Experience ordering products from Europe right now?
04-27-20, 11:35 AM
#52
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eiher they didn't ship yet they are waiting for the plane to be filled or it arrived but takes too long in the customs because of the virus.
04-27-20, 11:40 AM
#53
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24/04/2020 10:25:00 CUSTOMS RETENTION: UNSPECIFIED REASON
24/04/2020 10:25:00 ARRIVED IN COUNTRY / NON EU PRESENTED TO CUSTOMS
21/04/2020 17:12:46 ROUTED TO DESTINATION
21/04/2020 16:36:08 TRAKPAK PROCESS CENTRE 198 BASILDON, SS15 6TR, GB
19/04/2020 18:10:24 DEPARTED Merlin Cycles Ltd 218
04-27-20, 11:41 AM
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Not sure about your country, but here we do get a notification once package has arrived in the country. Here's an example of my tracking:
24/04/2020 10:25:00 CUSTOMS RETENTION: UNSPECIFIED REASON
24/04/2020 10:25:00 ARRIVED IN COUNTRY / NON EU PRESENTED TO CUSTOMS
21/04/2020 17:12:46 ROUTED TO DESTINATION
21/04/2020 16:36:08 TRAKPAK PROCESS CENTRE 198 BASILDON, SS15 6TR, GB
19/04/2020 18:10:24 DEPARTED Merlin Cycles Ltd 218
24/04/2020 10:25:00 CUSTOMS RETENTION: UNSPECIFIED REASON
24/04/2020 10:25:00 ARRIVED IN COUNTRY / NON EU PRESENTED TO CUSTOMS
21/04/2020 17:12:46 ROUTED TO DESTINATION
21/04/2020 16:36:08 TRAKPAK PROCESS CENTRE 198 BASILDON, SS15 6TR, GB
19/04/2020 18:10:24 DEPARTED Merlin Cycles Ltd 218
04-28-20, 06:49 AM
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Update on my April 21st order @ Merlin Cycle :
Item arrived to my local shipping facility this morning and I am waiting for an ''out for delivery'' notification. It doesn't look like CBSA (border agency) got through it, because I did not receive any notification that I owe duties or taxes for the import.
Hopefully, I'll get it by the end of the day. If so, the shipping will have taken 7 working days.
Item arrived to my local shipping facility this morning and I am waiting for an ''out for delivery'' notification. It doesn't look like CBSA (border agency) got through it, because I did not receive any notification that I owe duties or taxes for the import.
Hopefully, I'll get it by the end of the day. If so, the shipping will have taken 7 working days.
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04-29-20, 04:30 PM
#57
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Has anyone ever been billed AFTER they've received their package? My package was delivered over a week ago, and an invoice from UPS today for Custom Duties/Brokerage Charges showed up today.
It's only for $12.47, so not the end of the world, but it does seem strange that they would release the package before duties are paid?
It's only for $12.47, so not the end of the world, but it does seem strange that they would release the package before duties are paid?
04-29-20, 06:30 PM
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DHL finally delivered wheels from PBK 28 April. 11 Days to the Southwestern USA. Still waiting on Merlin.
04-29-20, 07:40 PM
#59
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It took about 2 weeks for something from planetx (uk) to make it to the states. I still don't have it yet though...
04-29-20, 08:41 PM
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Has anyone ever been billed AFTER they've received their package? My package was delivered over a week ago, and an invoice from UPS today for Custom Duties/Brokerage Charges showed up today.
It's only for $12.47, so not the end of the world, but it does seem strange that they would release the package before duties are paid?
It's only for $12.47, so not the end of the world, but it does seem strange that they would release the package before duties are paid?
Glad to hear Merlin is shipping quickly, I just pieced together a 12sp Chorus crank and ders with Record shifters and hydro discs for cheaper then anywhere I could find online. I did consider buying an Campy 11sp CX crank and saving another 200 but the Chorus crank says it is designed to work with 142mm rear ends and I don't know how optimal the CX crank would be.
04-29-20, 09:06 PM
#61
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Haven't had it happen but I've heard a number of times of it happening particularly with fedex. Usual complaint is that the bill is more then it should be since Fedex and UPS don't negotiate the right duties in an effort to get things through quicker, this is why I try hard to never receive anything internationally from them. 12.47 isn't alot depending on the cost of your item, but if its 12.47 on 150 I'm not going to be happy when my order shows up if its the same ratio.
Glad to hear Merlin is shipping quickly, I just pieced together a 12sp Chorus crank and ders with Record shifters and hydro discs for cheaper then anywhere I could find online. I did consider buying an Campy 11sp CX crank and saving another 200 but the Chorus crank says it is designed to work with 142mm rear ends and I don't know how optimal the CX crank would be.
