European Europaphiles
Another solution might be to ask a sympathetic builder from the Colonies (such
as
myself) to order and trans ship items to you. I would not mind helping out if
not
too frequent. There would be two shipping fees though. From AS to here and
then
again across the pond so I don't know how much you would save. (You might be
more
likely to avoid VAT or customs fees as the items would look more like gifts...)
Tom Friedland A 079
John Cliff wrote:
> Alan,
>
> I am not sure what currency your figures are working in. In general terms, I
> too have found when buying from Aircraft Spruce that the carrier charges are
> very high in comparison with the value of the goods for modest orders. It used
> to be much better when they ran a full UK office and imported ordered goods in
> bulk to it, redistibuting them in the UK - though it did introduce a delay
> because the shipments were something like monthly. I bought a rivet squeezer
> from Wicks earlier this year (their website is quite good for ordering from)
and
> asked them to send it by post. Slower, and still charges of various kinds to
pay
> to the UK carrier, but cheaper overall.
>
> A possible part-answer is pooled orders, several builders placing a single
> order. It would be more trouble than it is worth unless the builders lived
> close
> enough for informal redistribution.
>
> Another answer is to know an airline pilot or someone else who is going to the
> area of one of the two AS&S offices and is willing to have a day out buying
> the
> goods over the counter. It has even been known for other charges to be lower,
> too ......
>
> At least the catalogue is a mine of information, even if you can't afford to
buy
> the stuff !
>
> John Cliff
> #0259
>
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