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PlanetBike Blaze/Superflash IMITATIONS???
OK, been looking into the PBSF and the Blaze 1w or 1/2w. In the UK, they are not as abundant as certain other lights.
The PBSF bears a striking resemblance to the Smart Superflash, the Basta Superflash And the Blaze bears a strong resmblance (though no mention of superflash) to the Smart B-Spoke Front. The Beamer 3 and 5 seem to resemble the Smart Polaris II 3 and 5 The beamer 5 also resembles the BikeHut Super Bright Front Bike Light |
All these and many more seem to be made by Smart Taiwan, of which Planet Bike is the USA disributor.
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Then that makes a lot of sense.
And thanks - I couldn't find Smart's website. Couldn't find the wood for the trees I think. |
Originally Posted by CaptCarrot
(Post 8437024)
OK, been looking into the PBSF and the Blaze 1w or 1/2w. In the UK, they are not as abundant as certain other lights.
The PBSF bears a striking resemblance to the Smart Superflash, the Basta Superflash And the Blaze bears a strong resmblance (though no mention of superflash) to the Smart B-Spoke Front. The Beamer 3 and 5 seem to resemble the Smart Polaris II 3 and 5 The beamer 5 also resembles the BikeHut Super Bright Front Bike Light |
Well I have just had a look at the Smart offerings in a LBS.
The 1/2 Watt B-Spoke Front does not have superflash. The 1 Watt does, but may not be as good as the PB 1W Blaze. As for the rear light, their version of the SF doesn't SF. The closest to the PBSF flashing mode is the B-spoke Rear I think I'll order from the states and get the PBSF Stealth and 1Watt Blaze. I can get them off of ebay for US $47.95 + $11.00 P&P. To put that into context - the total is just shy of $60, which is roughly GB £42. My LBS wants £44 for the Smart B-Spoke 1 Watt on its own. |
Originally Posted by CaptCarrot
(Post 8443300)
I think I'll order from the states and get the PBSF Stealth and 1Watt Blaze. I can get them off of ebay for US $47.95 + $11.00 P&P. To put that into context - the total is just shy of $60, which is roughly GB £42. My LBS wants £44 for the Smart B-Spoke 1 Watt on its own.
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Originally Posted by Unknown Cyclist
(Post 8443335)
Import duty.
Somehow I think $47.95 + $11.00 beats that, even if there is an extra £10 to pay this end. |
If you pay at this end it will be a damn sight more than £10...the post office charge that much for collecting it.....
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Someone on ebay has very kindly photobucket-ed a video of the B-Spoke rear light.
Comparisons to the PBSF anyone who has one? http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...t=MVI_6487.flv |
CC, you post more than I do !!
How's your brake light coming on ? |
Originally Posted by Unknown Cyclist
(Post 8443466)
If you pay at this end it will be a damn sight more than £10...the post office charge that much for collecting it.....
Receiving gifts or buying goods from overseas What you need to know about Customs Receiving gifts or buying goods from overseas What you need to know about Customs All postal items that enter the United Kingdom may be examined by Customs, but normally letters, postcards and packets containing only documents or similar forms of correspondence are excluded. If you are receiving a package from overseas (apart from another EU Country), please be aware that it may incur customs charges. Any package assessed by HM Revenue and Customs as being liable for Customs charges will also incur a Royal Mail handling fee of £8. The Royal Mail customs handling fee is charged for customs clearance of items in respect of which import duty and/or tax is due. Items in respect of which no import duty and/or tax is due will continue to be cleared through customs free of charge. Any goods imported into the UK over the value of £18 are liable to import VAT; gifts between private individuals over the value of £36 are also liable for VAT. Goods and gifts over these values may also be liable for Customs duty. As of the 1st of December 2008 you will no longer be required to pay customs duty for goods up to the value of £105, however you will still be required to pay import VAT and excise duty where applicable. Please note that these limits do not apply to alcohol and tobacco goods where both excise duty and import VAT may be charged. It is not permitted to send alcohol and tobacco products into the UK from another EU country unless prior arrangements have been made to account for the excise duty. For more details please read the Royal Mail guide to receiving goods from overseas.pdf (53kb). And also the HM Revenue & Customs guide to Shopping on the Internet. [edit] Found the B-Spokes (F & R) on eBay for £24.99 + £9.99, bought together shipping will be between £2 and £3.50. [/edit] Just found out the Smart B-Spokes 1w F and 1/2w R are endorsed or approved or something by "Transport For London" - Just can't find anything official. CE marked too. So PB or Smart for £20 less?
