Postage and Packaging Info

Important Brexit update 13-1-2021:

Despite the UK-EU trade agreement, it seems import fees in the form of VAT (and the inevitable admin costs) are sometimes being charged by local mail companies in EU member states. The whole thing is pretty confusing and many small businesses like this one are currently trying to find clarity amid all the bureaucracy.

Royal Mail's website states that items under 22 Euros in value will not attract any fees (including VAT) until at least 1st July 2021, whereas orders between 22 and 150 Euros may be taxed at the border and may incur a customs clearance/handling fee in the receiving country (with immediate effect), and items above 150 Euros may attract VAT, customs duties and a clearance / handling fee. (For goods sent to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, everything remains the same as it was before - at least until April 1st 2021. See this page on the government's website).

For now, EU residents should assume they will be charged VAT (and most likely an admin fee) by their local mail service on orders above 22 Euros (around £19.50 GBP) - this will have to be paid before they'll deliver the package.

Covid19:

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused shipping costs to significantly increase. For example Royal Mail has added a new zone for Australia & New Zealand - packages sent there now cost more than the rest of the world. On top of this, Royal Mail has also increased their postage costs across the board (including within the UK) so I've had to update my shipping charges accordingly. Naturally, the continuing worldwide disruption is also still slowing down delivery times.

General Shipping info:

The postage cost of each order is calculated based on weight and size.  Most small orders will fit the lowest tier (Large Letter under 100g)

Orders are dispatched by Royal Mail (to the address supplied by Paypal*) with a choice of 1st or 2nd class for the UK, and via "International Standard" for Europe, USA and the rest of the world. There is the option for tracking/signature on delivery. Please make sure you select the correct zone for your location.

* If you need the goods sent to a different address to that of the Paypal account holder, please let me know in the Special Instructions box during checkout.

I try to keep delivery costs as low as possible and will refund you should the system substantially overestimate the figure. I don't make anything on shipping - Please bear in mind the charge includes packing materials, Paypal surcharge etc. My usual posting time is around 3:00pm Monday to Friday. I try my best to post orders received before that time the same day (this is not always possible when things get busy, eg: after the weekend). A proof-of-postage is retained for all orders so that claims for loss can be entered if necessary (please refer to the details below for limitations imposed by Royal Mail).

UK orders:

Delivery times:  1st Class aims for next day delivery, with two days for 2nd class but neither service is guaranteed. "Signed For" Delivery is available as an option (and this is mandatory for orders over £30). A barcode number / tracking link will be provided upon dispatch where applicable.

Compensation for loss: The basic level of compenensation for loss is capped (by Royal Mail) at £20 plus the postage cost. The "Signed For" option increases this to £50 plus the postage cost. Should a package go missing I can enter a claim for loss with Royal Mail, however 10 working days must be allowed before Royal Mail will accept such applications (13 working days for 2nd Class). Claims must be made within 80 days of posting. Please see Royal Mail's Compensation Page for details. 

Overseas orders:

Royal Mail's basic "International Standard" service aims for 5-7 working days delivery but around 2 weeks is not unusual (it may be longer at peak times such as Christmas). The "Tracked" option will either offer tracking, require a signature on delivery or both - it depends what services Royal Mail offer for your country. (Customers in locations where only "International Signed" is provided by Royal Mail (EG: Mexico, South Africa) may not be able to get much, if anything in the way of tracking information even though a barcode is provided). If a barcode / tracking link is supplied, it will be forwarded in the dispatch note email sent when the package has been posted.

Customs / Import Charges: Post-Brexit, it initially looked as if exports to the EU could continue as before with no import duty or taxes to pay on arrival regarding items sent from the UK. However, it now appears VAT (and admin fees) are being charged by local mail companies on items ordered from the UK. Here is a link to some relevant information (and some more here). Orders sent overseas to places other than the EU are (also) usually subject to customs charges on arrival - I cannot predict how much these charges will be as it varies widely on a per-country basis (some countries, such as the USA have quite a high exemption threshold under which no charges are levied). A completed customs label will be attached to each box, goods listed as "Old Computer Parts", with the weight and value accurately stated. If your country has any rules regarding imported goods you must advise me in the Special Instructions box during checkout (EG: I have been informed that Brazil now needs a "CPF" code on the label, and all packages must be tracked). Failure to follow local regulations may result in packages being lost for which I cannot take responsibilty.

Compensation for loss: For items sent via "International Standard" the basic level of compenensation for loss is capped at £20 plus the postage fee per package. The "Tracked" option increases this to £50 max no matter what service was actually used (International Tracked, International Tracked & Signed or International Signed). Tracked shipping is mandatory for orders over £30 - note that it may actually be cheaper to submit multiple smaller orders. Should a package go missing I can enter a claim for loss, but please note that Royal Mail stipulate that 25 working days must pass before a claim can be submitted. Claims must also be submitted within 6 months of shipping. Please see Royal Mail's Overseas Compensation page for details.

FAQ:

Q. Where is my order?
A. If you have not received a dispatch note via email, first check your spam folder. You can also check the order's status on this page. If you have selected a tracked shipping service you will see a Royal Mail tracking code which can be used at www.royalmail.com/track-your-item. There is no tracking available with the International Standard service. I always obtain a proof of posting and this can be used to make a claim for loss in necessary but remember Royal Mail require that 15 working days is allowed for delivery of UK packages, and 25 working days allowed for packages sent overseas. Unfortunately, there is nothing more I can do before then (except send you a scan of the proof-of-posting, if required.)

Q. Can you send to [x]?
A. I can ship items worldwide, but please adhere to any local regulations.

Q. Can you use shipping company [x]?
A. No sorry, it's too expensive and a lot of hassle for a single order.

Q. Can I pay without Paypal?
A. The store goes to Paypal on checkout. In most countries, you dont actually need a Paypal account (you can pay - via Paypal - as a guest with debit or credit card - look out for the link on Paypal's front page) but some locations insist on a Paypal account. Sorry, I cannot accept any other payment methods.

Q. Can you reserve an item? 
A. No, sorry. It quickly becomes difficult to keep track of such things.

Q. Do you have spares for [x]?
A. I generally only deal with the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. Items for other machines will be shown in stock if I have them.

Q. Can I add something to an order already placed?
A. You'll need to place another order - however I will notice, combine them and refund the excess shipping cost (where applicable) less the Paypal transaction fee on the shipping (3.5% plus £0.30). Of course, this assumes the first order has not already been dispatched. Please try not to do this multiple times.

Q. Can I cancel an order?
A. Sure - email me (or reply to the order acknowledgement email) with **URGENT CANCELLATION** in the subject. If I haven't already posted your order I will cancel it and refund you via Paypal (less any Paypal transaction charges - note that as of September 2020, Paypal no longer refunds these surcharges!). If the order has been dispatched you will need to return / reject it upon delivery. When I receive it back I will put the refund through (it will be the total amount paid, less postage and Paypal transaction costs.)

Q. Can you repair my computer?
A. Sorry, I don't have time any more :(

Q. Can you help me repair my computer?
A. I can give general advice but I can't get into 1-to-1 remote diagnostics - sorry. You will find help and advice on my blog. 

Q. Can you supply products such as the Nebula and SMART Card in kit form?
A. No, sorry. The parts are way too fiddly to package up and the CPLD has to be programmed in situ with specialized equipment.