ash

It's been noted on here before.

I bought a Markbass cab off Matt - great deal and delivered it too. A real gent to deal with - cheers mate!

To be honest there was no choice in the matter the seller is a shop and used UPS as standard. When it gets to the UK it's automatically handled via Royal Mail following clearance, there appears not to be a choice in which courier to use from there. Perhaps that will change now they have been sold off. I think Parcelforce is going through a lot of changes now they have been privatised they will need to sort their archaic systems out if they are going to survive in the competitive market. Incidentally having been off work recently following an operation I have taken advantage of UPS home collection and they have been excellent.

So I've been waiting just over 10 days now for a bass to come from the US. The parcel was trackable using UPS international online tracking and very efficient too. I know exactly when it left the sales point and it's journey by air to the UK. It even told me when it hit customs and after being cleared informed me I should expect a letter requesting import duty payment. That's when good old Royal Mail & Parcelforce took over. I got a letter on Thursday requesting payment for import duty charges and a 'handling fee' of £8, charges weren't excessive so I was pleased. It stated it wouldn't be delivered until Monday unless I paid a surcharge of £12 for Saturday delivery online as it was quickest. So I paid that as Monday I'm out and about all day. This morning I got up very early (as they often deliver around 8am here) and checked the tracking number online - 'Loaded on the van for delivery' so I waited. I used another tracking app that stated it was 'at the depot awaiting delivery' this was at 2pm. Now on the official website Saturday deliveries are between 7am and 1pm. On my order confirmation email it states between 7am and 2pm. When I rang initially the helpful member of staff checked tracking and said ring back at 3pm, I rang back at 3pm and was told 'looks like the driver hasn't turned up for work so it's not left the depot'. Through gritted teeth I asked the member off staff where I could get my money back and was given another number (unmanned on a Saturday after 1pm). She also informed me that this 'always happened on customs clearance items when paid online and that they were trying to remove the Saturday option from the website'. So as soon as my parcel got to dear old Blighty the problems began, what a farce. Now of course Ill have to take pot luck that some kindly neighbour will look after it for me when I'm not home on Monday! If of course it manages to get out of the depot.....rant, rave, drool, etc.

Blingtastic!

Wonder if the bass is called Sharon? Not a bad deal though!

That reminds me I must visit my local 'wood instrument maker' and see if he has any 'made to look vintage' bits of instrument for my fire.

I bought Martyn's F1 amp, great communication, lovely amp and very helpful sending me information following the sale. Thanks!

I just imported a bass from the US cost me £325 shipping £70 - duty and VAT £53 I'm ok with that.