[Spridgets] Currency exchange

David Lieb dbl at chicagolandmgclub.com
Sat Dec 13 16:35:46 MST 2008


> It's possible some US suppliers have parts on the shelves they purchased
> when the exchange rate was higher so they can't afford to discount them to 
> sell
> at a lower price.
>
> With big stuff you need to an accurate shipping weight and price to see if
> it makes sense.
>
> You also have to be aware that a lot of British parts are simply made in
> China along with the stuff you buy in the USA - it just has a different 
> boat
> ride to reach you.

OTOH, it IS a good opportunity to pick up some of those things which are 
difficult to find on this side of the pond. BUT, beware of the hidden costs. 
Your credit card will generally hit you up for an additional 3% or so to 
cover currency conversion and the shipper will come back a week or two after 
you get the product with a bill for customs, too. Just when you figured it 
had slipped through. UPS tends to add a fee for having run the border from 
Canada for you, too. You would think there was a gauntlet of machine-gun 
nests they had to fight their way past or something rather than NAFTA. So, 
figure out your best price, tack on another 10% and see whether it still 
makes sense.
David Lieb 


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