KimchiDVD - SteelBook Retailer Chat Thread

Feel free to discuss shipping, customer service, availability, etc about this retailer here.

List of Kimchidvd.com Exclusives HERE


Frequently Asked Questions:

Q) What is the link to Kimchidvd?
A)Welcome to KIMCHI DVD
Q) I haven't mastered Korean yet - how can I read the site?!
A) Install Google translate on your browser:

Google Chrome HERE
Firefox HERE

Q) How do I register?
A) Turn on Google translate >> Login >> click on "If members to join ..." >> fill in EVERY box >>
click on this box to ensure your member ID is available:

>> Sign up!

You don't need to use Google Translate to register, provided you use the English registration link.

Spoiler

You need to enter both a Celluar phone (mobile) and Telephone number when registering/placing an order, however they can both be the same number (I don't have a home phone number, so always use my mobile number).
Numbers should be entered without a proceeding 0 and you do not need to enter your country code (KimchiDVD add it automatically to your parcel label).

So a UK phone (01452 123123) is specified like this:
Local Area Code : 1452 Phone Number : 123123

A UK mobile (07847 123123) is specified like this:
Local Area Code : 7847 Phone Number : 123123

If you have already registered, afterlogging in you can update your address/phone numbers here.

Q) Do they ship outside of Korea?
A) Yes, worldwide delivery, various shipping options available, for example to UK: (1 x steelbook)

K-Packet is tracked and one Steelbook to UK (with a weight of 450g - which is the typical weight for a lenticular) costs $10.81.

Spoiler

On average it takes around 7 days after dispatch to arrive in the UK - I always use K-Packet when placing orders and my orders have always arrived safely.

I'm not sure if it's insured or not (there's no mention) but assuming you pay via PayPal, their guarantee will cover you if you don't receive your order for some reason.

You can track your K-Packet order using this website, however tracking information isn't always accurate after leaving Korea (e.g. sometimes it doesn't update again before it's delivered, or even after if your postman doesn't bother getting a signature).

EMS $21.80 (Tracked, replacement will be issued where possible if lost)
TNT Premium $37.80 (Tracked, replacement will be issued where possible if lost)

Q) What form of packing do they use?
A) Cardboard Box, with enough bubblewrap to keep things safe, see below: (Thanks to SBC28 for pics)

Spoiler

A pretty sturdy box, which seemingly took some damage during shipping.
(These are pretty much always the same boxes.)

Enough space for the item to "breathe", but snug enough to stop it from moving.
(That white thing is the invoice, which i choose to include, since i am in the USA.)

6 layers of bubble wrap.

Another shot of the bubble wrap, one sheet (4 layers) removed.

One minty mint SB, all the way from Korea.

Q) Is the retailer custom's friendly? (i.e will they mark as gift, or low value).
A) Very friendly, you have various options to choose from:

Spoiler

Q) Will the retailer charges upon order or upon shipment
A) You will be charged upon order

Q) What payment do they accept?
A) Card or Paypal

Q) Customer Services any good?
A) Yes - overall a very good, reliable site to order from.

Cancellations: Send an email to [email protected], including the number of the order you wish to cancel. He'll get back to you as soon as he can.

Replacements: are issued if in stock, if not a refund will be offered.
Refunds: They are normally processed within a few days.

 

[whited001]

Anyone having trouble getting onto their site tonight ?

 

[whysoserious?]

so i ordered for the 1st time a few weeks ago, i ordered crash leti digibook , i got charged £12 custom fees even though i selected to part where they put under $25 so i wont get charged but they didnt put the right fee on box , 2nd thing customs open this and opened the the digibook but the top guys in customs opened with a blade and marked the box, then they decided to sellotape the plastic shrink wrap so when i pulled it away it ripped it , so if kimchi had done what they where meant , it wouldnt have got damaged , never again .

oh and they didnt want to know when i complained

 

[niallbains]

Never ordered from Kimchi before and really want to. I was wondering do people get charged custom fees often? How much do Royal Mail charge for a handling fee? How long does it take for the item to arrive in the UK. Thanks.

 

[Noodles]

I ordered Perfume last week and it arrived today... so pretty quick service! Was horrified when I saw the box though... it was destroyed/as flat as a pancake. Thankfully the amount of bubblewrap Kimchi used meant it survived and is actually in perfect condition. Couldn't be happier!

 

[asseanontv]

£14.78 customs charge for me, £8.00 of that is a Royal Mail handling fee, Not happy

 

[tonybsg]

Snowpiercer arrived today, but no Thor stickers as they told me

 

[MENTAL MAGPIE]

WOW £22.04 customs fees for the box set i already paid £11.06 for the full and lentic. Im not sure why the high fees, they have $24.99 value on them so i thought customs wouldnt be a problem. What would happen if i left it where it is? will it go back to kimchidvd and i can get a refund from kimchi,

 

[DodgyDave]

That's some customs charge. Was that Royal Mail or parcel force?

