Info and forum posts by 'GregWW'

RE: uk customs duties question hlp

The £36 "gift" threshold can only be used if the person sending the item is sending it for personal reasons (i.e. it can`t be a retailer). I remember you used to be able to mark "gift" on most websites but now only a few because it was a loophole that has probably been tightened up....Gordon Brown you W****R!

RE: Valuation of sex change

Quote:
Quick word of advice - don`t type "tranny" into Google image search unless you are absolutely sure the moderation option is enabled!

Yep...see what you mean!!!!!

RE: Notarising documents

Don`t know how much it costs I`m afraid (coz the company pay). We have to get a notary public in every few weeks and thats were the cost is coz she comes to us, If you go to one it shouldn`t be as much. There are generally only a few in a given area. You should be able to get some more info here

RE: Yay I`m Back!

Just seen the latest poll!!!!!! rather apt actually. ;)

Yay I`m Back!

Hi all, dissappeared for a while but now back online...mind you I guess you didn`t notice anyway ;) and it was only for a short while....where did I go?....Bangkok on business!!!!! Anyone been????, absolutely amazing place, every single man should visit that place before they pass away I can tell you. Never ever have I gone out and been accosted, molested, touched up, and downright abused by sooo many women at any one time...fantastic!!!!!

P.S. Yes, I did go in a ladyboy bar, and no you can`t tell the difference, and yes I didn`t realise until I had been in there for a good 20 minutes, and no I`m not ashamed of myself because nothing happened (except being forced to feel the odd fake breast!) :D

RE: What Sports and Teams do you follow?

Football: Man U :/
Rugby: Bath ;)
American Football: Cincinnati Bengals :D
Formula 1: Williams (Montoya)
Baseball: Chicago Cubs

RE: Forum changes tease

It`ll take a while to get used to but like clayts I do like the last poster feature
:D

RE: Was Sweden`s Eurovision about anal sex?? Rumours are circulating...

Quote:
And the wonderful Maltese entry (including the yodelling!)

That one was my favourite...fit bird and greasy bloke...marvelous!

RE: Troy score...

I really shouldn`t worry about the little things because there is so much more to life than this, but....

WHAT THE F*CK WERE WARNERS THINKING WHEN THEY SACKED GABRIEL YARED AND HIRED JAMES HORNER WITH ONLY 6 WEEKS TO GO UNTIL THIS FILM WAS RELEASED????...Warners can stuff it up their arse coz I ain`t buying this DVD nor any other of their DVD`s...complete and utter tosh, in fact I hope this film bombs now (it won`t but I can only hope). >:( >:( >:(

You may wonder why I seem so passionate about this after already posting some comments above. Well, since posting them I`ve had a chance to listen properly to the majority of Gabriel Yared`s (unfinished) score...and its bloody marvelous compared to the utter travesty that James Horner produced. It isn`t Horner`s fault of course, its Warners..."the music wasn`t modern enough"????? WTF??? Thats what they said, well I`m sorry Mr Hollywood BUT THE F*CKING FILM IS SET OVER 3000 YEARS AGO!!!! >:( >:( goddamn money grabbing b*stards, no thought at all for what the people want to see and hear. Who at Warners decided it wasn`t modern enough eh?, whoever it was needs to be handed his P45.

I`ve spoken to quite a few mates who have all seen the film independently in the last couple of days and each and every one of them has said it was a good film, but the music stank so it didn`t get emotional pull to make it great...well if they all think that, then the majority of the public will as well, so hopefully Warners might listen and give us an option on the DVD. If they don`t "Troy" won`t be sitting pretty in my DVD library I can tell you.

Goddamn monkeys. >:(

Right, now that I`ve got that off my chest, I can sleep easy :(

RE: Now this is what I call a subwoofer

mental! :D

RE: Troy score...

