Murphy Lab dilemma

spirit7

Morning all — I’m in the U.S. on hol and have the opportunity of getting a Murphy Lab R7 for less than the price of a new regular CS. Have not yet factored in customs costs but I should just do this right? Right?

RaymondLin

Factor in VAT and customs and then think again....

guitargeek62

I've seen a couple Murphy labs up-close alongside their VOS alternatives and I really wouldn't be paying more than a couple of hundred £ premium for it

Whitecat

Is it discounted because of the now-commonly recognised ML finish issues on the early ones?

spirit7

No it’s a 2022. Had considered VAT and import duties but had forgotten they were 22%…

spirit7

(Even with the customs and VAT it would be sub-£4.2k though)

Moe_Zambeek

No warranty coverage for when the finish falls off would stop me, if all the other reasons I’d not buy one didn’t

SlopeSoarer

Would anyone in customs even consider that it is new!! 

HT986M2

Playing devils advocate: would they not have to somehow prove you bought it over there in order to charge VAT and customs fees?

 If so, what would be stopping someone from knocking the case about a bit to make it looked used, put a few stickers on it, and claim you travelled with it?

dazzajl

spirit7 said:

………. but I should just do this right? Right?

No!! Absolutely not. It’s got those nasty newfangled humbuckers in it. You want an R6

Yeah, you should just do it. If you’d have bought one over here, then it’s still going to work out cheaper to bring it back and it’ll always have that extra element of the holiday find to it. 

thebreeze

I’d do it.

Danielsguitars

Hope that finish is OK, I've got an early ML coming in for the back to be refinished.

guitars4you

You can factor in appropriate vat + customs just in case - But many will just walk thru' and claim they took it out with them and it is already your property - Whilst you can't prove that without an appropriate UK receipt, chances are they won't bat an eye lid - You might have to pay local USA purchase tax - The fact that it is 2 years old will help you say it is old and used !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bertie

HT986M2 said:

 

 If so, what would be stopping someone from knocking the case about a bit to make it looked used, put a few stickers on it, and claim you travelled with it?

perhaps CCTV in the airports going out ??  and IIRC you need to have it "registered" as travelling,  you have to prove you travelled with it, not customs to prove you didnt

tomajoha

If its an R7 you should be spared the finish issues, that was on early cherry-backed LP's (R8/9/0)

LPManic

Buy it, buy a padded gig bag, and just carry as hand luggage.

Send the case to yourself by post.

60% of the time it works every time.

guitars4you

LPManic said:

Buy it, buy a padded gig bag, and just carry as hand luggage.

Send the case to yourself by post.

60% of the time it works every time.

better still get them to throw in a used gig bag so it looks more realistic and then have the case sent to you

Musical_Mystery_Tour

bertie said:

and IIRC you need to have it "registered" as travelling,  you have to prove you travelled with it, not customs to prove you didnt

That's utter bollocks. Trust me, I work at an airport, and most of the customs and border force people couldn't find their arse with both hands. Guitars in a case in the hold attract no special attention.

tony99

Yeah sod it, go for it.

If you don't get on with it then just trade it for a flying V.

greggreg66

Do it if it makes financial sense (and assuming there's not cites issues - I know nothing about that so just mentioning it in case it might be an issue!). When I last went to the states I went to the Martin factory and it just didn't make sense to buy one there, even though I reeeeeeally wanted to.

guitars4you

greggreg66 said:

Do it if it makes financial sense (and assuming there's not cites issues - I know nothing about that so just mentioning it in case it might be an issue!). When I last went to the states I went to the Martin factory and it just didn't make sense to buy one there, even though I reeeeeeally wanted to.

No cites issues as not a Braz board- free international trade on Indian Rosewood (other than as raw material)