So the question is, how much would I 'save' by buying, say, a C50 from Maestro while in the UK? Has anyone bought in the UK then brought the bike back via airline? is the savings substantial, or is there a savings at all?

So the question is, how much would I 'save' by buying, say, a C50 from Maestro while in the UK? Has anyone bought in the UK then brought the bike back via airline? is the savings substantial, or is there a savings at all?

I'm not sure what you're asking here--Mike's prices are available over the internet and by telephone and you know what the LBS wants. If you're asking about duties--the US customs service maintains a web reference page on this, but my recollection is: relatively light duty on frames, no duty at all on components, and the highest duty of all on built bikes (go figure). Plainly, on that scheme, you're better off shipping the bike back in parts than you are having it built entirely over there before shipping. There's also shipping cost versus airlines cost, but I guess that varies by airlines and is probably something close to a wash in any case. I will say that, when I bought a frameset from maestro a few years back, Mike did a nice job with the packing and the shipping went just fine. There's also, of course, the time and other costs associated with a trip to his shop. If this is just about saving money, you'll probably do best do buy the bike sight unseen and have it shipped, unassembled, in multiple cartons. (but maybe you're going that way anyway, or want to see the shop, or have him fit you, or whatever ...).

I guess I'd be inclined to have him ship it here, unless you'll be riding it in England after the purchase.

I bought a CT1 from maestro in the days before the dollar tanked. At that time, my CT1 frameset (with force fork) ran about 1300 bucks or so from maestro, which was more than a grand better than the LBS could do (and still considerably better than any US mail order source). Dunno what the comparison is now.

If you're just looking for a reference: I was happy with my dealings with maestro and I'd be glad to do business there again.

So the question is, how much would I 'save' by buying, say, a C50 from Maestro while in the UK? Has anyone bought in the UK then brought the bike back via airline? is the savings substantial, or is there a savings at all?

I visited my folks in Baton Rouge at Christmas - just remember that the dollar is very weak - "savings" may not really be that

if you're going to be in London the best cycle shop around is Condor
http://www.condorcycles.com

remember that in the UK (and the rest of Europe) there's a 17-20% sales tax (VAT) which you can avoid as you reside in the US - make sure you get the paperwork from the shop so that you can claim the tax back BEFORE you check in for your return flight

don't know anything about US customs - but it looks like you've got info. from another poster

So the question is, how much would I 'save' by buying, say, a C50 from Maestro while in the UK? Has anyone bought in the UK then brought the bike back via airline? is the savings substantial, or is there a savings at all?
prepared to be man-handled by a 1.88 to 1 conversion rate. i can't imagine you saving any money. add on the VAT and the conversion rate and you could buy a car.

prepared to be man-handled by a 1.88 to 1 conversion rate. i can't imagine you saving any money. add on the VAT and the conversion rate and you could buy a car.

doesn't live in the EU then he doesn't pay VAT = 20% discount

doesn't live in the EU then he doesn't pay VAT = 20% discount
i think there's a limit on what you can reclaim when leaving the country, isn't there? i remember 400 pounds being significant because after that you'll have to pay tax.

while i was over there, we just said screw it. having to keep up with 200 receipts and then standing in line for a couple of hours isn't worth the money. i'd rather enjoy the city more and not worry...

i think there's a limit on what you can reclaim when leaving the country, isn't there? i remember 400 pounds being significant because after that you'll have to pay tax.

while i was over there, we just said screw it. having to keep up with 200 receipts and then standing in line for a couple of hours isn't worth the money. i'd rather enjoy the city more and not worry...

The VAT is a non-issue if they're shipping it back to the US directly from the shop. The shop will process the sale and the US purchaser will be charged the non-EU price (that is, the price less VAT).

Other than Condor Cycles on Grey's Inn Road (which I like very much) can anyone suggest other high end bike shops (shoppes) in London? I am there next week with a couple of free hours, would like to see what new gear is out there. Thank you.

Other than Condor Cycles on Grey's Inn Road (which I like very much) can anyone suggest other high end bike shops (shoppes) in London? I am there next week with a couple of free hours, would like to see what new gear is out there. Thank you.

stores are Evans and Cycle Surgery

http://www.evanscycles.com/foyer.jsp
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/

both have multiple locations - but both tend to be more mountain bikey - Condor is way out in front for new kit and roadie stuff

i think there's a limit on what you can reclaim when leaving the country, isn't there? i remember 400 pounds being significant because after that you'll have to pay tax.

while i was over there, we just said screw it. having to keep up with 200 receipts and then standing in line for a couple of hours isn't worth the money. i'd rather enjoy the city more and not worry...

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentID=HMCE_CL_000141

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000141&propertyType=document

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_FAQs&propertyType=document&columns=1&id=HMCE_PROD_008566#P35_4308

Best shop in London is Condor - they do sell Colnago but at a 20% premium over Maestro. Other shops worth considering in London are Cyclefit, who sell Merckx and Sigma Sport who are to the west of London in Kingston. For prices, Maestro is the best for Colnago - a C50 will cost you US$3200 excluding taxes and he's also pretty good for Campagnolo. Maestro is on the South Coast about 2-2.5 hours from London - worth giving him a call to see what he's got available.

I visited my folks in Baton Rouge at Christmas - just remember that the dollar is very weak - "savings" may not really be that

if you're going to be in London the best cycle shop around is Condor
http://www.condorcycles.com

remember that in the UK (and the rest of Europe) there's a 17-20% sales tax (VAT) which you can avoid as you reside in the US - make sure you get the paperwork from the shop so that you can claim the tax back BEFORE you check in for your return flight

don't know anything about US customs - but it looks like you've got info. from another poster


ooohh. condorcycles. memories...1990. i remember a full campy record OR mtb set w/ slicks for urban delight on the window. painted in gold.