Shipping limited to Europe?

[ANAO]

I'm trying to order a couple sets of pedals from JE James Cycle when I get this message:

"Due to the supplier wishing to restrict internet sales and mail order, one or more of these items can only be shipped within Europe"

How do I get these pedals to me?

[AngryScientist]

what kind of pedals are these?

[ANAO]

what kind of pedals are these?

Mavic Zxellium.

[kramnnim]

Ask a European friend for assistance...!

[ANAO]

Ask a European friend for assistance...!

I'm exploring my options. My grandparents have buddies in the UK, as does my musician friend. I'm waiting to hear back if any of those people could mule for me.

I mean this is just crazy.

[Mackers]

-

[ANAO]

The European friend will have to pay 20% VAT though.

Still a good deal.

But it's 2017 next week.

Ship me the stupid pedals!

[fignon's barber]

This thread goes along with the one I started last week about Sidi now blocking US sales from the UK in order to create an artificially inflated market price here in the US. On principal, I will NEVER buy a product from a company that does this. It shows absolute contempt for the US customer.

[paredown]

This thread goes along with the one I started last week about Sidi now blocking US sales from the UK in order to create an artificially inflated market price here in the US. On principal, I will NEVER buy a product from a company that does this. It shows absolute contempt for the US customer.

I think it is a bit more complicated that this.

Brand X wants to get better distribution in the US. They decide to work with an existing US distributor, BetterBicycles, who wants 20-25 points for the hassle of stocking and shipping product, handling warranty returns, maybe participating in co-op advertising deals, and possible trade show participation. Maybe they hire a rep or two (for a high end line), or at least an inside specialist to manage that product stream.

So the US product wholesale price reflects all of this, including whatever differentials there may be in applied taxes, duties, broker fees, and handling (packing and unpacking).

BB then says--'you got to do something about the gray market stuff from Europe--it's killing us!'

Brand X then tries to restrict shipments from non-US markets, so that BB can do they job they are supposed to, and make the net return that they expect.

What you get then is legitimate goods from the US distributor, and what are effectively 'gray market' goods.

Smart consumers, or those who don't care about warranty will buy gray market; normal consumers will be forced to pay the higher prices for legitimate goods, and hopefully Brand X ends up with better US representation.

Not that it works that well in practice, where a lot of distributors want a fat slice and are crap at stocking, shipping and warranties.

[belopsky]

Which exact pedal model?

[ltwtsculler91]

So the US product wholesale price reflects all of this, including whatever differentials there may be in applied taxes, duties, broker fees, and handling (packing and unpacking).


It's definitely a bit more complicated than you'd think, but the biggest thing here is Taxes and Duties which you avoid when ordering from the UK. The actual market sale price to European customers with these factored in is much closer to our US price, however by ordering from overseas you're exempt from VAT (effectively sales tax) which is quite high and accounts for most of the effective discount versus list

[lhuerta]

Why not just go with one of the other UK outfits that sells Time/Mavic pedals. I see Ribble has several in stock w/out export restrictions (and they always seem to have the best prices). Check Wiggle, bike-discount.de, Merlin, Evans, probikekit and many others and I bet you you will find the same pedal for the same amount w/out export restrictions and w/out VAT.

[ultraman6970]

Those mavic pedals are the same than time pedals, actually time sells them to mavic.

Buy the time pedals here and everybody happy.

[ANAO]

They're mavic zxellium SLR (I think time xpresso 12), and $50.

[oldpotatoe]

I'm exploring my options. My grandparents have buddies in the UK, as does my musician friend. I'm waiting to hear back if any of those people could mule for me.

I mean this is just crazy.

Not really, an attempt to try to protect territory and some local and internet resellers.

Like Sidi, there is a move afoot to restrict sales to geographical areas. Sold in Europe, ship to Europe only. Sold in the US? Ship to US address' only, type thing. I suspect the big boys(shimano, Campagnolo, tire makers, etc.) will follow suit.

[oldpotatoe]

I think it is a bit more complicated that this.

Brand X wants to get better distribution in the US. They decide to work with an existing US distributor, BetterBicycles, who wants 20-25 points for the hassle of stocking and shipping product, handling warranty returns, maybe participating in co-op advertising deals, and possible trade show participation. Maybe they hire a rep or two (for a high end line), or at least an inside specialist to manage that product stream.

So the US product wholesale price reflects all of this, including whatever differentials there may be in applied taxes, duties, broker fees, and handling (packing and unpacking).

BB then says--'you got to do something about the gray market stuff from Europe--it's killing us!'

Brand X then tries to restrict shipments from non-US markets, so that BB can do they job they are supposed to, and make the net return that they expect.

What you get then is legitimate goods from the US distributor, and what are effectively 'gray market' goods.

Smart consumers, or those who don't care about warranty will buy gray market; normal consumers will be forced to pay the higher prices for legitimate goods, and hopefully Brand X ends up with better US representation.

Not that it works that well in practice, where a lot of distributors want a fat slice and are crap at stocking, shipping and warranties.

Yup...plus US and European distributors who sell direct to end users AND bike shops..the price is 'deflated' in Europe, not 'inflated' to the US. Nobody is doing this and buying a GUlfstream-4 as a result, as is implied by saying it's 'artifically inflated'. Not artifical at all. An additional layer of distribution who are trying to stay in biz.

Distributors add a layer of $, manufacturer direct would fix this but very expensive. Anytime you see a price that's essentially 'wholesale', that's what's happening. Unfortunately the 'low' price has become the market standard, even tho the 'market' is drastically different in the US and Europe. Add interweb wackiness..

[cnighbor1]

Cannondale quite a while back was upset that the bicycles intended for the India market were getting routed to USA And sold there at a much lower price that a similar Cannondale built for the USA market
their concerns were
1. Warranty did it apply
2. the India bike wasn't quite the same
3. The local USA supply chain was by passed
4. etc
5. Dealers would wonder why they weren't get the same price for their USA models
I can see their points

[tuscanyswe]

I have no problem helping you out if u need someone to buy and ship them to you. Just need to know where what and when..

Shipping from here is usually 5 business days to US (thats after i get them from whereever I'm buying them)..

Let me know if u need assistance..

Cheers
Björn

[jambee]

I can help as well. Living in Germany and working in Palo Alto...

[ANAO]

Thanks for the offers! Trying tuscanyswe's avenue for now.

Cheers everyone.

[mike mcdermid]

I'm trying to order a couple sets of pedals from JE James Cycle when I get this message:

"Due to the supplier wishing to restrict internet sales and mail order, one or more of these items can only be shipped within Europe"

How do I get these pedals to me?

If you need help drop me a PM the guy that runs the place lives a stonethrow from me , he's a good guy

[ANAO]

If you need help drop me a PM the guy that runs the place lives a stonethrow from me , he's a good guy
All sorted now. Thanks!