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February 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Netherlands | Hi all, í own a second hand Korean Ultra, which suits me fine, but i would like to upgrade to something more up to date (Maybe an Elite or Elite Special?).
Searching Ebay i found that Ovations are quite affordable 2nd hand in the US, but here in Holland even my 10 year old ultra cost about € 500 ($ 550, at least at the moment).
Does anyone have experience on buying and shipping 2nd hand Ovations from the US to Europe (Netherlands in my case, but we're one happy family now, aren't we?). Is it worth the hassle, how should i ship and what are the costs in percents of the price?
TIA
Martin |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I've shipped several Ovations from the US to the UK. Depending on the purchase price & exchange rate it's still possible to get a good deal, even with import duty & sales tax, of which the combined total in the UK is around 23%. Shipping costs from the USA are far better than our prices to the US, so that's a help. Make sure you get the shipment insured to it's full value & check that the vendor knows how to pack a guitar properly, esspecially if it doesn't come with a hardshell case.
The other alternative, which I've done on a couple of occasions is to bring guitars back over after a trip. Great excuse for a US holiday |
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February 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Netherlands | Does taking the guitar back with u mean that you can avoid taxes? And how do you take it back? I suppose it doesn't fit in the luggage rack and one would rather not have the airport personnel throwing the guitar around, i presume.
My girl said maybe taking an old guitar overthere and trading it in would be a good idea (1 guitar in, 1 guitar out).
Martin |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Depends on how the gate staff are feeling, there doesn't appear to be a consistent policy from gate to gate, never mind airline to airline. If you have to check a guitar loosen the strings, gaffa-tape the latches, cover it with "fragile" stickers & hope for the best. On my way back from the OFC tour I managed to get my 68 Deluxe Balladeer on every flight without checking it. An Ovation acoustic case will fit in the overhead compartment on a 747, DC10 and Fokker D10. Definately will not fit in a 777, and they're pretty common on long haul. On electric guitars with bolt on necks, I unbolt the neck & put the guitar & neck in a suitcase & check the empty case.
As far as customs goes you can argue that a used guitar is a personal effect & they will need to prove otherwise. It's can be trickier with new instruments. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | On a new instrument, take off all the tags, remove the paperwork and mail that stuff to yourself. Then just put finger/hand prints on the top. They won't question it being used. |
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Location: SoCal | As an officer of the court, I may have to arrest you guys. |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | If they question the fact that it's used, play 'em a tune! Then it's used for sure & Paul won't have to arrest anybody :)
Nils |
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March 2002
Posts: 15683
Location: SoCal | Well that works for me! |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I have shipped guitars all over the world. It is not a problem if you know what you are doing |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Netherlands | That's exactly why i posted this message :D
So far i don't know what i'm doing. I only now VAT + Import is about 33% over price, postage, packing and insurance when I ship from US to Holland.
Even so, with the current exchange rates it seems quite interesting to buy from the US, provided the guitar reaches my home in one piece.
Thnx for the replies BTW. Maybe i'll finally visit the US then.
Martin |
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importing from us to europe (NL)