Have to agree entirely with you there chewie. It was a good movie, bordering on the great at times, Bana was excellent and the rest of the cast did a stirling job. I read about the score before seeing the film and so was a bit sceptical, but even if I hadn`t I can confirm the score stinks!!! I can`t remember any of it, its totally forgetful. Great films come with great scores, LOTR is the most recent case in point. There was no emotion, no drama, no theme. The film misses out big time because of this. Like chewie, I think it also missed out on something else, true there was no good side and no bad side really. Everyone was made out to be quite likeable. There has to be quite a lot of plot development missing there seem to be whole scenes missing, which I do hope make it onto the DVD. All in all 8 out of 10 (1 for the music >:( )

RE: What are the benefits of allying ourselves with the US?

Quote:
And we`re the US`s biggest customer for second-hand and substandard armaments.

In return for backing the US up to the hilt, they promise not to cripple our economy by currency speculation, not to ruin British companies in the US by introducing punitive taxation and of course not to call in all those armaments debts the Tories got us into pre-1997 (like buying clapped out Chinook and Apache helicopters instead of investing in our own Westland Helicopters); not buying that hugely overpriced Trident missile system and having to build special rubber submarines to house them; buying second-hand AWAX early-warning planes...)

Actually, thats not entirely true. When the UK contracts with US Companies to buy arms there is usually a substantial workshare between the UK and US. Take the Apache Helicopter for instance. This is sold to the UK MoD by Westland Helicopters who are in joint partnership with Boeing to supply the Helicopters. The Airframe and most "special" parts are brought together in the US and then shipped to Westlands for assembly in Yeovil. We use UK Rolls-Royce engines and the Aircraft is tailored to UK spec using other UK origin parts. The Competitors during the bid consisted of the US Bell SuperCobra, the Eurocopter Tiger and the South African Ruivalk (sic) however it was the Army and the guys that fly them that wanted the Apache because of its proven battle worthiness and the fact that it is one mean mother. It was also the only bid who`s prime contractor was a UK company. Our Apache`s are currently the most advanced flying in the World.

When we as a country contract with other countries (inc the US) for defence contracts there is always a certain amount of offset that is included within the contract, therefore any money spent is usually countered by reinvestment...so everybody wins.

The Chinook is indeed an embarassment ot the UK MoD (and bare in mind it is limited to only 8 aircraft) The problem is the Manufacturer delivered the aircraft to spec. It was the MoD who cocked up by not specifiying the software properly.

As far as everything else goes, there is usually a good reason why we buy proven weapons and systems from abroad and thats because the cost to develop our own is so prohibitive to the MoD.

;)

RE: What DVDs do you want that still has not been released !

These are already out but they really really really need the SE treatment:

Last of the Mohicans
King Kong (1933 version)
Shawshank Redemption
Titanic (I know a hell of a lot of people hate it, but more like it!)
El Cid
The Outlaw Josey Wales
The Life of Brian
Platoon
The Thin Red Line
Cheyenne

RE: HELP NEEDED - some bad news

Gosh Rik...I`ve only just caught up with the thread, I`m really saddened to hear your unfortunate news. I`ve read this thread from the beginning and saw some posts had been added yesterday but never checked it coz you said you would be seeing your dad this afternoon! I never thought he would pass away so suddenly.

I was pleased to read that he seemingly passed away quietly and without pain and I hope you can be thankful for that. It sounds like your dad had a very good life, making a valuable contiribution to society (and being recognised through his OBE!...I`m glad he learned of this before the end). To add to that he has brought up a decent son and kept him on the straight and narrow (I am assuming you don`t spend you evenings outside the local Londis with a 2 litre bottle of Cider!). You take an awful amount of ribbing on this site, for which most of the time you don`t deserve. You don`t take it to heart and from the way you write things and view `most` aspects of life leads me to believe you will become a fine young man whom your dad (and mum) would be very proud of indeed.

Chin up mate, you`ve handled this really brilliantly throughout and now is the time to really show some love and support for your mum.

Greg

RE: VAN HELSING...

