The thing is, EZ-Robots do need to cater for those who aren't the "brightest cookie in the knife drawer" (why would a cookie be in the knife drawer?) so I am sure knowing what you said will help them make this clearer in the future. Alan has already said that they will make it clearer.

With the V3 being shipped in a similar way but with no complaints about tax/duty that I am aware of I am sure EZ-Robots didn't realise this would be something that gets overlooked. Many Canadians have ordered and received the V3 EZ-B from China without complaint so I can see why this "problem" wouldn't have been noticed until now.

Living in the USA I've received several shipments from china from EZ Robot and a lot of other shipments from china from other countries. I've never had to pay a duty tax.

This tax and others are set and controlled by the Government the package is shipped to. The idea is by charging it's citizens a hefty "Extra" charge in the way a tax or fee they will buy local products instead of overseas products. They also feel it will force the companies to manufacture their products local. However this being mostly a free "Global" market we live in today local companies are either moving to countries where they don't have to pay high wages and high corporate taxes or having their products manufactured over there. Saves a huge amount of money and helps keep them in business. Sadly by the governments imposing these extra fees and taxes the consumer in the home country always ends up paying. It's a viscous circle and the house always wins (that's the government).

Some of the big companies like Apple or Microsoft pay these extra charges themselves and stock large amounts of products locally. However, nothing is free. These companies absorb the cost and charge more for the product to make up the loss. Again, the consumer pays in the end but it's never seen. EZ Robot does not have a billion dollar surplus to draw from and they cant stock all these new parts locally as demand is high. Maybe someday they will rival Microsoft or will sell out to them and they can do this same thing. However the price will go up and you will still be paying in the end.

Companies are not in business to serve us and help us save money. They serve us and help us save money (when possible) to make money so they can stay in business. Hopefully with the above formula and a great and wanted product, they will someday start making money for themselves and their employees.

I also need to say that DJ and EZ Robot has also added another factor; They have a heart. They seem truly interested and concerned in how our kids and we adults grow and learn the world of robotics. Pretty amazing mission and business strategy.

Hope this helps people understand this dry and mysterious world of profit, tax and control. However sadly most people stopped reading it 1/4 way through and will still gripe and blame what ever business is trying to supply wanted products to us. tired

Recieved EZB only took approx 6 days to Ireland

Yes I also had taxes of 19.47 euro but what really suprised me was DHL added another 10.00 euro I presume just for processing & collecting the tax.

Pat

@Rich

Quote:

The thing is, EZ-Robots do need to cater for those who aren't the "brightest cookie in the knife drawer" (why would a cookie be in the knife drawer?)

It's just a joke combining the items to say, "I'm not the brightest bulb, smartest cookie, or sharpest knife in the drawer." In other words I'm extra dumb.

A poor attempt at levity apparently.

US laws on import duty and taxes are quite different from most other countries.

Sales taxes are state based, and for most states (there are some changes occuring, mostly due to Amazon killing local businesses) you do not pay sales tax at the time of purchase for items ordered online or purchased out of your state if the vendor doesn't have a business presence in your state. You are still responsible for paying the taxes, but also get a rebate for taxes spent in other states. When preparing your yearly state income taxes, you can carefully itemize all purchases and pay accordingly, or you can use some income based rules to have this estimated. Most of us just use the estimated rules except for big ticket items (cars, boats, etc...) and many don't even realize they are paying this as part of their state taxes.

Import duty is only charged on items that compete substantially with USA products. Since you can't buy an equivalent to the EZ-B from a manufacturer making it in the USA, no import duty is collected. We do pay import duty on foreign cars, although it is typically embedded in the price of the car and paid by the dealer. I had to pay duty on clothing that I bought in Japan and brought home with me. I almost had to pay duty on some clothing that I already owned because I went on a combination business trip vacation and shipped my suits home half way through the trip. I wasn't clear on the customs form that I brought those clothes into Japan with me, so they got held at the customs warehouse at Dulles International Airport and I had to go in and file a revised form or pay $180 in import duty to have the box delivered (I chose to file a revised form and have the property inspected).

Alan

It's all a complicated hot mess. No wonder a lot of people don't understand and don't care till they have to pay the bills.

Well I got a surprise on my front doorstep today. I was mowing my yard and didn't even notice, until I was done. My development kit and all of the other pieces I ordered last November are now laying on my workbench. I just wanted to let others who are still waiting for theirs, just to know that they really are coming. I am just getting ready to start trying to get my computer to connect to the V4. I believe my excitement is back and I know my robot ROAMIN is ready to get some life into him. I am very impressed by the quality of the parts I ordered and by the packaging of the development kit, my work area has the smell of a brand new V4. Now I guess it's time to start working on things and I will for sure be asking questions.