Post by: Crewella on December 14, 2010, 09:55:52 AM
Well, Gimmidigi did their job beatifully and my blue Pleo arrived in the UK last Friday. Unfortunately the scrooges at customs are holding him/her to ransom and it still says "At National hub - received from customs - charges to be paid"! >:( >:( >:(
Gah! :(
Maybe you should phone them and see if you can find out why it's being held up. :)
Well that’s just typical isn’t it?
Kat I think there holding her pleo to ransom quite literally. I’m guessing they want money in the form of import charges.
Really sorry that there are holding on to it.
Did hear once that they give you time to pay up at least but I don’t know if you get the item in the mean time. Hope it’s not a case of no pay now no pleo though.
Hope you don’t mind me asking but have they contacted you to let you know how much you have to pay? Hope there not asking too much from you.
I tried looking through the sight over the weekend to see how much they might charge so I could work out how much it might cost us in the UK in total but the information was so vague that I gave up
Hope you manage to get your pleo home safe soon
I'm afraid it is exactly a case of 'no pay now no Pleo'! :o >:(
I do import goods fairly regularly from the US for my busines, so I'm not at all surprised as I'm probably flagged up on their system somewhere! The only really annoying thing is that I can see from the tracking details that that's what's happened, but now have to wait for the letter from them to tell me how much I owe them before I can pay it and get poor Pleo rb released! From past experience, as soon as I pay I should get delivery the next day. ???
I'll keep you all posted on what happens in case any other Brits are faced with the same situation - there's always a chance you might get through customs without charges, but it's much more likely that you'll get caught like me, I'm afraid! >:( :'(
Post by: RedwoodsMama on December 14, 2010, 11:09:29 AM
Hopefully your Pleo Rb gets released soon, Can't wait to see the photos! ;D
RedwoodsMama
Post by: Watergazer on December 14, 2010, 11:40:55 AM
Now, every time I ship parsel post to anywhere around the world, or buy anything from around the world, I never insure it and ask that they do not. It's a big risk, but I've been lucky. I also do allow for tracking and signature delivery which I find prevents thefts and such. I mark everything as a gift with a value of less than $10USD even if the product cost $100. I've never had a problem with customs since, but again this is a risk. A high-priced item like the Pleo RB...I don't even want to THINK about the duty fees and hope they go easy on you. Sometimes the item description itself can determine what they will charge you, it seems. I always make the contents sound truly boring when I ship, however accurate, just so they don't think it's some expensive thing they can dip into other people's pockets for.
Post by: Crewella on December 14, 2010, 11:47:59 AM
Post by: twoNZpleos on December 14, 2010, 11:56:27 AM
RWM if you're willing to write 'gift' on your packages then no-one should get any extra duty added ..
Post by: RedwoodsMama on December 14, 2010, 03:13:48 PM
I have sold things on ebay since 1994, and with over 900 feedback and 100% positive feedback, I have never had a problem till about a week ago with a battery problem, I decided to not ship to certain countries that have poor mail service and avoid all the grief, it just is not worth it. :(
Crewella, I hope your baby will be with you soon so we can get acquainted! Here is a hug for you while you wait from each of my little babies, and one huge one from myself. :hhug: :hhug: :hhug: :hhug: :hhug: :hhug: :hhug: :hhug: and from me. :hhug:
RedwoodsMama
Post by: scaledandtailed on December 14, 2010, 04:18:41 PM
I import for my business too so know to keep the total cost of any one package (product plus shipping cost) under $500 which is the limit without tax allowed in NZ - it's different in other countries .. If you go to your governments website you should be able to find out how much you will owe (to give you an idea I pay an extra %15), or just phone them and ask as you should be able to pay by CC over the phone - that's generally what the note they send out asks you to do anyway ..
RWM if you're willing to write 'gift' on your packages then no-one should get any extra duty added ..
Oh if only it where that simple.