I`ve just got back from seeing this and despite some of the opinions above, I quite enjoyed it. It wasn`t `amazing` or `experimental` or any of those things, it was simply a `switch brain into neutral before you sit down` film. Do that and don`t take too much notice of the (at times appaling) CGI and some dubious acting and you might enjoy it. I wouldn`t say it was `boring` because it never slowed down enough to develop the characters to become `boring`. Mind you I did nearly throw up during the ending sequence though...reminded me of practically every episode of Highway to Heaven.

All in all worth a watch.

RE: UNREAL TOURNAMENT 2004,,,,,,,,,,,,

I`d join in (got the game a week ago :D ), but I haven`t a clue about online gaming - help! I am set up on messenger though :)

RE: LOTR - Two Towers. Which region?

Yep agree, R1 is better that R2

RE: CUSTOMS CHARGES...They`re having a laugh arn`t they?

If the admin charge can be disputed, then I think I will especially after yesterday. I stated to Parcelforce "after 2pm delivery". So I left work early (1.30pm), leaving a very important bid in the balance, with the intention of taking receipt of my package and then going back to work to finish the bid. Did Parcelforce turn up when they said they would?...NO, did they turn up at all?....NO, did I have to go back to work and work until 9pm?....YES. I sat at home until 6pm waiting for these cowboys to turn up so that I could pay them £52.41, and they couldn`t even be arsed to do that. If they think I`m paying the £13.50 "clearance fee" they are sorely mistaken. >:(

....still not a happy bunny >:( >:( >:(

RE: Looking to buy "Hero" (Jet Li) - where can I get it from?

I got the Korean version on a recent business trip to Korea, good quality set and the film is stunning (I love the use of colours throughout). That said, I`m considering the extended version when it comes out. :D

RE: CUSTOMS CHARGES...They`re having a laugh arn`t they?

Hi all,

Despite suggestions that I should ignore it and claim a refund on my Credit Card etc...curiosity got the better of me so I rang customs to find out. So here goes,

Tent was $109
P&P was $38 (actual `Stamps` on Box)
Value of Goods declared...$146 ($109 + $37p&p I was actually charged), so the first thing wrong is the retailer incorrectly declared the value of the goods AND the p&p as the TOTAL value of the goods. Customs then added the $38 on top not realising it was accounted for already.

Anyway,

Exchange rate used £1 = $1.83
Customs Duty on a Tent = 18% (as correctly stated earlier!)
VAT = 17.5%
...and this is the b*stard...
Parcelforce admin charge = £13.50!!!!!...for what???..."Express Delivery"...It`s been in the damn country 2 weeks!!! I thought the admin charge was about £4

Right, Customs took my $184 ($146+$38 ) and coverted to Sterling = £100.69
Then, add Duty @ 18% = £18.12 and add that to value of goods = £118.81
Then, calculate VAT @ 17.5% of £118.81 = £20.79

So, £18.12 + £20.79 + £13.50 = £52.41 charge >:(

I have paid this in order to receive the goods on Friday and can appeal the decision by post on the fact that they counted p&p twice...so, I might get a £8 back...wow :/

Bloody World Trade, you can stick it!

This item was edited on Wednesday, 21st April 2004, 22:59

RE: HELP NEEDED - some bad news

Bloody hell Rik, I`m really sorry for what you and your family are going through :( . All I can say is I hope you get some good news soon :) .

Chin up mate ;) .

RE: European Constitution - yes or no?

Vote NO

Although we would be a larger Terrorist target if we became the 51st State of the Union it would be much better than being ruled by the Germans...only took them 60 years to do it legitimately!!! ;)

Also, I wouldn`t have gotten charged f**kin` import duty on my Tent! (or DVD`s 8) )

RE: bought a lcd tv-returned it,now thinking about a plasma.

Jimbo, the Sagem DLP is mentioned (and pictured on page 27) in this months What HiFi, and it clearly states that it is available in the UK. Maybe they have pre-empted the release?

