dmccombe7 Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Seeing quite a few very nice basses in various European countries. Just curious to know if anyone has bought from abroad in a private sale. Were there any issues worth pointing out. Obviously Brexit may change things in future but for now did everything go according to plan. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatrickJ Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 I've not purchased a bass from abroad, but the only time I sent some bass gear to Europe it was lost. Multiple couriers, each one passing the blame to the other. Not sure I'd take the risk with a high end bass. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappindabass Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 I have sent two bssses to Europe this year. Both with parcelforce. Both arrived fine. I think the secret is to get the quickest delivery possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Speaking from across the wet bit, I've traded some pedals through here, ordered from UK companies and even flew in from the Netherlands to trade a bass at the airport! Nothing but smooth transactions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Bought a bass from Hungary, arrived in 6 days with no hiccups. Must have bought 4 or 5 from Germany, 3 to 4 days for arrival. Again no problems. Sent a bass to Norway, not technically an EU country. Forgot to include 3 copies of the customs paperwork and it was tugged for CITES. DHL got in touch both times, printed the extra copies and passed on my declaration there was no rosewood. That caused a 24 delay. Not bad for £24 delivery charge 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 I have done some guitar deals in Hungary with no problems. Transferwise for payments DPD for delivery as it stays with 1 courier. Also done pedals etc to other European destinations, Germany mainly. I think the key is to use a carrier that does point to point for the relevant country 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted September 4, 2019 Author Share Posted September 4, 2019 Interesting point about using just one courier. Have to say i've had parcels go amiss in UK so guess there's no guarantees with any courier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Ingot that from a mate who I was sending things to in Hungary. For him, in that particular country he said it was the only courier to trust, and I have used it for 2 bases, 1 amp, 1 pedal board with pedals. And a solitary pedal no problems. Different couriers May well be better in other places 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odysseus Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Bought a JM6 from a nice guy in the Netherlands. It arrived quicker than a lot of purchases I've made from here in Britain! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, kodiakblair said: Bought a bass from Hungary, arrived in 6 days with no hiccups. Must have bought 4 or 5 from Germany, 3 to 4 days for arrival. Again no problems. Sent a bass to Norway, not technically an EU country. Forgot to include 3 copies of the customs paperwork and it was tugged for CITES. DHL got in touch both times, printed the extra copies and passed on my declaration there was no rosewood. That caused a 24 delay. Not bad for £24 delivery charge 🙂 CITES should hopefully not be an issue any more: https://www.thestrad.com/news/cites-exempts-musical-instruments-from-rosewood-permit-system/9382.article Edited September 4, 2019 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 4 hours ago, dannybuoy said: CITES should hopefully not be an issue any more: https://www.thestrad.com/news/cites-exempts-musical-instruments-from-rosewood-permit-system/9382.article Still at least 90 Days before it comes into effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 4 hours ago, dannybuoy said: CITES should hopefully not be an issue any more: https://www.thestrad.com/news/cites-exempts-musical-instruments-from-rosewood-permit-system/9382.article CITES wasn't a problem then. Norwegian customs were playing safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt4ever Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I purchased my modulus from a guy in Italy through BC. Never met him before, but put over £2k in his account hoping a decent bass would turn up. Sure enough it arrived as stated and I’ve been as happy as a pig in 💩 ever since. If you want a bass bad enough you’ll take a bigger risk. Sound the seller out, see the tone and quality of their previous posts etc and good luck. rich 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Benefit of something like TransferWise is that, the currency conversion rate is good, but also you can use your credit card as the means for money transfer to their account and this further decreases the risk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenolive Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I’ve bought & traded with sellers in Europe ,( Belgium, France , Germany & The Netherlands) and never had a problem before , it does help that they’ve been trusted BCers and know how to pack & ship well , also a few bits & pieces from zikinf & onlybass - but of course if you get a weird vibe , just think it over. I’m expecting a bass from France tomorrow ( with rosewood 😱 ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Even during this CITES thing and until it’s lifted, just tell them it’s Pau Ferro - doubt the customs officers know the difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMG456 Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Bought basses from Europe on this site and had no issues. Also have bought basses from the US including one through eBay- again, no issues. If you communicate with the seller you’ll get a pretty good idea of how sincere they are. Pay by credit card using PayPal for eBay or a low cost escrow system if outwith eBay and high value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I’ve bought & sold within Europe, last Sale included me delivering to the buyer in The Netherlands as we were on tour in Germany and our route in wasn’t far from him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 I've bought and sold basses in Europe - no more problems than any other deal I've done in the UK. Use a reputable courier... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 As above, I’ve bought and sold guitars, basses and amps in Germany and the Netherlands this year along with wiring looms and pickups from Finland without issue. I also purchased an amp from Poland. The key thing is establishing who pays if there are any additional fees required due to exchange rate conversions beforehand. I fell foul of this with the Poland transaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 Personally, I have sold basses to buyers in Germany, Denmark, Portugal, France, Monaco, Italy, Belgium, and The Netherlands. Each one went without any problems (although the delivery to rural Portugal took a couple of days longer than expected). Because of the the EU membership, it was a really straightforward process, with no cross border problems (even the sale to Monaco had no issues). If Brexit actually happens, it'll be back to the old days of import / export taxes and tarrifs being applied to such sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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