Preach. I got a Lie Nielsen shipped to Germany. I'll only get another if I can buy it in-person during vacation, beat it up a little to look used, and bring it back in checked luggage without the original packaging.
Illegal? yes. Immoral? I'm not so sure.
Customs is ridiculous. DHL tacks on a 6 Euro fee if VAT isn't prepaid. Sellers often list the RRP instead of the paid price. (Newsflash: if I payed less than RRP, that was the market price when I bought it, so that should be the price listed on the CN 23!)
I paid more than twice what I should have on the last package I got from the U.S. It was on sale for 30% off, but the seller listed the RRP, which, plus delivery costs, put it over the threshold for adding customs fees. Adding on the post office's fee, it was 56 or 58 euros rather than 24 or 25 had they simply prepaid EU VAT on the charged amount. All this I know, because I also bought their competitor's product for essentially the same price, but the competitor (admitted, a much larger business) had a global delivery partner to handle the shipping and taxes.
I'd get a metal Ulmia or a KUNZ-plus if they didn't require work getting them true and sharp. I'd get a knockoff if the knockoff brands start to innovate and introduce new designs. With Veritas, Lie Nielsen, and Clifton, I know I'm supporting innovative small businesses and owning functional art that maintains its resale value after decades of heavy use.
Illegal? yes. Immoral? I'm not so sure.
Customs is ridiculous. DHL tacks on a 6 Euro fee if VAT isn't prepaid. Sellers often list the RRP instead of the paid price. (Newsflash: if I payed less than RRP, that was the market price when I bought it, so that should be the price listed on the CN 23!)
I paid more than twice what I should have on the last package I got from the U.S. It was on sale for 30% off, but the seller listed the RRP, which, plus delivery costs, put it over the threshold for adding customs fees. Adding on the post office's fee, it was 56 or 58 euros rather than 24 or 25 had they simply prepaid EU VAT on the charged amount. All this I know, because I also bought their competitor's product for essentially the same price, but the competitor (admitted, a much larger business) had a global delivery partner to handle the shipping and taxes.
I'd get a metal Ulmia or a KUNZ-plus if they didn't require work getting them true and sharp. I'd get a knockoff if the knockoff brands start to innovate and introduce new designs. With Veritas, Lie Nielsen, and Clifton, I know I'm supporting innovative small businesses and owning functional art that maintains its resale value after decades of heavy use.