 

[MENTAL MAGPIE]

royal mail sent the full and lentic £11.06 fees parcel force has the box £22.04 fees, just paid it, what else can you do

 

[DodgyDave]

royal mail sent the full and lentic £11.06 fees parcel force has the box £22.04 fees, just paid it, what else can you do

So that's £8-9 vat and the rest parcel force.
Rob dogs.

 

[MENTAL MAGPIE]

£13.50 clearance fee goes to parcel force. They are doing no more than holding my steel to ransom, its criminal

So that's £8-9 vat and the rest parcel force.
Rob dogs.

 

[asseanontv]

royal mail sent the full and lentic £11.06 fees parcel force has the box £22.04 fees, just paid it, what else can you do

Makes me mad, That's £22.04 lost towards another steelbook.

 

[shadow2351jl]

WOW £22.04 customs fees for the box set i already paid £11.06 for the full and lentic. Im not sure why the high fees, they have $24.99 value on them so i thought customs wouldnt be a problem. What would happen if i left it where it is? will it go back to kimchidvd and i can get a refund from kimchi,

That's ****** mate. I was stung like that once. I kinda puts you off ordering again. I always mark my parcels at $15.99 these days and have Kimchi mark the original invoice the same. Not been hit with customs in forever. Good luck in the future.

 

[MENTAL MAGPIE]

Its actually £22.04 today £11.06 yesterday and £11.06 2 weeks ago so its £44.16 fees all from kimchidvd orders in 3 weeks, i think i might give up collecting kimchidvd steels or just buy them from ebay.

Makes me mad, That's £22.04 lost towards another steelbook.

 

[asseanontv]

Its actually £22.04 today £11.06 yesterday and £11.06 2 weeks ago so its £44.16 fees all from kimchidvd orders in 3 weeks, i think i might give up collecting kimchidvd steels or just buy them from ebay.

That's exactly how I feel, There's a lentic on ebay for £55.00 buy-it-now + make an offer as we speak.

 

[augustus]

WOW £22.04 customs fees for the box set i already paid £11.06 for the full and lentic. Im not sure why the high fees, they have $24.99 value on them so i thought customs wouldnt be a problem. What would happen if i left it where it is? will it go back to kimchidvd and i can get a refund from kimchi,

I'm sure you're already aware that you need to keep the declared value below £15, using the official HMRC monthly exchange rate, not the daily one used by the banks. If the value of the package exceeds the limit by as little as 1 pence then it's liable to be surcharged. Once liable then Import Vat at 20% will be levied, not only on the value of the goods but also the shipping costs. Then there's the additional cost to be factored in of the carrier's handling fee, Royal Mail £8/Parcelforce £13.50, for taking your money and paying it to HMRC.

The official HMRC exchange rate for August 2014 is (GBP) £1 = (USD) $1.7042, therefore, £15 = $25.56. You should not, therefore, have incurred all of those additional charges because the declared value of your package ($24.99) is below the limit by 57 cents! Even if the packages had arrived in the UK last month when a different exchange rate applied, you would still have been below the £15 threshold. The official HMRC exchange rate for July 2014 was £1 = $1.6938, therefore, £15 = $25.40.

Are you sure the declared value is $24.99? I thought the default value used by Kimchi, unless changed by you, was $25.99. If so, that would explain everything. It's not unknown for mistakes to be made but for the same mistake to be made on a number of packages, by two different carriers, seems too much of a coincidence. If that is the case then there's nothing to be done, other than put it down to experience.

Not trying to teach you to suck eggs, but are you aware that when placing an order with Kimchi, there is the option to replace the default value of $25.99 (?) with one of your own choosing. You can also choose whether to have that value placed on the Customs Declaration alone or on the enclosed invoice as well.

If your paperwork, Customs Declarations and Invoices, does state $24.99, as opposed to $25.99, then you can appeal the charges in writing to HMRC, on the basis that they've been levied incorrectly. The procedure is too convoluted to detail here but can be found on their website. If they find in your favour, they will refund you the amount of Import VAT which has been overpaid but not the carrier's handling charges. For that you need to contact the respective carrier and request, again in writing, a refund of their charges. Bear in mind that HMRC are not stupid and are more than capable of going online and finding out for themselves the true value of the goods.

If ever you should choose not to pay the fees, the package will be returned to sender. You'll eventually get a refund for the goods but will undoubtedly forfeit the shipping costs.

Hope this helps for next time. It is possible to play the system, you just need to exercise some caution in doing so.

 

[MENTAL MAGPIE]

Yes may have been $25.99 value, to be honest im usually in such a rush to get my kimchi order done that i dont have time to think clearly about changing values, i had steels in my basket before and they sold out before i checked out . I ordered a dozen or more times from kimchidvd and its just the last 3 got hit, some you win some you lose. I will be making more effort in the future to change the values down some more. If i miss out theres always plenty on HDN and ebay anyway, im not sure why i panic so much if i miss out. and thanks for taking the time for such a long reply with so much info.

