Hi all, anyone with experience of buying from former eastern bloc countries such as Slovenia, Bulgaria or Croatia? I think they are all in the EU now. I am thinking of buying via Ebay using Paypal.
ps. I think they were called eastern bloc countries

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When I was younger, I was a dirty old man.

hello yes your right these were the block countries now in the EU, may i ask what you wish to purchase as there might just might be duty, and depending who is the carrier. if it is just a private post you should be ok. companies like dhl want all details of the package and contents. i agree paypal is the best way and if seller is too you have the benifit of a refund via paypal if your item is not as it should be. i purchased a vintage net classed as hardy but no mark or logo and got a refund from paypal via the seller. also buy from the usa is a pain too eg duty. anyway good luck

If its not as it should be PayPal will insist on you returning the item and getting proof of delivery before they will refund you and they won't pay you the return P&P so it could turn out to be an expensive bargain

As someone who has bought items from UK and who has sold items to UK....it is normal. If you order from someone over here, you contact, ask what you are interested in make a payment and items are shipped to you.

One thing i found out is that people and companies from UK are rather affraid of bank transfer, which is a normal way of doing business with for example Germany. So paypal is best.

Shipping will take a few days and that is it, if the seller has items in stock of course.

You can always get stuffed, but you can get stuffed from someone from UK, USA, Slovenia or anywhere else.

So in short, it is normal thing, like with anyone else.

As an interesting thing, i was surprised when i wanted to pay an item to UK over an agent and had to give a special permission etc. becouse UK is a high risk country... But although i had to wait for a bit longer than necessary sometimes, my expiriences with UK sellers (ebay) and with shops was good or even very good.

But as always, there is a risk involved with any internet transaction.

BlueOne

uk bank transfer cost money, paypal is free

I am well aware of that, but even if you are a buyer and offer to take costs on you, it is almost impossible to convince someone in UK to accept this, while for example if you deal with Germany, Austria or continental Europe in general, they will be more than glad to receive money direct on their account. Nothing bad ment here, i was just a bit shocked to discover that, as in many other places, this is a prefered method. But if someone is buying i agree paypal is better.

BlueOne

I have no complaints and have used EU.

Needed a back door handle for a Suzuki Vitara, searched UK a number of suppliers wanting between £47 and £60 for one delivered.

Searched under ' Tailgate ' instead of 'rear door' and came up with a supplier in Poland, £19.99 and £5 postage, it was here in four days !!, easy and well pleased.

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Gwilym Hughes
www.GwilymHughes.com

All good from me too..........maybe I've just been lucky but I deal all over the world. As BlueOne says, you can get stuffed anywhere, even in your own town (at least you can go and "knock on the door" there). So long as you know what you are buying and the vendor has a good rating then you've got a good chance...................birdsnest

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Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

BO the Dutch also prefer direct banking and as you say its pretty normal. I think the UK guys are weary of the Nigerian 419 gangs so PP is a better option.