Buying Board Games from the US in the UK

[Whirlwind]

What have people’s experiences been in buying wargaming stuff – particularly board games – from the US in the UK? How easy is the tax and customs to navigate?

[Norm S]

In the first instance, I would go to Second Chance Games, a UK bricks and mortar trader who has all the new stuff and a huge back catalogue. The last time I bought direct I paid $50 shipping, £18 customs fee and a £10 charge from Royal Mail for them to collect that fee. It pretty much doubled the cost of the game.

The system to buy direct is easy to navigate, you just order and pay the shipping. Then when it arrives, Royal Mail deliver to your door and at the time collect the Customs charge from you and charge you a collection fee for the privilege of doing that !

The better option is buying from Second Chance Games, a much kinder experience on your wallet 🙂 You pay the price stated on the website and then pay postage, which is either standard Royal Mail, or next day Courier or you can collect.

 

 

[willz]

I will second Norms comment, I have used 2nd chance games with excellent service.

[Ruarigh]

What Norm said. I’ve bought games on pre-order from the US in the past and wound up paying more than it would have cost from a retailer in the UK thanks to shipping, customs charges and the Post Office’s handling charge. With increasing postage costs, it’s just not worth ordering from the US any more, which is a shame because I would really like a couple more Titan gunships from Rebel Minis, but the final cost is just way too expensive these days.

I third Second Chance Games. I would also recommend Leisure Games in Finchley, who are great to visit if you are in the area and also offer quick mail order. A third option with quick delivery and good prices is Zatu Games. I have had excellent service from all of these, and have found that if one does not have the game I am looking for, one of the others often does have it.

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[Guy Farrish]

Me too!

2nd Chance Games, or Spirit Games or Zatu, or BoardGame guru

I fell over at the postage cost from the US well before I got to the VAT and processing charges.

[Whirlwind]

Many thanks all, appreciate the collective wisdom!

[willz]

Yes Zatu games are very good.

[MartinR]

I’ve used Spirit Games and Zazu, thanks for the recommendation for 2nd Chance.

I wouldn’t even attempt to buy stuff direct from the US, although I once ordered a set of spare laces online for my Desert Boots and they were despatched from a shoe shop in a small envelope somewhere in downtown LA! Which wasn’t apparent at the time.

"Mistakes in the initial deployment cannot be rectified" - Helmuth von Moltke

[Whirlwind]

I got my game from Second Chance Games and will definitely look for more there, very many thanks.

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