Just wanted to share my experience with you gals so it doesn't happen to anyone else (at least without your knowledge). I purchased some cool new shoes from Footlux.com, got speedy shipping, exactly what I ordered, good communication, and then over a month later I got slapped with a $46 bill from UPS for customs fees. I checked back at the website and in their general terms and conditions it mentions a VAT not being included, and I did remember reading the terms before ordering, but did not understand (still don't) what a VAT is. So, I did read the terms before ordering, but since I was only browsing the information and mostly interested in their return policy, it didn't hit home that I would be paying more than the advertised price, plus shipping. There is no mention of extra fees anywhere except in the general conditions page, and they do not mention the fees in the email confirmation or shipping notice. Obviously, I am responsible for the fee and will pay it, but I will never shop with a store that practices this policy (mostly I don't like how I don't know what extra fees are until a month later when I get a bill "randomly" in the mail). Plus, if I had decided to return the shoes, would I have had to pay another $46? It makes shopping with a site cost prohibitive in most cases (except in desperation for a product, I suppose).
VAT is Value Added Tax, and it's applicable on imports, though I've only dealt with it on imports TO Europe, never on goods my company has imported to the US. I'm assuming this site is based overseas? They definitely should have made it more clear that there would be additional charges. Very strange...
Thank you Drew for that info. I am very interested in ordering shoes from a store in the UK called Dune, but I am going to check that out. They now ship to the US if anyone is interested. http://www.dune.co.uk/catwalk/shopfront.asp
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I am actually freaking out a little because I just placed an order to topshop the other day..after I read this post I went into the site to read the "fine print" and sure enough it said that I am liable for all "import fees, and regulations".......has anyone ordered from Topshop and had that happen to them???
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