German Tanks and Prices

NapierDogs · 04-05-2005

I have been looking around to buy a un-made King Tiger Tamiya 1/16th (56018) all singing, dancing, and anything else that went with it.
Not knowing anybody to ask questions, about what transmitter or what is the difference between Ni-cad and the other type or short charge or over night, and lots more unanswered questions, its been a good experience learning about what you can get and find on the internet.
What my question is, I find that in British web pages you find the tank priced at around £490-£600. but on ebay they have the same tanks for £240 -£300.
Now, is there a secret shop in Britian that everyone knows of, that sell them at a cheaper price OR is there a pitfall in buying the Tank of ebey that is not been made obvious to me?
Is this the same for the Transmitter, batterys, Battle system, airbrush ?

Hopefully
NapierDogs

adzam · 04-05-2005

ok doke, i have a tiger 1 tamiya tank . bought in the uk, i went for the full package at the same time.

you need a four channel transmitter /receiver. the tiger one runs on 2 nicad packs. one for noises and ligts and the other for drive.
the i would spend teh additional ten pounds or so on the nicaded transmitter.

as for teh kits on ebay, well i`m not sure. i beleive you should pay imort duty on the items. poistage is high ( compared to going to your local modelshop) and i`m noy sure where you`d stand if any parts arrived broken or missing.

other than that i beleive there the same kits, might not have english instructions. but still relatively easy to build.

you should maybe contact some on ebay who has bought one of these and ask any questions, they will be in a better position to answer any doubts or queries you might have.

noobee captain · 05-05-2005

The kits on E-bay come from Hong Kong and are subject to import duty. On radio control gear I believe that it is 34%. The carriers usually charge an additional £10 for paying it on your behalf and insist on COD.
I believe that they are selling the UK spec kit as BB bullet firing kits are banned in the UK and they are available throughout the rest of the world, instead we get a muzzle flash which is effectively a mini tazer.

James

NapierDogs · 12-05-2005

Is ebay a scorpion with a sting in its tail or a wise shopping move. I don't Know yet! but, will soon find out,
Have I've been a wise man (with the wifes Money) or a idiot of the first magnitude??? and WILL be sleeping in the spare bedroom for a couple of weeks.
I have taken the plunge on EBAY, and have orderd, A 1/16th King Tiger Henchel Turret 56018, 5 batteries, from 2 different places. (both places shouldn't rob me) Battery charger. Tank battle system. Futaba 4VWD, Threadlock.
I now sit and wait for all the CORRECT products to arrive, with just the correct amout taken from the bank account. and delivery dates kept.
I will certainly tell you if its gone to plan, or if I have incured import tax, or that goods never arrive.

NapierDogs.
p.s. It better go to plan or the wife will bloody kill me.
p.p.s. If anyone out there is of a religious nature, I do accept prays. single or group?

**wonwinglo** · 12-05-2005

Good evening Michael,I wish you well with your purchase and will say this about any extra taxes that could be payable,I have personally used E-bay myself for purchasing collectables,and out of these have only been stung twice on customs being payable,it seems that only random packages become eligible for any customs payments,well this is my experience at least and my postman confirmed that he only occasionly has to deal with private packets that incur extra revenue,it would obviously be a different matter if it was a commercial exchange for any financial gain,anyway the best of luck with your goods,I am sure they will turn out fine.

**Bluewavestudios** · 12-05-2005

Michael,
I have had no problems with the items I have bought through e-bay so far, I generally tend to stick to UK sellers althought one item I had (a mini wireless cctv system for model use) was actually shipped from HongKong, I received that within 4 days of buying it and did not have to pay any import duty on it at all.
E-bay is actually quite good....Where else can you bag a brand new 2 channel R/C outfit for £31.99 and that includes the postage....I got one yesterday (from a shop dealer too !!!) and it is a reputable make,(Acoms)

Regards.........Mark

Panzerfaust · 15-05-2005

I have just bought a Tiger I Full option kit £300.00 including insured delivery to the UK.Luckly i have not had to pay any import duty as he put the value as $300 Hong Kong dollars,it arrived 10 days later and very well packaged.The person who i used on eBay was "Hong Kong Cowboy".will be buying my Futuba Skyport radio gear off him as well.

NapierDogs · 16-05-2005

Glad to hear of your successful buy of the Tiger 1. I am still waiting for Mr postman to arrive. I had hoped to buy off Hongkong cowboy, in fact like you I was going to buy all from him, from Tank to threadlock, but when I had finally decided to buy, he had NO King Tigers left. In fact I could not find a King Tiger on ebay. So in the end I have had to go elsewhere.

The Futaba radio system, I found HK Cowboy $86 post $45. But stellamodel (on ebay) $68 post $38. (without servo's)
but I had this price on the stellamodels web page NOT on ebey. they also had a good price on Tiger 1 metal tracks. (but not KingTiger) I didn't buy from either, but from hobby shop in America, but I didn't go for the cheapest.

I have noticed that on the items that have arrived, they have all discribed the parcel items as gifts not business, and not the correct price but lower.

Is this your first 1/16th tamiya ??

NapierDogs.

Panzerfaust · 16-05-2005

This is my first Tamiya Tank,used to own a Hornet,Grasshopper & Fox back in the 80's when i was a kid.Build is going to plan at the moment chassis & suspension are all built and primered & most of the upper body parts are painted.
Good luck with your's........Is this you first Tamiya Tank?

**Bluewavestudios** · 16-05-2005

I believe the gift description on the packages received from abroad is the crafty way of getting around customs import duty which you would normally have to pay according to the value of the item you have ordered.
If is saves you extra cost then that's got to be a good thing as most things are already way overpriced here in the UK.

Regards.......Mark.