Seiko SKX007 / 017 purchase

[Converse2020]

Hi,

Looking to buy one of these and see creation have both. The SKX007 is £131 and the 013 £136. I have also seen another site called tobydeals that has the SKX007 for £116.

I see lots of recommendations for Creation but has anyone used tobydeals ? - the reviews on line are mostly for electrical items and are mixed to say the least. I guess that's probably enough of a warning to avoid them ?

In terms of risk of paying taxes - is there duty and VAT or just VAT (and is that on the UK GBP price I pay ? - eg 20% on £131 ) ..

Thanks

[soad]

20% VAT on the price you pay.
Plus you'll pick up a charge from the courier for handling the customs charge on your behalf.

Simply factor 25% on top of the price you pay Creation, and if you get lucky - think of it as a discount?

[UnclePat]

Creation are reputable – but if you have a warranty issue I’ve heard they don’t do much for you, and refer you to the Manufacturer, which can be an issue because of their ‘grey’ (i.e. not authorised) dealer status.

Obviously they’re based in Singapore (I think), so your comeback is limited, plus return shipping costs etc. etc.

In the past, they just labelled everything as low value ‘measuring instruments’ which allowed most shipments to evade VAT etc. more often than not, but some were caught by customs who held the watch until the duty was paid by the buyer.

I believe that they offer two options for delivery now (you need to be careful to select the appropriate one):

- Fast International Courier, with proper box etc. – in which case you WILL very likely get caught for the duty at a later stage; or
- Slow post via Royal Mail, from EU warehouse, with no proper Manufacturers box (it’ll come in a pouch or wrapping etc.), and no extra duty to be paid

Their prices always exclude VAT etc. so unless you are very certain about the method of shipment chosen, you might be best factoring in a later VAT demand to the price you’ll be happy to pay, and treating it as a happy bonus if it gets through to you unscathed.

Do a ‘google’ on them and you’ll come across piles of info on them from other watch forums.

[anonymous-user]

Everyone I know has been caught for the import duty from creation, including me.
My skx007j would have been cheaper on Amazon (with proper backup), but I see they have shot up in price now..

[Converse2020]

Have taken a chance and bought from tobydeals. They claim to ship to their UK warehouse and supply to me from there and as such say there are no other changes due including no import / VAT.

Will believe it when I see it - but at £116 paid via PayPal for the watch felt it was worth a gamble

[ZesPak]

Jimboka said:

Everyone I know has been caught for the import duty from creation, including me.
My skx007j would have been cheaper on Amazon (with proper backup), but I see they have shot up in price now..

These threads have popped up a couple of times over the past month.
Over 5 watches from them, never been caught.
So it's far from a certain.

[CAPP0]

ZesPak said:

Over 5 watches from them, never been caught.

If you mean Creation, IME it's an 80% "success" rate.

[ZesPak]

CAPP0 said:

ZesPak said:

Over 5 watches from them, never been caught.

If you mean Creation, IME it's an 80% "success" rate.

Ahh, good to know I'm beating the odds so far.

That's a far cry from "everybody I've known have been caught" though.

[CAPP0]

ZesPak said:

CAPP0 said:

ZesPak said:

Over 5 watches from them, never been caught.

If you mean Creation, IME it's an 80% "success" rate.

Ahh, good to know I'm beating the odds so far.

That's a far cry from "everybody I've known have been caught" though.

I think my one failure from 5 was because I selected the courier option for postage, as I wanted the box etc.

[squareflops]

My finger is hovering over the purchase button on CW on a 007J also, £167 seems a bargain as they're most are around £200 now on Amazon for a K. the J for £167 on CW seems great and I'm not too concerned about the original box.

Knowing there's no real difference between the J & K is a dilemma as I'd like the kudos of the J if anyone ever askes but I'm too miserly to spend the extra. Gah..

[anonymous-user]

ZesPak said:

CAPP0 said:

ZesPak said:

Over 5 watches from them, never been caught.

If you mean Creation, IME it's an 80% "success" rate.

Ahh, good to know I'm beating the odds so far.

That's a far cry from "everybody I've known have been caught" though.

I was caught
As were friends who ordered from Creation
I don't know anyone who hasn't paid the rightful duty.
No complaints.
I guess if you want to save a few quid (at the expense of longer wait/lesser returns service/) its worth a punt.
Keep an eye on Email, for the instructions on how to pay the import release fee.

[Converse2020]

my order with Tobydeals was £116 - had all gone a little quiet but the shipping email has just arrived, so...so far so good.

[Converse2020]

Arrived today. Shipped from uk via UPS and therefore nothing to pay in vat etc just as they said. Can’t fault it.

Can anyone recommend where to buy a decent NATO strap from and do I need special tools to remove the rubber strap?

Thanks

[squareflops]

Good news bud.

Watchgecko is where I get my NATOs from, always good quality etc. A pin removal tool will be had all day on Amazon/eBay for not much at all

[ZesPak]

Converse2020 said:

Arrived today. Shipped from uk via UPS and therefore nothing to pay in vat etc just as they said. Can’t fault it.

Can anyone recommend where to buy a decent NATO strap from and do I need special tools to remove the rubber strap?

Thanks

I usually get my natos from aliexpress.

Cheap as chips, delivery takes ages and quality varies. But generally very good. Got about 20 of them all in different colours . Save yourself the time and order a set of 10 different colours, cheaper per piece.

Usually come delivered with a tool to remove spring bars.

[thehawkswoops]

Moose strap co. are the best Canadian and affordable. Superb

Enjoy!