Random questions to which you seek an answer

[mclaincausey]

Heh. Never paid customs from Rakuten and I'm a regular. The pros mark it as a gift/under-declare the value. Package landed, thanks all!

B.F, unless you're on ToR or something it's trivial to know what country you're visiting a web site from. All prices are in USD when I visit Rakuten because they know where I'm accessing from.

[beautiful_FrEaK]

Yeah they are simply using a currency converter on Rakuten to show you the price in your curreny but as I said: they don't automatically include the customs.

The low value/marked as gift might work for guys in the US but here in Europe they don't really care about that. No invoice on the outside, in 95% you have to get to the customs office you have to prove the value of the item. Or prove that it really is a gift.

I think you also have a rather high exemption limit in the US as a private person?
IIRC, e.g. Australien guys are allowed to import goods up to 1000$ without any fees. I might be wrong on the numbers though.

[Giles]

@beautiful_FrEaK:

The low value/marked as gift might work for guys in the US but here in Europe they don't really care about that. No invoice on the outside, in 95% you have to get to the customs office you have to prove the value of the item. Or prove that it really is a gift.

Not strictly true.  German and Swiss customs are particularly vicious, UK are pretty lax.

@beautiful_FrEaK:

I think you also have a rather high exemption limit in the US as a private person?
IIRC, e.g. Australien guys are allowed to import goods up to 1000$ without any fees. I might be wrong on the numbers though.

It's all annotated here:
http://www.dutycalculator.com/country-guides/Import-duty-taxes-when-importing-into-the-United-Kingdom/

[beautiful_FrEaK]

Thanks for that link!
Only the rules if the package is a gift is not included there (for Germany. Yes we have to pay taxes for gifts here if the value is above 45€)

And the 1000$ for Australia is right…those lucky bastards

[RocknRoll]

We are bastards! 

[injunjack]

@Giles:

@injunjack:

Are Gift Vouchers still available? I didn't see them in the Shop?

Yes, please drop Paula a PM or email paula (at) ironheart.co.uk

Goddammit, vouchers no good. Have to make direct buy… for somebodys B-Day

[Giles]

Why vouchers no good?

[injunjack]

In the eyes of "The Taxman" they are like cash. My employer is about to get me something for my B-day, thought that voucher might be good, but it was no-no. Have to think about what to suggest to them then…they prolly could do a online purchase as well...   I got to give them three wishes, one will be fullfilled...

[Giles]

Damn sorry…..

[madmonday]

Three wishes from injun?

I'm frankly scared to think of what those wishes could be, hahahahahaha

[injunjack]

yeah, you all should be beware ;-D

[madmonday]

thinking about starting an advice column, kind of like dear abby but with a mad twist.

thoughts?

[Mild7]

^ Do it!  Some tough love is what I need

[madmonday]

you live in a former prison colony so i'm sure you are used to tough love, hahahahahahaha

thanks for your input & humor mild 

[seanocono]

^Hilarious

[Mild7]

cheers Mad.  Now get back to shovelling snow

[madmonday]

it's the best workout i've had in weeks 

[Seul]

Mate of mine wonders how he can protect his Chippewa service boots against salt used in his streets…

[jdl1279]

Add a bit of lemon or citrus oil to your compound. The minor bits of citric acid are dormant in the oil but still neutralize the salt base. A trick I learned from my grandma

[mclaincausey]

I don't understand why an acid would be necessary in neutralizing something that's soluble in water. It seems like a non-pH-neutral agent in leather would be corrosive.