Glad to hear Merlin is shipping quickly, I just pieced together a 12sp Chorus crank and ders with Record shifters and hydro discs for cheaper then anywhere I could find online. I did consider buying an Campy 11sp CX crank and saving another 200 but the Chorus crank says it is designed to work with 142mm rear ends and I don't know how optimal the CX crank would be.
On the invoice the groupset is listed as "bike derailleurs" and "bike crankset" which are both free from tariffs. The $0.47 that I got charge for was based on the frame protective tape that I order. It's listed as "frames and forks" which is subjected to 3.9% tarif....all-in-all, an $12 to save hundreds, I'm ok with that.
05-01-20, 07:31 AM
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My order from Merlin (cranksets) was ordered 22 April, I was notitied by Fedex that it is scheduled for delivery on 5 May. 9 days.
05-01-20, 09:30 AM
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Has anyone ever been billed AFTER they've received their package? My package was delivered over a week ago, and an invoice from UPS today for Custom Duties/Brokerage Charges showed up today.
It's only for $12.47, so not the end of the world, but it does seem strange that they would release the package before duties are paid?
It's only for $12.47, so not the end of the world, but it does seem strange that they would release the package before duties are paid?
05-01-20, 11:59 AM
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Placed order on the 30th since I finalized everything at about 12:30 at night my time, so ordered yesterday and arrived today from the UK. That's giving Amazon at its finest a run for their money. Was even free shipping from Merlin.
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05-01-20, 12:37 PM
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That's crazy fast! You got very lucky. Indeed, Amazon is rushing right now. Not the fastest shipping anymore.
Last edited by eduskator; 05-01-20 at 12:40 PM.
05-01-20, 04:43 PM
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I ordered from Wiggle and SigmaSports last week. Both shipped DHL and SigmaSports was shipped on a Thursday and arrived on Friday afternoon. Wiggle shipped Friday and arrived Monday afternoon. SigmaSports was $9 shipping and Wiggle was free shipping. No duties (both orders were way under $800).
05-01-20, 07:12 PM
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OP... Curious as to what you paid for the Ultegra pedals that you chose to order from Europe? I just ordered the same pedals but when through Amazon as they were cheaper than anyone at $120.51 USD. Of course, it'll probably be a few years before they arrive since all non-essential product shipments have been delayed. 
Ever since Shimano cracked-down on gray market parts, I haven't seen many deals coming out of Europe... at least not on Shimano components.
Ever since Shimano cracked-down on gray market parts, I haven't seen many deals coming out of Europe... at least not on Shimano components.
05-03-20, 06:45 PM
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OP... Curious as to what you paid for the Ultegra pedals that you chose to order from Europe? I just ordered the same pedals but when through Amazon as they were cheaper than anyone at $120.51 USD. Of course, it'll probably be a few years before they arrive since all non-essential product shipments have been delayed. Ever since Shimano cracked-down on gray market parts, I haven't seen many deals coming out of Europe... at least not on Shimano components.
Ever since Shimano cracked-down on gray market parts, I haven't seen many deals coming out of Europe... at least not on Shimano components.EDIT: 120$ USD equals to 170$ CAD.
Last edited by eduskator; 05-03-20 at 06:50 PM.
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05-04-20, 12:26 AM
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Well my order is in customs now hope to recieve it this week. Ordered april 14th so it's going to be like 3 weeks from Merlin to Turkey I suppose.
02/05/2020 12:20:00 INTERNATIONAL HUB 246
02/05/2020 09:21:00 RECEIVED INTO CUSTOMS 432
18/04/2020 01:53:15 ROUTED TO DESTINATION 299
15/04/2020 22:29:13 TRAKPAK PROCESS CENTRE 198 BASILDON, SS15 6TR, GB 14/04/2020 16:04:20 DEPARTED Merlin Cycles Ltd 218
02/05/2020 12:20:00 INTERNATIONAL HUB 246
02/05/2020 09:21:00 RECEIVED INTO CUSTOMS 432
18/04/2020 01:53:15 ROUTED TO DESTINATION 299
15/04/2020 22:29:13 TRAKPAK PROCESS CENTRE 198 BASILDON, SS15 6TR, GB 14/04/2020 16:04:20 DEPARTED Merlin Cycles Ltd 218
05-04-20, 08:29 AM
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I got them for 175$ all in (CAD). They were on sale at Merlin Cycle. LBSs were selling them for 250$+TX (no rebates unfortunately, because I really want to support local businesses right now) and Amazon had them for 205$ CND. Moreover, Merlin Cycle offered faster shipping than Amazon due to COVID-19.
EDIT: 120$ USD equals to 170$ CAD.
