Would you buy a saddle from an ebay shop in America?

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zoon

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I am after a Tekna dressage saddle and can't get one from any shops locally, so have had to look online. The cheapest place I have found is from an ebay shop in America who will happily ship to the UK. Even with the postage it is cheaper. Also has the added bonus of a suede seat and knee rolls which I can't find available in the UK. But I am worried if something goes wrong I'll lose out on a lot of money. Will I be covered in the same way as if I bought from the UK if I pay by paypal?
 
If the shop has a good rating (never less than 99% and read the comments) and you pay your paypal account via a credit card, you should be ok. We buy lots of things from abroad and it has always been ok - admittedly nothing vastly expensive, but we've bought things from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia (!), and USA as well as all over Europe!

Your credit card gives you the most protection though. I'm currently in dispute with a (UK) company that didn't deliver a body protector (+ some bits and bobs) that came to £125 - it was paid through my credit card via paypal. It is the credit card company that are pursing the matter. They have already told me that the money will be refunded, whatever the outcome.

Hope that instils a bit of confidence - pity to miss out on a bargain! ;)
 
I would have thought it would be safe enough. Ive just sold a saddle on ebay and have to say Im disappointed with the fees they charge. Its not cheap and have learned that the buyer is the better off person rather than the seller. Stll got more than I would have had I traded the saddle in though so not all bad I guess.
 
As well as postage you have to allow duty @ 20% plus VAT on top - another20% and then pay the courier another fee for the privilege of having them collect the duties.

Are you sure you can't find this saddle in Europe?
 
Ebay shop in USA £383.35 + £50.20 = £433.55 before taxes


About £630 by the time you get it.

A quick search found the version without a suede seat in the UK for £405.
 
I bought a saddle from America from a private individual - even though it was marked gift, if sent via a courier you will be hit with VAT and Duty

I had to pay another £270 on top of the price (around £1,000, and when VAT was 17.5%, so cost £1,270 all in)

So bear in mind - I knew the risk, but couldn't get the saddle in the UK and love it!!
 
s4sugar said:
As well as postage you have to allow duty @ 20% plus VAT on top - another20% and then pay the courier another fee for the privilege of having them collect the duties.

Are you sure you can't find this saddle in Europe?
Click to expand...

Oh didn't realise I'd have those extra charges! Thanks for telling me :)

Scrap that plan then!
 
I think it would be 5% duty and 20% VAT - so 25% plus courier fee of around £16

Old Mill Saddlery have the Tekna saddle and any saddlery stocking Mark Todd (WEFI) can get you this saddle.
 
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