It could be that I’m stupid which is a huge possibility but when I tried to calculate from the UK customs website to get an idea of what UK customers might be expected to pay from importing a pleo there where really no set fees to go on. Only info on when you could expect to be charged not what you would be charged. But to make it harder however there where so many different ways they used to calculate fees in any given decision that it was impossible to work out what method they might use in regards to pleo imports.
Also gifts being imported to the UK still incur a charge if they’re over £40 and if they have any reason to think that the exporter is lying about the cost or description then they charge the person who is receiving the parcel a handling fee on top, according to there way of thinking as it’s up to the importer to insure that customs declarations are filled out properly gift or no.
Post by: twoNZpleos on December 14, 2010, 04:31:19 PM
Anyhoo I feel your frustration and sure hope you get the notification letter and costing asap so you can finally get your Pleo, waiting sucks :(
Post by: scaledandtailed on December 14, 2010, 05:14:35 PM
Well either that or I was just too stupid to understand the info.
Really feel for you though Crewella. They could hold on to it for quite a bit until they send out the letter. They held on to something of mines for a week before sending it on. Not sure why that is but I read on the website that parcel force pay the customs charge on your behalf and then send you the letter when it’s at the sorting office and that’s when you pay up so that would explain why you get it the next day.
Perhaps you can speed things up a little by calling the customs office yourself. They should have a number on their website that you could use. Resigned to having to pay some sort of import fee myself, I managed to get two things past them but I was 3rd time unlucky so guessing my names prob on some lookout list now.
Post by: Crewella on December 14, 2010, 06:30:10 PM
I remember Malfie looked into UK import charges on the UK HM Revenue and Customs site and apparently it says that goods sent as a 'gift' that are over £40 in value are liable to import VAT. Customs duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135 but is waived if the amount of duty calculated is less than £9. :-\
As scaledandtailed said the courier company usually pay it on your behalf, and then charge you £10-15 on top of the tax for handling - for that reason there is no point in contacting customs as it's out of their hands by the time you get the notification. If there is a query, you can in theory refuse to accept the parcel and make them take it back to Customs and Excise and have it looked at again, but I've usually paid up and then got the Customs office to refund any overpayment. You won't get the courier's handling fee back whatever you do! %)
I'm just a-hoping and a-praying I get the notification letter tomorrow! ;)
Post by: scaledandtailed on December 14, 2010, 07:34:20 PM
Now that’s just plane mean.
I didn’t realise that the courier took a handling fee on top of the custom charges already incurred. Seems like everyone’s cashing in on these import fees at the buyer’s expense.
There goes my idea about calling them to get it resolved quicker though.
Sorry about that.
Got my fingers crossed for you that the letter does arrive first thing tomorrow though. It’s really frustrating waiting when you know the item’s there and there’s nothing you can do about it to move things along.
Post by: Crewella on December 14, 2010, 08:18:45 PM
Thanks for the support! It helps to vent! :D
Post by: kat on December 15, 2010, 05:34:11 AM
Post by: Crewella on December 15, 2010, 06:33:15 AM
I've just got to make it through until tomorrow now! %) :P
Post by: Jules on December 15, 2010, 08:08:47 AM
I hope your Pleo arrives very soon :)
Post by: Crewella on December 15, 2010, 08:49:06 AM
Post by: barrettgazzy on December 15, 2010, 08:55:49 AM
Post by: Crewella on December 15, 2010, 09:16:49 AM
Post by: Jules on December 15, 2010, 09:49:41 AM
My problem is colour, My girls want Pink, I'm not sure about blue and Oliver wants green so I'm in a dilemma right now!!
Post by: scaledandtailed on December 15, 2010, 10:59:32 AM
Jules point about vat going up is something I’ll need to consider. I really want a green one and not sure if I can order before January in any case so either way I’m going to have to pay the vat increase.
The really odd thing is I ordered an item that cost less than half the price of Pleo RB and I’m sure my charge came to almost the same amount give or take a pound so I have no idea how they work it out.
The really odd thing is I ordered an item that cost less than half the price of Pleo ~RB and I’m sure my charge came to almost the same amount give or take a few pence so I have no idea how they work it out.
