Some advice please - from Americans in particular!

[Detroitpete]

Nick, from what I've been able to tell here from those who have purchased from you, you have top notch products and always attempt to intervene if there is a service issue. I think that an informed customer making an informed decision, who is satisfied with the results, will be a return customer. Give us up fromt pricing and lets us know any particulars about the ordering prices--and we'll take it from there.

[Cowher]

I have a marketing background and I would say that Americans would like to know what they are going to pay upfront. So I like your idea. I was inches away from making a order to you but was snatched up for two reasons first I knew what I was paying and two I fell in love with a box pleat kilt

Matt

[Dixiecat]

We'd also offer firm prices in US dollars, so that the price you saw was the price you'd pay, in your local currency

Pretty sure that my local currency isn't US dollars.

[seanachie]

I just have one question, Nick. Whenever I have been assessed a customs charge (and keep in mind I do a lot of buying from the UK), whether it be from the postal service, from FedEx or UPS or DHL, it is I, as the recipient of the package, who gets the bill.

The people I buy from have no way of knowing how much, if any, customs fees I am being asked to pay unless I let them know.

So I'm just curious as to the logistics of your plan. How are you going to incorporate all the customs fees into what the customer pays you? Is there some way that you have worked out with your shippers that the customs fees get billed to you rather than to the recipient?

Matt: Can not speak to all carriers but UPS Worldship software allows you select who pays the fees when you set up the Commercial Invoice, the recipient though would not know this or the amount at least as far as I can discern.

[Nick Fiddes]

Pretty sure that my local currency isn't US dollars.

Quite possibly CAD too. But the pedant in me would have to point out that this is arguably at least relative, firstly because that currency is certainly MORE local to you geographically than a wee nation on the other side of the Atlantic, and also because I'd wager many more Canadians would be used to shopping for items in US dollars than in UK pounds. No? (I say this apologetically as a Scot who hates to be confused with the English, and so should be fully aware of such sensitivities...)

[ChubRock]

[McConnell Mor]

I ordered my first Kilt from you recently to be delivered in January 2011. I have ordered five 16 OZ 5yd kilts in the last 6 months from five different sellers. I had NO issues with the website and ordering from you , in fact, I was able to surf through the various Tartan choices and spend time contemplating on what I really wanted and in what weight, and from which mill. All in all so far I think Scotweb is fantastic. If the Kilt is the same, then you will be getting much more business from me.

[Lyle1]

If you must ship via commercial courier, I would prefer to be given a price that included shipping and customs. However, the last kilt I purchased from Scotland arrived via Royal Mail in less than a week, and I would not have been upset if it had taken two weeks or more. Saving $60 (20% on a $300 kilt) would be worth waiting a few weeks for delivery.

[CDNSushi]

My order from Scotweb to Japan was as smooth as silk. Everything came up in yen, and Royal Mail delivered it to Japan in one week (which is customary) with no additional charges.

For me here in the Far East, I would not wish to see ANY changes to Scotweb's price and service options... "As is" is perfect from my end of the table.

[MacMillans son]

I think that for most people, not just North Americans, the simpler more transparent the process the better. The more you can make it like a domestic purchase the better. The price + shipping = total cost...period done.

Since the price of the goods and shipping are known variables, the challenge must be in the belief that the customs fees are currently not a guaranteed fee, but rather, a crap shoot of sorts. So why would a person pay a guaranteed fee up front when they believe they can roll the dice and maybe not have to pay it at all ? Although there may be some peace of mind in knowing the worst case scenario up front, I am not sure there is a benefit to having a guarantee of experiencing it.

Unless there is some way, as a result of economies of scale or ??, for you to absorb part of the real customs fees, I fail to see the benefit. You might as well post on your web page "All items shipped to US include a 20% customs tax paid to the US government" Then at checkout list: Price + US tax + shipping = total cost. Just like some merchants do with the VAT tax. At least by doing that you identify the party responsible for mandating the tax, and you provide the complete information to the customer.

Of course, the result to you may be that consumers still choose to use merchants and couriers that they believe allow them to avoid the tax, but that takes us back to the old discussions that you understandably want to avoid.

Thanks again for the opportunity to contribute.

Best of luck to you,
Brooke