Lotus Elan Central

I have found an eBay seller in the US who has some MSDs and is willing to ship to the UK.
The coils cost $45 per pack (obviously 2 packs are required), and they have quoted another $44.35 shipping, but they say that they can get a few packs in the parcel for that rate. I'm waiting to find out exactly how many they mean by "a few", but does anyone want to jump on the bandwagon to get a decent set of coils and reduce shipping costs?

Enright wrote:I have found an eBay seller in the US who has some MSDs and is willing to ship to the UK.
The coils cost $45 per pack (obviously 2 packs are required), and they have quoted another $44.35 shipping, but they say that they can get a few packs in the parcel for that rate. I'm waiting to find out exactly how many they mean by "a few", but does anyone want to jump on the bandwagon to get a decent set of coils and reduce shipping costs?

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH ......... another group buy!

We'd better have a list!!!

1. Enright
2. Dapinky

1. Enright
2. Dapinky
3. Jackonicko

OK I've had a reply - they said that they'll send "as many as we can fit into a 8x10x6 box."
So I've just asked "Do you have plenty in stock? Your eBay auction says only 1 is available and I will probably want about 10 off. Would that be OK?"

Further to that I've just done the sums, and if we're lucky 16 would fit into an 8x10x6 box (assuming inches here). That would weigh nearly 10kg, so they're unlikely to slip under the customs radar. But when you're only talking just over $5.50 for international shipping per person, it may well be worth the risk.

A bit more number crunching:
The price according to eBay is £23.40 each (x2).
Shipping would work out at £22.70 divided by however many sign up (x2).
e.g. £7.60 for 6 coil packs, £4.55 for 10, and £2.85 for 16.

So, between £49.65 and £54.40, plus whatever we get stung for by customs. Still, not bad really.

Anyone else tempted?

Has to be worth a punt

1. Enright
2. Dapinky
3. Jackonicko
4. DeeAitch

Neil, i`ll be in for a set

1. Enright
2. Dapinky
3. Jackonicko
4. DeeAitch
5. Monty

About 4% duty and 17.5% VAT on the total

Thanks for fronting this up Neil.

1. Enright
2. Dapinky
3. Jackonicko
4. DeeAitch
5. Monty
6. paulwatkins

1. Enright
2. Dapinky
3. Jackonicko
4. DeeAitch
5. Monty
6. paulwatkins
7. Gazza

One more and then I'm going to have to call time on this one.

1. Enright
2. Dapinky
3. Jackonicko
4. DeeAitch
5. Monty
6. paulwatkins
7. Gazza
8. ???

I'll take the last one if thats ok Neil ?

1. Enright
2. Dapinky
3. Jackonicko
4. DeeAitch
5. Monty
6. paulwatkins
7. Gazza
8. Paul.P

Absolutely fine PP - welcome aboard!

OK, I've just been in touch with the seller again and the easiest way for me to do this is via PayPal (I think).
I'm not sure if I'll get stung for charges if you PayPal directly into my account and then I PayPal the seller - does anyone know the answer to this before I dive in? I've heard talk of 3 or 4% in the past, so don't know if I should request this just in case.

I guess as a first stab, you could each PayPal £49.65 to me, and if it works out extra I'll just have to ask for the difference later.

PaulW, I can give you yours and Pinky's at the Serpentine Run next weekend.
PaulP, I can give you yours and Monty's (to get back to him via Dico's Speshul Transportation Services).
DH & Gazza, we'll sort something when they arrive. I haven't thought that far ahead yet!
Jacko, please update your profile with your location and I'll have a think to see if I've got to resort to snail mail or if I know someone who lives nearby.

Neill, I'm just down the road from SurferPhil, near Oxford.

J

Just paid you, too. Hope I'm not the last!

Neil,

Paypal will take 3.2% of the amount deposited, so if you do the maths your way, you will loose out

Basically if you need to end up with £100 in your bank, you dont ask for £103.2.......... 'cos they take 3.2% from the 103.2, leaving you a bit shy of the original need!

Also they add a %age to the currency conversion

How about i send you £60?

The way i see it, the final bill is a bit unknown, as there could be a variation in paypal fees, currency rates, postage, import duty etc etc and i know how it feels to be out of pocket when you're trying to sort stuff out (even if it is only temporary!)

That way, should the numbers change, it will cover it, and it should cover any import duty we stung for.

If we don't get any import duties, or there is any left over anyway, i would be happy for the ballance to go to the Thieving Geordie Git for his retirement fund (oh, sorry, he is old enough to have retired ages ago!)

Neil - from recent personal experience (Fedex) you will undoubtedly attract customs charges and VAT on a shipped box with the value of $720 (approx £374) And there will no doubt be an administrative charge by the shippers on top of this! So expect to pay approx £90 - £100 extra (approx £12 pp) on top of the coil packs + shipping charges. You might want to factor this in to the equation and get more £££ up front ?

I also think PayPal will incur charges ? Someone else who regularly uses PayPal will be more knowledgeable than me on this ?

Edited - sorry - hadn't read Dave's bit about PayPal before I posted this. Even £60 pp may be shy of the real costs but still very good value none the less. Wish I'd seen the post earlier

dapinky wrote:i would be happy for the ballance to go to the Thieving Geordie Git for his retirement fund (oh, sorry, he is old enough to have retired ages ago!)

That'll be the 'Ex' Geordie Thieving git as I'm years away from retirement - blame the kids I do

Sounds like a good plan tho'!

Neil, will £60 cover it? Let me know and I'll get it sorted.
I'll drop Dico a line when they arrive and see if he is still getting this far North on his travels

Bollox! Too late for this am I?????

Dico wrote:Bollox! Too late for this am I?????

You can take my spot Paul.

I've got other things I need to do before replacing coils.

Is this ok with you Neil?

I can still pick up Dave Pinks nxt weekend

Only if you are sure Paul? amends list quickly

1. Enright
2. Dapinky
3. Jackonicko
4. DeeAitch
5. Monty
6. Dico
7. Gazza
8. Paul.P

Neil, let me know if £60 is enough for now? Cheers


DeeAitch, I can drop off at Newcastle (near Gateshead stadium)if thats any use? I no longer deliver to Teesside.

edit- whoops, I've just re-read and spotted Rambo maybe have wanted a set

Dico wrote:
DeeAitch, I can drop off at Newcastle (near Gateshead stadium)if thats any use? I no longer deliver to Teesside.

Thanks Paul, there is a McDonalds near the Stadium if you are up for a coffee