'METHODS OF PAYMENT' for BRITISH CLIENTS.
Sometimes the world seems very small... other times?
Buying nice Antique or Estate Jewellery items is easy. The hardest part is
arranging to pay for it, and although is seems too much trouble at first, once
done, it becomes easier. A bit like falling in Love really!
Firstly, we are sorry because we do not take credit cards, and we can't
accept personal cheques as they cost $30 Australian to clear and has to be sent
back to the the UK first. As we have many clients from Britain, most of them
solve the problem in one of several ways. Here are some suggestions which you
might like to consider:
1: The preferred method is a bank cheque/draft. IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS.
That way you know exactly how much the item is costing you when you send for it.
The exchange rate at the moment is approx .40 pence = $1 Australian dollar... so
it is ALWAYS in your favour. (AUD$100 Australian is equal to GBP£40 British
Pounds)
2: Many of our British clients actually send cash!!!
Yes I know that sounds stupid, but as long as you have a secure postal
envelope such as registered post...which you can insure...and list the
contents as documents??? Just wrap the money in some cut newspaper.
It works. This is ideal for smaller priced (under AUD$100) items.
3: Some places are really hard to get a bank cheque in Aussie dollars so we
do except a Bank cheque/draft in British Pounds, but please add GBP£5 to cover
for the bank exchange fee. It is important to establish
from the bank that they have a branch or agent bank in Australia to facilitate
the exchange (otherwise it has to be transferred all the way back to
the UK to clear and then back again to place the money into our account. A
procedure which can take up to a month....during which time the client waits for
dispatch). NOT GOOD!
4: Western Union (or so I am led to believe) also does a cheque in Australian
dollars. It might be worth you looking into that. We have never received
one....but who knows.
5: Thomas Cook does a bank cheque/draft in Aussie dollars. I don't know
their charge, but several of our clients use this as it is as good as cash.
6: Amex does Travellers cheques which are as good as cash but more risky to send as you have to sign them twice before you send them, to make them okay to exchange.
7: There is also an electronic funds transfer done by Western Union for a fee of about US$15 which they exchange into Australian dollars. Worth finding out about if you are near a branch as it can save you quite a bit of TIME. (we dispatch same day).
8: We have just registered with BIDPAY so you can pay for any item with your credit card (very secure) over the phone or on the net at their website. The fees are very reasonable and we dispatch within 24 hours of confirmation. A great time saver and very
convenient. However please remember that funds are being sent in US Dollars, so we do ask an extra
UK£5 extra to be added for the Bank Exchange fee.
We are finding mail from the UK is taking approx 5-7 days to reach us with an
Airmail insured package back to you taking approx 7-10 days, as they have to
sign for it etc, which somehow seems to slow the postie down!!!
Please also be aware that the British Customs may charge you import duty on
arrival in Great Britain...they may not. Most items over 100 years old are
classified as Antique in the UK and are import duty free.
We always ship items listed as 'USED FASHION ACCESSORY' and find items are
delivered without any problem.
We will hold the item(s) for 15 working days (three weeks) pending receipt of
your payment. Thank you.
Hope this helps. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to contact
us, as we are here to help you buy at the best possible price....and we are nice
people too!!!
Take care and watch the road.
regards. David and Patricia (gemmo1)
Click here to leave this page >>
