YAeBayT: What's the process for buying stuff from another country?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Status
Not open for further replies.
her209

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
I'm looking at two eBay auctions for the same item. One seller is from Hong Kong, China. The other is from the Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. I'd like to buy from one of these guys since they have the lowest prices (assuming its still the lowest after any "hidden" costs). What's the process for getting said item from seller to me?

I can post the auctions if needed.
 
Ns1

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
don't



But really, you just buy the item and prays that it comes. After 3 weeks or so if you don't get it followup with the seller, repeat.
 
GodlessAstronomer

GodlessAstronomer

Lifer
Oct 27, 2007
17,009
5
0
Same as buying locally except you have to send more money for postage and packaging. Unless it's some kind of special item like chemicals that might have some trouble making it through Customs then the details of getting it shipped are usually dealt with on the sellers end. YMMV with regards to import taxes, depending where you live. Where I am you don't have to pay taxes for items worth less than $1,000 and I probably wouldn't pay any tax for more expensive items unless they're in really big boxes because the odds of Customs inspecting your stuff is tiny.
 
fleshconsumed

fleshconsumed

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2002
6,486
2,363
136
Ebay should give you final price in your native currency. You might have to pay duties, but ebay can't control that.

In general I prefer not to mess with buying overseas when I can help it. I only buy from overseas if I have no other choice.
 
her209

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
One is selling for $0.99 with $4.99 shipping. The other is $3.99 with $4.00 shipping.
 
her209

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
If there's any customs tax or dutues or whatnot, will I get a phone call from someone to go pay it prior to them delivering it or do I wait and pay for it when the item is delivered?
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,685
10,188
126
If you get it sent through the mail you shouldn't have to pay duty. UPS you most likely will. UPS sucks anyway, so they aren't even a choice.
 
her209

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
lxskllr said:
If you get it sent through the mail you shouldn't have to pay duty. UPS you most likely will. UPS sucks anyway, so they aren't even a choice.
Click to expand...
The auction state that the one from Hong Kong will be sent via HK Air Mail or EMS (?). The other one doesn't specify.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,685
10,188
126
her209 said:
The auction state that the one from Hong Kong will be sent via HK Air Mail or EMS (?). The other one doesn't specify.
Click to expand...

I don't know what EMS is in this context. HK air mail sounds good though.

I'll second what was said above. It's just an AC adapter, and you may have one laying around. I save all of mine from dead electronics, and use them for other purposes. It doesn't have to have the same tip. You can cut the end off the bad adapter, and splice it onto the good one you found. A cheap continuity tester will ensure you get the polarity right.

Edit:
Ordering something like that from overseas is more hassle than it's worth imo. Check out some local thrift shops and see if they have anything if you don't have a spare around the house. The one near me has tons for a couple bucks each.
 
Last edited:
Colt45

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
0
I buy stuff from HK, the UK, germany, russia, etc, etc, pretty frequently. One time a guy from HK or china shorted me a laptop battery, and paypal reversed the thing...

The only problem is that it's slooow (esp. HK/CN), and I'm impatient.

But for a wall wart, you've probably got 10 in the closet that will work. what router?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom