978 GL1000
1987 Shadow VT700
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chewy999
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Re: The price of parts

#4

Post by chewy999 »

robin1731 wrote:You could always move to the US.

.
That would be far to easy, I'll just continue being a typical Brit. Moan and groan to anyone willing to listen, but then do nothing! lolol
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
leggman
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Re: The price of parts

#5

Post by leggman »

Is there not a way a "friend or family member" from the US could send you the parts you need without paying all the extra bullshit???
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chewy999
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Re: The price of parts

#6

Post by chewy999 »

leggman wrote:Is there not a way a "friend or family member" from the US could send you the parts you need without paying all the extra bullshit???
I don't have family in the US, and thought about asking anyone here if they were prepared to do that, as like to think we are 'friends', but think it's a big ask. It may snowball and rub people up the wrong way which is the last thing I'd want to do.
I once located a hard to find part from France, but the dealer didn't post to the UK. Luckily my sister lives in France so sent them to her and she sent them on!

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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Rednaxs60
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Re: The price of parts

#7

Post by Rednaxs60 »

You can also move to Canada, It's a bit more expensive here! We know how to lighten your wallet quite well!
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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RB
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Re: The price of parts

#8

Post by RB »

I have shipped lots of stuff for people..to Australia mostly but some in Germany and UK..not a big deal. Ship as gifts so no duty or extra taxes..and shipping USPS flat rate international is much cheaper than most other ways. Especially little things.

Small flat rate box to teh UK is $36 and could hold lots of small parts,gaskets, needles,jets, etc.
98 1500 SE..
99 1500 SE SOLD
97 SE 1500 SOLD
83 SOLD
82 REBUILT sold!!!
81 DAILY RIDER sold her :(((!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!
80 REBUILT SOLD
79 IN BASKET PARTS FOR SALE
79 CLEANED UP AND SOLD
78 REBUILT SOLD
77 REBUILT SOLD
76 SOLD/PARTIAL REBUILD
76 REBUILT AND SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILD SOLD


FAIR WINDS,
RB
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chewy999
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Re: The price of parts

#9

Post by chewy999 »

I've never asked as I didn't want to offend, but must say tonight I got a pm from someone to do just that. Of course if there happens to be a chance to return the favour just ask.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
User avatar
Hanslehoff
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Re: The price of parts

#10

Post by Hanslehoff »

Rednaxs60 wrote:You can also move to Canada, It's a bit more expensive here! We know how to lighten your wallet quite well!
I estimate that 25-30% of my build costs has been due to exchange rate, shipping and import duties and taxes bringing stuff across the border into Canada. Used to be the odd package here and there would slip though customs but now they seem to be inspecting absolutely everything. Even if you aren't charged any import duties, Canada Customs charges a $9.95 Item Handling Fee and then the applicable GST on every item. I'm only about 2 hours from the Washington state border and have had a few items shipped to a service there to save on costs (one package was either $8 shipped to Washington or $59.99 shipped to my house in Canada!!), but seems there is no way to avoid customs taking a cut.
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chewy999
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Re: The price of parts

#11

Post by chewy999 »

Hanslehoff wrote:
Rednaxs60 wrote:You can also move to Canada, It's a bit more expensive here! We know how to lighten your wallet quite well!
I estimate that 25-30% of my build costs has been due to exchange rate, shipping and import duties and taxes bringing stuff across the border into Canada. Used to be the odd package here and there would slip though customs but now they seem to be inspecting absolutely everything. Even if you aren't charged any import duties, Canada Customs charges a $9.95 Item Handling Fee and then the applicable GST on every item. I'm only about 2 hours from the Washington state border and have had a few items shipped to a service there to save on costs (one package was either $8 shipped to Washington or $59.99 shipped to my house in Canada!!), but seems there is no way to avoid customs taking a cut.
Wow, and I was moaning what we (the Brits) pay! :shock:

anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
User avatar
Rednaxs60
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Location: Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: The price of parts

#12

Post by Rednaxs60 »

The unfortunate issue about this is that a lot of the pats we Canadians need can only be found in the US of A. Would have liked to be doing this about 7 years ago when we were at or close to par.
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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chewy999
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SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3214
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:21 am
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Re: The price of parts

#13

Post by chewy999 »

Of course the point of the original post was to say (moan) about the fact that DESPITE the expense of purchasing stuff from abroad with the rip off postage and import tax, it is still cheaper than buying the same item in the UK!!!!!

:evil: :evil: :evil:
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
User avatar
Rednaxs60
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Posts: 974
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Re: The price of parts

#14

Post by Rednaxs60 »

chewy999 wrote:Of course the point of the original post was to say (moan) about the fact that DESPITE the expense of purchasing stuff from abroad with the rip off postage and import tax, it is still cheaper than buying the same item in the UK!!!!!

:evil: :evil: :evil:
I agree 100%. Have mentioned a part needed and have had great replies from the folks down south, but when the part is checked here in Canada, the price is always considerably higher (exchange) and with shipping, duty, etc a lot more. Then you have the sellers who may or may not ship to Canada. They are very fortunate. There's also a lot more of these bikes down south and the market for sellers is way huge. Cheers dancr
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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Old Fogey
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Re: The price of parts

#15

Post by Old Fogey »

I have just been hit with £162 /$206 Customs, VAT, UPS clearance fee on a $650 Randdakk shipment
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