The Amazon Bargains Thread!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 27 Jan 2008, 19:03

Yipeey. I'd given up hope after contacting them three times Friday and nothing but today:

I'm sorry to hear that you had to pay for the customs for the order XXX to be delivered. I apologize if this has caused you nay inconvenience.

However I've requested a refund of $25.66 to the payment method you used for your original purchase. This refund should go through within 2 to 3 business days. You should see it as a credit on your next statement.

The funny thing is I've now sent a letter to Customs. I may as well let that run it's course and also send a letter to Royal Mail afterwards too. I normally wouldn't try and get refunded twice but seeing as how completely unhelpful and how much time they've caused me to waste I think I deserve it. Besides it's not as if I can stop the Customs refund anyway now.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 28 Jan 2008, 00:47

I had an email saying they were refunding me and an hour later today got a shipping notice for another copy of the dvd-r

looks like my brother won't be out of pocket but Amazon should clearly mark the fact that what they are selling at extortionate prices are basic dvd-r's

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 28 Jan 2008, 02:10

They should but sadly they won't. I'd keep an eye on things just to be sure they've not actually charged you again. If so I'd probably chuck the one they send you.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Feb 2008, 02:53

I've had an interesting update I thought I'd share with you:

Firstly here is the letter I sent to UK Customs:

http://www.alexmccaffrey.com/misc/HM%20 ... Letter.pdf

I've had a reply to my letter:

http://www.alexmccaffrey.com/misc/HM%20 ... sponce.pdf

It doesn't specifically respond to my point that one of them was Free but does effectively by default. It seems I was given dud information, no surprise there then. The letter quotes the value of the discs incorrectly, it should be $49 not $56 but obviously this is immaterial it's still over £18.

I knew Customs wouldn't give me the Royal Mail admin fee too but I thought what the hell I'll ask for it anyway.

It's now very clear if you cannot get a refund out of Amazon (more reason to moan at them!) you certainly aren't going to get one out of UK Customs!

I still think it's absurd you should pay TAX on a Free item, market value or no market value Free should mean Free, but there you go. I for one won't be buying from Amazon.com again with any of their BOGOFF or other type deals, unless the total before discount comes to below £18 (unlikely).

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 03 Feb 2008, 18:20

lots of people at dvd and av forums have had refunds from customs.

50% of hd-dvds here= 2 14.95 titles are well under £18

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?i ... 1&plpage=1

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Feb 2008, 18:39

saltysam wrote:lots of people at dvd and av forums have had refunds from customs.

Really? Any chance you could copy/paste the DVD Forums text and provide AV Forums links.

Was it specifically for BOGOF deals or Refunds in general?

I'd be interested to find out what they said and post my post above to see what differs. My letter is very specific on why they're not paying.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Feb 2008, 19:46

saltysam wrote:50% of hd-dvds here= 2 14.95 titles are well under £18

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?i ... 1&plpage=1

Lost in Translation and Carlito's Way are only minutely more expensive at DVD Pacific, others maybe too. There's no real rush to get them in this deal.

Although two before Customs is over £18 so maybe it is worth it.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 03 Feb 2008, 21:21

I have actually claimed my charges back, so speaking from experience they will pay back the "handling charge".
Now my memory is a bit hazy, but if I remember correctly, you must first send HMC&E proof that each parcel was under £18. They will then send you a cheque for the Excise and VAT duty. Remember to photocopy all the postage and customs charges labels.
__________________________________________________ _______________
HM Customs & Excise
Mount Pleasant Postal Depot
Farringdon Road
London
EC1A 1BB

Dear Sir,

As requested, I have provided:

• The postage labels
• The Customs charges labels

Along with the proof:

• Credit card Statement (with amount paid and currency exchange rates used)
• Order Confirmations (again showing prices paid)

That the value of the packages was below £18.00 in each case.

I look forward to hearing from you,
Yours faithfully,
__________________________________________________ ______________

Once HMC&E have sent the money to you, you must take all the proof that HMC&E have refunded the tax, fill out a form that you get from your local post office and send all of it to Royal Mail. (The address is on the form.)
Wait 3 or 4 months for them to send the form et al to a different sorting office and then to send it to the correct one... and voila! You have all your money including Handling charge!
I argued that if I shouldn't have been paying Customs and Excise, then I shouldn't also be paying RM.

