Merlin Cycle UK

[climbgdh]

Anyone here have any experience ordering from Merlin Cycles in the UK? Good , bad or otherwise experiences. Thanks in advance.

[rwsaunders]

I've purchased tubulars and Campag bits from Merlin on a number of occasions...no issues.

[Big Dan]

No problems at all.

[Veloo]

Several orders. All good.
They were also ready to correct an issue of wrong size sent but I sold locally and got my money back.
Just double check their current carrier. They switched during our postal strike.

[jamesdak]

One of my main go to sources. Nothing but love for their prices, quick shipment and customer service when needed.

[ScottW]

I've done a few orders with them, no issues, and delivery has taken about 4-5 days which seems decently quick. Probably will be ordering from them again within the next couple of weeks.

[harblhat]

I've ordered from them many times without issue until my latest order in Dec 2018. For some reason the only available shipping option was via UPS instead of their standard UK post shipping.

No update for weeks, and then I randomly received a UPS invoice in the mail asking for customs payment. UPS, however, always asks for payment upon delivery. Merlin customer service was not useful, and they said that I had to pay the invoice before receiving the package.

I paid the invoice and followed up only to find that the package was lost. Getting a customs refund from UPS took weeks.

Merlin ended up refunding my money after 3 months.

In short, good pricing and few issues, but when it goes bad it really goes bad. And never ship via UPS.

[Zoomie80]

Bought Conti GP 4000S IIi tires and Campy Centaur cassettes from Merlin Cycles, no issues and arrived in about 5 days. Would buy a from them again!

[climbgdh]

Thanks for all the comments. Appreciated. And yes.... agreed on UPS. I learned that lesson several years ago for a shipment from the US to Canada..... that went horribly wrong.

[Idris Icabod]

I've bought twice from them in the last couple of weeks. Both orders were dispatched within 24 hours of the order. I took the free shipping option but it was tracked all the way through. After customs it was delivered to FedEx and then into the USPS for final delivery. Once it hit the USPS the shipment accelerated. My second order was delivered yesterday but was originally scheduled for this coming Monday. Total time for delivery from shipment to AZ was 7 days.

[harblhat]

Thanks for all the comments. Appreciated. And yes.... agreed on UPS. I learned that lesson several years ago for a shipment from the US to Canada..... that went horribly wrong.

Maybe we're the same person. I'm Canadian and curse the name of UPS every morning.

Delivery from UK to Toronto with Merlin was typically 1-2 weeks for me, towards the longer end if it hit customs for taxation. My record was 3 days, but that was years ago.

[MagicHour]

Always great service, haven't had any problems and a good selection of discounted odds and ends too. They have become my new 'Nashbar' in that sense. Have a delivery from Merlin today waiting for me downstairs. :banana:

[livesadventure]

Good prices and good shipping but disappointing return policy when they make a mistake.

I ordered a set of shifters with post mount brakes, but they sent flat mount. I contacted them, and received a prompt reply that they could swap them, but would not send the replacements until they received my return. Additionally, they would not send a ship label, I’d have shipped on my dime and hope to be reimbursed “to a reasonable amount”

Luckily I swapped the brakes with someone here and it took a day only ...



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[Black Dog]

Maybe we're the same person. I'm Canadian and curse the name of UPS every morning.

Delivery from UK to Toronto with Merlin was typically 1-2 weeks for me, towards the longer end if it hit customs for taxation. My record was 3 days, but that was years ago.

Add me to the list. UPS Has always been brutal for international shipping.

[ls1togo]

One of my main go to sources. Nothing but love for their prices, quick shipment and customer service when needed.

Me too!..use them from drivetrain, tires, wheels..

[SpeedyChix]

Any idea on what the rate is for the import tax / duty on wheelset from Merlin UK to US?
Looks like 3.9%?

[Kirk007]

Any idea on what the rate is for the import tax / duty on wheelset from Merlin UK to US?
Looks like 3.9%?

not sure the rate but I've ordered multiple wheelsets from the UK and never been hit with duty

[Clean39T]

Record12 group came to me via UPS - no strings or paperwork attached..

Have had nothing but good transactions with them, and I've done a return to Merlin also and no issues.

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[irideti]

I ordered from Merlin few times during last 12 months and all transactions went smoothly. The delivery took 1-2 weeks to California.

The current duty free exemption from UK is US$1,600. Therefore you don't have to worry about paying duty on order less than $1,600. It might be wise to place separate orders to avoid paying duty.

[Oxford_Guy]

I order from them quite often, no problems, though don't know about their international service, as live in the UK

[LegendRider]

They're my "go to" UK-based retailer for Shimano chains and cassettes (wear items) and Conti tires. Switched to Merlin a few years ago when ProBikeKit shipping became unreliable.

[Clean39T]

I ordered from Merlin few times during last 12 months and all transactions went smoothly. The delivery took 1-2 weeks to California.



The current duty free exemption from UK is US$1,600. Therefore you don't have to worry about paying duty on order less than $1,600. It might be wise to place separate orders to avoid paying duty.And here I thought I got lucky... Lolz

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[Jef58]

Pretty good dealing with them. I also use Texas Cyclesport for Campy items. I check them both and try to support Texas Cyclesport first but use Merlin for closeout and deals.

[tv_vt]

All good for me - several orders worth, including wheels, etc.

[SpeedyChix]

Thanks for the confirmation and quick helpful replies-n-details. Looks like I'll be good to go,

[bob heinatz]

Merlin has been great to deal with.

[mj_michigan]

My only order from Merlin Cycle hit US Customs delay and took more than 2 weeks.
This despite the value being just over $100 and not subject to custom duties.
I am careful to stay well below the limit (so, no Chorus group-set for me) and usually get UK bike parts within a week. Otherwise, everything was in order.

[NYCfixie]

I have ordered 2 sets of wheels (sub 1000), two groupsets (sub 800), and tires (sub 100) over the past few years with no issues.

- Two wheelsets showed up in 3 days with no hassle.
- 1 groupset showed up in 3 days with no hassle.
- 1 groupset showed up in 4 days with a UPS "customs handling fee" of about $15 (extra 1 day delay was because I had to call in and pay fee before they would deliver).
- Tires showed up in 2 weeks with no hassle (but I knew they were being shipped regular mail and not by priority service)

So, great service overall.

[nmrt]

I have bought a wheelset $1700 from Merlin. Came via USPS and nary any duties.

Then I ordered a a $900 frame form another UK website. Came via DHL and was hit with a $55 customs fee. I am unaware of any $1600 limit. My finding indicated that customs depends on the bicycle part. Some parts had a limit of $600 while some had a limit of $850. But I never saw any limit of $1600.

So, I think it depends on which carrier brings the goods to you.

[irideti]

Here are the rules from US Customs and Border Protection

Mailing and Shipping Goods - Customs Duty Guidance

Unaccompanied purchases are goods you bought on a trip that are being mailed or shipped to you in the United States. In other words, you are not carrying the goods with you when you return. If your unaccompanied purchases are from an insular possession (IP) or a Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) country and are being imported within 30 days and sent directly from those locations to the United States, you may enter them as follows:

Up to $1,600 in goods will be duty-free under your personal exemption if the merchandise is from an IP.
Up to $800 in goods will be duty-free if it is from a CBI or Andean country.
Any additional amount, up to $1,000, in goods will be dutiable at a flat rate (3%).
To take advantage of the Customs duty-free exemption for unaccompanied tourist purchases (mailing/shipping) from an IP or CBI country:

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info