Topic: On-line Stores & Sellers

[Fafner]

There is no advantage of buying the set from across the pond since there is really no price break there for me ...

I generally stopped buying stuff from the US, not because of the price, but because of the EU import obstructions.
Everything above 22 euros in value is subject to VAT (21%) + customs handling fee (approximately $10). And even if no VAT is required, the package usually spends as much as a month in customs and sometimes it even gets lost (= stolen).

[Coopmv]

I generally stopped buying stuff from the US, not because of the price, but because of the EU import obstructions.
Everything above 22 euros in value is subject to VAT (21%) + customs handling fee (approximately $10). And even if no VAT is required, the package usually spends as much as a month in customs and sometimes it even gets lost (= stolen).

There is no VAT in the US YET.  I am not sure what dollar threshold would trigger an import duty when I buy from Europe, though I have exceeded $200 on a single order only on one occasion.  Buying on Amazon US is still good as long as I do not have to pay state sale tax.

[Brian]

Um. So MDT's giving me a quote of $66.99 shipping on my $183 shopping cart.

[Mirror Image]

Um. So MDT's giving me a quote of $66.99 shipping on my $183 shopping cart.

Not too bad I guess. What do they charge for the shipment of each item?

[Coopmv]

Um. So MDT's giving me a quote of $66.99 shipping on my $183 shopping cart.

Shipping & Handling is not cheap at MDT.  I think Presto Classical is a bit cheaper when it comes S&H but MDT does have much better selections ...

[kishnevi]

Shipping & Handling is not cheap at MDT.  I think Presto Classical is a bit cheaper when it comes S&H but MDT does have much better selections ...

I've found that if Presto has the same item on sale as MDT,  it will be cheaper at Presto;  and shipping charges are way less at Presto. You'd pay $66 in shipping charges only if you were ordering 60 plus items (and a box set counts as one item) or you were ordering an especially big and bulky boxset.  (About $3 for the first item, and approximately $1 per item for anything after that.) And I find the selection at Presto meets my needs as well as MDT's does.  Perhaps that's just a function of the type of music I prefer--at any rate,  I've stopped using MDT, mostly because of those shipping charges, which did seem rather steep to me when I did order from them once or twice.

[Octave]

Re: Presto, hear hear: I've bailed on good-looking MDT deals pretty much routinely because the large shipping rates to the USA cancel out the deal entirely.  On my last couple order from Presto, medium-small by my standards (~8 items), shipping came to perhaps $1.30 per item, a bit cheaper than Importcds domestic shipping (though the prices between those places end up balancing out, pending sales) and very little more than BRO.

[George]

Shipping charges (per shipment):

MDT -   $2.00 for first CD, $1.00 every CD thereafter

Presto - $3.25 for first CD, $1.10 every CD thereafter

[Octave]

MDT must charge per disc, because my ultimate total has been much higher at MDT than at Presto, at least for shipping to the US.  Maybe MDT has changed their shipping policy recently?  Presto charges per item, not per disc; though I have noticed that occasional heavier box sets incur a surcharge for weight.  (Nothing that I've ordered from them has suffered such a charge, yet.)

[George]

Presto charges per item, not per disc;

Perhaps that accounts for the difference? I was speaking of buying separate CDs, in jewel cases.

[Daverz]

MDT must charge per disc, because my ultimate total has been much higher at MDT than at Presto, at least for shipping to the US.  Maybe MDT has changed their shipping policy recently?  Presto charges per item, not per disc; though I have noticed that occasional heavier box sets incur a surcharge for weight.  (Nothing that I've ordered from them has suffered such a charge, yet.)

MDT changed their shipping policies quite some time ago.  They are still cheaper than Amazon for single discs.

I usually use Presto for box sets, though MDT may still comes out cheaper for small sets.  You could also check Crotchet.

[Brian]

MDT -   $2.00 for first CD, $1.00 every CD thereafter

Yeah, my problem was I had a couple of big jazz boxes (e.g., the RCA Complete Nina Simone) for which they were obviously charging by the disc instead of by the box.

[George]

Yeah, my problem was I had a couple of big jazz boxes (e.g., the RCA Complete Nina Simone) for which they were obviously charging by the disc instead of by the box.

Yes, for boxes, Presto is the way to go. For old school, jewel CDs, MDT is cheaper. (this is all speaking for shipping only)

[stingo]

Yeah, my problem was I had a couple of big jazz boxes (e.g., the RCA Complete Nina Simone) for which they were obviously charging by the disc instead of by the box.

In that case, I can only imagine what the big Brilliant boxes ship for!

[Coopmv]

Yes, for boxes, Presto is the way to go. For old school, jewel CDs, MDT is cheaper. (this is all speaking for shipping only)

Presto does not care if one item is a box set with 20 CD's, you pay that single item rate - $3.25.  MDT will pro-rate the box.  I have yet to figure out how they come up with the shipping charge if you have a box in the order ...

[The new erato]

mdt was my go to shop until their new postage rates started to apply a couple of years ago. Now I rarely use them, except for single discs when they have attractive offers and they've lost at least 80% of my business.

[Coopmv]

mdt was my go to shop until their new postage rates started to apply a couple of years ago. Now I rarely use them, except for single discs when they have attractive offers and they've lost at least 80% of my business.

MDT used to have better postage rates?  I do not like etailers make money off me via shipping & handling.  They already make money off the products I order ...

[Brian]

To be fair to MDT, when I lived in England and shipped boxes to the USA, they cost a fortune. I think I spent $80 mailing two boxes of sweaters. So Presto may be losing a lot of money on their P&P/shipping rates.

[bluto32]

Just a note to say how pleased I've been with Presto Classical. I've placed about 20 orders with them over the last couple of years, and everything has always arrived in perfect condition due to their sturdy packaging (strong cardboard boxes with bubble wrap) which puts Amazon to shame. For the first time, my most recent order contained a box set with a faulty disc; it looked fine, but skipped on a couple of tracks. I phoned up Presto, and received a replacement disc four days later without any hassle - a very good turnaround given they had to order in another box set.

Bluto

[Coopmv]

To be fair to MDT, when I lived in England and shipped boxes to the USA, they cost a fortune. I think I spent $80 mailing two boxes of sweaters. So Presto may be losing a lot of money on their P&P/shipping rates.

I cannot agree with your assumption that Presto Classical is losing a lot of money on their P&P/shipping rates.  They have to be making money overall or they would not be around for long ...