Hope this helps.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Feb 2008, 21:24

That doesn't sound like it was a BOGOF deal as his was under £18. Mine wasn't, at least not how they look at it anyway.

Thanks though.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 03 Feb 2008, 21:30

There is a Customs form you fill in to claim a refund, form C285 which can be down loaded here or obtained from the help line number above;

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP...HMCE_CL_000423

Then send it back to;

HMRC
National Repayments Unit
Priory Court
St Johns Road
Dover
CT17 9SH

Tel: 01304 664482

With copy of your invoice showing what you paid for the dvd and a cover letter explaining why you are applying for a refund. I suggest a photo copy of the customs form showing what you paid as well.

he handling fee is down the post office or courier so you have to claim that back separately. You can do that once you've received the refund from HM Customs and Excise as the letter you receive can be used as proof.

Originally Posted by Captain_Howdy666 View Post
And how long do Royal Mail take to refund that £8 charge?
It varies, my last one took about three weeks.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Feb 2008, 21:54

Thanks again Salty but I did that and they pointed out in my case the value of the good was more than £18.

That link doesn't work btw as you copy/pasted it

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 04 Feb 2008, 02:28

I'd rather spend a few quid more and save all that refund hastle.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 04 Feb 2008, 13:27

All my half price Amazon BD'S & hd-dvd's have now arrived free of customs

Fifth Element, From Hell etc.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 04 Feb 2008, 15:49

They were bound to though considering the total after postage was less than £18.

Markgway wrote:I'd rather spend a few quid more and save all that refund hastle.

If I'd known what I know now me too. I won't be buying any Amazon.com BOGOF type deals again. I did get Die Hard cheap which is something when Fox BDs cost a bomb.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 04 Feb 2008, 18:04

actually 1 of my orders was just over the £18 limit, so i guess i got lucky

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 09 Feb 2008, 00:10

more hd-dvds half price inc. Zodiac & Transformers

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?i ... 1&plpage=1

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 09 Feb 2008, 00:53

You were lucky there.

Thanks Salty. I saw that over at Imports forum but it wasn't a proper Amazon link.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 17 Feb 2008, 02:32

I've had a very interesting update to my Customs letter:

If you remember I was charged by UK Customs for buying a two BDs through an Amazon.com BOGOF deal. I wrote to Customs giving all the details they asked for (then some) and was told the charges were correct and I wouldn't be getting a refund. Then out of the blue Amazon.com issue me a refund.

You can read details of Amazon refunding me here:

https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... 532#102532

And details of the letter I sent to Customs and their follow up letter here:

https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... 106#103106

Now imagine my surprise when a letter popped through my door saying after a review Customs will be issuing me a Customs refund. Which I find strange as their original letter specifically said you need to ask for a review and I didn't see the point so didn't ask for one.

Here is a copy of the letter I received:

http://www.alexmccaffrey.com/misc/HM%20 ... Review.pdf

I knew I knew I was bloody right all along

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 29 Feb 2008, 16:55

saltysam wrote:they've replied overnight,told me they are sending me a replacement, refunding mt card then charging it again :x i've fired off an another email to them.

amazon sent me an email inviting me to review the dvd-r they sent me,so i took them up on the offer

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VG ... dp_product

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 01 Mar 2008, 03:44

Well said. I cannot believe Amazon are still listing it.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Mar 2008, 22:53

Edward Scissorhands RA BD - $20.41/£10.04 Delivered to the UK:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000VDDWDI

28 Days Later RA BD - $20.41/£10.04 Delivered to the UK:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VDDWEC

There are likely to be other Fox titles too, see here:

https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... 443#107443

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 14 Mar 2008, 01:02

bradavon wrote:28 Days Later RA BD - $20.41/£10.04 Delivered to the UK:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VDDWEC

Upscale from PAL DV cam... the ultimate HD demo disc!

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 14 Mar 2008, 01:16

dvdvision · Post by **dvdvision** » 15 Mar 2008, 07:56

Those prices are crazy, I got Zodiac HD + Payback director's cut HD for 25 € delivered in France ! That's 12,50 € the title ! 8)

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Mar 2008, 08:04

Were they from Amazon USA or Amazon France?

I'm going to pick up Warners' Zodiac DC Blu-ray Disc when they release it in the UK. Hopefully they'll have ported the extras from Paramount's HD-DVD.