Buy now or wait brexit ??‍♂️

[Zimmerframe]

Thought for a second there I had logged onto singletrack forum by mistake?

It's the official "let your hair down and frustrations out" thread ...

 

[Mikerb]

That could be a very good shout! Thank you, I'll pass it on ?

.....and most are just rebranded Shimano hubs. Check out bikingbarn or cyclestore who cover a lot of freehub kit. I use the Dt Swiss pawl service kit which includes grease spring and pawls for the freehub on my Levo....last one I bought was £10

 

[Mikerb]

Brooks England distributor reacts to stories claiming saddle sales to the UK have stopped due to Brexit

UK distribution and availability unchanged despite website Brexit notice

www.cyclingweekly.com

I saw that article as well. Makes you wonder where the supposed fact checkers were for ROADCC and the BBC. Both also failed to explain why the UK and EUamongst many other countries have introduced...or are planning to introduce....the low value VAT process change. It is because online retailers have been avoiding the VAT charges......estimated to be upwards of £300m loss a year in the UK.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I saw that article as well. Makes you wonder where the supposed fact checkers were for ROADCC and the BBC. Both also failed to explain why the UK and EUamongst many other countries have introduced...or are planning to introduce....the low value VAT process change. It is because online retailers have been avoiding the VAT charges......estimated to be upwards of £300m loss a year in the UK.

From the original article "Brooks announced on its website that they would no longer be able to accept UK orders for saddles after the 29th December. " . The original article is still correct and valid, you cannot order a brooks saddle via the website for now.

The information from the UK distributor, is that you can still buy them from a shop which stocks them.

But then, as the UK is now in lockdown, buying a posh saddle is possible not an "essential trip", unless you have a particularly posh bottom and the correct paperwork (UK issued, not EU issued) for your bottom - so you'd have to buy it online ... which you can't ..

So, you can't buy a Brooks saddle in the UK !

 

[Mikerb]

From the original article "Brooks announced on its website that they would no longer be able to accept UK orders for saddles after the 29th December. " . The original article is still correct and valid, you cannot order a brooks saddle via the website for now.

The information from the UK distributor, is that you can still buy them from a shop which stocks them.

But then, as the UK is now in lockdown, buying a posh saddle is possible not an "essential trip", unless you have a particularly posh bottom and the correct paperwork (UK issued, not EU issued) for your bottom - so you'd have to buy it online ... which you can't ..

So, you can't buy a Brooks saddle in the UK !

Fake news @Zimmerframe . Bike shops are open and have been open in every lockdown and travel to a bike shop just like travel to a auto garage is legal!! You may have to buy an inner tube together with your new saddle just to be safe!!
PS...amazing the number of EMTB enduro bikes you see these days with huge spring loaded leather saddles....who knew?? So if you yearn for the latest must have Brooks saddle for your EMTB there are plenty to choose from on Ebay, Amazon, and from Wiggle so you really do not have to go to an Italian website to get one!!

 

[Zimmerframe]

So it's ok to go out under pretence of something necessary ?

Darth Boris really has managed to sway so much of the country with "Use the Lies UK, Use the Lies" ....

 

[Mikerb]

if you can cycle there its OK full stop. Exercise direct from home is allowed. If it needs a car journey (local), yes it should be for necessary spares or repair to a bike ( or car) under the latest full lockdown rules...nothing stopping you buying something that is not absolutely necessary at the same time though is it!! Obviously the potential loss of not being able to buy a Brooks saddle for an EMTB is catastrophic which is why I explained that you can simply order on line from multiple outlets in the UK and break no rules at all...phew!!

 

[STATO]

I saw that article as well. Makes you wonder where the supposed fact checkers were for ROADCC and the BBC. Both also failed to explain why the UK and EUamongst many other countries have introduced...or are planning to introduce....the low value VAT process change. It is because online retailers have been avoiding the VAT charges......estimated to be upwards of £300m loss a year in the UK.

As part of the EU VAT was not being avoided by buying from the Germany not the UK, but obviously VAT went to that country, just like items bought from Wiggle or CRC (same thing) and sent to EU address still paid VAT but to the UK. So only an issue if the UK bought more than it sold within the EU.

The main issue with this new VAT process implemented is it blocks access to small independent specialists or custom manufacturers that might not be available in the UK.

This is soon to be worse when similar is implemented by the EU, blocking UK makers access to EU markets for smallers or custom items.

This was all brought to a lot of peoples attention by William Shatner, of all people, not sure what he sells but i guess its custom t-shirts or such, which you cant really get an alternative to. While i dont really care about him, its all the small idependent makers in the UK that ship to wider markets that will be suffering for this in the future, not looking great for them on top of what has been a hard year.

