Anyone ever imported a bike and saved lots of money?

[jezmellors]

Hello guys,

has anyone here ever sourced a bike over the internet from another country and saved lots of cash? specifically Indonesia? I've found a few sites and it seems there are huge savings to be made but it seems too good to be true. I've been offered a brand new 2012 Specialized S-works Epic carbon 29er for $2150 including delivery to the UK (With a choice of XTR or Sram XX) and a 2012 Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 Di2 for $3900 including delivery. There are more deals like this, this is just two i contacted who replied straight away but most seem to be in Indonesia. They seem legit to me but dare i part with that much money?

[mercurykev]

Too good to be true because it is. Can I draw your attention to a simple google search under 'Indonesian bike scam'

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=indonesia+bike+scam&hl=en&rlz=&gs_l=igoogle.3...172.2016.0.2328.11.5.0.6.0.0.125.515.1j4.5.0...0.0...1ac.1.DwcaayBT8FM&safe=strict&oq=indonesia+bike+scam

[jezmellors]

Ah, thanks Kev, good old Google, for everyone else's information i got the contacts from a Hong Kong website called http://hktdc.com/

[cycle cat]

AFAIK the shop has to be an authorised Specialized dealer to stock their bikes.
There is a list on the Specialized website.

[TT]

Also be aware that if you import a new bike from a legitimate builder or trader outside the EU there is still the issue of the anti-dumping duty and VAT which will add about 47% to the price paid. And Customs will not let you get your hands on the bike until they have been paid.