Having decided to add some hi tech to my walking expeditions I started looking on the net to buy a GPS handheld device for walking (AKA trekking)

Having had good experiences buying books and CDs from Amazon I checked their options and selected a product and went all through the purchasing process only to be told that it could not be shipped to Spain. I assumed that this must apply to all American based suppliers for GPS. But I persevered and found another one who would ship to Spain and sell for 230$ plus 50$ shipping costs. (Say around 193 Euros all up) So I ordered it as the price was very good.

Then I realised that I would have to pay import taxes ? ah I thought now the price will come up to the local price but No! The Aduanera (Customs) only wanted 35 euros import tax (based on my invoice which they requested to see)

So now I am the proud owner of a Garmin Etrex Vista HCX.
Total outlay 228 euros.

Price in the local Sports goods chainstore?  =  463 euros

Total saving = 235 euros ? I think this internet shopping could catch on!

Now all I have to do is work out how to use it!

Hi Robi

Do you have any idea UK online stores will not ship to Spain.  Especially Amazon.co.uk.

Is it some kind of regulation?  Seems odd since the EU is supposed to foster trade and the like.

No I dont know why - they just dont seem geared to it - a friend of mine ordered something from M&S;to be delivered in the UK and then bought over to Spain by a relative - M&S;emailed him with a UK delivery problem so he asked them to send it direct to Spain - no way! They were not interested! I have ordered from Amazon books etc which have been shipped from UK traders. I guess its the logistics of delivering abroad, breakages/returns etc. I will ask my brother in law he works for a UK logistics company.

On the other hand El Corte Ingles will ship to almost anywhere for a very small cost, the Nintendo Wii was sold out in Ireland since November but was available at EL Corte well into December so my cousin in Ireland was able to buy it online and have it shipped out for just 10 euro…!