Europe to UK

[Russ]

Hi all.

I'm thinking about purchasing a new horn from Thomann.de. Their prices seem far lower than those in the UK, even when using their 'United Kingdom' portal, where all prices are shown with 17.5% VAT. I have a concern.

If I do go ahead with a purchase, will I be hit with any 'hidden' taxes or duties shipping from Central Europe to UK ? The prices seem too good to be true. I'm talking savings of hundreds of pounds in some case here. Any pointers ??

Thanks.

[BuffetBlowerDude]

Customs is NOT payable on items purchased from fellow EU countries. I don`t think there can be any extras as long as the VAT is covered. The only possible extra I can think of could be extra postal charges from port of entry/airport to your delivery address but it wouldn`t be much if anything.

[Dave dix]

I'm certain they may hit you for the vat and a handling charge but thats about it
Dave

[singlereed]

There are no customs/VAT charges between member states of the EU. If you pay VAT in Germany (and it may not be exactly the same rate as here - do check) then, all you pay is the postage - which may not be much more than within the UK. You do need to watch out for some eBay traders, eg Matthews and Woodbrass, who quote prices before VAT in their listings, as they are targeting the USA - and VAT is not payable on items leaving the EU. Just check before you buy.

[gary]

In reverse, I've ordered items from the UK and I have paid UK VAT and reguklar postage - no extra customs charges or other hidden charges. And, unlike items from outside the EU, the UK items came directly to me, vs. going to the customs office first where I must pick non-EU deliveries up.

[Russ]

Thanks all.. Their website stipulates that all prices are inclusive of 17.5% VAT (UK rate) so I'll call them now just to make sure.

Regards.

[gary]

Russ - Thomann sometimes has, as you've found out, some great prices. Two others that often offer good deals are...

Musik Produktiv http://www.musik-produktiv.de
Musiktreffpunkt http://www.ekle.de/

...which you might want to compare your Thomann prices with before making your purchase. Just between you and me, if one calls up, especially Roland Ekle, sometimes you can get better prices than what is posted on the web site. Might be worth a try. (If you can't get a better price, you might get free postage and handling i.e.)

[Pinnman]

Once VAT is paid within EU, that is it - as others have noted. If the price is the same in different countries, then it may pay to buy where VAT is lowest. This does not always work, as I bought a new Selmer in Paris with 22% VAT and it was still way cheaper than in UK with 17.5% VAT. I carried that home, so no postage costs which normally affect the final price, of course.

[Russ]

Thanks all, problem solved.

I tried Thomann and ekle.de (thanks for your links, Gary) and whilst working it all out, my local dealer came back to me with a great deal on a ref '54 . The other dealers only had the matte finish but I really fancied the dark lacquer model.

As with all horn junkies, this will definately NOT be the last time I purchase a horn, so the info supplied by all here is invaluable, and VERY much appreciated.

Regards.

[Gange]

At www.sander-saxophon.de they sell the ref54 alto for €2699, plus €270 for case and mpc. €25 for shipping inside the EU. That's a good price I think.
The site is in German, though.

About Thomann, EU and VAT.
As written above inside the EU you pay VAT in the country where the product is. In Thomann's case German VAT. However if a company sell a lot to another country, there is a limit which I don't know, they have to register in that country and the customers ordering from that country will pay their local VAT. So if you're in the UK you will be paying UK VAT when ordering from Thomann. If you try with another dealer with a smaller "UK volume" you might end up paying the German VAT.
Sander charged me the German VAT.

Last time I checked Google Earth, the UK was still in Europe, and what I've heard both Germany and the UK are still members of the EU, so there will be no extra fees. I think Thomann has a flat rate on the shipping inside EU. Quick check renders €23 for the complete order. I don't know if that includes pianos, though... :-)

That said, I might be wrong. As you know, legal text are not always easier when read in your native language... :-)

[Giganova]

"Europe to UK" -- I thought the UK is part of Europe??

[Russ]

You are indeed correct. Hence, I have edited the title ;)

[gary]

"Europe to UK" -- I thought the UK is part of Europe??Really? I wouldn't take a poll of that in Birmingham! Brits have a "non-continental" way of looking at things and don't use the Euro. Frankly Russ, I'm surprised you've capitulated so easily, wot?! :D

[Russ]

Frankly Russ, I'm surprised you've capitulated so easily, wot?! :D

Erm, that must have been my mother's gentle Irish nature coming out. My British half was hankering for a fight :D

[singlereed]

FYI I found the best price on a Ref 54 alto (£2300 inc case and postage) from www.johnpacker.co.uk At one point Howarths had some on offer too.

[Russ]

Hi Singlereed,

I tried Howarths but the sale 54's for £2150 were gone. Not sure they were cased though. The cheapest I found was Saxophones.co.uk @ £2320, but ended up using my local stockist (Dawsons) @ £2400, cased with Selmer mp etc. Dearer, yes, but I have purchased many intruments from them ALL at major discount, plus I got a GREAT price back on my Yanni. Top top service from them every time. They are also a hight street store and not a 'stack them high' internet retailer, so you still get that personal touch.

There is also the luxury in knowing if there are any warranty issues then I only need to travel 6 miles rather than mess around with couriers.