Buying from ebay

Tjoppie305

So I'm looking to buy a Taylor gs Mini LH mahogany through eBay for R6900 + R1400 shipping. Will there be any extra hidden costs that I might not be aware of and is ebay reliable to buy guitars from?

morph

You will have to pay customs duties plus 14% VAT. The courier will manage that for you

V8

Ebay (like gumtree) depends on the seller - if they are highly rated, then likely the buying experience will be positive.

Shipping/clearing customs is where things get a bit...ermmm....grey. @NorioDS recommends Aramex Global Shopper (check this thread) - basically use a shipping company that sidesteps SAPO by handling the customs clearing for you.

New items are subject to VAT (15%) and you might have a 1% customs handling charge added. But there's no other SA specific import duties on guitars.

So landed cost = price + shipping + vat + handling charge.

NorioDS

Bear in mind I've never used them. I just know of someone who used to import his own guitar gear with Aramex Global Shopper. He swears by it.

ChrisDanger

Aramex Global Shopper is good. There's a small signup fee (R100?) but they're fast and cost effective.

Tjoppie305

Thanks for the help