Merlin Cycles

[Hairy]

Has anyone bought a complete MTB from them. Some really nice looking bikes, brands.

I understand you get hit with a hefty rate again if you bring in a whole bike.

[GrahamS2]

Fantastic is all I can say. Delivery takes like 3 working days.

 

My first go to for online shopping of late

Same experience. I ordered a frame from them. Was at my desk in SA 3 days later.

[Jehosefat]

I understand you get hit with a hefty rate again if you bring in a whole bike.

 

It's pretty hit and miss. Theoretically it's 15% duty on complete bikes but I've imported 2 Canyons and I haven't paid duty on either of them, only VAT.

[Darko]

Shoes you can almost double the price.

 

Add shipping, duties, then VAT and the clearance fees for the courier and you will come close to double what you paid on line...

 

Even at double the price, the shoes alone are still R500 cheaper than local. Which is nuts.

[Schnavel]

Ordered from Merlin 2 weeks ago.

 

Arrived with UPS in under a week to my door. Order included a pair of shoes which were charged at 20% duty (still worked out at a fraction of the cost compared to local).

 

Clearance fee was R120 and import fees, VAT etc. worked out at roughly 16.5% of total order.

[W.Pienaar]

Are wheels considered bike parts too? With no duty charged?

[Schnavel]

Are wheels considered bike parts too? With no duty charged?

 

Correct.

 

As mentioned earlier in the thread - if it bolts onto the bike, it's considered a component, if it "bolts" onto you, it's considered clothing...

[gogo@]

Anyone had their order shipped in two separate (but simultaneous) shipments? How does this work at customs?

[mecheng89]

They are pure 'magic' to deal with.... 

I see you.