My AEG finally arrived this morning via a ParcelFarce man wearing a Dick Turpin mask!
Actually I know him quite well and we chat about the kits he delivers to me, as he holds a pilot's licence himself. He couldn't believe the PF handling charge.
The sums are as follows:
WNW WD AEG 129 USD plus shipping 32 USD = 161USD.
Paid by PayPal, converted to 127.55GBP
PF tax charge 23.16GBP
PF Handling Charge 11.25GBP
Total cost delivered to my door = 161.96GBP. No free datafile.
Now at time of ordering, Starling Models in UK were offering brand spanking new AEGs for 185GBP.
So, if my kit's decals were ruined I could end up spending more for a knackered kit than a new one.
Thankfully the kit only has a damaged box and a few distorted plastic parts, so I have saved 20GBP by opting for a knackered box - probably the same I'd have got off a similarly damaged kit at a show trade stand.
Please note, I intend no brickbats for WNW, although I've bought heavy books from NZ for much less than 32USD shipping.
No, my horror is at ParcelForce charging 11.25GBP so I can have the privilege of sending them money to deliver a kit I've already paid delivery on.
I envy the reports of WD kits arriving elsewhere in the world with no tax or surcharges, but I am extremely unlikely to order anything direct from WNW again - unless just possibly in a big bundle of discounted kits, where the Handling Charge might become less unpalatable.
Grumpy S