Elvis
Cruising
- Apr 6, 2007
- 44
- 7
I noticed that Evans Cycles was consistently cheaper than other online competitors, so decided to give them a try by ordering a high-end long sleeve jersey.
Without being perfect, checking-out and registration process were smooth. Shipping cost was reasonable and delivery blistering fast in 3 days with DHL tracking on top of that.
First surprise : upon delivery, the courier requested 2,980 JPY
Import Duty : 1,100 JPY
Consumption Tax : 800 JPY
Payment Deferment : 1,080 JPY
I have never been charged with custom fee for items of this price. I have only been charged for goods at a much higher price, and even so not at this ridiculous rate. I am suspecting that it is because of the shipping method.
Second surprise : the jersey was in its original package with all labels, but it was dusty with long hairs on the "sticky" internal fleece. Worst, the chest pocket was defective and unusable.
Customer Service handled the case promptly, professionally and fairly. After negotiation, I was offered a gift coupon of a substantial amount that I accepted.
I did not intend to order from Evans again after my first negative experience, but was willing to give them a second chance since I had a coupon. After all, it may have been just bad luck. So I ordered a high-end jacket and again it was delivered extremely quickly in 2 days.
Bang … third surprise : the courier requested 2,980 JPY again on delivery.
Now it's clear that it's not simply bad luck. I arrived in Japan last autumn and had to build a winter cycling wardrobe. The fact that I have been hit twice in a row by Evans and never by competitors is further beyond a mere coincidence.
Morality of the story : I don't recommend ordering from Evans Cycle, unless there is a crazy discount on an expensive item that would cover the ridiculous import fee. Or in the case of a big order where the duty fee stays fixed, and only the consumption tax is variable. But personally I would not dare to try … again
Without being perfect, checking-out and registration process were smooth. Shipping cost was reasonable and delivery blistering fast in 3 days with DHL tracking on top of that.
First surprise : upon delivery, the courier requested 2,980 JPY
Import Duty : 1,100 JPY
Consumption Tax : 800 JPY
Payment Deferment : 1,080 JPY
I have never been charged with custom fee for items of this price. I have only been charged for goods at a much higher price, and even so not at this ridiculous rate. I am suspecting that it is because of the shipping method.
Second surprise : the jersey was in its original package with all labels, but it was dusty with long hairs on the "sticky" internal fleece. Worst, the chest pocket was defective and unusable.
Customer Service handled the case promptly, professionally and fairly. After negotiation, I was offered a gift coupon of a substantial amount that I accepted.
I did not intend to order from Evans again after my first negative experience, but was willing to give them a second chance since I had a coupon. After all, it may have been just bad luck. So I ordered a high-end jacket and again it was delivered extremely quickly in 2 days.
Bang … third surprise : the courier requested 2,980 JPY again on delivery.
Now it's clear that it's not simply bad luck. I arrived in Japan last autumn and had to build a winter cycling wardrobe. The fact that I have been hit twice in a row by Evans and never by competitors is further beyond a mere coincidence.
Morality of the story : I don't recommend ordering from Evans Cycle, unless there is a crazy discount on an expensive item that would cover the ridiculous import fee. Or in the case of a big order where the duty fee stays fixed, and only the consumption tax is variable. But personally I would not dare to try … again