Bad news for Lakland string lovers

[wateroftyne]

I was overjoyed to discover that Lakland flats are back in stock after being unavailable for a while.

I popped my order in a couple of days ago and accepted the usual total of $34.

I've just had an email from a nice man at Lakland to say they've been charging the wrong postage all this time - it should be nearer $12 - and did I want to proceed.

I reckon that'll push the total into silly import tax charges territory, so I asked for a refund instead.

Drat.

After the one set I have remaining, nice-but-pricey-and-not-the-same La Bellas, or not-as-good-IMO-Chromes here I come. :-(

[Clarky]

I had exactly the same yesterday. I paid up and am keeping fingers crossed it doesn't result in an import charge. If it does, it will be my last order from them

[MiltyG565]

If that's the case, why don't they get a UK distributor?

[wateroftyne]

Can you let me know what happens, Clarky?

Milty - I just asked them that very question. We'll see what they say...

[Legion]

Hmmm, pity if it goes this way.

[Musicman20]

Lakland need to get more exposure over here. It seems GuitarGuitar have the full control over it, although Bass Gallery seem to get a few. There was one stage when most large music shops had them.

[karlfer]

Yup, it's a crying shame they became as rare as rocking horse over here about 3 years ago. About the time they lost/reduced endorsees. I've never used a bad one, but they would certainly sell more if people could get their hands on one in a shop.

[discreet]

Balls!
Just have to hope I don't break one.

Back to La Bellas for me then - I don't like Chromes. Not enough 'compliance' or whatever you want to call it.

Edited May 7, 2013 by discreet

[Dingus]

Lakland used to be handled in the U.K by Headline Distribution , who are the U.K agents for PRS Guitars . I think Headline used their network of PRS dealers as outlets for Lakland basses , hence them being more widely available for a time . When Headline and Lakland went their separate ways , Guitar Guitar stepped in and took over as U.K dealers , along with the Gallery . That is why they are in less an array shops than before .

The naked truth is that for most American bass companies like Lakland and similar , the U.K is not a particulaly significant in terms of sales , so none of them are likely to aggressively pursue it as a market when their efforts are better focused elsewhere . They get far more revenue from the domestic market in the U.S.A and sales in the Far East than in Europe .

[discreet]

There must be a way round this. If we bought X string sets between us, would the import duty still be Y? Or what?
I'd do a feasibility study, but I don't know what that means and my maths is crap. Duh.

[MiltyG565]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1367956792' post='2071648']
There must be a way round this. If we bought X string sets between us, would the import duty still be Y? Or what?
I'd do a feasibility study, but I don't know what that means and my maths is crap. Duh.
[/quote]

I think to get a decent price, you need somebody to bring them in at a trade price, then have their markup on it. Buying more will only increase the amount of duty paid, and not really reduce the cost of the strings as it's a percentage rate.

[Dingus]

Could you approach Guitar Guitar ( or The Gallery ) with an order between you for x number of multiple sets , thus making it worth their while . They might be able to get the strings packed along with a shipment of basses , thus cutting costs . Another alternative would be for you to collectively approach a specialist string retailer like Strings Direct or Stringbusters and let them know your interest in Lakland Strings . They might be inclined to try stocking them if they knew there was a market for them .

Edited May 7, 2013 by Dingus

[miles'tone]

I remember reading somewhere that GHS makes Lakland's flats for them, maybe try the GHS Precision flats instead of Chromes or Labella's? Not tried them myself but they have a great rep (I use Fender CL flats by the way - always meant to try the GHS flats but I'm loath to change these Fenders as I'm loving them. If it aint broke and all that..)

[molan]

Have you tried the Carvin flats?

Made by La Bella but cheaper than La Bella branded ones and in very basic packaging.

I hear a friendly UK retailer is about to offer a really good discount on them for all Basschatters (PM me for details).

[Musicman20]

These are worth trying...trust me:

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/p/912779/ernie-ball-2806-stainless-steel-flatwound-bass-guitar-strings-45-100-group-iii/

The lower the group number, the higher the tension. Group 3s are just about right for me.

[wateroftyne]

Cheers, all.

I've gone ahead with the order to see what happens. if I get stung.. I'll be on the hunt again.

But then I'll have two sets of flats to get through so it'll be about ten years' time.

[franzbassist]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1367960417' post='2071741']
Have you tried the Carvin flats?

Made by La Bella but cheaper than La Bella branded ones and in very basic packaging.

I hear a friendly UK retailer is about to offer a really good discount on them for all Basschatters (PM me for details).
[/quote]

I'll be wanting a set Barrie.

[discreet]

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1367959630' post='2071721']
I remember reading somewhere that GHS makes Lakland's flats for them...
[/quote]

This is true, I had completely forgotten about that. GHS Precision Flats are indeed very similar to Lakland Flats.
I'll try them next time.

[Dingus]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1368016548' post='2072053']
This is true, I had completely forgotten about that. GHS Precision Flats are indeed very similar to Lakland Flats.
I'll try them next time.
[/quote]

As far as I know , GHS make all of Laklands strings for them . ( In fact , GHS make a lot of boutique brand strings sold under other labels , but that is no bad thing - GHS are great strings ) . Lakland Stainless Steel rounds are essentially GHS Super Steels in a slightly different gauge , Nickel Rounds are Boomers , and I would expect the flats are very similar to Precision Flats , but I don't know that for a fact . But If you lot like Lakland so much I am sure you lot could get round this little obstacle somehow . Are you all sure it would now work out that much more expensive to ship them from the States ? I regulaly use USPS ( ordinary American mail service ) to send stuff to the U.K and find them pretty inexpensive . Lakland are a fantastic company to deal with and I am sure they would be as helpful as they could possibly be .

Edited May 8, 2013 by Dingus

[Left Foot]

Are there not any american BCers who can help out? Buy some and send them over to avoid fooking duty etc. I dont think that would be a crime.

[MiltyG565]

[quote name='Left Foot' timestamp='1368020808' post='2072120']
Are there not any american BCers who can help out? Buy some and send them over to avoid fooking duty etc. I dont think that would be a crime.
[/quote]

You don't avoid the duty though. It goes on the value of the products, not who they were bought or sent from.

[Conan]

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1368024843' post='2072194']
You don't avoid the duty though. It goes on the value of the products, not who they were bought or sent from.
[/quote]

And annoyingly it seems to be completely random whether you get charged or not! How does that work? Do they only check a certain number of packages?

[MiltyG565]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1368025697' post='2072216']
And annoyingly it seems to be completely random whether you get charged or not! How does that work? Do they only check a certain number of packages?
[/quote]

Dunno. I think there are different limits and rates depending on what you have bought. If it's under £14 (I think) you don't pay duty, but over that, there are different rates for different things.

[Count Bassy]

Just wondering if any of the contributors to this thread (those wondering how to avoid import tax) were outraged with Starbucks, Amazon etc. for their tax avoidance antics.

[EssentialTension]

In summary:
[b]Value[/b]
£0.01 to £15 [list]
[*]No customs duty
[*]No Import VAT
[/list]
£15.01 to £135 [list]
[*]No customs duty
[*]Import VAT due
[/list]
£135.01 and greater [list]
[*]Customs duty due, but waived if the amount calculated due is less than £9
[*]Import VAT due
[/list]