Brits - US dollar is exta, extra low - anyone taking advantage of this situation?

[Jules]

Are any Brits -

Traveling to the US to book studios for mixing or tracking??

Buying gear / instruments from the USA?

Solo artists going to Nashville to get albums done?

Are any Americans - Accepting work in the UK because suddenly, the pay is looking VERY good?

... or not

Its a big deal - 2 x USD to the pound (or very close to it just a few weeks ago - it's never been so low.....)

Anyone from other countries - taking engineering / production / studio "advantage" of the low US Dollar?

My view is I cant help thinking that solo artists from countries with a good rate on the Dollar could just hop on a plane and get killer deals in the US (Nashville?( to do whole albums - quickly - and that it could be a good time to get some mix time in the USA. (NYC / LA ) and treat is as a holiday too!`

Are any US studios, marketing themselves to other countries?

[Lindell]

We just bought a 64ch Harrison Series 12 console for our new mix room. Paid it in USD.....

[C/G]

The Canadain dollar vs. the US dollar is pretty good so I've been punishing my Visa lately. I saved a lot in the long run even though I'm hurting right now. After it's all said and done and the Visa bill + interest is paid off I'm still way ahead of the game.

[djui5]

Originally Posted by Lindell

We just bought a 64ch Harrison Series 12 console for our new mix room. Paid it in USD.....

Nice


Yes, take advantage of us while were are down

If anyone of you UK chaps need mixes (or anywhere), I'm down. I'm currently working with some people in the UK now, and will be mixing songs for a band in Canada near the first of August. With the internet the way it is, it makes it very easy for people like me to work with people overseas. I love this planet

[Guitarzan]

Originally Posted by djui5

I love this planet

Yes, this is quiet possibly the nicest planet I have been on yet

[lwr]

i want to buy stuff from there, but am worried about getting taxed. is there a maximum percentage that i might get taxed on an item?

[djui5]

Originally Posted by LongWave

i want to buy stuff from there, but am worried about getting taxed. is there a maximum percentage that i might get taxed on an item?

It varies from state to state, but is "normally" 7 percent.

If you buy online, you don't pay taxes.

[octatonic]

(Here we go)

I lived in the UK for years, have property there, but I'm Australian by birth.
I'm based out of Switzerland but work in UK regularly.
We are about to relocate back to NYC after 2 years back in Europe.
Before that I was based for a year in NYC.

For me- the US is where it is at.
The music scene is better, the gear is cheaper, living expenses are cheaper and I have enough happening here in Switzerland and UK that I can travel back and forth as required.
We are looking at taking swiss bands, who have a lot more money behind them compared to UK, US or Aust bands, and they have the ways and means for getting their music heard.

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by LongWave

i want to buy stuff from there, but am worried about getting taxed. is there a maximum percentage that i might get taxed on an item?

Depends on what you are talking about.
Buying off ebay you can simply ask the person you are buying from to put a nominal value for the good on the customs forms. Most people are fine,

If buying new then it depends- I tend to get caught 50% of the time, but it is only 8% in Switzerland. Freight is the killer here.

[Tibbon]

I'll work for any of you if you pay me in pounds.

[Wing Commander]

Originally Posted by LongWave

i want to buy stuff from there, but am worried about getting taxed. is there a maximum percentage that i might get taxed on an item?

Upto £100 there is nothing to pay but UK VAT is payable above this amount. You will also be charged an amount for UK customs clearance by the delivery company (Royal Mail, etc).

I'm not sure how they work this out, but I recall paying around £10-15 pounds for an item costing around $500.

Also bear in mind that UK customs base VAT on the declared insured value and I wouldn't recommend having the item under insured just in case it gets damaged or worse still goes missing.

Finally, the cheapest service is to use the US Postal Service (USPS) but select their Global Priority service (EMS) as it's the cheapest one with a tracking number. You can even check the rates on their website

http://postcalc.usps.gov/

The goods themselves get to the UK very quickly but can hand around waiting for customs clearance for a few days. Even so it's still pretty quick all things considered.

I hope this is of help.

[T.RayBullard]

on that note, I am in Europe, but since I am a soldier, I get to have things shipped to me through US Military Channels(USPS, a LOT cheaper than normal USPS) and I dont pay import or customs on anything from the US (or europe!) so if anyone needs something , feel free to contact me. I am here till Sept.

Teddy

[The Beatsmith]

Basically, a nice average is to add on about 20-23% for VAT, customs, UPS 'costs' etc, that's a worst case scenario. If it's still a lot cheaper then, feel free to do it.

Be prepared for problems:

1) Returning the item if it's broken
2) Plug/voltage differences
3) You can't really 'change your mind and send it back' very easily

Usually, it doesn't work out worth it, considering the chance you take with it all. Not for me anyway.

Yeah you might save £80 but it'll take ages to get it and the hassle you will face if you get whatever it is and it doesn't turn on, is unbelievable. Enjoy calling America and paying for all that postage :(

[The Beatsmith]

That all applies to 2nd hand/ebay stuff too. You have to pay VAT and tax on ALL that crap. Sucks.

[TonyBelmont]

We have been shipping a lot of stuff to the UK recently.