Londinium I Lever Espresso Machine

BLrdFX · December 2012

ChrisStuffa: That is horrid! The Customs folks must still hate the British :o I hope it was all a complete misunderstanding and they owe you an apology. Mine sailed through Customs in the USA without a squeak from those pencil pushers. I hope it works out OK for you.

Koffee_Kosmo · December 2012

Once I paid GST for my reconditioned speakers coming back from the USA Just a Note GST is charged on the total invoice value That includes - cost of product , cost of transport , cost of insurance , plus any other fees noted I know it sucks but that's the import law KK

BLrdFX · December 2012

on 1356673911:

Once I paid GST for my reconditioned speakers coming back from the USA Just a Note GST is charged on the total invoice value That includes - cost of product , cost of transport , cost of insurance , plus any other fees noted I know it sucks but that's the import law KK

And we gripe hear about taxes, whew, it could be much worse I guess!!!

Chris Stuffa · December 2012

on 1356673911:

Once I paid GST for my reconditioned speakers coming back from the USA Just a Note GST is charged on the total invoice value That includes - cost of product , cost of transport , cost of insurance , plus any other fees noted I know it sucks but that's the import law KK

I fully expected to have to pay GST, what I wasn't expecting was to pay a 5% import duty, a $55 processing fee from customs, and a processing fee from DHL. Also customs didn't have a figure on the shipping costs so they just made one up 10 times more than what it cost and charged me GST on that ??? So for the cost of the machine they are basically charging me nearly 25% in duties, GST and fees :'( Even with these fees I still think this machine is a bargain. I could have paid a lot more for a machine that is nowhere as good. Hopefully soon I'll find out just how good it is ;D

Lwowiak · December 2012

Chris Stuffa, Thank you for sharing. Also, good to hear you are questioning every charge. I believe Customs should be 100% upfront on all charges, and have a working template on how to accurately work these charges out. You should be able to work out all charges due, prior to the the goods arriving. Unfortunately, Customs are untouchable, and have a god complex. No one is suggesting that anyone is trying to avoid paying what the law requires. I just wish it was made crystal clear, as the goal posts seem to change all the time. I am looking at importing some goods [non-coffee], and have yet to receive "detailed" information on transport costs, duties, taxes etc. We all share your frustration and hope everything gets resolved quickly [no sarcasm there]. I look forward to hearing about your experience with the machine.

BLrdFX · December 2012

Government being 100% up front, :D :D

Lwowiak · December 2012

on 1356732293:

Government being 100% up front, :D :D

It was on my Xmas wish list. Santa must think I was a naughty boy.

Brett H · December 2012

You have my sympathies Chris! I only hope that the machine earns its out of pocket extras back for you! Keep us posted mate.

lespresso · December 2012

hi chris DHL are your agent (this is what you are paying the admin fee for) and it is their job to get the goods through and ensure the correct taxes and duties are levied you should deal with DHL (not customs) and provide a copy of the system generated invoice from our system if they will not accept this as evidence you should give DHL my email address and I will give them DHL documentation that proves the DHL shipping charge is what I charged you we will get this resolved reiss.

mycuppa · December 2012

Whilst it does not help to say this, I'm really not surprised actually. Importing a container of just about anything and you face a charges list that includes up to 15+ line items. Everything from bunker slots, waiting time and over-priced processing fees - all trumped up charges that read like a script from Monty Python, etc. Even if you get a quote upfront from a reputable logistics company, there are caveats involved which mean a quote is not a quote but an estimate, subject to final charges - which of course they make up at the last minute and hold your goods as ransom. Earlier this year I had a container held up because there were additional line item costs on the final fees that were not advised in previous quotes. Even when I paid all fees and charges, the container released and delivered, the company (ICE) sent me an Invoice 3 months after the final charges were paid (and the goods delivered) for more money saying they forgot to include this new Invoice charge on the original Invoice - demanding payment and threatening Debtors Registration. A company that specializes in international freight not being able to get invoices calculated correctly ? I doubt it. Despite reforms to the water front workplace to improve efficiencies, etc. it still remains a ludicrous rort with all sorts of special fees and levies that end up costing almost as much as the basic transit cost from port to port. In 2012, there were 2 new charge/fees added to cover some already double-charged costs (we pay taxes and taxes and have probably paid for it in state and federal taxes) relating to Port Philip Bay (Melbourne) and no doubt in 2013 they will find a way to add more new fees to cover other ways to make handsome profits. Lesson learned are always carry a 10-20% contingency when planning to import anything or piggy back onto someone else's freight account that can carry more clout else they tend to bully 1-off transactions.

