Looks like the bubble has burst stateside.

[clyde]

What with the increased postage costs, slowly deflating doller and the fact that they seem to think we are totally desperate for stuff over here so tend to over charge, its no longer really worth the effort any more.

Used to get alot of stuff from the states and if you hunt around you can find some decent stuff at the right price but it just dosent seem worth while at the moment.

The start of it for me was the change in postage costs by the mail operators, but when the ebay/samba masses started uping the prices to that was the beginning of the end.
Greed seems to get to everyone in the end when they see a mass market of potential buyers.

Work it out for yourself
US prices plus postage compared to UK prices with postage and your looking at similar costs, and youll get your stuff quicker and if it dosent turn up your stand a better chance of doing something about it.

Just my observation

 

[paul]

Totally agree,postage costs kill it.
Slough better be good!

 

[woodslat]

What with the increased postage costs, slowly deflating doller and the fact that they seem to think we are totally desperate for stuff over here so tend to over charge, its no longer really worth the effort any more.

Used to get alot of stuff from the states and if you hunt around you can find some decent stuff at the right price but it just dosent seem worth while at the moment.

The start of it for me was the change in postage costs by the mail operators, but when the ebay/samba masses started uping the prices to that was the beginning of the end.
Greed seems to get to everyone in the end when they see a mass market of potential buyers.

Work it out for yourself
US prices plus postage compared to UK prices with postage and your looking at similar costs, and youll get your stuff quicker and if it dosent turn up your stand a better chance of doing something about it.

Just my observation

Good observation!! I worked it out, and you're probably right in most cases!

My cost to ship a bus over used to be $1150, because of all the demand, it's now $2150 only 14 months later!

Luckily, I have several UK dealers who buy massive amounts of parts in their own consolidated containers from me to survive. Then you can complain about how high their prices are (I've heard this over and over again, about greedy UK dealers.) My Continental market is still going strong, as the Euro is only now letting up.

I know you're not desperate for stuff over there, saw it in my personal sales at UK shows. My last really good show saleswise was BVF 2007 the buyers nearly snapped my hand off for stuff! One thing for sure, with the cessation of production of front bay cab doors without the ridge by VW of Brazil, doors will continuously be imported in from Australia, SA, and the US. I've supplied over 500 bay cab doors in the last 3 years myself, and have sold successfully to almost all major UK dealers. I see my buses and parts at every show I go to, and I ALWAYS bring the beer!

I feel secure about the future of importing parts into the UK, as you've imported so many thousands of buses in the last 5 years you'll still need parts to patch them up after they start to rot. This is totally unlike the Japanese boom of the 1980's, where the cars sat in climate controlled garages only used in the summer going to VW shows and looking cool. In the UK, buses are not just a status symbol, but a huge section of the recreation market that due to it's versatility. They are actually daily driven, not just trailer queens! I saw a 1960 23 window microbus parked on the street lowered with original paint in a London suburb, and was WELL impressed. You don't see 23 windows anywhere but shows here.

I haven't sold a single item through this site although I've had a few inquiries; shipping does kill it, you nailed it. However, I'm enjoying the hell out of the information I get here and answering people's questions that I know the answer to. I'm still reeling from all the 1968 bus subtleties!

 

[faux]

Hi Eric.

I bought the overiders off you for a few of the guys on here. Though the original add was seen by Clem on The Samba.

It is good to have a contact in the States and I'm sure you will start getting more business through here.

Jon

 

[robins]

bought sun roof handle kit and two seat belt hooks with post
cheeper than here,if you can get them that is :wink:

 

[cunning plan]

What with the increased postage costs, slowly deflating doller and the fact that they seem to think we are totally desperate for stuff over here so tend to over charge, its no longer really worth the effort any more.

Used to get alot of stuff from the states and if you hunt around you can find some decent stuff at the right price but it just dosent seem worth while at the moment.

The start of it for me was the change in postage costs by the mail operators, but when the ebay/samba masses started uping the prices to that was the beginning of the end.
Greed seems to get to everyone in the end when they see a mass market of potential buyers.

Work it out for yourself
US prices plus postage compared to UK prices with postage and your looking at similar costs, and youll get your stuff quicker and if it dosent turn up your stand a better chance of doing something about it.

Just my observation

Good observation!! I worked it out, and you're probably right in most cases!

My cost to ship a bus over used to be $1150, because of all the demand, it's now $2150 only 14 months later!

Luckily, I have several UK dealers who buy massive amounts of parts in their own consolidated containers from me to survive. Then you can complain about how high their prices are (I've heard this over and over again, about greedy UK dealers.) My Continental market is still going strong, as the Euro is only now letting up.

