Shopping in the USA

Posted by: Anonymous

Shopping in the USA - 04/08/06 11:58 AM

All,
A friend is leaving for "The States" on the 12th and she is prepared to bring back some gear for me. Now my question is two-fold:
What is the cheapest a Vic SwissTool can be bought over there? It will be cheaper that almost anywhere in I suspect but saving 10-15 dollar is always welcome.

What other survival gear would you recommend purchasing there? E.g. photon's, SureFire's or Ray-Ban's.

Maybe the Eurpean members realise the answer to question two even more...

Thanks in advance!! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/08/06 03:40 PM

Also I'd like to get a quality folder for my EDC which is missing from my kit so far.. Was thinking of a basic Benchmade or equivilant around $100 and like to hear your experiences.

I am concidering the SureFire L1 because of the brightness, toughness and price. Opinions?
Posted by: massacre

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/08/06 05:22 PM

Umm... I think that depends on how you want to approach bringing the items back in. Check with customs and if there's any allowance. Otherwise, you'll be paying VAT for sure. If it's an item packed in with other things as an everyday travel item, then maybe not such a big deal, especially for what you want. I'm pretty sure they look at wine/spirits/tobacco/jewelry and other commonly undeclared items. I'm not sure they'll care about a flashlight and a folding knife, but if they look brand new.... if they are still in packing, then for SURE they want to know about it.

Anyway, I would check your local laws as they pertain to customs and figure out your strategy. In no way am I recommending you break the law. I had a friend get off a cruise ship last fall with a Brietling watch and new digital camera from the Carribean and he planned on declaring them, the taxes were fairly minimal considering the purchase. The guy in line next to him was asked several times by a suspicious customs agent if he had anything to declare. After refusing about 6 times, they asked him to come with them, opened his bags right there and pulled out a case of illegal cigars (cuba embargo). So, not only did he lose a several thousand dollar box of cigars, but he also had to pay a MASSIVE fine. Can't remember exactly, but it made the loss of the cigars pale in comparison. Oh, and it's possible to do time for it too. Definitely not something I'd recommend you ask a friend to do. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Leigh_Ratcliffe

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/08/06 06:07 PM

It may be cheaper & simpler for her to post them back to you from the states. If she has to fill in a custom's form, mark them as " gifts, no commercial value" that way she should not have any problems. If asked why, tell them that he is a keen outdoors man. ( lawful excuse) if the lad from H.M. Customs is feeling arkward.
Posted by: Polak187

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/08/06 06:25 PM

Which part of the US is she comming to? You have to add local sales tax to some prices (for example it is 8.50% in NYC). Also unfortunatelly the best deals are not in the shops but on the internet. If she is staying in some place you know ahead of time you can make an order and ship it there. On multiple items combined from the same merchant shipping is low and you can get a great deal...

What exactly are you looking for anyway?

Also on the way back as already specified: MAKE SURE EVERYTHING GOES INTO CHECK IN LAGGUGE.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/08/06 06:58 PM

Cheers guys!!
She is going to Milwaukee. My plan is to order it of the net and send it there. Take of the wraps, maybe add a few scrathes, chuck it in the checked luggage and pass it as personal items. Ive read a painful story from a guy who ordered airsoft rifles from China or the US. After the parcel passed customes the guy had to pay import tax... Ill find the link

As for the laws: on all products outside the EU import tax is added IIRC.

The products: Surefire E1 or A2 (havent decided yet), Wiley X B2, and a decent folder but must dosome more research before deciding. Maybe its time to say goodbye to my Swiss Champ...

However the risk of paying tax is worth it, some products are only half the price on the other side of the pond with the positive currency rate at the moment.
Posted by: Polak187

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/08/06 07:48 PM

Why did you never try to ask a member here to buy you stuff and than mail it to you? Pocket knife, flashlight and some other misc stuff wouldnt raise any questions and that $20 that you pay for postage is still little price to pay especially if you mark the package "used/gift". You can get really good deals if you shop around places like CPF or Bladeforums for used deals. Just a suggestion.
Posted by: norad45

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/09/06 12:39 AM

I don't know if if she--or you--have ever experienced a Wal-Mart before, but I would highly avoid it--except for the Spyderco Native available for $40 USA in some locations. I bought one for a buddy and it is simply a great blade. Send her to the Sporting Goods section and tell her to ask for display number 60. If they don't have it then it will still have been worth the trip. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/09/06 08:12 AM

It had crossed my mind before Polak. Just add a note like "Hey mate you left this at my place" and post it. Can always use that idea in future.

