26-10-2023, 01:52 PM
Thank you for the words of warning. Jose and I have already walked the minefield of post-Brexit postage. The first item I sent was a starter motor that didn't even make it out of the country. When returned it had a label attached telling me to send it by road only and a nice letter inside explaining they couldn't scan it so it couldn't go airfreight... I tried to find a road courier, but resorted to stripping it and laying out the parts so that the scanner would let it through. By now Jose had realised he needed an ignition switch too... The second time it escaped the UK, together with a second package containing a luggage rack, horn push and a collection of BSF spanners I was given to pass on to a new owner. using Parcelforce Worldwide I was able to create all of the necessary customs paperwork and generate invoices that satisfied Aduanas e Impuestos Especiales and both made it to Jose's mate Juan who lives near the mechanic. (Jose lives on an island in the Canaries, another level of complication altogether). Duty coughed up, he now has some of the bits he needs and some he wanted. I think he's paid something close to 50% on top of the cost of the items in postage and taxes... but what choice does he have?
I haven't added up my time spent trying to help the chap, but its running into lots and lots, bordering on too much. I can totally understand the reluctance of some of our cherished suppliers not to send stuff abroad. it's a nightmare.
This time round, I'm sorting out a lift pump from my garage*, a carburettor and a pork pie. I'll have to be sure to describe it as an ST38 or I'll probably end up extradited and rotting in a Spanish gaol over a meat related misunderstanding...
...and it all started because I thought his cut down Ruby looked sad with a bodged windscreen. it looks more like the real thing now and those who thought it would be difficult to fit an ORT screen to a Ruby obviously forgot this is a Spanish car - home of some remarkable transformations!
Luckily the bank didn't let him borrow money to by these fellows for sale on the islands already... I'd have had to block him I think!
This one is a bit special...
*this reminds me I need to order a replacement diaphragm.
I haven't added up my time spent trying to help the chap, but its running into lots and lots, bordering on too much. I can totally understand the reluctance of some of our cherished suppliers not to send stuff abroad. it's a nightmare.
This time round, I'm sorting out a lift pump from my garage*, a carburettor and a pork pie. I'll have to be sure to describe it as an ST38 or I'll probably end up extradited and rotting in a Spanish gaol over a meat related misunderstanding...
...and it all started because I thought his cut down Ruby looked sad with a bodged windscreen. it looks more like the real thing now and those who thought it would be difficult to fit an ORT screen to a Ruby obviously forgot this is a Spanish car - home of some remarkable transformations!
Luckily the bank didn't let him borrow money to by these fellows for sale on the islands already... I'd have had to block him I think!
This one is a bit special...
*this reminds me I need to order a replacement diaphragm.