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Customs charges do annoy the hell out of me, and ruin my day. That's why I now get stuff shipped to America and pick it up when I go there. Then pull a straight face and go through the 'nothing to declare' gates in the UK

Once I saw the email about these in my yahoo account i pre-ordered them on the spot! I really could care less if these are repaints with minor alterations of new weapons and head molds, these three are very awesome looking, love the color upgrade and i use to Ransack as a kid, but still have Venom in good shape and if FP comes out with Venom as their leader that will be awesome, but i have one question though, what about Ratbat? I thought he was in with this bunch? and also a leader as well before he was a slave to Soundwave in cassette form or am I out context here? anyway, just slap some Decepticons factions on them and their good to go.

Swindle01 wrote:It isnt illegal to tell the store to mark an item as gift considering you are paying them there wages AND your paying for the damn shipping.

You have the option to mark it as gift - hence why its not illegal - the problem you get with items marked as merchandise in the uk is that if i purchased Hegemon for example and paid tfsource $40 for postage then this happens - I pay 80+40 for the postage to have the item sent to the uk - item arrives in customsUK - because the idiots at TFsource cannot do a simple request this then happens - A letter comes for me from customsUK saying i have to pay them £40 YES 40! thats OVER $80 to just be given my parcel. The retards at customs UK seem to think $40 counts as £40 on postage and because its marked as merchandise they then charge me to just be given my parcel

Nonetheless, you're asking them to falsify a customs declaration form. That. Is. Illegal.

You wouldnt walk into a store and pay twice for an item or go to a mcdonalds drive-threw and then be told you have to pay extra for a guy to hand you the bag through your window

That's a false argument because whatever goods you're purchasing, you're keeping within the country. If I'm in the US, and I buy me some merchandise that isn't food, then I drive across the border to Canada, there's a pretty good chance they will ask me for customs charges. Welcome to the dealings of International Trade. That's the system whether you want to complain about it or not.

Besides, according to the UK Border Agency's site, you're eligible for duty on a gift package if it's over £40, so for this package you're screwed either way.

Is it easy to get around? Sure, and most people (including me) do it. However in the slim chance you get a stickler at the desk, they have every right to either charge you or refuse the package entry into your country. And there ain't nothing you can do about it. If you want to do something about it; might I suggest campaigning for a change in International Tariff laws? Perhaps writing your elected representative?

Also when the insecticons first came out i got all 3 of them for £25 each from a china seller (this was when they first came out so no there not the ko versions)

Congrats, you found a way to beat the system on those. But that isn't what the MSRP on the figure apparently were.

So again - you're asking them to falsify documents and you're PO'd that the figures are on par with what most of the fandom pays for FP stuff.

Barrage: http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Barrage_%28Insecticon%29

Ransack: http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ransack_%28G1%29

ChopShop: http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Chop_Shop

Venom: http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Venom_%28G1%29

Information about these particular Insecticons according to TFwiki.net to provide some background and history on these guys er robots.

Stockade wrote:Once I saw the email about these in my yahoo account i pre-ordered them on the spot! I really could care less if these are repaints with minor alterations of new weapons and head molds, these three are very awesome looking, love the color upgrade and i use to Ransack as a kid, but still have Venom in good shape and if FP comes out with Venom as their leader that will be awesome, but i have one question though, what about Ratbat? I thought he was in with this bunch? and also a leader as well before he was a slave to Soundwave in cassette form or am I out context here? anyway, just slap some Decepticons factions on them and their good to go.

Sounds like a page taken out of the Dreamwave Generation 1 continuity where Ratbat led a small subfaction called 'Ultracons'. The deluxe insecticons were part of that subfaction.

*edit*

Info should be in those links you have in your most recent post, actually.

Lame that this is another overhyped exclusive. I guess simply being an expensive 3rd party item isn't exclusive enough anymore.

Oh, well, I wasn't planning on getting these guys anyway. No love for the deluxe Insecticons.

if you think its fair to pay twice for an item you have already paid for then thats ok

im not gona get into an argument about it but simply just say this - relax dont worry about it

Um... Swindle01, bud? I don't think Mkall was trying to say that the crap you go through ordering internationally is fair... more or less that it's considered illegal by customs regulations...

You're arguing a law point with common sense and morals... there's no victory to be gained there, trust me.

NOS wrote:Um... Swindle01, bud? I don't think Mkall was trying to say that the crap you go through ordering internationally is fair... more or less that it's considered illegal by customs regulations...

You're arguing a law point with common sense and morals... there's no victory to be gained there, trust me.

Indeed, I just like correcting people when I see them using faulty logic or poor reasoning. I mean no ill to Swindle01 and recognize that he and I have very different views on what's "ok" in the world of Transformers collecting. If he wants to wait for a KO because he doesn't agree with the current offering, I'm not going to stop him or call him out on it. I just call out the reasoning behind his decision, knowing full well I will have very little chance in swaying his beliefs.

Back on topic: DELUXE INSECTICONS!!!! WOOO HOOO!!!