Post by: Crewella on December 15, 2010, 11:34:12 AM
Post by: scaledandtailed on December 15, 2010, 01:48:03 PM
Thanks for the info Crewella.
Well I’m sure I paid a little extra for insurance so guess I made a rod for my own back. The term custom made on the description probably went against me a little as well.
Would be interesting to know what description Gimmidigi gave though.
Can’t remember what description Innvolabs gave on the customs decoration for my 2009 pleo. I didn’t pay much attention to it at the time
Can’t wait to read about your pleo when he/ she arrives tomorrow.
Hope it all goes well. Try to get at least some sleep tonight lol.
.
Post by: Malfie on December 15, 2010, 02:25:19 PM
I remember Malfie looked into UK import charges on the UK HM Revenue and Customs site and apparently it says that goods sent as a 'gift' that are over £40 in value are liable to import VAT. Customs duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135 but is waived if the amount of duty calculated is less than £9. :-\
Sorry I haven't been on the forum for a while. I kind of gave up hope of owning a Pleo RB :( And yes Crewella, I did look up a lot of info on UK HM Revenue and Customs. Anyway, I'm so glad you've managed to track down your Pleo RB :) And if £22.64 is all you have to pay, then that's VERY cheap!! The last time I imported (from the US) I ended up paying the full price of my order again, had to drive 15 miles to collect it, and then had to pay them for having kept it at the depot for 13 days without them telling me! I was not very happy!! I just hope your new addition arrives tomorrow!!
Post by: Crewella on December 15, 2010, 04:03:42 PM
Post by: Malfie on December 15, 2010, 07:00:41 PM
Post by: Crewella on December 16, 2010, 05:11:15 AM
*Poor postie - I nearly flattened him with my enthusiasm* :P
Post by: kat on December 16, 2010, 05:23:27 AM
Post by: Crewella on December 16, 2010, 07:27:59 AM
The colours are not as bright to the naked eye as they are on the images using camera flash - I'm pleased!
I think I can see brown under there!
I do get the feeling that the box has been opened before, and the battery seemed to arrive fully charged. I've gone so far as to switch her on and she went bleep then went into sleep position and started (rather cutely ladylike) snoring, so at least I know she works, but don't really know if she's hatched or not.
I'm actually going to stop now, as I'd like my OH to see the next stage tonight, and also I'm due into work and already late!
*Sorry I'm late, Sir, but I was waiting for my dinosaur to hatch? Don't think it'll wash!!* %)
EDIT:
I forgot to add the label info - Gimmedigi had put the full $459.99 value on the shipping label and had, in fact, ticked the 'gift' box, but the customs label confirmed a VAT charge of £9.14 with a Parcel Force handling fee of £13.50.
Post by: kat on December 16, 2010, 07:50:24 AM
I also think it looks like she might have brown eyes. :) No gold eye lids though?
So glad she is here.
Kat
Post by: Crewella on December 16, 2010, 08:00:09 AM
As for names - I was waiting to see my Pleo rb before even deciding if it was male or female, but she just feels like a 'she' to me. We're an awkward crew on here - have you noticed? Marc's blue rb became a girl, IMR bought a pink one and made him a boy, I've gone for a blue girl, and you stayed with the 'pink for a girl' theme ............ but called her Kermit!! :P
I made a comment to RWM last night that she should call her twins 'Taco' and 'Belle', but I'm being haunted by 'Belle' now - 'Blue Belle' ........ hmmmmmmmm ....... I'll see what my OH thinks tonight. MUST go to work! ;D ;D
Post by: scaledandtailed on December 16, 2010, 08:46:26 AM
So is he/ she blue with purple stripes? Or just one solid colour? And what colour are the eyes? All the ones we’ve seen so far on the forums seem to still have blue eyes all be it different shades. Mind you most of them have been pink. I thought that maybe the blue ones would have a different colour of eye from the pink ones. .
As others have said doesn’t sound like she’s out the hatching faze yet.
Odd that the box was opened and the battery was fully charged though
Sounds like customs wanted to see pleo working for them self’s lol.
