Auroras back in stock - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Courtney Louise · 19th Jun 2006, 5:54 pm

Hi guys,

I just noticed Darryl has more Aurora in stock now. Boy these must have been popular.

The link to the info site is :

http://converter.home.comcast.net/

Cheers

Andi

PS. I am no way related to Darryl or his company just thought the info would be useful

Phil G4SPZ · 19th Jun 2006, 10:35 pm

These converters are almost cheap enough to make me consider buying a 405 line TV to restore... but please don't tell my wife

Phil

molochkartovski · 21st Jun 2006, 10:42 pm

Not only cheap, gives excellent results as well. I'm thinking of getting another so I can have channels 1&9 again. Just like when I was a kid living in the London area.

Richard

brianc · 28th Jun 2006, 8:08 pm

Hi all
Now is obviously the time to order your Aurora - no waiting at all. I made a PayPal payment in the morning and got a tracking number for the shipment later the same day! Hopefully, HM Customs will not get their hands on it!
Cheers
brian

Colourstar · 2nd Jul 2006, 11:57 am

Can anyone who's ordered and received an Aurora give an idea of the delivery time to the UK? Mine left the US on June 23rd but so far nothing has arrived here at my stately pile in dear old Blighty. I'm not sure how to track the progress of the package after it's left the USA. Any ideas?

ppppenguin · 2nd Jul 2006, 12:07 pm

My first one took about a month. This is exceptional but it shows what can happen. Darryl and I both thought it was lost and he sent me another one. Then the first one turned up! Normally about 7 days. AFAIK Darryl insures the packages so if they are totally lost it gets sorted out.

molochkartovski · 2nd Jul 2006, 1:10 pm

Mine took about 6 weeks to get here, I thought it had got lost but it made it in the end

Richard

tubesrule · 2nd Jul 2006, 11:44 pm

Richard,
This is unfortunately the record for slow delivery! So far a couple have taken 4 weeks, but none this long. The Post Office claims 4-6 days in transit, and they appear to leave my local PO in a day or two. Typically they arrive in about 2 weeks. This seems like yours may have been misplaced for a while.

Colourstar,
You should have recieved an email with a link to track your package. I check this option when I send the package out. If for some reason you did not receive this email, PM me and I'll give you the tracking number.

I strive to get these out the same or next day. I have a few of each unit packed up and ready to go. I did run out of customs enevelopes recently which put me behind a couple of days, but I have more now.

Darryl

paulsherwin · 5th Jul 2006, 1:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianc

Hi all
I must be lucky - or something! I ordered & paid for an Aurora on 26th June. Darryl shipped it the same day & I have just picked it up from Parcelforce Worldwide. That's just 10 days. I was also lucky with customs. There was no duty/VAT to pay - only the Parcelforce clearance charge (+VAT) which came to under £20. This may have something to do with the goods description "standards converter for antique TV" which is absolutely accurate but non-commercial - thanks Darryl.
Cheers
Brian

Was the value correctly stated on the customs declaration?

Paul

ppppenguin · 5th Jul 2006, 2:04 pm

This thread has an extensive discussion of import duty, particularly relating to the Aurorae. For reasons none of us understand around £20 seems to be what ParcelFarce charge. Most of it is their fee for collecting the VAT. For insurance reasons Darryl (and because he's honest!) always declares the full value of $260.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ghlight=import

molochkartovski · 5th Jul 2006, 6:11 pm

I was unlucky with the time it took to get here but lucky with the cutoms then £10-66 I paid

Richard

brianc · 5th Jul 2006, 10:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

Was the value correctly stated on the customs declaration?

Paul

Hi Paul

Unfortunately, I disposed of the packaging today & the dustbin was emptied today so I have no idea of Darryl's declaration. As Jeffery said, I'm sure that it was correct. As a matter of interest, this does raise a question of whether the value is the retail price or the cost of replacement - especially when the vendor is insureing the goods!
Cheers

Brian

tubesrule · 6th Jul 2006, 2:25 am

Brian brings up an excellent point. Right now it's costing me $10-$20 for shipping depending on where it goes, $10-$15 in Paypal fees, and about another $5 or so in incidentals. I guess the customs form should at least show this lower value, however what is the implication of showing a replacement value?

Darryl

ppppenguin · 6th Jul 2006, 7:23 am

In theory, VAT is due on the declared value. In practice it's a lottery. The VAT has never been more than the normal rate of 17.5% of declared value and often much less. The service charge levied by the carrier varies from £3.50 to £13.50.

tubesrule · 11th Jul 2006, 10:05 pm

Unfortunately I'm once again out of stock. I will be placing an order this week and will know in a few days what the expected delivery date will be.

Darryl

oldeurope · 12th Jul 2006, 7:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubesrule

Unfortunately I'm once again out of stock. I will be placing an order this week and will know in a few days what the expected delivery date will be.

Darryl

How much are soled?
Darius

tubesrule · 12th Jul 2006, 2:55 pm

Hi Darius,
That was the second batch of 25 units. I need to build them in lots of 25 to keep the costs down, but do not know if I should build 25 or 50 this time.

Darryl

oldeurope · 12th Jul 2006, 5:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubesrule

Hi Darius,
That was the second batch of 25 units. I need to build them in lots of 25 to keep the costs down, but do not know if I should build 25 or 50 this time.

Darryl

Oh, I thaught your first batch was a 100 units. I am sure you will sell more than a hundred in the next two years.

It takes some month until everyone knowes that it is there, others will buy a second one and so on.

Kind regards,
Darius

evingar · 12th Jul 2006, 8:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldeurope

others will buy a second one and so on.

