Teaboy Senior Member Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 3 Location: uk Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sun Oct 17, 2004, 5:05am Subject: Rancilio Silvia
I'm after a Silvia, but the only UK importers I gather are Drury who won't be having any more for the foreseable future. Is there another way to get my hands on one. How about: a) buying online from Europe (Is there anyone that does delivery?) b) Buyiing from the US. c) Giving up on this ill-fated project and buying something else. (No!)
Ian Moderator Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1,161 Location: England
Espresso: Euro2000,Rancilio Grinder: Mazzer,La Cimbali Vac Pot: Cona-->CraigA Drip: Belgique for emergencies Roaster: Primas with variac
Posted Mon Oct 18, 2004, 2:21am Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia
Buying from Europe is your best bet. Beware of buying anything other than green beans from the US as it may be subject to duty,VAT,brokerage charges etc. - don't ask me how I know. In the case of electrical items, the voltage is different so you'll need a transformer big enough to handle the load.
Depending on your budget, you could get a Euro2000 for not much more, by buying direct from the factory in Italy it is possible to get one at about half retail price but obviously service backup is limited. I also had a few problems making the payment which I think was mainly down to the local branch of my bank.
There might be another option- if my wife gets her way, then my Silvia may be up for sale/auction in a few weeks time...
Teaboy Senior Member Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 3 Location: uk Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Mon Oct 18, 2004, 2:56am Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia
Thanks.
I'm having difficulty finding a European retailer online. Do you know of any? I have found a US dealer willing to ship one over but you've got me a little concerned about these charges.... How much would they amount to??
Flash Senior Member Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 11 Location: Manchester, UK Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Solis 166
Posted Tue Oct 19, 2004, 6:10am Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia
Yes, watch out importing from the US - you'll be liable for VAT at 17.5% and import duty at somewhere between 2% - 10% ( not sure what import duty is for coffee equipment) and possibly royal mail's pound of flesh which can be around another 5%
Ian Moderator Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1,161 Location: England
Espresso: Euro2000,Rancilio Grinder: Mazzer,La Cimbali Vac Pot: Cona-->CraigA Drip: Belgique for emergencies Roaster: Primas with variac
Posted Tue Oct 19, 2004, 6:15am Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia
Teaboy Said:
I'm having difficulty finding a European retailer online. Do you know of any? I have found a US dealer willing to ship one over but you've got me a little concerned about these charges.... How much would they amount to??
Googling for Rancilio Silvia nl pulled up quite a few hits - curiously, Rancilio Sylvia nl pulled up even more. I haven't actually tried him, but I know people who have dealt with Henk at Espresso Service West.
I bought an item from North America for about £150 and paid by Visa and the delivery bloke wanted about another £60 before handing it over. I bought my digital camera online from Paris, next day delivery, good price, no extra fees/taxes and all I had to do was change the plug.
Oh and how old is your silvia by the way??
I'd have to dig out the receipt for the exact date but it's about a couple of years old. I don't really want to sell it but the subtle hints have been getting more frequent - you know how it is...
Duncestan Senior Member Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Oxford, UK Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Thu Jan 13, 2005, 11:01am Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia
Okay, I feel a bit pleased with myself for this...
After MUCH searching around I found the French site Cafe Meo, offering the Silvia for E412. I blundered my way through the French (with the help of an online translator), managed to get to the check out and discover that postage to the UK is only E16. I took my chances, and ordered the Silvia. Started to worry a tiny amount when I didn't receive any order confirmation, in fact apart from the money leaving my account (which eventually came to £312) I heard nothing at all. Three weeks later and a Silvia turns up on my doorstep! At £312 that's even cheaper than Drury. The only 'difficulty' was that it came with a European plug, but I have an adapter anyway.
So all in all, a cheap Silvia if you can handle forking out £300 and not hearing a breath until she turns up on your doorstep. I'm happy.
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