Originally Posted by Unknown Cyclist
(Post 8444626)
CC, you post more than I do !!
How's your brake light coming on ? |
Originally Posted by CaptCarrot
(Post 8444838)
By my calculations (VAT at 15%) that is £41.30 plus an extra £8 (Royal Mail) + £6.20 (HMRC VAT) = £55.50 - Comparible to the LBS for the Smart offerings
I think they can base the value on the RRP here, not the sale price where you purchased it - this happened to someone I know. |
Originally Posted by Unknown Cyclist
(Post 8444916)
Where did you get £8 from ?
I think they can base the value on the RRP here, not the sale price where you purchased it - this happened to someone I know. Receiving gifts or buying goods from overseas What you need to know about Customs Receiving gifts or buying goods from overseas What you need to know about Customs All postal items that enter the United Kingdom may be examined by Customs, but normally letters, postcards and packets containing only documents or similar forms of correspondence are excluded. If you are receiving a package from overseas (apart from another EU Country), please be aware that it may incur customs charges. Any package assessed by HM Revenue and Customs as being liable for Customs charges will also incur a Royal Mail handling fee of £8. The Royal Mail customs handling fee is charged for customs clearance of items in respect of which import duty and/or tax is due. Items in respect of which no import duty and/or tax is due will continue to be cleared through customs free of charge. Any goods imported into the UK over the value of £18 are liable to import VAT; gifts between private individuals over the value of £36 are also liable for VAT. Goods and gifts over these values may also be liable for Customs duty. As of the 1st of December 2008 you will no longer be required to pay customs duty for goods up to the value of £105, however you will still be required to pay import VAT and excise duty where applicable. Please note that these limits do not apply to alcohol and tobacco goods where both excise duty and import VAT may be charged. It is not permitted to send alcohol and tobacco products into the UK from another EU country unless prior arrangements have been made to account for the excise duty. For more details please read the Royal Mail guide to receiving goods from overseas.pdf (53kb). And also the HM Revenue & Customs guide to Shopping on the Internet. If they go with the Smart Equivalents for RRP, then the F would be based on £43.99 and the R on £14.99 then the import VAT would rise from £6.20 to £8.85. I think I could stomach an extra £2.65. |
Last time I had something from the US the fee had gone up, so either it has gone back down..or that price is out of date.
:( |
Well I pulled that off their site this evening - but knowing the Royal Mail it wouldn't surprise me if it were wrong.
Also note that As of the 1st of December 2008 you will no longer be required to pay customs duty for goods up to the value of £105 So maybe that explains the difference in the charges? |
IIRC they charged me £13 for collecting the import duty :(
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isn't it handling fee + percentage of declared price?
at least that's how it works in canada. |
Originally Posted by AEO
(Post 8445127)
isn't it handling fee + percentage of declared price?
at least that's how it works in canada. But who knows, our government has such a black whole of a deficit ATM I would be surprised to be slapped with an import duty in the trillions. |
Originally Posted by CaptCarrot
(Post 8443300)
...As for the rear light, their version of the SF doesn't SF....
If it was the latter I apologise for any confusion. |
Should be fine.
Let me know what ya want for it (inc P&P). |
Have a friend in the States send them as gifts, separately, and avoid all the hassle....... just sayin
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The PB brand does not appear to be sold here, but looking throught this it looks like Smart is the same.
The CHEAPEST I can get the Smart SF for is £5.99 + £1.99 p&p (US $8.41 + $2.79). So, thanks for the offer, but probably best to give it to someone your side of the pond. As I have been replying to this thread for the past couple of days, I have come to the conclusion that the difference between Smart and PB (if any) is not enough to warrant the price difference. But thank you for the offer. |
Originally Posted by CaptCarrot
(Post 8456048)
The PB brand does not appear to be sold here, but looking throught this it looks like Smart is the same
Smart rebadge some of them as PB for the bulk purchaser. I'm not sure you'll find any difference. :) |
Originally Posted by CaptCarrot
(Post 8456048)
The CHEAPEST I can get the Smart SF for is £5.99 + £1.99 p&p (US $8.41 + $2.79).
TIA :) |
Originally Posted by CaptCarrot
(Post 8456048)
The CHEAPEST I can get the Smart SF for is £5.99 + £1.99 p&p (US $8.41 + $2.79).
Where did you find the superflash for £5.99 ?? I can only find the 7 LED smart light (same housing) without the Nichia 1/2W LED for £5.99. The 7 LED version is sold by halfords and re-badged as Bikehut. It's not a bad light, I've got one. :) I'd rather have the superflash though, :D EDIT: just found some on ebay - bought and paid for ;) |
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