Meermin. Carmina 2nd brand? - Page 219

Good evening Sirs,

We are now offering a pair to our Styleforum friends! 

A single pair of Meermin Double monks made to Linea Maestro standards + Free shoe trees.

Details:

Style:               Cap toe double monks

Last:                Hiro

Size:                7.5UK 

Upper:              Dark Brown Naturcalf (Tannerie d'Annonay)

Lining:              Dark Brown calf

Soles:              Double leather soles

Buckles:           Solid Stainless Steel

Construction:    GY2 - Handwelted

Sole finishing:   Planta Paloma '7 clavos'

Shoe trees:       Free for this offer

Check it here!

Thank you all for your support & interest.

- Meermin - 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bespoken4me 


Base price NW3+GY9: 360€(21%VAT incl).
MTO costs: 100€(21% VAt incl).
Shipping costs to US: 35€
TOTAL: 415,17€ (21%VAT excl & shipped)
Now at appr. $531, we are at base Alden calf pricing and $ 180 give or take over AE standard line, which is everything. I own a few pair and will never go back, unless I get a apir of NST Aberdeen cigar shells. I own a few pair each of most higher makers, and I haven't seen the construction quality/ leathers to justify the $ 900-1,500 for Vass-Jobb-Green. I've done it and enjoy this much more. Also, as most "rough" work is done in China, it is nonetheless in their factory, under their training and supervision, so my early fears were allayed as the finishing is done in Mallorca. Wherever they do the wood pegging, welting matters not to me as the controls are pretty tight.

I think you are missing ~10% custom duty on your final USD price so it brings it up to ~$580.

I love my pair of Meermins but would probably need Pepe to do some last adjustments for my next pair.  Not sure how much they charge nowadays but they did offer such service for a very low price.

Vass is about $650 all in with lasted trees via proxy; duty free.

The only downside of Meermin LM MTO is the lack of lasted trees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bespoken4me 

I've heard about the custom duty fees, which have affected some buyers in different states/cities through the fed ex chain. I have never been charged the import duty, ever. I live in Miami an cannot speak to those who have been charged. I have purchased from Italy, Sweden ( retailer of Carmina), Carmina themselves through the Paris shop, and a couple Northhampton dealers of C &J, and Lobb. I've never been charge a duty fee.
The whole proxy biz is great, if you have a good one. Ascot has good pricing on Vass, as does Vass himself, through his website; however, generally, Vass is generally much more than Meermin- justifiably so.
As a US purchaser, without the benefit of a proxy, Vass pricing and Meermin aren't close-- at the MTO level, we've been discussing.. I agree wholeheartedly regarding lasted trees, but have gotten over that also. Cedar trees with seperators can be had for $9-14/ pr on Sierra. I don't think the shape, creasing or holding of form has suffered with my shoes. Having said that, I still prefer lasted for obvious reasons but find that to be the point at which I won't pay an additional 60-100 eu.
I just pre ordered from Epaulet a pair of Carmina wholecut medallion toes ( have yet to receive), and at $580 Mike does a great job with the packaged MTO. You get trees, but aren't lasted

I've been hit with the fee twice (Boston Ma)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bespoken4me 

I've heard about the custom duty fees, which have affected some buyers in different states/cities through the fed ex chain. I have never been charged the import duty, ever. I live in Miami an cannot speak to those who have been charged. I have purchased from Italy, Sweden ( retailer of Carmina), Carmina themselves through the Paris shop, and a couple Northhampton dealers of C &J, and Lobb. I've never been charge a duty fee.
The whole proxy biz is great, if you have a good one. Ascot has good pricing on Vass, as does Vass himself, through his website; however, generally, Vass is generally much more than Meermin- justifiably so.
As a US purchaser, without the benefit of a proxy, Vass pricing and Meermin aren't close-- at the MTO level, we've been discussing.. I agree wholeheartedly regarding lasted trees, but have gotten over that also. Cedar trees with seperators can be had for $9-14/ pr on Sierra. I don't think the shape, creasing or holding of form has suffered with my shoes. Having said that, I still prefer lasted for obvious reasons but find that to be the point at which I won't pay an additional 60-100 eu.
I just pre ordered from Epaulet a pair of Carmina wholecut medallion toes ( have yet to receive), and at $580 Mike does a great job with the packaged MTO. You get trees, but aren't lasted

Ascot is extremely overpriced for Vass, almost doubled Vass's MSRP.  Forum proxies is much much more reasonable at $650 USD all-in.  Meermin MTO'ed with NW3 price is almost the same as Vass (420 EUR Italian FUK last, 390 otherwise, additional 25EUR for trees, no shipping, VAT included).

Custom duty is almost a guarantee if shipped via FedEx and UPS.  It's always better w/ EMS/postal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bespoken4me 

I've been told that the reason for the duty charge is that there is no reason. I read a prior post regarding this with a Meermin shipment, and the question centered on office vs. residential receipt. Never having been hit before, I contacted Pepe at Meermin, who told me that it depends not on office/ vs residential ( which makes complete sense), but maybe on carrier location. Essentially, there is no good guidance. I have probably jinxed myself now and want to thank you in advance if this occurs to me on current order. I will say though, two friends who have also purchased Meermin have never been charged a duty. I have no clue, but would certainly agree that it needs to be considered. F ME! I now know my MTO order will get hit and I will find you Frankie. Where in Boston did you say you live? street , house number, bars you frequent, family member names?
Contact Pepe on this. He too knows that a % have been tagged and may give you a more detailed explanation or trick of trade to avoid. I too would be severely disjointed if, in completion of transaction, got hit at the end.

Fedex tagged me.  Beacon Hill area here in Boston.