Delivery from Victoria to UK?

[FingersPhil]

Hi everyone, I was hoping to get to Castelfidardo to pick up my new accordion from Victoria. They were delayed (no, really...) so I don't have a window to make the trip. Elke is now talking about sending via UPS. I am concerned that the package will be opened and then badly repacked at UK customs - does anyone have any recent (post-Brexit) experience of receiving accordions in the UK from Italy?

 

[Walker]

I bought an accordion recently from a factory in Italy and had it shipped with no problems and no one opened the package either. I guess you have to make your own decision though, as past experience is no guarantee of future results. If I recall correctly it was a Poeta XB420 you chose? I would think they are a little more delicate than a traditionally constructed instrument coated with celluloid. On the other hand, accordion manufacturers ship accordions all over the world every day, even wooden ones...

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[vivdunstan]

Not Italy but I had a newly built for me accordion sent from France to the UK last year. It came by the French post / Parcelforce, and spent literally weeks in customs - at both ends, but worst in the UK end. But as far as I could see they didn't open the package. They were just very very slow at admin. And needed me to get in touch to confirm the item customs code etc. It's quite likely UPS might clear it quicker ... Good luck!

 

[FingersPhil]

Thanks both for two very different experiences! Well, it's on the way now so fingers crossed...will post a pic once it arrives. Yes, it's a Poeta XB420 - been waiting a long time so it's hard to believe it might actually be arriving soon.

 

[Siegmund]

No UK experience.

Shipping between Italy and the USA via UPS, I have had four go westbound and one eastbound this year, and all five arrived without damage and without being opened by customs. All but one were prompt (one got stranded for a week in Köln by the transit strike.) On the debit side, the amount of import duty was calculated spectacularly wrong twice.

Generally I would prefer UPS over the other shipping companies (DHL, Fedex, etc) given a choice.

 

[Ffingers]

DHL carried my Red 1950s Hohner from Germany to Australia, then Australia Post to my small village - not so much as a single mark on it or the packaging.
Great service.

 

[FingersPhil]

All arrived safely and it's wonderful! Very very happy to have such an amazing instrument, and that it's finally here...

 

[PhiliGol]

Congratulations - a true gem

 

[Tom]

Wow, what a beauty, congrats!

 

[tcabot]

It looks wonderful! Congrats.

Now, just tell me your address and the next time when you are not going to be at home overnight......

 

[Thomas N]

Some day I will own a new wood Victoria accordion.

Yours is just beautiful. Congrats on the successful delivery and enjoy the heck out of playing it - even if it has buttons on the right side!