 

[CJaMTB]

.....and most are just rebranded Shimano hubs. Check out bikingbarn or cyclestore who cover a lot of freehub kit. I use the Dt Swiss pawl service kit which includes grease spring and pawls for the freehub on my Levo....last one I bought was £10

Thanks. The dude's ordered the Nukeproof kit, so I'm looking forward to finding out if that works. Apparently they're the same hub.

 

[Pyr0]

Rose bikes say they no longer ship anything to the UK too now.
Yesterday the notice said they hoped to resume soon.
I was keeping an eye on them as they are the closest place with a 36t Wolftooth Shimano Hyperglide 12sp 104bcd chainring.

 

[Mikerb]

As part of the EU VAT was not being avoided by buying from the Germany not the UK, but obviously VAT went to that country, just like items bought from Wiggle or CRC (same thing) and sent to EU address still paid VAT but to the UK. So only an issue if the UK bought more than it sold within the EU.

The main issue with this new VAT process implemented is it blocks access to small independent specialists or custom manufacturers that might not be available in the UK.

This is soon to be worse when similar is implemented by the EU, blocking UK makers access to EU markets for smallers or custom items.

This was all brought to a lot of peoples attention by William Shatner, of all people, not sure what he sells but i guess its custom t-shirts or such, which you cant really get an alternative to. While i dont really care about him, its all the small idependent makers in the UK that ship to wider markets that will be suffering for this in the future, not looking great for them on top of what has been a hard year.

there was previously no obligation to charge VAT at the point of sale for goods below £135 in value so it was left to checks at customs and the application of customs VAT; and of course not every single item is checked there let alone opened and examined. Most imported/exported goods are sent as large consignments between businesses but it has been the growth of online sellers selling low value items direct to consumers, that has exploited this loophole which is why the EU, the UK and many other countries are now obliging those online sellers to charge VAT at the point of sale and register with relevant Customs authority in the destination country. Uk online suppliers servicing EU customers will have to do the same from July. Unless those suppliers only service UK and EU customers currently, that process will be nothing new to them. Small scale on line sellers have the option to make their goods available via online markets like Ebay and Amazon if they want/need to avoid registration with overseas market customs authorities. ( So if William Shatner decides that is the best option you would still be a ble to buy his Capt Kirk doll or a plastic replica of the Starship Enterprise.....or a set of Spock ear extensions!!)

I have seen no information regarding the EU method of implementing the new VAT system other than it has been agreed but initiation delayed until July 2021. Whilst it may involve a single registration it still remains the fact that individual member states set their own primary ( varying from 17% to 27%) and reduced VAT rates so at the very least sellers are going to need to charge the correct amount in line with the country of receipt and specify that destination for each sale.

 

[smtkelly]

Just to add about preparedness etc

I had a parcel from Poland arrive in the UK before new years (along with alot of other fellow UK kickstarter backers). The parcel has entered Dartford and has been stuck there ever since waiting for customs to clear it with no sign of when it'll be cleared. Speaking to Fedex/TNT they tell me they are waiting for custom clearance even though it was in the UK before the 31st its been caught up in the backlog.

It's almost been 2 weeks Fedex/TNT can't give an eta on when it'll be released by UK Customs. It seems like its government customs agents unprepared after 4 years of clarity (colour me shocked) and I beleive bike companies made the right choice to refuse to ship bikes that might be tumbled in a warehouse for weeks before being delivered.

 

[KeithR]

It seems like its government customs agents unprepared after 4 years of clarity (colour me shocked)

Clarity?

The whole sorry episode has been the poster boy for a complete lack of clarity from start to (not even close to) finish...

But yeah, let's blame the poor sods on the ground who have to try and make this abortion work - blaming everyone else is a recurring theme in some circles, after all.

 

[smtkelly]

Yes its not at all ironic government were the least prepared ?

 

[ChrisCM]

Well, picked up my new Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 SL from Certini Bikes in Saltash. This was ordered before the end of the Brexit Transition period and worried that Brexit may have pushed up the price, I didn’t think that “bulk” imports of bikes from EU manufacturers would be too badly effected, other than perhaps a few quid extra for Customs processing.
I’m pleased to say I paid the price I agreed when I ordered the bike, discounted from the RRP shown on Cube’s site.

My only ride so far has been the ride home from the bike shop, about 9 miles, 90% on road then a rough track up to my property, very impressed! But some trail riding next week will give it a proper trial.

 

[Planemo]

Small scale on line sellers have the option to make their goods available via online markets like Ebay and Amazon if they want/need to avoid registration with overseas market customs authorities

I buy off Ebay all the time, and the last thing I ordered (a cheapo DNM rear shock for the Mrs) suprised me. It was showing as £83.99 on the listings, but when I completed the order it showed up as £69.99. I thought I had a right result from some sort of glitch, but I did in fact find my card had been charged for £83.99. In short, it transpires that Ebay deducted the VAT at point of sale. I guess it makes it easier in a way for a 'proper' seller, but a bummer if he was hoping to pocket the VAT money...