anyone ordered a frame from switzerland

radiation man
radiation man Posts: 446
edited May 2014 in Road buying advice
has anyone ordered a frame from switzerland before i know i will have 20% vat and some customs charges and postal charges but frame is still about the same price as uk. and its not in stock in uk

Comments

  • darkhairedlord
    darkhairedlord Posts: 7,180
    Red and white colnago?
  • chanjy
    chanjy Posts: 200
    Red and white colnago?

    Surely not? :lol:
  • LegendLust
    LegendLust Posts: 1,022
    I did, It was full of holes though
  • spanner239
    spanner239 Posts: 181
    LegendLust wrote:
    I did, It was full of holes though

    But presumably arrived on time :D
  • You're cuckoo buying from there....
    All the gear, but no idea...
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    No reason not to as long as you work out the costs and it's reasonable. Remember there may be customs duty on top of VAT, although VAT is usually the main expense.

    But have you checked elsewhere in Europe? Maybe you could get it from Germany and save the VAT/customs charges?
  • term1te
    term1te Posts: 1,462
    I have never seen a bike cheaper in Switzerland than anywhere else in Europe. But the prices, and the willingness of the locals to pay them, explains why there are often two cycle shops in each village.

    Remember only 8% VAT to take off at the Swiss end.
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    The Swiss franc is so crazy strong at the moment, I'd be amazed if you could buy ANYTHING cheaper in Switzerland.

    Even the cheese is like 3 times the price of Cheddar!
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Mine came in a long prism shaped box.
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • lemuppet
    lemuppet Posts: 77
    Complete bike available here:
    http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Colnago-CLX3-car ... 51bbc8a91c
    Buy it and sell the bits you don't want.
  • schweiz
    schweiz Posts: 1,644
    If you know where to get cheap stuff in Switzerland, please share it as the vast majority of my stuff comes from Wiggle with the rest being bought elsewhere in the UK or Germany.

    BikeCity in Luzern has good online prices but a very limited range of stock. Other than in 'emergencies', the only things I tend to buy in Switzerland from the LBS are small items (chain lube etc.) and my kit from Cervo Rosso.
  • term1te
    term1te Posts: 1,462
    schweiz wrote:
    If you know where to get cheap stuff in Switzerland, please share it as the vast majority of my stuff comes from Wiggle with the rest being bought elsewhere in the UK or Germany.

    BikeCity in Luzern has good online prices but a very limited range of stock. Other than in 'emergencies', the only things I tend to buy in Switzerland from the LBS are small items (chain lube etc.) and my kit from Cervo Rosso.

    Bike import sometimes has some bargains, tyres are comparible to Wiggle, etc. www.bike-import.ch, Rose ship things to Switzerland and sort out all the import duties, so 20% off, 8% on 1% for their efforts and no random fee added at the boarder. But my favourite for vintage and bargains is http://www.brocky.ch/Velo.htm strange website, but everything you never wanted for a bike. I've got quite a few bits off him over the years, but you need to be careful with his descriptions, double check sizes, etc.
  • limoneboy
    limoneboy Posts: 480
    Just ordered and its been delivered , kuota Kiral from bellatisport , took less than a week and was a bargain.

    worth talking to Andrea he does excellent customer service.
    last month wilier gt -this month ? bh rc1
  • robbo2011
    robbo2011 Posts: 1,017
    I've used bike import and they provide a good service and the prices are such that I don't bother to buy from wiggle any more.

    They also give a percentage discount off you next purchase, so my wheel purchase last year gave me around 50 CHF discount off the next order.
  • schweiz
    schweiz Posts: 1,644
    bikeimport certainly have a wider range of stock than when I looked a few years ago. I'll check them out next time I'm shopping!

    In CH, I have used http://www.rocky-bikes.ch/ and http://www.cycling-parts.ch and in Germany, I have used rose but also http://www.bike-discount.de/, http://www.bike-components.de/ and http://www.starbike.com/ too. I've also used http://www.xxcycle.fr/ a couple of times for a few random bits and pieces that I couldn't find online anywhere else.

    Back to the OP, I'm surprise bellatisport were the cheapest place. I tried to source my BMC frame from there 3 years ago but it was still almost 3 times the price that I paid at Evans and that included be being honest and paying import duty when I flew back with it through Zürich Airport. The guy in customs was laughing and when I explained to him that it was cheaper to fly to the UK with easyJet and buy a 'Swiss' bike frame than buy it in Switzerland.
  • herzog
    herzog Posts: 197
    I like bikeimport or bikespeed (though the later charge you an extra fee for small orders)