Ok, back and calm. I appologize if I offended anyone with my gruff demeanor, in the future I'll pull the sales manager on here to answer these questions since he is the one that deals with these issues.
Yes we've had USPS service to the UK for some months now. Before the new website went up it had to be asked for because USPS's interface wasn't compatible with our system. Currently the calculator will choke on small packges and report an error. Once the patch can be installed, tentitively this weekend, customers who live in a country whose postal service have a working agreement with the USPS will be able to calculate the cost of shipping at check out.
Actually the SMT propellers can be sandwiched with some thin padding and just placed in a large envelope and sent by US Postal service for less than USD 10.
But of course Parallax wouldn't do that.
Thanks for the update Paul - and, hey, everyone's allowed to be grumpy occasionally
[noparse][[/noparse]Gees; I've just realised what the time is - 03:51 - I must get some sleep!]
Have a great weekend.
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Cheers,
Simon
www.norfolkhelicopterclub.co.uk
You'll always have as many take-offs as landings, the trick is to be sure you can take-off again ;-) BTW: I type as I'm thinking, so please don't take any offense at my writing style
Paul Baker (Parallax) said...
... in the future I'll pull the sales manager on here to answer these questions since he is the one that deals with these issues.
Paul:
Actually that might not be a bad idea. The sales mgr may have additional insight on this issue since he has probably looked at many alternatives and has a reason for choosing the current method.
If I can select USPS instead of UPS as standard I'm happy and the UK distributers can keep there overpriced stock.
I can finally say I love Parallax without even a tingle in my wallet.
But please, this thread turned out like a conversation with my mother. We highlighted an issue, the high price of Parallax goods in the UK either via overpricing from distributers or high shipping costs due to the use of a courier when buying direct. This was taken as a attack when in fact it was never meant to be, rather we were saying help!!!!! No one can ask for more than paying cost price for postage from one of the more economical services, we (average Joe) are not big companies we don't need fedex or UPS and when we do, we'll pay.
Here here, Graham, it was never meant as an attack on Parallax, which is why I stayed away from posting before now [noparse]:)[/noparse] tactical move by me lol sorry guys, for not standing forward, I just don't wanna rock boat, specially since I have a product I want a prop in [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Graham is on the money there, I just re-read my original post and it does read like a request for help.
I've been doing a bit of digging around HM Customs and Excise and it appears (though I will confirm it with my accountant) that the Propeller chip should be exempt from import duties as it can form part of an electrical product to be manufactured in the UK.
This means you should only have the dreaded VAT to pay which is always payable!!
The biggest problem with UPS is their brokerage fees are astronomical and they make a _lot_ of money from it. (I know because they are one of my customers!)
Fedex have more reasonable rates and Royal Mail are even better so shipping small quantities by USPS get's my thumbs up too.
Coley
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ PropGFX Forums - The home of the Hybrid Development System and PropGFX Lite
The below relates to pricing in Australia
We sell a complete Propeller Dip kit for $24.20 all inc GST Qty 1 kit
That is a 40 pin dipper + 24LC256 eeprom + crystal and mylar washer.
We can ship 1 dip kit for as low as $2.50 here in OZ..
But we prefer to package properly in a small box .. cost increases to $5.50 for std postage
Qty 5 and above we do better...
The times it takes to pack and post is the biggest issue...
I think that is exactly the problem. I can buy a Proto Board in Malaysia for 112.00MR ( approx. $US30) from our local Parallax agent, Future Dynasty , Malaysia. A small company with a good reputation, selling a limited range of Parallax produces at great prices.
I have not purchased locally because I required other components from Parallax that our local agent does not carry. The last parcel from Parallax weighed 600grams and cost $US85.00 freight. The same week I received another parcel from another US supplier (same weight) sent registered priority mail. The cost was less than $US15.00
I understand the need to protect local agents, but if we can’t get the things we need from the local agent what are we to do?
Parallax has made it quite clear that International Customers can expect to pay more if we choose to purchase direct. See the Parallax Policies Statement at the back of their catalogue.
I would question the sense in pursuing such a policy, far better to structure dual pricing. A retail price and
an agents price. If Parallax must support the locals, why not subsidize delivery within the States. The retail price structured in such a way as to cover the freight subsidy within the US.
A great product and a badly thought out distribution policy IMO. Leaving Parallax (Paul) having to continually justify their freight cost to International customers.
I'm another in the UK who has found it far cheaper dealing direct with Parallax paying the import tax shipping etc than through a dealer here, the thing is it's not just this "niche" market thats affected by these rip off dealers and the more we pander to these dealers the more they will continue to rip us off, deal direct with the big boys I say.
Think we wanted more UK distributors. If Parallax had a cheaper shipment option would deal direct. I would hate to have to pay 42 UK pounds delivery and also VAT on top for a few meager parts.
The new USPS option should be cheaper, it will come via the royal mail at our end, you still pay VAT and tax plus a smaller brokerage charge but it is actually much more likely to slip through with no charge if it is a small package. With UPS and Fedex it never slips through for obvious reasons $$$
The new USPS option should be cheaper, it will come via the royal mail at our end, you still pay VAT and tax plus a smaller brokerage charge but it is actually much more likely to slip through with no charge if it is a small package. With UPS and Fedex it never slips through for obvious reasons $$$
Graham
Duty and VAT are not payable if the value including shipping is below £33 (IIRC).
