"Also dba as Lansdale Engineering Ltd. These ratings and first notes are with respect to Lansdale as a UK store which ships to the U.S.A. At the end below are some general comments about buying from ANY foreign store, and shipping to the US. All in all, a satisfactory experience with foreign shipping in general, and Lansdale in particular.
Lansdale is one of several good UK retailers, willing to ship to the US, selling interesting outdoor gear not sold 4/11 by any US-based physical or web company. In particular "Buffalo Systems" outdoor apparel. (Also take a look at some similar "SnugPak" concepts, and any Special Offers.)
Although few such stores discount much, Lansdale prices are among the lower ones. Also the cost of foreign shipping can be high, so try to get a fix on those before ordering from a store. Lansdale told me that their "postage charge is calculated at the actual cost to us." And indeed 12 British Pounds, to ship my order under one Kg, seemed reasonable in comparison to some other quotes. I had requested the cheapest shipping method, but also see below about those considerations.
Lansdale's web prices include VAT, which they automatically deduct from orders shipped to the US. To find the ex-VAT price 4/11, divide their web price by 1.2
Lansdale's return policy seems quite acceptable. Their web site mentions a possible 5% restocking fee, but they told me it is "very rare" that they would impose it on a legitimate acceptable return. And they extend their normal time window for returns to allow for longer foreign shipping times. Naturally the customer pays for foreign shipping, both ways for any return.
I did not need customer-service assistance in product selection or sizing, but I expect that they would try to help with that if asked. Their c.s. seems sincere, but is the area which Lansdale might organize better. They were among the slowest of foreign stores to respond to inquiries ("enquiries"!). Presumably their UK web/shipping business is quite automated, but they need a better system to track web sales which require human attention for back orders and notices of foreign shipping. One inquiry of mine was delayed, because routed to a person who was on vacation. And I did not receive any notice of shipping to me, until they finally checked my e-mail to them. I would just suggest following up with them when needed, and in paricular addressing e-mail to their general sales box rather than to one of their particular people.
Foreign -- General
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The shipping method to me turned out to be Royal Mail on the UK end, to USPS in the US. Lansdale estimated shipping time as one week, perhaps for arrival only at US Customs. I expected longer to reach me, and indeed my order was over two weeks to the U.S. west coast. That's still good.
My order arrived via USPS with the package neatly cut, entirely opened up, and not resealed. Perhaps due to US Customs, although I've had gentler Customs service previously. Or non-Customs spot drug checks also seem to be underway at the moment. Or someone deciding whether to pilfer, as the package does have to display its value on the outside. Fortunately all my items were still there, not cut, and clean due to internal individual wrapping. Perhaps because it was mere clothes with little apparent pilfering value, and in transparent bags.
So I think I will request future shippers to use transparent internal bags too. And ask a seller about possible more expensive shipping methods with insurance, or at least a tracking number.
The RM package labels indicated "Registered Delivery", "sig req", and "signed for". But no one asked ME for a signature, and perhaps that just doesn't work internationally.
I don't know whether a tracking-number service is available or possible for the RM/USPS shipping combination. At least up to entry into the US, if not for progress within the US. In any case, I did not receive any such tracking number for that shipping method.
[Notes end. Cheers.]
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