antonyfhilliard

I'm going to the UK soon (London, Brighton, Nottingham), and am tempted by the slightly-lower prices on Bromptons on some online classifieds sites, https://www.gumtree.com/ for example.

Being a bit tall (6'5" / 175lb) an H3R would be ideal, but I've test-ridden a classic M series and it seemed alright.

Any advice for a tourist shopper? Besides "don't get mugged with 400 pounds cash"?

• Is buying used in the UK actually cheaper?
• Any better classifieds sites to try?
• Any advice on "trouble spots" in used Bromptons that need extra inspecting before buying used?

bhkyte

london ios place to buy a brompton in uk on gumtree or simular, make sure you like it and that its a model that fits you ,i would recomend getting a 6 speed over a 3.
else get a Mezzo.

mulleady

+1 get a six speed. If you can find one with a telescopic seatpost it would be a huge advantage given your height. Also try ebay.co.uk greater london located sellers as many will meet you at central london stations fpr cash on collection. Always adk for frame number to check against bromptons stolen register. If they are evasive, best to deal with the many genuine sellers out there.

antonyfhilliard

Telescopic seatpost, online stolen bike register, 6-speed, buy in London. Thanks, keep em coming!

dynaryder

Make sure you figure out how you're getting it home first. Any savings from buying in UK could be eaten-ed up by the cost of getting it home.

cpg

I live in Nottingham and regularly check out Gumtree, Bromtpons very rarely come up in Nottingham on the second hand market, London is your best bet.
+1 for a Mezzo, expect to pay 2/3 the price of a Brompton and you get an extra 3 gears, or 4 if you go for the D10.

fietsbob

If its in a Shop they can offer the paperwork to get stamped at the point of Exit, to get the 20% VAT rebated.

Grey market may let you skip that. and not pay it in the 1st place.

FWIW SJS will have parts to turn an S into an H, , riser and bars , cables and housing is the other change.

CameraMan

This generally only applies to new goods.
Most shops that sell used items do so under the VAT margin scheme.

Savings are can still be made buying new, then you can get a rebate for the VAT, making it much less that the US prices

bhkyte

I would also consider a mezzo. You can get a used one for £250 with luck.

kamtsa

Is the 20% VAT typically included in the advertised price or in addition?

E.g. for this one

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-...9mm-prod31207/

fietsbob

Over the web buys into the US they dock the VAT, and add shipping , IDK about walk-ins

to the shop in Bridgewater, Somerset. (seems like a conversation, in person, would be reasonable)


Or UK domestic shipped stuff VAT rebate papers can be discussed over the Phone ..

elzy0000

I think it's a great idea. I bought my Brompton in Stockholm and saved a bundle on the taxes. I would suggest looking into your airlines policy on bikes onboard. Mine wanted to charge an extra $150 but I told them it was only bike parts and got out of the $150. I had mine packed in the box they are shipped from Brompton. If you were able to score a travel case you may be able to get away with only paying an extra bag fee.

It's one hell of a souvenir.

cpg

Looks like I spoke too soon, there is brompton for sale in Nottingham, advertised on Gumtree.

bhkyte

Maybe selling as they bought the wrong bike?
Sale to fund building the 4th nottingham built dual drive mezzo!!
Expect a new post on"converting mezzo to dualdrive help" thread any minute now!!

cpg

No, its not me, I am too mean to buy a Brompton. For that price I could have two Mezzos.

DoubleDiamonDog

If you're going for quantity you could have four Citizens.

bhkyte

Too sensible I think you meant...lol

cpg

.... possibly 10 or more used Bickertons for the same price. Perhaps not so sensible then

bhkyte

5-6 diblasi R4 for the same price very sensible lol.
Other items worth having. Brommie folding pedal as worth more to sell in usa if you don't keep them on the bike. Personally I hate brommie folding pedals.
Self locking frame clip.
Kevlar tyres,
Get a front luggage bag as it will be cheaper in uk and use it as day bag on plane after selling your used rucksack or giving it to chairty?

cpg

This could be the subject of a new thread, "what bikes would you have for the same price as a Brompton?"

seltzered

Was just about to start a similar thread. I've been lusting over a Brompton for a few months in the US, but considering I want a project bicycle it seems way cheaper to buy one in the UK if you're already planning to travel there, even old Bromptons seem to sell for 1200+ here on the west coast, without much selection. Anyone charged VAT when buying a used brompton?


Reason for a project bicycle - plan to add belt drive & electric drive later on, so no external derailleur or hub lighting wanted.

antonyfhilliard

Ended up coming home empty handed - used Mezzos (the old frame) were 350 pounds on gumtree, and I never found an M3R or H3R in London. The closest (non-obviously-stolen) brommie was 550 pounds for a red M6R. A bit too fire engine.

Ah well - now back in Canada, I found a Mezzo (new frame) advertised for $500 CAD - same price as the UK! Truly a global market.

fietsbob

Hard to remember when the GBP & U$D/CAD were 1:1 exchange rate so you were better off back home.

Last time I was over there the rate was 1.6$: 1 GBP

bhkyte

I can relate to this. I visted the usa for 6 weeks during the iNtroduction of bmx racing in UK. After the dinasours..........
I expexted to be able to get a us bike for a fraction of the cost of the uk at the time. The exchange rate was 2.5dollars at time. I did not fine that great deal either.