Due to the shocking prices of Airhawk Seats in the UK i got hold of Ghost Motorcycles in Florida. Excellent communication and prompt dispatch and great price. Only let down by UK customs and couriers. Talk to Howard at Ghost to mark parcels differently to avoid import tax. I didn't and paid the price. He will be all ears.

Rob

Not sure I follow there Rob, just looked and found Ghost Motorcycles in Florida on eBay -

Airhawk Seat Cushion At Ghost Motorcycles Florida

Airhawk Seat Cushion at Winding Roads UK

The eBay listing is showing at �83.65 plus shipping and Winding Roads at �82.00 plus postage.

The UK one includes the duties and VAT, which you got caught for when bringing yours in.
Buying from the UK gives you protection under UK consumer laws, and if there is a problem with the goods, the cost of getting it returned to the supplier is much less.

In turn, the VAT, Duties, Corporation Tax, Business Rates, National Insurance etc all paid by the UK seller goes back to the government to spend on trying to get us out of the hole the country is currently in.

I can understand buying something abroad that is not available in this country or where the savings are significant (even with VAT and Duties) included. But where it is minimal and the only saving is VAT and Duty (possibly) then why not support UK businesses and jobs.

These are two different products.

The Airhawk shown on the winding roads site @ �82 is the Airhawk 2 with a plastic bladder, the one shown on the Ebay listing is the neoprane version, which Winding Roads are selling for �162 !

__________________
>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Ooops. Hadn't spotted that.

But, my point is still valid if you check the figures. The Airhawk at Ghost in the US is $136.95 and looking on the USPS website, shipping is around $45.00, making the total $181.95, about �115.00 at current rates. Add in duty at 6% takes it to �121.19, add the VAT and it becomes �146.28, add in the courier handling charge of around �10 and your at �156.28. At which point the savings aren't what they first looked.

So, given all that why not support UK bike businesses. Where I live, over the past few years we have lost Kawsaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and Ducati dealers from the town as well as a long established bike clothing / helmet shop, and ony have one remaining franchised bike shop left, a Honda dealership. I don't think it's the only town like it.

I like a bargain as much as anyone, and have bought stuff abroad a lot when I can't get it here in the UK, but it's not always as cheap as it looks, and most UK dealers aren't ripping customers off as it sometimes looks from the bare figures. But, if I can support my local shop then I'm happy to, because if he goes under it's not really good for any of us in the long term.

A fair point, and you are right, once you work through the figures it does look less attractive, probably some room to shave off some costs in the proccess but nevertheless, given the closing gap in cost, the benefits of a local purchase are better for all.

Thanks for taking the time to research this.

__________________
>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

I faced the same situation when looking for pegs for my ten - at first glance buying from the USA looked like the best option cost wise but taking into consideration the 'hidden' costs it doesn't seem worth it, plus the hassle and timescales for delivery.

__________________
Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big an wear glasses if you need em.

No problem, didn't take much time at all. I used to work for a specialist car / parts importer and we bought and sold all over the world, so well used to the hidden costs in the apparent bargain.

Much easier when dealing with the EU as there are no hidden extras. Which is useful when dealing with the likes of Off-The-Road or Kedo who have some nice bits that aren't readily available off the shelf here.