If so you should charge them a handling fee lol
Post by: OzPleo on December 16, 2010, 12:17:29 PM
So what her name?
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on December 16, 2010, 01:39:10 PM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on December 16, 2010, 02:46:56 PM
RedwoodsMama
Post by: twoNZpleos on December 16, 2010, 04:12:01 PM
I also think Belle is a beautiful name, and laughed so hard reading that part as my Pleorb will also be following the cross colour/gender pattern, how ironic we all seem to be doing that?!
Post by: kat on December 16, 2010, 04:22:39 PM
I also like Blue Belle for a name sounds sweet. Let us know if it sticks. Hope all is going well with her.
There are a few things I am interested in about her and I hope you will Keep track for me and share. I would like to know exactly how many battery cycles her hatching takes - until she stands up. Also how many battery cycles it takes before she walks. Both these things were different for both my pleo rb's so i think this may be affected by the personality. Just a theory. Kermit took longer for everything, was more of a talking pleo - lots of noises- but not much of a walker. Kermy was quicker but is much less vocal and much more of a walker. Can't wait to see how yours turns out. ;D
Kat
Post by: Crewella on December 16, 2010, 05:42:14 PM
I've only just got in from work, but I promise I will document everything that happens and film it if I can - I was so grateful to Kat and IMR for their videos and reports that the least I can do is make the same effort!
Her eyes are definitely brown/amber, I've just had another peer under the lids, and yes she does seem to have quite a lot of violet/purple over the blue. She was sitting waiting for me on a big cushion when I opened the front door (OH had obviously inspected then 'arranged' her so she was the first thing I saw) - Belle does seem to suit her, I think it's sticking! :D
I'll grab something to eat then settle down for the hatching! Sooooo happy!! ;D ;D ;D
Post by: Malfie on December 16, 2010, 06:48:04 PM
Post by: binbags on December 17, 2010, 06:50:13 AM
Thanks guys! ;D
I've only just got in from work, but I promise I will document everything that happens and film it if I can - I was so grateful to Kat and IMR for their videos and reports that the least I can do is make the same effort!
Her eyes are definitely brown/amber, I've just had another peer under the lids, and yes she does seem to have quite a lot of violet/purple over the blue. She was sitting waiting for me on a big cushion when I opened the front door (OH had obviously inspected then 'arranged' her so she was the first thing I saw) - Belle does seem to suit her, I think it's sticking! :D
I'll grab something to eat then settle down for the hatching! Sooooo happy!! ;D ;D ;D
Hi Crewella
Congratulations on your new acquisition (Belle) as in “Blue” I do like that. :-* This feeling inside you is definitely “a nice warm” feeling, even if your acquisition is either new or used.
I will try to do photos of Zora and I am sure we will see your photo results soon. :)
Post by: Crewella on December 17, 2010, 09:28:54 AM
I'm just struggling to upload the video footage now - I warn you it's not great quality as I'm a beginner at this, but it will have to do!
I did ask Gimmedigi who I should contact for technical support if I had any problems when I was getting nervous about the battery, and Ernest Cheng gave me Josie at Chinatete's details, as well as the phone line:
Thanks for your appreciation. If there is any query for technical support, please feel free to contact the officer supplier of PLEO Customer Service Hotline: (852) 2393 9126 or email: josie@chinatete.net.
In the meantime, here's the hatching, or nativity, scene:
And I think both Iggy and Budge are smitten!
