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Author Topic: Something for the non-US sword buyers (Read 1,514 times)
Paul Southren
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Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Thread Started on Jul 20, 2007, 3:39am »
Hey guys,

I've seen a few threads recently about people outside of the US paying far too much for shipping and duties and have recently found what appears to be the Holy Grail for non-US sword enthusiasts...

I was put onto a company called Access USA by a customer in Denmark who used them successfully a while back and have completed a few tests of their service myself and have to say - they are THE solution for any non-US sword buyers out there who are either locked out of the market for the sword they are after or are simply looking for a cheaper solution.

I've just done a write up on them on the main SBG site here: http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/buy-swords.html

It works for me ($60 for a sword shipped from the US that normally costs $150, plus a declared value legally at 40% saving any duties, bring it on!)

Cheers,

- Paul
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Skalman
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #1 on Jul 20, 2007, 5:18am »
That is AWESOME!

Thanks paul!

But i have a few questions.

How long does it take for them to send the package to the one ordering.

How much do they charge for shipping? How much cheaper does it actually become?
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Paul Southren
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #2 on Jul 20, 2007, 5:29am »
Hey Skalman,

Depends on how you set it up.

Personally, I set mine to 'hold' until all the swords I have ordered come in (they email me when they arrive, who they are from, etc).

Once you instruct them to send it takes around 2-3 working days tops for them to dispatch it, but for an extra $5 they can do it as a priority (pretty much same day).

The swords will typically be with you two days after that.

In the link I included to the main site, there is a calculator to let you know how much the swords cost to ship based on weight of the package (which most sword sites tell you). But because they ship SOOO Much stuff, they have access to massive discounts no single sword store has - and the price is a minum 50% less than UPS.

Very smooth system and great customer service too!
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #3 on Jul 20, 2007, 5:40am »
Ive been saying for years theres a huge market for something like that in the United States, Not exaggurating, click here

Cheers for the link Paul, no doubt ill be using them
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Brett P
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #4 on Jul 20, 2007, 6:21am »
OH EM GEE ORGASM of the brain and the wallet...
Will check out. Wait for a new email Paul! =D Thanks. I'd give karma if you cared, but hell, I'll do it anyway!

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Daniel Sinclair (Sept)
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #5 on Jul 20, 2007, 10:43am »
I wonder if it's cheaper to use this to ship to Canada...
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hippy
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #6 on Jul 20, 2007, 12:32pm »
Hey Paul,

Will you be using this service for the swords being sold through your site? If so will this mean cheaper rates for your non-US customers?
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Matt993f.o.d
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #7 on Jul 20, 2007, 3:14pm »
Paul is now officially a legend.

Thanks very much for the info, swords are incredibly overpriced in the UK. Duties and shipping normally cost around 30 to 50 percent of the value of the item. With this info, we can save a mint!
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rammstein
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #8 on Jul 20, 2007, 3:19pm »
It's payback, you know. For torching the White House.

Silly brits
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Larry
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #9 on Jul 21, 2007, 1:08am »
YOU ARE AWESOME, PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anything that allows me to buy/import swords from sources previously can't, and/or was too expensive will be worth the considerations & I'll DEFINITELY be interested to try!!!

Will find time to examine your write-outs when I have time later, but meanwhile.................. KARMA +1 to you, Paul
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Paul Southren
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #10 on Jul 21, 2007, 1:42am »
Thanks guys!

I'll be updating some more info on this relevant to specific countries and areas, but a quick one based on my own experience in Australia.

On each shipment you want sent you get to specify some instructions. When it comes to Australia, I suggest that out of the two shipping options they have (DHL and Fedex) you ask for the shipment to be sent by Fedex and to include your telephone number on the parcel.

The SOP for swords via Fedex to Australia is that when you are watching the tracking link the sword will be in Australia (Alexandria) within 2 days, but it will then come up with a notification of a clearance delay.

When this happens, give Fed Ex a call, quote your tracking number and what usually happens is that they ask you to fax or email some pics of the swords so that customs can compare them to the xray images (I assume, scanning for any potentially illegal swords, like in Australia cane swords or daggers, etc).

It is ONLY a formality and a temporary bottle neck, but after this your swords are released and are generally overnighted to you - so the total time is around 5 days as opposed to 2 for most other International destinations.

Fed Ex are very helpful for Aussies too. They call you everyday to update you as to what is going on and seem to really try to help.

Just thought I'd add this as it doesn't happen anywhere else (though Larry, in Singapore you would have to liase with either DHL or Fedex, whoever you specify and your local customs/police office as we all know that there is a heck of red tape for swords into Singapore), but other than these minor slow downs, it is a flawless system and a vertitable god send for us no Us enthusiasts...!

Cheers,

- Paul
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Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Forget this and attaining Enlightenment will be the least of your problems.

There's an old saying about those who forget history. I don't remember it, but it's good.

Mike
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #11 on Jul 21, 2007, 3:18am »
Also heads up, if the declared value is over $1000 youll get hit for GST and as ronin will tell you, that can be a pain in the ***...
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chopchop
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #12 on Jul 21, 2007, 3:25am »

Quote:
Also heads up, if the declared value is over $1000 youll get hit for GST and as ronin will tell you, that can be a pain in the ***...

That's GST folks, Government Sux Tax.
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Paul Southren
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #13 on Jul 21, 2007, 5:12am »
Lol. That's definitely a good description of it! (though in Canada they have have the GST and a PST - talk about double dipping!).

The good news is though, when you ship with Access there is an option to advise them the declared value to write down when they ship. Not that I am encouraging people to rip off the system at all...

But the option is open if people are so mean spirited to their government to abuse it...
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Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Forget this and attaining Enlightenment will be the least of your problems.

There's an old saying about those who forget history. I don't remember it, but it's good.

Skalman
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Re: Something for the non-US sword buyers
« Reply #14 on Jul 21, 2007, 5:31am »
Are there any length restrictions?
For example, You say that you cannot ship katanas that are over a ceirtain length (oniyuri, o-katana etc.)
Do this company have any such restrictions?
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