I think this is right, at the current price, the market will have expanded. For example, I have an old Pineapple based converter (with modifications). It resides in a rather unsightly 18" rack. In due course I would like to buy an Aurora for use with my restored TV's in the living area of the house. The 18" rack can then be relegated to the workshop area.

I would never have considered this “extravagance” if I had to buy another converter at the price asked for previous generations of equipment

ppppenguin · 12th Jul 2006, 8:09 pm

It's amazing how many folks have talked about buying more than 1. Some want to re-create the authentic BBC/ITV experience, others for different areas in the house. For the most valuable sets it's just about plausible to have 1 per set.

19th Jun 2006, 5:54 pm	#1
Courtney Louise Octode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire. UK. Posts: 1,316	Auroras back in stock Hi guys, I just noticed Darryl has more Aurora in stock now. Boy these must have been popular. The link to the info site is : http://converter.home.comcast.net/ Cheers Andi PS. I am no way related to Darryl or his company just thought the info would be useful __________________ *33, 45, 78, around and around they go...* Last edited by Dave Moll; 4th Jun 2007 at 7:47 pm. Reason: update URL link

19th Jun 2006, 10:35 pm	#2
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,682	Re: Auroras back in stock These converters are almost cheap enough to make me consider buying a 405 line TV to restore... but please don't tell my wife Phil __________________ Phil “The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum” - Henry Havelock Ellis

21st Jun 2006, 10:42 pm	#3
molochkartovski Tetrode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wilton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 66	Re: Auroras back in stock Not only cheap, gives excellent results as well. I'm thinking of getting another so I can have channels 1&9 again. Just like when I was a kid living in the London area. Richard

28th Jun 2006, 8:08 pm	#4
brianc Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Burghfield, Reading, Berkshire, UK, Posts: 1,055	Re: Auroras back in stock Hi all Now is obviously the time to order your Aurora - no waiting at all. I made a PayPal payment in the morning and got a tracking number for the shipment later the same day! Hopefully, HM Customs will not get their hands on it! Cheers brian

2nd Jul 2006, 11:57 am	#5
Colourstar Octode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ilkeston, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 1,386	Re: Auroras back in stock Can anyone who's ordered and received an Aurora give an idea of the delivery time to the UK? Mine left the US on June 23rd but so far nothing has arrived here at my stately pile in dear old Blighty. I'm not sure how to track the progress of the package after it's left the USA. Any ideas?

2nd Jul 2006, 12:07 pm	#6
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Auroras back in stock My first one took about a month. This is exceptional but it shows what can happen. Darryl and I both thought it was lost and he sent me another one. Then the first one turned up! Normally about 7 days. AFAIK Darryl insures the packages so if they are totally lost it gets sorted out.

2nd Jul 2006, 1:10 pm	#7
molochkartovski Tetrode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wilton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 66	Re: Auroras back in stock Mine took about 6 weeks to get here, I thought it had got lost but it made it in the end Richard

2nd Jul 2006, 11:44 pm	#8
tubesrule Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 325	Re: Auroras back in stock Richard, This is unfortunately the record for slow delivery! So far a couple have taken 4 weeks, but none this long. The Post Office claims 4-6 days in transit, and they appear to leave my local PO in a day or two. Typically they arrive in about 2 weeks. This seems like yours may have been misplaced for a while. Colourstar, You should have recieved an email with a link to track your package. I check this option when I send the package out. If for some reason you did not receive this email, PM me and I'll give you the tracking number. I strive to get these out the same or next day. I have a few of each unit packed up and ready to go. I did run out of customs enevelopes recently which put me behind a couple of days, but I have more now. Darryl

5th Jul 2006, 2:04 pm	#10
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Auroras back in stock This thread has an extensive discussion of import duty, particularly relating to the Aurorae. For reasons none of us understand around £20 seems to be what ParcelFarce charge. Most of it is their fee for collecting the VAT. For insurance reasons Darryl (and because he's honest!) always declares the full value of $260. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ghlight=import

5th Jul 2006, 6:11 pm	#11
molochkartovski Tetrode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wilton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 66	Re: Auroras back in stock I was unlucky with the time it took to get here but lucky with the cutoms then £10-66 I paid Richard

6th Jul 2006, 2:25 am	#13
tubesrule Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 325	Re: Auroras back in stock Brian brings up an excellent point. Right now it's costing me $10-$20 for shipping depending on where it goes, $10-$15 in Paypal fees, and about another $5 or so in incidentals. I guess the customs form should at least show this lower value, however what is the implication of showing a replacement value? Darryl

6th Jul 2006, 7:23 am	#14
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Auroras back in stock In theory, VAT is due on the declared value. In practice it's a lottery. The VAT has never been more than the normal rate of 17.5% of declared value and often much less. The service charge levied by the carrier varies from £3.50 to £13.50.

11th Jul 2006, 10:05 pm	#15
tubesrule Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 325	Re: Auroras back in stock Unfortunately I'm once again out of stock. I will be placing an order this week and will know in a few days what the expected delivery date will be. Darryl

12th Jul 2006, 2:55 pm	#17
tubesrule Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 325	Re: Auroras back in stock Hi Darius, That was the second batch of 25 units. I need to build them in lots of 25 to keep the costs down, but do not know if I should build 25 or 50 this time. Darryl

12th Jul 2006, 8:09 pm	#20
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Auroras back in stock It's amazing how many folks have talked about buying more than 1. Some want to re-create the authentic BBC/ITV experience, others for different areas in the house. For the most valuable sets it's just about plausible to have 1 per set.