I really like the look of these guys and the gift set idea is great. Think I'll pass though, as they're not too different from the ones I have. The grasshopper one especially. Now, if the vehicular versions (warbugs?) look half as nice as this lot, I may be more tempted to get them.

Rated X wrote:Awesome...

Instant pre order on the spot.

But I must admit Im a little disappointed with the choice for Barrages stinger. It looks like it belongs on Bombshell. Maybe Dr Wu can do a proper green claw/stinger and then I can swap them out. Still a must have in my book. Now will BBTS get an exclusive repaint of Backfiery as Venom or will somebody else capitalize on the 4th member ???

Venom definitely needs to be a new mold. Reusing Kickback's mold does not cut it in my mind.

Is it me or do they look better as the deluxe insecticons?? Almost like they were supposed to be homages to them in the first place..

Cyber Bishop wrote:Is it me or do they look better as the deluxe insecticons?? Almost like they were supposed to be homages to them in the first place..

Amen Brother! thats what i thought when i first seen the pic of these guys! Either way, just awesome! I mean I like the first FP Insecticons and they'll cool, plenty of articulations and love the ninja weapons they come with, but these are truly awesome with colors with the upgrades make these bots stand out!

Cyber Bishop wrote:Is it me or do they look better as the deluxe insecticons?? Almost like they were supposed to be homages to them in the first place..

As soon as i saw them back when originally released in G1 colours all i could see was them repainted in Deluxe team colours. I couldn't understand why they did the g1 bots at all with those molds. They SCREAMED Deluxe to me. Especially that "kickback" mold.

I just had to bide my time,wait and not buy the G1 paint scheme. I knew it was gonna happen sooner or later and they look a hell of a lot better in Deluxe team colours. I'm also quite surprised at the retooling aswell.

Swindle01 wrote:It isnt illegal to tell the store to mark an item as gift considering you are paying them there wages AND your paying for the damn shipping.

You have the option to mark it as gift - hence why its not illegal - the problem you get with items marked as merchandise in the uk is that if i purchased Hegemon for example and paid tfsource $40 for postage then this happens - I pay 80+40 for the postage to have the item sent to the uk - item arrives in customsUK - because the idiots at TFsource cannot do a simple request this then happens - A letter comes for me from customsUK saying i have to pay them £40 YES 40! thats OVER $80 to just be given my parcel. The retards at customs UK seem to think $40 counts as £40 on postage and because its marked as merchandise they then charge me to just be given my parcel

You wouldnt walk into a store and pay twice for an item or go to a mcdonalds drive-threw and then be told you have to pay extra for a guy to hand you the bag through your window

Every other store ive purchased from always marks the items as gifts so that theres no problems. Tfsource seem to not be able to follow a simple instructions - so sadly these guys are outa my reach

Also when the insecticons first came out i got all 3 of them for £25 each from a china seller (this was when they first came out so no there not the ko versions)

Its 100% illegal, its called tax evasion, maybe you've heard of it ?

Red Leader wrote:

Swindle01 wrote:It isnt illegal to tell the store to mark an item as gift considering you are paying them there wages AND your paying for the damn shipping.

You have the option to mark it as gift - hence why its not illegal - the problem you get with items marked as merchandise in the uk is that if i purchased Hegemon for example and paid tfsource $40 for postage then this happens - I pay 80+40 for the postage to have the item sent to the uk - item arrives in customsUK - because the idiots at TFsource cannot do a simple request this then happens - A letter comes for me from customsUK saying i have to pay them £40 YES 40! thats OVER $80 to just be given my parcel. The retards at customs UK seem to think $40 counts as £40 on postage and because its marked as merchandise they then charge me to just be given my parcel

You wouldnt walk into a store and pay twice for an item or go to a mcdonalds drive-threw and then be told you have to pay extra for a guy to hand you the bag through your window

Every other store ive purchased from always marks the items as gifts so that theres no problems. Tfsource seem to not be able to follow a simple instructions - so sadly these guys are outa my reach

Also when the insecticons first came out i got all 3 of them for £25 each from a china seller (this was when they first came out so no there not the ko versions)

Its 100% illegal, its called tax evasion, maybe you've heard of it ?

Red Leader has a good point. I'm not sure if it is technically tax evasion but you are asking TFSource to commit fraud. That makes them liable. You shouldn't be angry at TFSource but at your own countries custom laws.

Stormrider wrote:

Red Leader wrote:

Swindle01 wrote:It isnt illegal to tell the store to mark an item as gift considering you are paying them there wages AND your paying for the damn shipping.

You have the option to mark it as gift - hence why its not illegal - the problem you get with items marked as merchandise in the uk is that if i purchased Hegemon for example and paid tfsource $40 for postage then this happens - I pay 80+40 for the postage to have the item sent to the uk - item arrives in customsUK - because the idiots at TFsource cannot do a simple request this then happens - A letter comes for me from customsUK saying i have to pay them £40 YES 40! thats OVER $80 to just be given my parcel. The retards at customs UK seem to think $40 counts as £40 on postage and because its marked as merchandise they then charge me to just be given my parcel

You wouldnt walk into a store and pay twice for an item or go to a mcdonalds drive-threw and then be told you have to pay extra for a guy to hand you the bag through your window

Every other store ive purchased from always marks the items as gifts so that theres no problems. Tfsource seem to not be able to follow a simple instructions - so sadly these guys are outa my reach

Also when the insecticons first came out i got all 3 of them for £25 each from a china seller (this was when they first came out so no there not the ko versions)

Its 100% illegal, its called tax evasion, maybe you've heard of it ?

