Has anyone tried this, as I've been having a look at a large US site that ships worldwide. They have all the best gear that we still don't seem to be able to find easily over here, and based on say a 20 brush order, it would work out at roughly a tenner per brush including shipping.

I've paid that over here for Purdy and Hamilton before and was toying with the idea of trying it. Still a bit wary of ordering gear from this far away.

Any thoughts?

They would have to be pretty good brushes for that price ... plus, if they are that good, why would you need 20 of them?

You can buy 3 x 2" Purdy Monarch Elite on fleaBay for £24.98 = £8.33 per brush. You can't get much better brushes than those...

Ordering from across the pond is fine mate, I bought a few bit and bobs last year and was like yourself hesitant at first. My order turned up in 6 days!


Couldn't have been happier really ( Unless the import duty was knocked off ) . I see why you are considering buying bulk as the Paint Store's P & P is steep and selling them on here / eBay is a good way to claw a bit back.
Bottom line give it a go, just make sure you allow for import duty and you'll be fine. Plus let us know if you have anything for sale mate.

You do need to watch the postage from the USA, I wanted some ceramic glazes (out of stock in UK) three pints of glaze was $27, postage would have been $70 - and you may well have to pay VAT and the Post Office will charge a handling fee for collecting the VAT.

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One day it will all be firewood.

See if they will play ball - get them to mark on the shipping order form "product samples for evaluation". Used to ship things backwards and forwards from China, HK, USA, etc all the time - sample chassis, etc. Never had to pay as they went back....

That was my intention actually. Order Proforms and Coronas to keep some, and flog the rest on. I'm surprised someone on here hasn't done this already (or maybe I've missed it ) as the e-bay prices are just stupid.

Gonna chew it over at the weekend so will keep ya posted

I order quite a lot of stuff from abroad from my work. You have to be careful of import tax and this has nothing to do with the seller so they won't mention it. Sometimes it takes months/years for them to catch up with you. We had an import tax bill last year for CF cards we bought in 2008!

Most of the time you get away with it but best to make you aware of.

Maybe just try TDS, they may have some stock of Proforms, if not they're trying to get some more last I heard, perhaps even Coronas at some stage? They are VERY reasonable

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To err is human.

http://appledecoratingbristol.co.cc/

I emailed Andy Cherry (I think he was called) from TDS and he was adamant they are trying to get some more Picassos.
That being said I looked at ordering some from here.
When you go through the process and add the products to your basket and then go to check out you see an ESTIMATE of the postage costs, about $40 for a couple of brushes.
And as you buy more obviously the rates go up to around about $75 for a box of twelve.

So I can see why when brought independantly from the U.S. people put them on ebay at an increased price just to get your money back. Although even at £18 a brush you wouldn't get it all back with a box of twelve.

Thought this was a thread about thai brides

Ah Mr Dudwee

I ordered some gear from Paint Store about a year ago ,to make it worthwhile I would say you have to spend £150 to £200 at lease.And you do save a fair bit depending on what you are buying.I spent just under £150 and had to pay about £27 vat ,if I remembered it was delivered in about three days.Also hunt around on some price comparison site I got a voucher for 10%

Thanks for all the info lads. The Good Ol' USA seems to be ahead of us for quite a lot just now.