Thanks for the heads up on the tax deal, Izzy!

Can SureFire's be bought cheaper anywhere than their official website? Last I heard was they would punish anyone who didnt retail their products for recommded prices....

Norad, sounds like a great deal, does Walmart send to US addresses? (Then she will pick it up, remove wrapper and goes in with checked luggage)



Posted by: norad45

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/09/06 11:51 AM

I am not sure if Walmart ships items or not. But you can't throw a rock in the USA without hitting a Walmart--that's how many of them there are. She will have no trouble finding one. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/09/06 11:57 AM

LOL, I checked the knife out on Google, looking good. I noticed the has a double edged point, very useful. Also some variations with a half serated blade wich, in my experience with Buck, is perfect. If I cant get Walmart to send it to an address is the US could I ask one of you guys to pick one up and send it to the US address?

BTW is $40 a short term special offer, or a permanent low price?
Posted by: Brangdon

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/09/06 06:12 PM

> I am concidering the SureFire L1 because of the brightness, toughness and price. Opinions?

I have one and I hate it. It's not very bright by modern standards. It's physically big for a single-cell torch. It's beam is a tight spot with no spill, which is useless at short range. Its main strength is good throw (ie illuminating at a distance). Personally I'd rather have a 1$ photon-freedom knock-off.
Posted by: norad45

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/10/06 01:17 PM

I checked Walmart.com and the only Spyderco I could find at the website is the Delica for $49.00. It is larger than the Native, a bit more money, and has a fully serrated VG-10 blade. You should be able to order that one on line and have it shipped anywhere in the USA.

The Native available at Walmart is, I believe, only available in plain edge S30V. If you want a half-serrated one you will have to go elsewhere. I will be hitting a Walmart sometime this week for some .380 ammo, so if you want me to I can pick you one up.

Oh, and the $40.00 is a permanent low price. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Edit: Looks like they also have a combo edge version of the Delica available online (although the picture does not show it), so if you want a half-serrated Spyderco you can have it.
Posted by: Alejandro

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/10/06 02:52 PM

Talking from "A LOT" of personal experience. Almost all my gear has been bought in the US during business travels.
The easiest way to shop is through the Internet. Two things to be careful here: not all web sites accept credit cards from out of the country, this is probably related to the millions of frauds performed this way. And do not try international shipping, this is very expensive and also the local taxes in your country can kill you. Once I end up paying the equivalent of 80$ in taxes on a shipment for a 100$ item.
Having some friend receiving your stuff and transport it to you, as you have already planned, is the best idea. As you originally thought toss the packaging and report it in your country customs as personal items, depending on the value this could avoid taxes, though could be illegal, so use your common sense.
And do not be worried about the X-ray scan in American airports, I bough knives, flashlights and several other goodies every time I go to the US and transport in with the checked luggage with out a single problem ever. Just be sure that you are not violating any law in your country with specific blade lengths or configurations.
Good luck, and welcome to the global shopping spree....!!!
Saludos
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/10/06 06:43 PM

Alejandro,
great, great post. Very informative and useful post thanks. Will follow up your advice!

Norad, ill get Walmart to ship it in-country to the address <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. You, and all others thanks for all the help!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: lukus

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/10/06 06:58 PM

I have the L2 and love it. Two LED brightness levels, throws a wide,bright beam, and sips the batteries compared to their standard (P90?) bulbs. Payed $132 for it, before they started cracking down on sellers selling below MSRP. Although it's my favorite flashlight, I'd probably look at other manufacturers and compare before plunking down full MSRP. The quality and variety of LED lights has exploded this last year, and Surefire has some competitors breathing down their neck. Their days of dominence at the high end might be numbered.

And for the money, Photon Freedom (have one of Doug's) puts out a lot of light in a tiny package. Looks twice as bright as their standard light because of the new LED.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Shopping in the USA - 04/11/06 03:48 PM

Thanks for the heads up!
Which manufactures would you recommend as alternatives?