Red Leader has a good point. I'm not sure if it is technically tax evasion but you are asking TFSource to commit fraud. That makes them liable. You shouldn't be angry at TFSource but at your own countries custom laws.

Let's back off guys, he's made his reasons and opinions known. No need to draw this further off tangent than it already is.

after making the decision that im going to exclusively focus on classics and finishing off my alternities this is a welcome addition to my collection and at deluxe size theyll add nicely to my outnumbered decepticons. thanks FP


now where the hell are the preorders for menasor?

these never sold out? wonder how many they really made

mooncake623 wrote:these never sold out? wonder how many they really made

Last I saw, they dipped below 100, then they started to slowly go back up. So TFSource is either cancelling those who exceeded the maximum of 2 or their adding some from a reserve stock that they would keep to deal with broken figures which will eventually become "warehouse finds"

BBTS is another store that doesn't play ball with listing shipments as gifts.

Whether it was off at a tangent or not the price of this set , plus the inevitable customs sting for me as a UK buyer has finally made a Fansproject Product not viable for me. I stuck with Steelcore and the rip-off shipping but this one, beautiful as they are I'm not going to get mugged for. I have the originals...they will have to do..

And as to the comment on "tax-evasion" where do I even start? Customs are NOT allowed to collect duty on postage charges - but they do it so consistently that it isn't a "mistake" they are doing it as a deliberate policy to grub every penny/cent they can. The postage is declared separately on the forms yet they still do it. This is illegal under European law and they know it but do it TO EVERYONE. If that isn't Illegal behaviour I don't know what is. Attempts to minimise their ability to do this are therefore NOT illegal or even unethical. No taxaxtiuon without representation remember?

The threashold at which they get away with levying duty has also been unchanged and unlinked to inflation for about 18 years - shadey behaviour in the extreme on the (silent) part of HMG.

It's not TF Source's job to sort this out for us however - it's for us UKers to hold our lazy, corrupt, arrogant and largely unelected Authorities to account - even if it means getting off our lazy asses to do it.

Rant over. Enjoy it those of you getting it. I'll have to wait for the ebay knock-off to feel marginally less dirty.

Motorthing wrote:BBTS is another store that doesn't play ball with listing shipments as gifts.

Whether it was off at a tangent or not the price of this set , plus the inevitable customs sting for me as a UK buyer has finally made a Fansproject Product not viable for me. I stuck with Steelcore and the rip-off shipping but this one, beautiful as they are I'm not going to get mugged for. I have the originals...they will have to do..

And as to the comment on "tax-evasion" where do I even start? Customs are NOT allowed to collect duty on postage charges - but they do it so consistently that it isn't a "mistake" they are doing it as a deliberate policy to grub every penny/cent they can. The postage is declared separately on the forms yet they still do it. This is illegal under European law and they know it but do it TO EVERYONE. If that isn't Illegal behaviour I don't know what is. Attempts to minimise their ability to do this are therefore NOT illegal or even unethical. No taxaxtiuon without representation remember?

See, a 2 minute google search has proven you wrong:

HM Revenue and Customs wrote:If you're sending or receiving goods by post for your personal use from outside the European Union (EU), you'll have to pay any tax and/or duty once the goods arrive in the UK. Normally Royal Mail/Parcelforce will pay what's due on your behalf and may charge a handling fee which you must pay before your parcel can be delivered.
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If duty and/or tax is payable, Royal Mail/Parcelforce will pay this to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on your behalf, and charge a handling fee to cover:
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http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/paying-tax.htm
So basically, it sounds like even though you didn't buy it in the country you'll need to pay taxes as if you did. Pretty standard actually.

Motorthing wrote:It's not TF Source's job to sort this out for us however - it's for us UKers to hold our lazy, corrupt, arrogant and largely unelected Authorities to account - even if it means getting off our lazy asses to do it.

As I said before, write your elected officials or campaign for changes if you want the system to change.

I don't think it's the fact that they're taking fees to cover the import, that's annoying, sure, but not the issue. It's the fact that Royal Mail is charging the fees based on the total cost of the item plus the shipping charge already paid, when they should only be adding the tax to the retail cost of the items being imported, regardless of the price of shipping.

Also: Ooh, Transformers!

I'm still a bit on the fence with these guys, FP has yet to drop the ball for me, that being said, I want to see Venom before these guys are shipped. More than just a prototype as well. I want to see the finished product or at least a painted final stage mock-up.

Like BBTS, TFSource allows you to preorder without paying upfront. If you are at all interested in this trio, go ahead and preorder them:) you can always cancel between now and release!