Leon
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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
Baggers said...
@TonyF, don't take this the wrong way, but I'd have expected someone who opened a propshop to have had more than 3 posts tbh.
Try him out with a small order, if he does good business does it really matter how much a presence he is on the forums? Most Parallax distributors have zero presence on the forums.
Excellent news Ken [noparse]:D[/noparse]
and as Coley asks, Are you still planning the UK roadshow? if so when? [noparse]:D[/noparse]
@Paul, I wasn't complaining, it's just like someone has come out of nowhere, and opened a fantastic shop, I'd have thought it'd be someone who's been using props for a while that's all I was getting at. [noparse]:D[/noparse]
That is indeed good news ... even better when I look at the stg£ rate v € (Ireland) at the moment .. just stocked up on ancillaries from FEC (Farnell) as the exchange rate is good and the benefits are being passed on !
Rgds,
John Twomey
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ 'Necessity is the mother of invention'
In France we have very few retailers for the Propeller and dont find a Prop plug at all.
Recently i bought a Prop plug from Milford but with a mark-up.
I know that it is a niche but clearly there is a need for an European retailer for Propeller
and related products.
I've just contacted Rapid about stocking the Propeller (I'm still waiting for a reply). If others also contact them we can convince them there is enough UK interest to stock the Propeller and its dev kits.
Rapid said...
Thank you for your enquiry. This is not something that we had considered stocking thus far. However, I will contact Parallax to get their feedback on having another UK distributor (I know there are others besides RS and Farnell already!)
I will keep you posted with progress on this.
Lets hope it works out and UK propeller heads might get another supplier
Excellent on asking Rapid Electronics To look in to stocking this part. If they hit the correct price (is all about distribution and stock issues obviously) should be a good first choice supplier.
I understand that Ken Gracey is looking at the UK and Europe market distributors, as I see things at present is a Niche, needs a few companies to step forward and stock. Is a Niche not majorly by virtue of the chip design, more driven by the UK companies can purchase these from. I for one would support them with continued purchases, or indeed anyone else able to hit the sweetspot on price.
@Ken Gracey,
I think the reason we keep on at Parallax over this issue is that we often feel very left out. We wish to be able to find more than a couple of suppliers of the Propeller here in England. I do also realise how hard you work at making the marketing work for all, certainly not an easy job at all.
Not for one second should we also forget the amazing people that are the Forumn members, Parallax staff for the best technical support available anywhere.
TonyD said...
I've just contacted Rapid about stocking the Propeller
That would be good. Rapid have a good reputation, stock a wide range of components and accessories, have reasonable pricing, are hobbyist accessible and have a good relationship with the UK school and education sectors.
Of course we don't know what Ken's plans are yet, maybe even better !
hippy said...
That would be good. Rapid have a good reputation, stock a wide range of components and accessories, have reasonable pricing, are hobbyist accessible and have a good relationship with the UK school and education sectors.
Totally agree with you on Rapid. I've been using them for years and they have replaced Maplin as my supplier for components. RS and Farnell have never been hobbyist friendly.
Comments
Yes we've had USPS service to the UK for some months now. Before the new website went up it had to be asked for because USPS's interface wasn't compatible with our system. Currently the calculator will choke on small packges and report an error. Once the patch can be installed, tentitively this weekend, customers who live in a country whose postal service have a working agreement with the USPS will be able to calculate the cost of shipping at check out.
I do not know how our rates compare to sparkfun.
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Paul Baker
Propeller Applications Engineer
Parallax, Inc.
But of course Parallax wouldn't do that.
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www.fd.com.my
www.mercedes.com.my
[noparse][[/noparse]Gees; I've just realised what the time is - 03:51 - I must get some sleep!]
Have a great weekend.
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Cheers,
Simon
www.norfolkhelicopterclub.co.uk
You'll always have as many take-offs as landings, the trick is to be sure you can take-off again ;-)
BTW: I type as I'm thinking, so please don't take any offense at my writing style
Paul:
Actually that might not be a bad idea. The sales mgr may have additional insight on this issue since he has probably looked at many alternatives and has a reason for choosing the current method.
I can finally say I love Parallax without even a tingle in my wallet.
But please, this thread turned out like a conversation with my mother. We highlighted an issue, the high price of Parallax goods in the UK either via overpricing from distributers or high shipping costs due to the use of a courier when buying direct. This was taken as a attack when in fact it was never meant to be, rather we were saying help!!!!! No one can ask for more than paying cost price for postage from one of the more economical services, we (average Joe) are not big companies we don't need fedex or UPS and when we do, we'll pay.
Hoorah!
Graham
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http://www.propgfx.co.uk/forum/·home of the PropGFX Lite
·
I've been doing a bit of digging around HM Customs and Excise and it appears (though I will confirm it with my accountant) that the Propeller chip should be exempt from import duties as it can form part of an electrical product to be manufactured in the UK.