Anyway, it looks pretty smart for the money!

This item was edited on Wednesday, 21st April 2004, 00:08

RE: CUSTOMS CHARGES...They`re having a laugh arn`t they?

Quote:
If it`s any help, they don`t charge by weight, but by value of goods imported...

Oh, I know that, I only mentioned it so that you could picture it in your minds eye...ie it wasn`t a massive package

CUSTOMS CHARGES...They`re having a laugh arn`t they?

2 weeks ago I ordered a tent on the internet from a US retailer. This cost $109 and postage was $37 (total $146 which equates to about £80-£85 depending on exchange rate) The packkage should be small and quite light because the tent only weighs 1.5kg. Anyway, I was tracking it on USPS until it entered the black hole of UK Customs 10 days ago.

Now, I`ve just received a letter from Parcelforce telling me that I am being charged £52.41 in Import Customs Duty, VAT and a `clearance fee`!!!!!!!...WHAT THE F**K???? >:( >:( >:(

I knew I was going to get hit with importing this, but I reckoned it would be about £20-£25 maximum based on current rates and the £4.00 `admin clearance` fee.

£52.41 equates to about 60% of the total selling price including P&P...how the hell can they justify that?

As I haven`t paid the charges yet (or taken receipt of the package) can I challenge them to reduce it in advance of me paying it (because I think they are `stealing` my money if I can`t) or do I have to pay it and then challenge it ???(over my cold and lifeless body Mr `I`m a f**kin` thief` Brown!!!!)

>:( >:( >:( Not Happy >:( >:( >:(

This item was edited on Tuesday, 20th April 2004, 18:48

RE: bought a lcd tv-returned it,now thinking about a plasma.

Jimbo

Sagem Axium 50" here

Although I can`t find anyone selling it and I got the price wrong, it should be about £2795. :)

RE: Master & Commander Region 2

Mine arrived from DVDSoon on Saturday (Collectors Edition) Absolutely fantastic presentation...sooooooooo glad I went for R1 instead of R2 :D :D :D

RE: bought a lcd tv-returned it,now thinking about a plasma.

chuck norris, there are others on this forum who are better qualified to answer this, but from what they have said:

1. Pioneer (434HDE????)
2. For returns/warranty then Hight Street is easier, but on-line should be cheaper and can sometime offer similar returns/warranty provisions
3. I think the Pioneer comes closest. It can never be true black with a Plasma though because the Gas requires constant `excitement`
4. Yes (I think its the refresh rate and the bitrate Sky transmit...but not sure)
5. The Pioneer can beat a CRT with on DVD with a HDMI feed from an equipped player. About the same with a Component feed though

You might want to think about a DLP projector though or even better a DLP rear projector. I understand you can have a 50" DLP rear projector for less than 2 grand!!!! (although there is only 1 available in the UK at the moment)

I`m sure I will be corrected on any mistakes ;)

RE: THE HOBBIT might happen afterall...

Hmmm....Chewie, I think you`ll find that ROTK is the 2nd highest grossing film ever after Titanic (US & International combined). When you add in FOTR and TTT (because it is essentailly 1 film split into 3 anyway). Then LOTR has taken a shade over 3 Billion Dollars which is more than double Titanic.

So how can you say:

Quote:
the box office figures for LOTR don`t stand up to that "phenomenon" status,

?

RE: WORST films in your DVD Collection...

Here`s mine:

[*]Missing in Action - I love it really...total cheese :D
[*]Aurora - Proof that to survive on an Alien desert planet for 4 weeks you `only` need a flask of water and a tent from Argos!
[*]Harry Potter 1 - What the hell was I thinking? Oh yes, the Girlfriend hadn`t seen it...the Girlfriend is no more!
[*]The Emperor and the Assasin - sounded good, was as boring as watching my toenails grow
[*]The Hulk - Not mine (it`s my flatmate`s) but drudgery at the lowest level

This item was edited on Monday, 19th April 2004, 22:13