Anyone shopped from Bike24.com?

[Frosty]

So I also had a very favorable experience from them, ordered odds and ends (grease gun, tyres, bb tool, some brake pads, but the grease gun was the main order as I can't get it out of the local agents and the rest was just to maximize value from the shipping).  Ordered on the 21st October and it was here at the Post Office last Friday, 29th October.

 

What I did however found interesting is the calculation of VAT and the exchange rate that was used by Customs.  Total on which VAT was charged was the actual products and not on the shipping (nice to know that shipping is excluded).  The products were €136.47 and that translated to R316.19 VAT payable (on top of that was the R39 handling fee), this translates to R16.55/€1.00, the parcel went through Customs on the 27th October and according to XE.com, spot price (not buy/sell price) was R15.20/€1.00. When I purchased on the 21st Oct XE price was R15.35/€1.00 and Paypall charged me R15.66/€1.00.

 

Does anyone know where Costoms get their exchange rate information from?

 

Edit:

Okay, to answer my own question.  There is an online SARS exchange rate calculator: http://tools.sars.gov.za/rex/Rates/Default.aspx

 

This however gives me a rate for the 27th Oct of R15.27/€1.00!

 

Got screwed here.

to answer your query...

 

sounds like VAT was calculated at a Roe of R15.04 (vat = 15.4%)

 

Eur 136.47 x 15.04 = R 2053 (always rounded off)

 

R2053 x 15.4% = R316.16

I agree with the above... to reverse calculate the exchange rate:

 

EUR 136.47 x 1.1 * 0.14 = EUR 21.01 (Value of the VAT in EUR)

Actual VAT Paid = ZAR 316.19 / EUR 21.01 = 15.0495 (this was the exchange rate).

That exchange rate was used on 23-25 October (1/15.0495 = 0.066476)

[nimthor]

to answer your query...

 

I agree with the above... to reverse calculate the exchange rate:

 

EUR 136.47 x 1.1 * 0.14 = EUR 21.01 (Value of the VAT in EUR)

Actual VAT Paid = ZAR 316.19 / EUR 21.01 = 15.0495 (this was the exchange rate).

That exchange rate was used on 23-25 October (1/15.0495 = 0.066476)

 

Thanks for the explanation, makes sense.

 

So the 1.1 is the handling fee?  What is the purpose of the clearance fee of R39?  Is that standard for the PO?

 

Thanks! Eventually I will know how this import stuff works.

[shawnvan]

Also recently bought from Bike24 and was delivered in about a week / 10 days no issues via the Post Office.

 

They carry a wider range of goods than CRC and often cheaper.  Will definitely buy from them again.

[Frosty]

Thanks for the explanation, makes sense.

 

So the 1.1 is the handling fee? What is the purpose of the clearance fee of R39? Is that standard for the PO?

 

Thanks! Eventually I will know how this import stuff works.

The R39 is the handling fee from SAPO whereas the 10% on top of the Invoice value is a SARS extra. I'm not sure what it exactly covers.

['Dale]

I've bought kit and a saddle there as well (during my visits to Euroland)

Real super deals and awesome service.

 

Highly recommended.

[m-squared]

The 10% is part of the VAT Act.  

 

You pay VAT on the Added Tax Value.  Which is calculated by taking the customs value plus duties on the customs value plus 10% of the customs value.  

 

Also, SARS applies their own exchange rates which is readily available on their website.  And no, it is never close to the day's spot rate.

[BrianPivo]

Does anyone know if Bike24.com uses the local SA Post office for the last leg of their deliveries?

Bike24.com has written to me that they ship using DHL in Germany.

On closer inspection I discovered that Germany's post is / was outsourced to DHL and "German Post DHL" is one and the same.

This suggests that the parcel will be handed over to SA Post office once it lands here.

Can anyone confirm this or correct me?

Thanks

Brian

[stringbean]

I can't comment on bike 24 but I have ordered from r2 bikes in Germany before and use more or less the same delivery.I also thought it was via DHL but as you say it was only DHL to SA post office and after that it was in their hands.Was extremely pissed off that I paid DHL rates and still only got the parcel 2 months later( thanks to SA post office)

I now use aramex shop and ship.Ship things to my German address and have things in my hands within a week.

[T-Bob]

Bought from them before and always had great service and really good prices. I've not shipped directly, I sent via family in the UK and they posted directly down to me as the shipping charge to the UK was either free or a couple of euro's but the shipping down here was pretty steep from what I can remember. 

[BrianPivo]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Shipping is "only" 19 Euro to RSA.

I've placed my order - based more on need for an item that isn't available locally than on price.

Holding thumbs that SAPO isn't in the loop...

[HdB]

I bought a large item from them, and yes, it went through the SA post office. Relatively quick to get to SA. Got stuck somewhere after landing at the inbound international post, and took an age, numerous mails and phone calls before it finally made its way to me.

[BrianPivo]

I can't comment on bike 24 but I have ordered from r2 bikes in Germany before and use more or less the same delivery.I also thought it was via DHL but as you say it was only DHL to SA post office and after that it was in their hands.Was extremely pissed off that I paid DHL rates and still only got the parcel 2 months later( thanks to SA post office)

I now use aramex shop and ship.Ship things to my German address and have things in my hands within a week.

Ah, I didn't see this one.

Looks like I must cancel the order. You're lucky it took only two months to arrive. I've given up on SAPO, they generally steal or lose my stuff.

[BrianPivo]

I bought a large item from them, and yes, it went through the SA post office. Relatively quick to get to SA. Got stuck somewhere after landing at the inbound international post, and took an age, numerous mails and phone calls before it finally made its way to me.

 

Mmm, similar story to the one above...

[can on dale]

I've bought numerous times from Bike24.com

It takes about a week from order to Post Office

[BrianPivo]

I've bought numerous times from Bike24.com

It takes about a week from order to Post Office

Do you suggest I take a chance and wait for mine to arrive?

I get the sense that Bike24 will refund if the item doesn't make it to me...

[rampies]

Bought from them beginning of the year. Good experience. Shipped 4 days after order and received 15 days after order - collect at SAPO so obviously dependant on customs and post office as soon as it hits the SA shores.

 

There is some challenge with the tracking number used in Germany and the tracking number this side as the normal DHL express does not take it over this side so cannot track it and SAPO uses a different tracking number. Cannot remember how but I got the correct number and website so could track it. Was not too difficult but took a few phone calls to local DHL and SAPO to get the new SA tracling number.