This means you should only have the dreaded VAT to pay which is always payable!!
The biggest problem with UPS is their brokerage fees are astronomical and they make a _lot_ of money from it. (I know because they are one of my customers!)
Fedex have more reasonable rates and Royal Mail are even better so shipping small quantities by USPS get's my thumbs up too.
Coley
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
PropGFX Forums - The home of the Hybrid Development System and PropGFX Lite
The below relates to pricing in Australia
We sell a complete Propeller Dip kit for $24.20 all inc GST Qty 1 kit
That is a 40 pin dipper + 24LC256 eeprom + crystal and mylar washer.
We can ship 1 dip kit for as low as $2.50 here in OZ..
But we prefer to package properly in a small box .. cost increases to $5.50 for std postage
Qty 5 and above we do better...
The times it takes to pack and post is the biggest issue...
cheers Ronald Nollet..
I have not purchased locally because I required other components from Parallax that our local agent does not carry. The last parcel from Parallax weighed 600grams and cost $US85.00 freight. The same week I received another parcel from another US supplier (same weight) sent registered priority mail. The cost was less than $US15.00
I understand the need to protect local agents, but if we can’t get the things we need from the local agent what are we to do?
Parallax has made it quite clear that International Customers can expect to pay more if we choose to purchase direct. See the Parallax Policies Statement at the back of their catalogue.
I would question the sense in pursuing such a policy, far better to structure dual pricing. A retail price and
an agents price. If Parallax must support the locals, why not subsidize delivery within the States. The retail price structured in such a way as to cover the freight subsidy within the US.
A great product and a badly thought out distribution policy IMO. Leaving Parallax (Paul) having to continually justify their freight cost to International customers.
Think we wanted more UK distributors. If Parallax had a cheaper shipment option would deal direct. I would hate to have to pay 42 UK pounds delivery and also VAT on top for a few meager parts.
Mike.
The new USPS option should be cheaper, it will come via the royal mail at our end, you still pay VAT and tax plus a smaller brokerage charge but it is actually much more likely to slip through with no charge if it is a small package. With UPS and Fedex it never slips through for obvious reasons $$$
Graham
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http://www.propgfx.co.uk/forum/·home of the PropGFX Lite
Post Edited (Baggers) : 4/7/2008 4:04:57 PM GMT
Duty and VAT are not payable if the value including shipping is below £33 (IIRC).
Leon
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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
http://www.propgfx.co.uk/forum/·home of the PropGFX Lite
·
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Paul Baker
You shall be able to buy all of our products under reasonable pricing by the end of the year.
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
Are you still planning the roadshows for the UK?
Coley
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PropGFX - The home of the Hybrid Development System and PropGFX Lite
and as Coley asks, Are you still planning the UK roadshow? if so when? [noparse]:D[/noparse]
@Paul, I wasn't complaining, it's just like someone has come out of nowhere, and opened a fantastic shop, I'd have thought it'd be someone who's been using props for a while that's all I was getting at. [noparse]:D[/noparse]
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http://www.propgfx.co.uk/forum/·home of the PropGFX Lite
·
Rgds,
John Twomey
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
'Necessity is the mother of invention'
Those who can, do.Those who can’t, teach.
Recently i bought a Prop plug from Milford but with a mark-up.
I know that it is a niche but clearly there is a need for an European retailer for Propeller
and related products.
Cats92
Carry quite a good range .. I have dealt with them in the past
Regards,
John Twomey
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
'Necessity is the mother of invention'
Those who can, do.Those who can’t, teach.
I've just contacted Rapid about stocking the Propeller (I'm still waiting for a reply). If others also contact them we can convince them there is enough UK interest to stock the Propeller and its dev kits.
- Tony
Lets hope it works out and UK propeller heads might get another supplier
- Tony
Post Edited (TonyD) : 2/3/2009 9:16:11 AM GMT
Excellent on asking Rapid Electronics To look in to stocking this part. If they hit the correct price (is all about distribution and stock issues obviously) should be a good first choice supplier.
I understand that Ken Gracey is looking at the UK and Europe market distributors, as I see things at present is a Niche, needs a few companies to step forward and stock. Is a Niche not majorly by virtue of the chip design, more driven by the UK companies can purchase these from. I for one would support them with continued purchases, or indeed anyone else able to hit the sweetspot on price.
@Ken Gracey,
I think the reason we keep on at Parallax over this issue is that we often feel very left out. We wish to be able to find more than a couple of suppliers of the Propeller here in England. I do also realise how hard you work at making the marketing work for all, certainly not an easy job at all.
Not for one second should we also forget the amazing people that are the Forumn members, Parallax staff for the best technical support available anywhere.
With regards
Mike.
That would be good. Rapid have a good reputation, stock a wide range of components and accessories, have reasonable pricing, are hobbyist accessible and have a good relationship with the UK school and education sectors.
Of course we don't know what Ken's plans are yet, maybe even better !
Totally agree with you on Rapid. I've been using them for years and they have replaced Maplin as my supplier for components. RS and Farnell have never been hobbyist friendly.
- Tony