Buying machine parts from the US

[reb78]

Its looking like it might be easier and cheaper to buy parts for my digger from the US. The local UK Ford/NH dealers are not great for slightly older stuff - one didn't know what a 655C backhoe was....

Anyway - as an example - a new steering cylinder is around £200 from the US and given the pitting on the ram shaft on mine, it might be cheaper to buy new than refurbing and resealing the old one. I cant find anything for sale in the UK but there are a couple with the correct part number on ebay from the US i.e. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235587773372

What are the pitfalls? Obviously postage wont be that fast, and returns would be tricky and expensive, but what extra fees am i likely to get clobbered with when buying parts this way? - use the link as an example.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Using that link as an example, click on the postage options, choose eBay Global shipping. Then it should show you all the taxes and duties as well.
Add about 5% to that to cover currency exchange fees.

 

[Erie Fred]

Kim taking a flight soon ?

 

[steveo3002]

you will pay exactly what it says on the auction , all pre paid and skips through customs

ive had stuff in under a week , sometimes getting on for 2 weeks , go for it not much to lose if they send the wrong item cry to ebay and get a refund

 

[hotponyshoes]

you will pay exactly what it says on the auction , all pre paid and skips through customs

ive had stuff in under a week , sometimes getting on for 2 weeks , go for it not much to lose if they send the wrong item cry to ebay and get a refund

There are a few different postage options in the op's link.
And you'll find the total will be higher due to the payment method exchange rate unless you have us$ to pay with

 

[reb78]

There are a few different postage options in the op's link.
And you'll find the total will be higher due to the payment method exchange rate unless you have us$ to pay with

I get that the exchange rate and currency conversion will increase the price.

Its the postage and duties that confuses me - looking at their two more expensive postage options, it says 'Authorities may apply duties, fees and taxes upon delivery' whereas for the cheaper Ebay international shipping option, it seems they are added. So basically, if you choose the ebay shipping option (which makes this affordable) does that mean there is nothing more to pay at this end?

I recently got clobbered by FedEx for buying an orbital valve from Poland (i know that's EU not US) but they just seem to make up the figures as far as I can see, so I never know what to expect which puts me off of buying anything from outside the UK normally!

 

[steveo3002]

you want the ebay shipping to take care of taxes /worrys

 

[steveo3002]

click the "i" near the shipping price

it explains its all pre paid https://pages.ebay.com/internationalshippingprogram/buyer/terms/

 

[hotponyshoes]

I get that the exchange rate and currency conversion will increase the price.

Its the postage and duties that confuses me - looking at their two more expensive postage options, it says 'Authorities may apply duties, fees and taxes upon delivery' whereas for the cheaper Ebay international shipping option, it seems they are added. So basically, if you choose the ebay shipping option (which makes this affordable) does that mean there is nothing more to pay at this end?

I recently got clobbered by FedEx for buying an orbital valve from Poland (i know that's EU not US) but they just seem to make up the figures as far as I can see, so I never know what to expect which puts me off of buying anything from outside the UK normally!

Yes, because of the value you'll have to pay duty separately on arrival if the seller sends directly with the ups options.

Use ebay Global shipping and you'll pay all the fees upfront. The total shown plus a little.

As we are out of Europe Poland is the same as the USA
Import fees are random, you can predict but you won't get it right!

 

[reb78]

How strange that the ebay option is around £40 for postage and the other two potage options offered range from around £100 to £300 PLUS potential duty/fees at this end. How is it that the ebay option is so cheap even with duty included and doesnt appear to make much difference to delivery time?

 

[steveo3002]

then seller will send it to a ebay facility , they then forward to the uk , guessing they get a better deal than joe public as they must move thousands of parcels

 

[reb78]

Makes sense. Thanks Both - thats put my mind at ease that I wont get additional fees at this end negating any savings from buying from the US.

 

[hotponyshoes]

How strange that the ebay option is around £40 for postage and the other two potage options offered range from around £100 to £300 PLUS potential duty/fees at this end. How is it that the ebay option is so cheap even with duty included and doesnt appear to make much difference to delivery time?

The ebay gsp program uses pretty much the same shipping price for each item.
So, bigger heavier items work out cheap to ship, small light ones expensive.
Bulky items can get delayed via the gsp as I guess they wait until they have room in a container to load them.

I send stuff to farriers worldwide and it often works out cheaper (even with the ebay fee) and easier to list the item on ebay for them rather than send it directly although it might take twice as long to arrive.

Also, the seller in the link above has used ups and usps which are about the most epensive. The equivalent of you walking into a post office and sending a 5kg lump 1st class tracked to the usa

I don't even expect the seller even noticed what the postage cost showing is.
When you list an item ebay let's you tick international postage options you accept and he's probably got a postal office nearby so just ticked the box.

 

[reb78]

The ebay gsp program uses pretty much the same shipping price for each item.
So, bigger heavier items work out cheap to ship, small light ones expensive.
Bulky items can get delayed via the gsp as I guess they wait until they have room in a container to load them.

I send stuff to farriers worldwide and it often works out cheaper (even with the ebay fee) and easier to list the item on ebay for them rather than send it directly although it might take twice as long to arrive.

Also, the seller in the link above has used ups and usps which are about the most epensive. The equivalent of you walking into a post office and sending a 5kg lump 1st class tracked to the usa

I don't even expect the seller even noticed what the postage cost showing is.
When you list an item ebay let's you tick international postage options you accept and he's probably got a postal office nearby so just ticked the box.

Its interesting as i looked at their website directly and the part is significantly cheaper there ($80 less), but there only postage options direct via their website bumped the total cost up over £550! Purchasing via Ebay and using their post option, the whole lot would come in just over £200. They even have a .co.uk website address - https://www.reliableaftermarketparts.co.uk/products/85999338-power-steering-cylinder ..... i guess to draw UK customers in...

 

[hotponyshoes]

Its interesting as i looked at their website directly and the part is significantly cheaper there ($80 less), but there only postage options direct via their website bumped the total cost up over £550! Purchasing via Ebay and using their post option, the whole lot would come in just over £200. They even have a .co.uk website address - https://www.reliableaftermarketparts.co.uk/products/85999338-power-steering-cylinder ..... i guess to draw UK customers in...

I've noticed quite a few places abroad have .co.uk websites now.
Perfect English on the site, all prices shown in £UK.
The few I've ordered from have delivered just as quick as a uk located seller as well!

 

[Red'n'Black]

I used eBay's GSP as a seller when it first started. One of the tricks they used to do was remove the seller's packaging and replace it with their own, to squeeze the last bit of space out of their bulk shipping.

The first item I sent was an industrial LCD panel, never had a problem before but this one arrived smashed to bits.

eBay argued the toss to begin with, but once they saw the before - and - after pics from me and the buyer, they folded and refunded us both. Hopefully things have improved a bit since.

 

[winchman]

I noticed Mr Hewes the chap who rebuilds military stuff on You Tube has just repaired a John Deer tractor and he mentioned shipping parts from the US. My mate used to do it with Honda Monkey bike bits but not as much of a difference now