EDIT: 120$ USD equals to 170$ CAD.
05-04-20, 09:02 AM
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What's crazy is that most LBS in Canada can likely match the $175 and still have a healthy margin. They typically have a 100% markup on most bike parts. Not every deal needs to be a Merlin match, but given everything going on now, if I were a business owner, I'd take the $50 gross profit and run. Heck, even charge $185 and make a convincing story to the customer about "buying local" and you'd likely get agreement.
Ended up saving 112$ by buying on Merlin Cycle. I bought a bicycle tool kit and a case of beer with that money.
05-04-20, 09:22 AM
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That's exactly what I said a few pages ago... I tried having 4 nearby bicycle shops match out Merlin Cycle's price, but no one wanted to lower their 250$ price. The closest I got was from a work colleague who knows one of the LBS owner & he offered 10% off (220$ + TX).
Ended up saving 112$ by buying on Merlin Cycle. I bought a bicycle tool kit and a case of beer with that money.
Ended up saving 112$ by buying on Merlin Cycle. I bought a bicycle tool kit and a case of beer with that money.
I acknowledge the distributors are partially to blame, by enforcing fixed advertised pricing and restrictive costing, but the LBS still has the ability to make deals, if they want.
Last edited by WorldIRC; 05-04-20 at 09:28 AM.
05-06-20, 11:12 PM
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Here it goes. (Turkey)
06/05/2020 12
00 DELIVERED
06/05/2020 09:12:00 ARRIVED AT DELIVERY DEPOT 201
04/05/2020 22:43:00 ARRIVED AT DELIVERY DEPOT 201
04/05/2020 09:57:00 ARRIVED AT DELIVERY DEPOT 201
04/05/2020 09:01:00 IN TRANSIT - HUB SCAN 202
04/05/2020 09:00:00 IN TRANSIT - HUB SCAN 202
02/05/2020 12:20:00 INTERNATIONAL HUB 246
02/05/2020 09:21:00 RECEIVED INTO CUSTOMS 432
18/04/2020 01:53:15 ROUTED TO DESTINATION 299
15/04/2020 22:29:13 TRAKPAK PROCESS CENTRE 198 BASILDON, SS15 6TR, GB 14/04/2020 16:04:20 DEPARTED Merlin Cycles Ltd 218
06/05/2020 12
00 DELIVERED06/05/2020 09:12:00 ARRIVED AT DELIVERY DEPOT 201
04/05/2020 22:43:00 ARRIVED AT DELIVERY DEPOT 201
04/05/2020 09:57:00 ARRIVED AT DELIVERY DEPOT 201
04/05/2020 09:01:00 IN TRANSIT - HUB SCAN 202
04/05/2020 09:00:00 IN TRANSIT - HUB SCAN 202
02/05/2020 12:20:00 INTERNATIONAL HUB 246
02/05/2020 09:21:00 RECEIVED INTO CUSTOMS 432
18/04/2020 01:53:15 ROUTED TO DESTINATION 299
15/04/2020 22:29:13 TRAKPAK PROCESS CENTRE 198 BASILDON, SS15 6TR, GB 14/04/2020 16:04:20 DEPARTED Merlin Cycles Ltd 218
Last edited by esuad; 05-07-20 at 03:44 AM.
03-27-22, 03:48 PM
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Hi...
First time poster. I ordered from Merlin mid February 2022. Still nothing on updates to Canada. I called up Merlin and they claim it's a Canada customs issues. I've ordered from them in 2021 and it came through pretty quickly. Curious if others are seeing delays? What is a reasonable amount of time to wait? Will Merlin give a refund?
Thanks!
16th Feb 2022 0500 ROUTED TO DESTINATION 299
15th Feb 2022 12:30:24 IN TRANSIT - HUB SCAN 202
15th Feb 2022 11:28:51 FEDEX CROSS BORDER PROCESS CENTRE 198 BASILDON, SS15 6TR, GB
14th Feb 2022 15:21:23 DEPARTED Merlin Cycles Ltd 218
First time poster. I ordered from Merlin mid February 2022. Still nothing on updates to Canada. I called up Merlin and they claim it's a Canada customs issues. I've ordered from them in 2021 and it came through pretty quickly. Curious if others are seeing delays? What is a reasonable amount of time to wait? Will Merlin give a refund?
Thanks!
16th Feb 2022 05
00 ROUTED TO DESTINATION 29915th Feb 2022 12:30:24 IN TRANSIT - HUB SCAN 202
15th Feb 2022 11:28:51 FEDEX CROSS BORDER PROCESS CENTRE 198 BASILDON, SS15 6TR, GB
14th Feb 2022 15:21:23 DEPARTED Merlin Cycles Ltd 218