A good idea but not yet. In about 18months or 2 years when we start coming out of this depression we could make a killing. Given fenders percentage markup to combat current deflation and lack of sales. When the economy improves and prices start to rise we could also add the markup american/mexican instruments are getting. I've even wangled a way to avoid certain taxes thats quite legal, and i suspect is already known to current importers.
We'd need a boat though to shift any decent amount of bulk, and the only real way to go would be across the top of russia to avoid the north africa middle east area. Which can be prone to piracy.

I'd be a salty seadog in no time.

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No no and no

There you go, guys. I talk about hiring a sea container, The Ninja immediately wants to buy a ship! That's the difference between the men and the boys, I guess. I'm out-classed as usual...

I'm keen to hear about someone in my part of the world buying a guitar from this fella, who we discovered on another thread a few weeks ago:

http://myworld.ebay.com/meestursparkle/

The price is good, the shipping is reasonable - I've a feeling the import charges that Customs demanded a week or two after the guitar arrived would make the eyes water...

Oh well... - C

Ceri, you always post the best pictures! Nice mijs everyone.

Actually i was thinking about a pedalo. Ive actually no idea about boats. The only experience i have of them is the harwich/hoek van hollond crossing.

this
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Fender-Japan-Stratocaster-57-RI-ST57US-ST57-708_W0QQitemZ200310582125QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item200310582125&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
Works out to be £495 including shipping. £430 without shipping. Import vat 17.5% standard duty 3% and Customs duty is around 20% Gives a 40.5% increase in price making it £604 + £65shipping.

Bit of an eye opener eh?

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No no and no

Gosh, thank you! That's Dave Gilmour's houseboat / recording studio, The Aurora, in the background, by the way...

Cheers - C

That sounds roughly right. I buy from Stewart-MacDonald amongst others from time to time. Customs Duty is applied on the total value of the shipment plus DHL's shipping charges (what??), and then VAT is levied on all of that including the Duty. Streuth: which ex-Gestapo officer thought that system up?

That's why, so far, I am prepared to wait month after month to see if Charlie Chandler can wring my guitar out of one of those importers, because it is supposed to work out cheaper than buying direct from a seller in Japan or that Ebay gentleman. Supposed to...

Cheers - C

PS That Harwich / Holland crossing is something I do know all about. Oh yes...!!

Just a bump to keep it fresh!

And now for something completely different



'92 MIJ Floyd Rose "Squier" Foto Flame- Lace Sensors (Red Dually, Gold, Blue), 12" Rosewood neck, TBX, toggle to split bridge humbucker

well folks i just got a good look at a early 90's
MIJ strat last night. look'd at the craftmanship/quality
the over all feel/weight the neck and i would say that
the MIJ strat is a good strat BUT! it's not in any way shape
or form superior over todays or the past 3 years MIM strats.
ther just not. i did not see any evindence that would lead
me to beleve that the MIJ strat is a better crafted guitar
over the MIM strat.

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sombody get me a doctor!