BLrdFX · December 2012

Here is what I have found so far with the L-I. Great shots regardless of the beans!!! The grind is less important than they were with the GS/3 to get an acceptable shot. I suspect as I tinker around with more than the 6 different beans/blends that I am now using that could change. I have been using the usual suspects that I favored rather than venture toward other beans. There is a 24-25 pound pull on the lever, as measured with the bathroom scale method. I am using a silicone oven baking sheet on top of the L-I to protect the machine AND to provide a convenient place to put cups, not to warm them. The mat is seriously non-skid! Here is my very first pull and the grind setting was the same as was set for my GS/3.[attachimg=1] Here is how I modified the water line in circuit, including the grommet I made and the power and water line tie downs..[attachimg=2][attachimg=3][attachimg=4] Here it is as it came set up for tank mode.[attachimg=5]

BLrdFX · December 2012

Maybe shipping as "Farm Equipment"?? One needs coffee to work on a ranch...

I have been using the Versalab to dial in a bean and then once I find one I like I adjust the Mazzer to match. They are close and the Mazzer might be a better grind (more consistent) but it requires declumping and messing with. Thanks for the kind thoughts! Stephen

ash · December 2012

Thanks for the heads up about the problems that you encountered Chris. I was aware of the customs duty, and how the GST is calculated, but I didn't know how much the customs processing fee would be. Now I have that figure, I've calculated that I should be paying $435 in GST and customs duty. If they try to sting me more I will be asking lots of questions and referring them to their own online information. I don't mind paying it, but that's no excuse to try and rip off a customer especially as DHL has already been paid their contracted fee for the shipment and brokering. All that should be left to be paid is the GST, Duty and processing fee. Cheers, Ash

BLrdFX · January 2013

I finally located the correct set of fittings to get from 1/8" BSP to American 3/8" Compression (not flare). DHL apparently did their job and no duties or tariffs or taxes of any kind were imposed on me. Not for any of the 3 shipments from Londinium.

Brett H · January 2013

Just sensational mate! Could we be so bold as to ask for a video of a shot? :thumb:

BLrdFX · January 2013

Not the best shot pulled but the idea of silence it shown, except the grinder. I did not want to take the time to use the Pharos. The Pharos is my normal grinder because it is quiet and it is the one that is dialed in for the L-I, and that is why I had to stir a bit to get the grounds in the right place from the Versalab. http://www.youtube.com/user/BLrdFX4rLz

Brett H · January 2013

Wonderful Stephen! Thank you for sharing :thumb:

Kelsey · January 2013

That's absolutely fantastic! Love the shot quality and the pure silence as it's working - looks easy to pull that lever too.

BLrdFX · January 2013

on 1357514670:

That's absolutely fantastic! Love the shot quality and the pure silence as it's working - looks easy to pull that lever too.

As I get better with it the quality of crema will get better. The lever pull is 24 pounds, as measured on the bathroom scales; really easy, right or left handed.

Chris Stuffa · January 2013

It's been a nightmare getting the correct amount of GST charged on my machine. What should have been a simple GST adjustment has taken three weeks to sort out. DHL has its duty collection based in India, you can't ring them and emails go unanswered. With help from Reiss at his end this finally got resolved yesterday, or at least I paid the bill. My machine is still being held in Sydney and hopefully will be delivered early next week.

BLrdFX · January 2013

on 1357936142:

It's been a nightmare getting the correct amount of GST charged on my machine. What should have been a simple GST adjustment has taken three weeks to sort out. DHL has its duty collection based in India, you can't ring them and emails go unanswered. With help from Reiss at his end this finally got resolved yesterday, or at least I paid the bill. My machine is still being held in Sydney and hopefully will be delivered early next week.