I'm sure you're already aware that you need to keep the declared value below £15, using the official HMRC monthly exchange rate, not the daily one used by the banks. If the value of the package exceeds the limit by as little as 1 pence then it's liable to be surcharged. Once liable then Import Vat at 20% will be levied, not only on the value of the goods but also the shipping costs. Then there's the additional cost to be factored in of the carrier's handling fee, Royal Mail £8/Parcelforce £13.50, for taking your money and paying it to HMRC.

The official HMRC exchange rate for August 2014 is (GBP) £1 = (USD) $1.7042, therefore, £15 = $25.56. You should not, therefore, have incurred all of those additional charges because the declared value of your package ($24.99) is below the limit by 57 cents! Even if the packages had arrived in the UK last month when a different exchange rate applied, you would still have been below the £15 threshold. The official HMRC exchange rate for July 2014 was £1 = $1.6938, therefore, £15 = $25.40.

Are you sure the declared value is $24.99? I thought the default value used by Kimchi, unless changed by you, was $25.99. If so, that would explain everything. It's not unknown for mistakes to be made but for the same mistake to be made on a number of packages, by two different carriers, seems too much of a coincidence. If that is the case then there's nothing to be done, other than put it down to experience.

Not trying to teach you to suck eggs, but are you aware that when placing an order with Kimchi, there is the option to replace the default value of $25.99 (?) with one of your own choosing. You can also choose whether to have that value placed on the Customs Declaration alone or on the enclosed invoice as well.

If your paperwork, Customs Declarations and Invoices, does state $24.99, as opposed to $25.99, then you can appeal the charges in writing to HMRC, on the basis that they've been levied incorrectly. The procedure is too convoluted to detail here but can be found on their website. If they find in your favour, they will refund you the amount of Import VAT which has been overpaid but not the carrier's handling charges. For that you need to contact the respective carrier and request, again in writing, a refund of their charges. Bear in mind that HMRC are not stupid and are more than capable of going online and finding out for themselves the true value of the goods.

If ever you should choose not to pay the fees, the package will be returned to sender. You'll eventually get a refund for the goods but will undoubtedly forfeit the shipping costs.

Hope this helps for next time. It is possible to play the system, you just need to exercise some caution in doing so.

 

[asseanontv]

I'm sure you're already aware that you need to keep the declared value below £15, using the official HMRC monthly exchange rate, not the daily one used by the banks. If the value of the package exceeds the limit by as little as 1 pence then it's liable to be surcharged. Once liable then Import Vat at 20% will be levied, not only on the value of the goods but also the shipping costs. Then there's the additional cost to be factored in of the carrier's handling fee, Royal Mail £8/Parcelforce £13.50, for taking your money and paying it to HMRC.

The official HMRC exchange rate for August 2014 is (GBP) £1 = (USD) $1.7042, therefore, £15 = $25.56. You should not, therefore, have incurred all of those additional charges because the declared value of your package ($24.99) is below the limit by 57 cents! Even if the packages had arrived in the UK last month when a different exchange rate applied, you would still have been below the £15 threshold. The official HMRC exchange rate for July 2014 was £1 = $1.6938, therefore, £15 = $25.40.

Are you sure the declared value is $24.99? I thought the default value used by Kimchi, unless changed by you, was $25.99. If so, that would explain everything. It's not unknown for mistakes to be made but for the same mistake to be made on a number of packages, by two different carriers, seems too much of a coincidence. If that is the case then there's nothing to be done, other than put it down to experience.

Not trying to teach you to suck eggs, but are you aware that when placing an order with Kimchi, there is the option to replace the default value of $25.99 (?) with one of your own choosing. You can also choose whether to have that value placed on the Customs Declaration alone or on the enclosed invoice as well.

If your paperwork, Customs Declarations and Invoices, does state $24.99, as opposed to $25.99, then you can appeal the charges in writing to HMRC, on the basis that they've been levied incorrectly. The procedure is too convoluted to detail here but can be found on their website. If they find in your favour, they will refund you the amount of Import VAT which has been overpaid but not the carrier's handling charges. For that you need to contact the respective carrier and request, again in writing, a refund of their charges. Bear in mind that HMRC are not stupid and are more than capable of going online and finding out for themselves the true value of the goods.

If ever you should choose not to pay the fees, the package will be returned to sender. You'll eventually get a refund for the goods but will undoubtedly forfeit the shipping costs.

Hope this helps for next time. It is possible to play the system, you just need to exercise some caution in doing so.

I still don't understand how this works as I have no import duty charge and no excise duty just a Royal Mail handling charge of £8.00 + VAT making it £14.78 see below:

 

[DodgyDave]

Take a look at your vat

It's that you are paying, not import tax.
You have to import a lot to incur import tax.

 

[SimonLDT]

^^You don't pay customs or duty unless the value is much higher (I believe it's around £150-200). VAT is charged on most items if they're over £15 in value and from outside the EU.