I know you're not desperate for stuff over there, saw it in my personal sales at UK shows. My last really good show saleswise was BVF 2007 the buyers nearly snapped my hand off for stuff! One thing for sure, with the cessation of production of front bay cab doors without the ridge by VW of Brazil, doors will continuously be imported in from Australia, SA, and the US. I've supplied over 500 bay cab doors in the last 3 years myself, and have sold successfully to almost all major UK dealers. I see my buses and parts at every show I go to, and I ALWAYS bring the beer!

I feel secure about the future of importing parts into the UK, as you've imported so many thousands of buses in the last 5 years you'll still need parts to patch them up after they start to rot. This is totally unlike the Japanese boom of the 1980's, where the cars sat in climate controlled garages only used in the summer going to VW shows and looking cool. In the UK, buses are not just a status symbol, but a huge section of the recreation market that due to it's versatility. They are actually daily driven, not just trailer queens! I saw a 1960 23 window microbus parked on the street lowered with original paint in a London suburb, and was WELL impressed. You don't see 23 windows anywhere but shows here.

I haven't sold a single item through this site although I've had a few inquiries; shipping does kill it, you nailed it. However, I'm enjoying the hell out of the information I get here and answering people's questions that I know the answer to. I'm still reeling from all the 1968 bus subtleties!

Dude, you are so cool, I want your Ram!!!!!! And what a cool lil business you have going 8)

Staying on topic, I buy alot from China for my work, mostly POS equipment, we are steadly finding that although China offers a good initial price for goods FOB to a Chinese port, once you add CIF shipping, insurance, road haulage once it gets to England, then VAT and other dutys etc etc it becomes more apparent that what with the service you should get from a UK distributor which is just impossible from a Chinese / American etc it makes more sense to stay with the English suppliers! :shock:

Could whats going on right now save our industrys? :idea:

 

[woodslat]

Hi Eric.

I bought the overiders off you for a few of the guys on here. Though the original add was seen by Clem on The Samba.

It is good to have a contact in the States and I'm sure you will start getting more business through here.

Jon

Jon, thanks for that! I have very solid references for bigger purchases, anything you guys need sorted over here I can handle. Your overriders are probably headed out in 2 weeks, just finalizing a deal on a bus sale right now. Thanks again!

-eric

 

[woodslat]

Dude, you are so cool, I want your Ram!!!!!! And what a cool lil business you have going 8)

Staying on topic, I buy alot from China for my work, mostly POS equipment, we are steadly finding that although China offers a good initial price for goods FOB to a Chinese port, once you add CIF shipping, insurance, road haulage once it gets to England, then VAT and other dutys etc etc it becomes more apparent that what with the service you should get from a UK distributor which is just impossible from a Chinese / American etc it makes more sense to stay with the English suppliers! :shock:

Could whats going on right now save our industrys? :idea:

Hopefully the service in all areas can improve when the playing field is leveled. If a good POS system can be manufactured in the EU and marketed at close to the same price as the CHinese unit with all the shipping and open hands along the way then the EU system will sell.

Rams are cheap, you can have one too! Regular cab V6 is only $11,000 2008 new! I like what I'm doing for sure, drank beer with friends and customers in 5 countries this year!

 

[cunning plan]

Dude, you are so cool, I want your Ram!!!!!! And what a cool lil business you have going 8)

Staying on topic, I buy alot from China for my work, mostly POS equipment, we are steadly finding that although China offers a good initial price for goods FOB to a Chinese port, once you add CIF shipping, insurance, road haulage once it gets to England, then VAT and other dutys etc etc it becomes more apparent that what with the service you should get from a UK distributor which is just impossible from a Chinese / American etc it makes more sense to stay with the English suppliers! :shock:

Could whats going on right now save our industrys? :idea:

Hopefully the service in all areas can improve when the playing field is leveled. If a good POS system can be manufactured in the EU and marketed at close to the same price as the CHinese unit with all the shipping and open hands along the way then the EU system will sell.

Rams are cheap, you can have one too! Regular cab V6 is only $11,000 2008 new! I like what I'm doing for sure, drank beer with friends and customers in 5 countries this year!

Yup would love one but the running costs put me off!! You know how expensive the fuel is here :shock: :roll:

 

[Clem]

Clydes right in many aspects, the dropping dollar has affected prices and some of the postage costs I get quoted do seem a bit crazy .... recently $25 to ship one curtain :? Whats also bloody annoying is the tax lottery on parts ... so much stuff comes free but then when you get hit you also cop for Royal Mail admin fees which is often more than the actual tax :evil: Ive got a parcel Im collecting later thats got a £12 charge on, and £7 of that is the admin fee ....
But its, as ever, a case of sussing out good sellers and hunting the deals. The best part is the almost instant availability of stuff, so if you 'need' a part, you can pay and have it there and almost then.

Woodslat - lets hope that seat cover works out and you can get more and more business via here, and be our 'good guy'!