I would let Londinium deal with DHL if possible. You paid for a service and apparently are not getting it. Sad to you are getting the Corporate/Gov't 2 step.

Brett H · January 2013

Chris, I am really sorry to read your predicament. It doesn't bode well for future Londium dreamers from Australia. Would going through a separate broker have fast-tracked your delivery? Here's hoping the machine is even better than you've imagined!

FreshCoffee2 · January 2013

I believe there is very little the manufacturer can do wrt DHL charges / hold ups other than to supply original copies of the invoice and any required declaration forms regarding suitability of materials in any of the crating / packaging, for export into the destination country. DHL knows (by virtue of them being the freighter) the consignment charges involved, and with the invoice and declarations, works out the rest. If they get it wrong, it will be up to the importer to work that out with them. The Customs Department is a law unto its own and you usually dont win any argument you have with them. I realise there are always some that will big note about how they won some argument or other with Customs, AQIS and whoever else, but experienced importers will just have a quiet chuckle to themselves about that. You either want to argue, or you want the goods, but you usually cant have both. Also of course, if you used an agent, you argue with them not direct with Customs. What I am saying, is if an importer thinks there is a problem with something the consignment company or Clearance Agent has done, it is unlikely the manufacturer of the machine will be able to help because they have already done all they can (supply goods to consigner with documents). The rest is up to the freight company and customs clearance agents and (separately) Customs, and the amount of patience the importer (you) is blessed with, and a certain resignation that sometimes you have to take the good with the bad. As an aside, and I guess this should have been stated earlier in this reply, the supplier usually supplies the goods on FOB basis = "Free On Board" = which means at the back door of their warehouse (in europe or wherever) onto the consigners pick up truck. Its your problem from there. When someone imports goods to a value above the duty free threshhold, welcome to the real world of importing.

Chris Stuffa · January 2013

I don't think the dramas I had should discourage others from buying a L1. At least others will know how much to expect to pay for import duties and GST. Here is what I paid:$409.99. This was made up of $101.65 duty, $236.64 GST, $55.20 Aust Gov charges and $16.50 disbusment fee. On the original invoice I was overcharged $85, maybe I just should have paid the original and saved all the hassle. I am going to ask Reiss to include the cost of shipping on the declaration forms in the future and that should prevent any overcharges like mine. I'm sure this was just an unfortunate case and being over the holiday period didn't help. I was naive about the importation costs, certainly a little wiser now. All in all I still think the L1 is very good value. Looking forward to testing it out.

Ol Grumpy · January 2013

There's a good dinner party conversation starter lurking here...

Chris Stuffa · January 2013

Well after along wait my L1 finally arrived yesterday which happened to be my birthday. So it made the day pretty special. The packaging for the machine was fantastic, I don't even think Aus post could have damaged it. This machine is everything Reiss said it would be. The workmanship is first class, it's built like a tank, the finish excellent and most importantly it's easy to use and makes great coffee. I had only used the Lelit before and I though I would have to learn a lot to use the L1. But it only took a few shots to get the grind right and I'm very happy with the shots already. The L1 is a lot easier to dial in than the Lelit and the results are far superior. I only pulled 8 or 9 shots so far and am sure I'll fine tune as I go and get even better results. I'm very happy with the communication and the service from Reiss. He has been more than helpful. I purchased some extras from him for the L1 and he chucked in some really nice beans and a spare steam tip as well as giving me free postage. Got to love the LEVER and the LONDINIUM. It's only early days for me but I sure anyone else who purchases this machine will be very happy with it.

Brett H · January 2013

Great news Chris! Many Happy returns mate and many happy coffees. Now stop sipping and start shooting... We want photos and videos!! :thumb:

Lacehim · January 2013

Photos??? Would love to see one on an Aussie kitchen bench!

Kelsey · January 2013

And videos!

Kelsey · January 2013

on 1358423098:

Would love to see one on an Aussie kitchen bench!

Seconded - I'm really curious to see the steam power and recovery time with the Aussie version.

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