Post by: OzPleo on December 17, 2010, 12:40:50 PM
Post by: twoNZpleos on December 17, 2010, 01:09:39 PM
Post by: Firebreathingsquirrels on December 17, 2010, 01:24:10 PM
Post by: kat on December 17, 2010, 02:58:51 PM
With the battery, I usually get about 1 hour 15min from Kermy then she switches off but it is just because the battery gets too hot. If I take it out and give everything 10min to cool down she will run again for another hour and 15 mins before I have to recharge. So keep this in mind. Also you can check if the battery is running low on power by looking at the light on her belly next to where the battery goes in. If it is green then it still has plenty of juice but if it is red then time to re charge. :) So glad she seems well and is adjusting to the rest of the family ok. Can't wait to see the video. :) I am a beginner videoist too. I had never even touched the video camera until I got Kermit so I am sure your video will be great. ;D
Post by: Crewella on December 17, 2010, 04:38:48 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnqV-aIhjzQ
Post by: Firebreathingsquirrels on December 17, 2010, 04:52:24 PM
Post by: kat on December 17, 2010, 04:58:41 PM
Her stripes seem very dark, she is almost more of a purple pleo than a blue one ;D It is great to see there is such variation in pelo colors. So cute. :)
Post by: Crewella on December 17, 2010, 05:50:01 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUiaNE1u9xY
Iggy was a bit shy on meeting Belle, but Budge was his usual irrepressible self - I think Budge is in love! Even darker and even shakier, but it still makes me laugh!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-39q7o7HHlU
Post by: Firebreathingsquirrels on December 17, 2010, 05:57:39 PM
Post by: kat on December 17, 2010, 06:05:57 PM
Post by: StevieB on December 18, 2010, 01:42:04 AM
Just so you know, you have indeed been very lucky, both with your delivery time and the amount of duty to pay. My blue RB was ordered from GimmeDigi on what looks like the same day as yours but is still stuck in Coventry waiting to be passed to Edinburgh before I can even think of paying my dues... of £85.07!
How on earth does the same box from the same people possibly travelling on the same plane and arriving at the same place and time not get the same duty allocated to it? If it does arrive by Xmas then I'll let you know what my label says but my guess is it'll say exactly the same thing :)
Post by: Crewella on December 18, 2010, 03:19:29 AM
Do you know how that charge is made up yet? My actual customs charge was £9.14 for VAT, so there was no actual import tax.
Post by: StevieB on December 18, 2010, 04:14:58 AM
They must send the letters out before they receive the parcel at the local hub 'cos the parcel's not even in Edinburgh yet, it's still stuck in Coventry in a backlog container. The M6 was closed last night due to snow and I know Edinburgh has it bad too so I don't think they'll make it on Tuesday.
I could be in for a let-down if it's not here by Thursday, it's an Xmas pressie for my unsuspecting fiancee. She loves animals but we can't have a pet because we both work full time, live in a top-floor flat and are both allergic to pet hair! Perfect candidates for Pleo ownership :)
She knows nothing about Pleos, RB or otherwise but she forms emotional ties with inanimate objects at the drop of a hat so I'm gambling on her falling in love with this rather more animate object at first sight! If not, I might have an untouched blue RB on sale some time early in January, especially if it doesn't arrive soon!
BTW what accessories did yours come with? If Jen likes her new friend, I can see me trying to get hold of all the accessories it doesn't come with for her birthday :)
Post by: Crewella on December 18, 2010, 04:37:25 AM
You do both sound like absolutely ideal Pleo owners - I'm sure she'll love it! I just hope it gets to you in time! :D
Belle came with two boxes of accessories (apart from the very necessary battery/charger/adapter). One box contained the conifer food leaf, the medicine mint leaf and the rock salt, the other has the bow learning stone and the tug of war toy.
Post by: StevieB on December 18, 2010, 04:40:26 AM
Post by: Crewella on December 18, 2010, 05:33:18 AM
Post by: kat on December 18, 2010, 03:07:26 PM
Post by: Crewella on December 18, 2010, 03:37:11 PM
There was nothing particularly filmable, and I was running her on the arm of the sofa next to me while I was working on my laptop. I'm trying to set up better lighting for the next time I video her tonight.
