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Post by naildrivingman on Sept 22, 2019 6:04:29 GMT -5
I have only directly imported one item from Europe to the US. I bought an MT55 kit from TCO.com. I was concerned about import fees because no one could tell me exactly what I was in store for once the item hit the docks in the US. I don’t know if I got lucky or what happened, but the total shipping and duty charge was less than 100USD.
I enjoy working with Timberwolf Tools (only vendor in US), but I have to be honest, I saved about 300USD, and my loyalty can be influenced by financial savings.
I am not disparaging Timberwolf for their prices, that’s not the point of this post. I will say that there are Mafell tools that I would not import, simply because the cost savings is not that measurable. With this year’s price drop on the KSS400, PS1 and other items, it is actually cheaper to buy from TT, rather than import.
The reason for this post is to determine if there is any functional difference between European and US tools and whether that should influence my buying choices.
I am aware of the voltage difference (TCO offers many Mafell at 110V), I am aware of the frequency difference (50 vs 60 Hz). I have been counseled by others wiser than me that all I need to do is change out the plug to a high quality domestic plug and change out the cord to a higher quality cord (if needed).
can anyone think of other reasons not to import if the savings justifies it?
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Post by lshah72414 on Sept 22, 2019 6:57:37 GMT -5
Sale will be over at end of september! Then the prices go back up. The question is will we see another sale in the future. I also bought, a year and a half ago, an mt55 from TCO. I swapped out the cord and have not had a problem. The big advantage tco has is the package. I got the clamps, 2 rails, and the rail connector, for under 1000. Even with the sale, I think it is cheaper. I did buy the kss 40 package and the duo doweler package that was on sale from timberwolf. The kss40, I was going to buy,I had been looking at for about 2 months when the sale came up. Glad I had waited.
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Post by kraftt on Sept 22, 2019 21:17:16 GMT -5
Over the past few years it's true the price gaps have narrowed.
As to import duties - The N.A. 'De Minimis Import Rules' covers import duties up to $800 but often enforcement on higher ticket items is given a pass too if they see it's just a single entity purchasing privately or if the overseas seller knows what they are doing.
The only 110v 50hz tool I have been warned about is the Zeta P2. The N.A. distributor warned me that the 10Hz difference matters and affects speed that in turn determines if the cutting head oscillation engages or not. I haven't run down whether this is just scare tactics to defend local sales.
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Post by huntsgemein on Sept 23, 2019 0:53:28 GMT -5
I have only directly imported one item from Europe to the US. I bought an MT55 kit from TCO.com. I was concerned about import fees because no one could tell me exactly what I was in store for once the item hit the docks in the US. I don’t know if I got lucky or what happened, but the total shipping and duty charge was less than 100USD. I enjoy working with Timberwolf Tools (only vendor in US), but I have to be honest, I saved about 300USD, and my loyalty can be influenced by financial savings. I am not disparaging Timberwolf for their prices, that’s not the point of this post. I will say that there are Mafell tools that I would not import, simply because the cost savings is not that measurable. With this year’s price drop on the KSS400, PS1 and other items, it is actually cheaper to buy from TT, rather than import. The reason for this post is to determine if there is any functional difference between European and US tools and whether that should influence my buying choices. I am aware of the voltage difference (TCO offers many Mafell at 110V), I am aware of the frequency difference (50 vs 60 Hz). I have been counseled by others wiser than me that all I need to do is change out the plug to a high quality domestic plug and change out the cord to a higher quality cord (if needed). can anyone think of other reasons not to import if the savings justifies it? The most germane reason for buying domestically is that you have warranty support. Items purchased out of their natural domicile (i.e. jurisdiction), especially if modified with non-standard power cords or even merely a flamin' power plug have an immediately invalidated warranty. It's advisable to balance the perceived risk of failure against any possible monetary savings. In Australia, due to the lack of local representation, this situation is applicable to ALL Mafell purchases. No local seller, no local repair agency, no local support, no warranty! EVERYTHING must be purchased "offshore", power plug modified and purchased & used entirely at one's own risk. About a year ago I purchased a used Mafell that promptly died on me a few months later. I bought used at a marginal saving as there's no (warranty) benefit in buying new anyway. So I'm stuck with a dead saw & a slew of rails, joiners, angles, blades etc, to the tune of about $3K or so which are a fiscal millstone for which I have no easy remedy. I theoretically COULD send it to Germany or the UK for possible repair (for an additional $300 odd postage PLUS the actual repair price), or maybe take it with me as hand luggage for repair the next time I travel. I'm contemplating "doing" the Via Francigena on foot this northern spring 2020, but am really dubious about the merits of taking a bloody power saw on a 100 day 2000km pilgrimage/hike through England, France, Switzerland & Italy!! Or I could buy yet another one offshore , either new or used, & run the same risk again. Or I could send it all (dead saw, rails, joiners, angle and crosscut bases etc.) to the local metals recycling centre! None of these 4 alternatives has any real attractiveness to me, and all but the last (albeit extreme) alternative will involve considerable additional expense, without any actual guaranteed satisfactory outcomes either! So, long story short; think very carefully about abrogating your warranty rights by purchasing offshore.
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Post by alvychippy on Dec 8, 2019 18:40:09 GMT -5
Funny, at least half of my tools are imported from US. Difference of 120/110 and 50/60 hrz is negligible, I'm yet to have a single issue with any of them. Lately £££ dived against other currencies, so American woodworkers might as well enjoy savings, as your import charges are WAY lesser, than ours (30%)
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