Definitive Audiophile pressings

RHANDMJ said:
Just ask them to mark the customs value as $10. Most will do that. No way I pay customs duties.
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FedEx and UPS both charge "brokerage fees" along with duty. Even if you were able to get them to only declare $10 you'd still get hit with those. Private sales are one thing but it's technically fraud for any business to underdeclare, I'm surprised you've had any luck with that when it comes to actual labels or stores.
 
keylime_5 said:
First, and largest, is Amazon. Amazon cheerfully accepts returns for any and no reason, and charges that back to the label. Your local shops cannot, they must eat the cost of any returns.
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Thanks RHANDMJ for your post. I'm just getting back into vinyl after a long hiatus. I've received a couple of subpar records - heavy groove distortion on one and the other was a 50th anniversary Let it Bleed that sounds like it was cut for 16RPM on one track...it plays sloooooow. Same retailer for both albums. He did me a solid and replaced the first album at no charge but also informed me that he's unable to return the original. That surprised me (cuz "back in the day" it was easy/ier to return LPs) but then I saw your post after doing a search here. Ugghhh...I want to support the local retailers when I can but I'm just learning of the risks...I guess the hard way. I have bought some off amazon and being able to return it is a benefit for a more expensive LP like Let it Bleed.
 
Got my first DCC vinyl pressing in the mail today--Strange Days by The Doors. This thing sounds awesome. I wish they were still in print and easier/cheaper to find this series...I don't have any AP Doors pressings to compare to but I did a make an offer on discogs and got this one instead. I'll keep my eyes peeled for more!
 
marshall said:
I have this 2016 press that was pressed at RTI with the MOV plates. Sounds damn good, especially for the price.

www.discogs.com

Leonard Cohen - Songs Of Love And Hate

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 2016 Vinyl release of "Songs Of Love And Hate" on Discogs.
www.discogs.com www.discogs.com
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Yeah, this is the copy I have and I think I paid like $8 for it new from Amazon. It’s good enough for me.
 
Mather said:
FedEx and UPS both charge "brokerage fees" along with duty. Even if you were able to get them to only declare $10 you'd still get hit with those. Private sales are one thing but it's technically fraud for any business to underdeclare, I'm surprised you've had any luck with that when it comes to actual labels or stores.
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There are only brokerage fees if brokerage is required. At $10 there are none. At $20 there are none. At $30 there are none.

In fact, only UPS standard and Fedex ground attract brokrage fees. International priority does not.

If an item is valued at $60 or less, and the vendor marks as a gift, there are no duties or taxes. Most will do that. Above that, if not marked as a gift, sale taxes will apply, but generally not duties if coming from the USA for items covered under the free trade agreements.

I rarely pay duties or taxes, except some businesses don't underdeclare, which I understand.
 
MikeH said:
Got my first DCC vinyl pressing in the mail today--Strange Days by The Doors. This thing sounds awesome. I wish they were still in print and easier/cheaper to find this series...I don't have any AP Doors pressings to compare to but I did a make an offer on discogs and got this one instead. I'll keep my eyes peeled for more!
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I'm open to offers on my DCC Jefferson Starship Red Octopus! Doing a New Year cleanup.
 
RHANDMJ said:
If an item is valued at $60 or less, and the vendor marks as a gift, there are no duties or taxes. Most will do that. Above that, if not marked as a gift, sale taxes will apply, but generally not duties if coming from the USA for items covered under the free trade agreements.

I rarely pay duties or taxes, except some businesses don't underdeclare, which I understand.
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So I've got a used album that I just received yesterday. Sent UPS standard from the US, marked as a gift, valued at $50 USD on the form and it received $30 in brokerage fees. So something doesn't jibe here.
 
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Mather said:
So I've got a used album that I just received yesterday. Sent UPS standard from the US, marked as a gift, valued at $50 USD on the form and it received $30 in brokerage fees. So something doesn't jibe here.
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Like I said in the earlier post, UPS Standard - the UPS equivalent to Fedex ground - WILL attract brokerage charges, which are included in the price of other shipping levels.

To make it simple - UPS Standard or Fedex Ground are cheaper in shipping cost, but the brokerage is extra. Because of that, for most packages, UPS Ground or UPS Standard will actually be more expensive than priority or other air options.

Presumably your package had brokerage fees but no sales tax.
 
RHANDMJ said:
Like I said in the earlier post, UPS Standard - the UPS equivalent to Fedex ground - WILL attract brokerage charges, which are included in the price of other shipping levels.

To make it simple - UPS Standard or Fedex Ground are cheaper in shipping cost, but the brokerage is extra. Because of that, for most packages, UPS Ground or UPS Standard will actually be more expensive than priority or other air options.

Presumably your package had brokerage fees but no sales tax.
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So the $60 or less only applies to International Priority.
 
Mather said:
So the $60 or less only applies to International Priority.
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No. Ground shipping does not include brokerage. Priority or other air options do include brokerage. So with ground shipping you pay less for the shipping fee, but end up paying more, often far more, when hit with the brokerage fee.

If you are going to use the cheapest shopping method from the US, go with USPS. No brokerage fees.
 
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