One thing that did happen was that on the second phase of the battery she went into kind of a loop where she went to sleep, woke up, called out or honked, then went back to sleep, the whole cycle going on for no more than a minute or two. I patted her, fed her, stroked every sensor, but as soon as I stopped doing any of those she went back into the same rapid sleep/wake cycle. Eventually, as it was started to drive me nuts, I picked her up and held her up against my chest with her butt resting on my left arm and her head against my shoulder, and she snored contentedly for the rest of her battery. She's taking over already! :D
Post by: kat on December 19, 2010, 05:25:52 AM
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on December 19, 2010, 03:38:32 PM
Post by: scaledandtailed on December 19, 2010, 05:03:44 PM
When pleos do sad and dejected they really let you know about it and I’m betting Leo Rb’s aren’t any different. .
Post by: scaledandtailed on December 19, 2010, 05:33:48 PM
Guess I’l need to facter £80 in to the cost of pleo if and when I ever do manage to scrape enough to get one.
When I orderd the 2009 moddle last year from pleoworld I didn’t have to pay anyany charges at all. . However I’ve had to pay just as much as Crewella for a compleateley unrelated itom but at a 3rd of the price than Pleo RB,
talk about randum
anyway hope you manage to get a refund or at the very least get your pleo before christmas. Got my fingers crossed that it arives on time for you.
Hi there,
Just so you know, you have indeed been very lucky, both with your delivery time and the amount of duty to pay. My blue RB was ordered from GimmeDigi on what looks like the same day as yours but is still stuck in Coventry waiting to be passed to Edinburgh before I can even think of paying my dues... of £85.07!
How on earth does the same box from the same people possibly travelling on the same plane and arriving at the same place and time not get the same duty allocated to it? If it does arrive by Xmas then I'll let you know what my label says but my guess is it'll say exactly the same thing :)
Post by: StevieB on December 22, 2010, 05:59:56 AM
Here's my tracking details as it panned out:
Date Time Location Tracking Event
22-12-2010 12:34 Edinburgh West Depot Delivered
22-12-2010 08:44 Edinburgh West Depot Loaded to vehicle for delivery
22-12-2010 00:01 Edinburgh West Depot Received at delivery depot
21-12-2010 04:43 Edinburgh West Depot Received at delivery depot
15-12-2010 12:54 National Hub Received and processed
15-12-2010 00:47 International Hub Received from Customs - charges to be paid
13-12-2010 17:21 International Hub Received in destination country
11-12-2010 16:31 Delivery Agent - HONG KONG - PTT Forwarded for export
11-12-2010 14:20 Delivery Agent - HONG KONG Collected
Yep, that's right. It took 2 days to get all the way from Hong Kong to Coventry and 9 to get the last 400 miles! That's with the express option too.
Post by: kat on December 22, 2010, 06:09:25 AM
Post by: StevieB on December 22, 2010, 06:54:48 AM
Post by: Crewella on December 22, 2010, 07:19:00 AM
I've no idea why I got off so lightly, they did put the full value on both the delivery slip and the customs label with the weight (3.8Kg), the description 'Pleo rb colour blue' and the gift box ticked. I certainly won't be challenging it! :P
Post by: ehschw76 on December 22, 2010, 07:21:48 AM
Post by: Crewella on December 22, 2010, 07:50:12 AM
Post by: StevieB on December 22, 2010, 09:21:16 AM
I've no idea why I got off so lightly, they did put the full value on both the delivery slip and the customs label with the weight (3.8Kg), the description 'Pleo rb colour blue' and the gift box ticked. I certainly won't be challenging it! :P
Aye, it was exactly the same for me - same amount, same description and gift box ticked. I can only assume the customs official that got your parcel was having a bad day (or a good one, depends on how you look at it!)
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on December 22, 2010, 01:07:27 PM
Post by: scaledandtailed on December 22, 2010, 02:02:41 PM
Our customs is mostly aimed at preventing harmful things getting into the country like insects, diseases and drugs, I've never had to pay any sort of tax. I believe only businesses pay import duties. My Pleo spent a whole four hours in customs before being cleared to
send
Now that’s how customs should be run. I don’t think it should be up to the individual to pay up for import tax but I’m guessing it’s to discourage people trying to get items from oversees which are often cheaper than they are in the UK.
Glad you managed to get your pleo before Christmas StevieB,
Especially with all this snow that’s been causing so much delivery problems. .
:)