The recent topic of do you pay over x amount has gotten me to thinking.
#71
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 80
Originally Posted by Rowan8
Originally Posted by deltadawn
I have paid over £13-00 per metre which according to todays exchange rate equals about $20.00. So when I read of you picking up bargains at less than $5.00 - I'm a little green with envy.............can you forgive me?!!!
When I started sending some health-related goodies (Vitamin A, Coenzyme Q, etc.) from the USA to my aging mother in Germany the custom's authorities (and authoritative they are indeed) confiscated US$400.00 worth of merchandise. Outch! Then they threatened me if you can believe that (maybe I was trying to poison my mother with medication that was not allowed in Germany). The supervising office interrupted that insanity.
I am no giver-upper (especially when somebody threatens me). So now I am sending her the same stuff from a British company. The customs authorities check only stuff from "third countries". The goodies are even slightly cheaper in the UK.
Couldn't you find an American fabric manufacturer with a domicile in a cheaper European country?
BTW, I do not pay additional VAT on the goodies I send to my mother in Germany from the UK (I live in the USA). Nobody seems to do any checking. The UK company handles many international orders.
#72
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo, which is near Niagara Falls)
Posts: 3,884
I know of one British fabric company: Makower UK. http://www.makoweruk.com
If having a business located in the UK makes a difference in the prices, then maybe we can find a clue.
UK quilters, how does the price of Makower fabrics compare with the US brands? Over here, Andover Fabrics sells the Makower brand, and they are both priced the same. Timeless Treasures and Michael Miller fabrics are about the same price here too. What about over there?
If having a business located in the UK makes a difference in the prices, then maybe we can find a clue.
UK quilters, how does the price of Makower fabrics compare with the US brands? Over here, Andover Fabrics sells the Makower brand, and they are both priced the same. Timeless Treasures and Michael Miller fabrics are about the same price here too. What about over there?
#73
I have found an LQS that charges reasonably when I factor in shipping, handling and sometimes customs. I say sometimes because it isn't always charged and I'm trying to find out which is correct. We were told for many years that the costs were different because of the US/Can dollar rates, but we've been at near par for so long it shouldn't be a factor. We had a big backlash about magazines here and retailers smartened up, but to be fair to them, they are often charged more per yard than the retail price at American discount stores. When you Americans complain about $7 a yard fabric, I'm really envious!
#74
Originally Posted by Janebird
I have found an LQS that charges reasonably when I factor in shipping, handling and sometimes customs. I say sometimes because it isn't always charged and I'm trying to find out which is correct. We were told for many years that the costs were different because of the US/Can dollar rates, but we've been at near par for so long it shouldn't be a factor. We had a big backlash about magazines here and retailers smartened up, but to be fair to them, they are often charged more per yard than the retail price at American discount stores. When you Americans complain about $7 a yard fabric, I'm really envious!
#75
Originally Posted by Favorite Fabrics
I know of one British fabric company: Makower UK. http://www.makoweruk.com
If having a business located in the UK makes a difference in the prices, then maybe we can find a clue.
UK quilters, how does the price of Makower fabrics compare with the US brands? Over here, Andover Fabrics sells the Makower brand, and they are both priced the same. Timeless Treasures and Michael Miller fabrics are about the same price here too. What about over there?
If having a business located in the UK makes a difference in the prices, then maybe we can find a clue.
UK quilters, how does the price of Makower fabrics compare with the US brands? Over here, Andover Fabrics sells the Makower brand, and they are both priced the same. Timeless Treasures and Michael Miller fabrics are about the same price here too. What about over there?
#76
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo, which is near Niagara Falls)
Posts: 3,884
I suppose I should pop in here and mention something that has been said before but is worth repeating.
This is true for Canada and quite likely for other countries as well.
If buying from a US-based online shop, be sure that your fabric will be shipped by USPS (the Post Office), not FedEx or UPS. The reason is that you may be assessed large brokerage fees if dealing with FedEx or UPS.
Be advised too that the flat-rate envelopes commonly used for international shipping are NOT trackable when sent by USPS Priority Mail International. Packages sent by UPS, FedEx, or Express Mail ARE trackable. My perception is that most people assume that all packages are trackable and it just isn't so.
This is true for Canada and quite likely for other countries as well.
If buying from a US-based online shop, be sure that your fabric will be shipped by USPS (the Post Office), not FedEx or UPS. The reason is that you may be assessed large brokerage fees if dealing with FedEx or UPS.
Be advised too that the flat-rate envelopes commonly used for international shipping are NOT trackable when sent by USPS Priority Mail International. Packages sent by UPS, FedEx, or Express Mail ARE trackable. My perception is that most people assume that all packages are trackable and it just isn't so.
#77
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ramsgate. Kent England
Posts: 441
Originally Posted by Favorite Fabrics
I know of one British fabric company: Makower UK. http://www.makoweruk.com
If having a business located in the UK makes a difference in the prices, then maybe we can find a clue.
UK quilters, how does the price of Makower fabrics compare with the US brands? Over here, Andover Fabrics sells the Makower brand, and they are both priced the same. Timeless Treasures and Michael Miller fabrics are about the same price here too. What about over there?
If having a business located in the UK makes a difference in the prices, then maybe we can find a clue.
UK quilters, how does the price of Makower fabrics compare with the US brands? Over here, Andover Fabrics sells the Makower brand, and they are both priced the same. Timeless Treasures and Michael Miller fabrics are about the same price here too. What about over there?
#78
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ramsgate. Kent England
Posts: 441
Originally Posted by quiltilicious
Originally Posted by Janebird
I have found an LQS that charges reasonably when I factor in shipping, handling and sometimes customs. I say sometimes because it isn't always charged and I'm trying to find out which is correct. We were told for many years that the costs were different because of the US/Can dollar rates, but we've been at near par for so long it shouldn't be a factor. We had a big backlash about magazines here and retailers smartened up, but to be fair to them, they are often charged more per yard than the retail price at American discount stores. When you Americans complain about $7 a yard fabric, I'm really envious!
#79
Oh, health care isn't an issue I should get started on. Suffice to say that I can't imagine adding the concern of payment to all the stress an illness causes. My sister in Virginia has just been through breast cancer and has extemely good coverage but is still out of pocket for a lot of money. Forget what I said about envy!
#80
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ramsgate. Kent England
Posts: 441
Originally Posted by Janebird
Oh, health care isn't an issue I should get started on. Suffice to say that I can't imagine adding the concern of payment to all the stress an illness causes. My sister in Virginia has just been through breast cancer and has extemely good coverage but is still out of pocket for a lot of money. Forget what I said about envy!
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