[Lionheart]

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I think if you take the time to read the labels when they arrive on your items, you'll find that it is the UK Border Force who are charging you on behalf of HMRC.

I know that, but it really makes no difference.

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Speaking as an employee of the aforementioned organisation, it never ceases to amuse me when people moan about paying duty which they are legally required to pay in order to receive said items into the country, or discuss ways to circumvent it.

'Legally required to pay' - but why? And why did the government lower the limit after ten years even though the value of money actually decreases?

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If I actually knew who I could feed this back to in terms of 'intelligence', I would do so, trust me.

Again - why? Just because the government makes a decision, does not mean said decision is fair or just. And what 'intelligence' would you have to report exactly, since nothing I said is either unusual or untrue.

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This post offends me greatly. As a result, I won't be posting on this forum again.

That's absolutely ridiculous. Someone says something you disagree with and you won't post again? You know that forums don't exist just for opinions you agree with to be repeated at you, right? Surely this isn't your first day on the internet. You also don't explain how what I said was offensive at all - especially since I have absolutely nothing against the people who have to do this as part of their jobs, and don't blame them at all. I blame the people who made the rules they then have to follow. Which is why I explicitly criticised the government and government policy.

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And a word to the wise - you never know who is lurking (and watching) on these forums.

That sounds like a threat. 'Be careful what you say about the government and their money-grabbing policies - Big Brother is watching you!' What is this, North Korea? You make it sound like we live in a totalitarian state, and if you believe that then my little criticisms are an understatement, and you should be agreeing with me! Although, really if you fed this back as 'intelligence' I think a shrug would be the result, since nothing I said is not common knowledge or commonly held opinion.

We are one of the most heavily taxed countries in the world, and while some of those taxes can be justified (road tax to pay for the upkeep of the roads - in theory - etc) import duty on items that cannot be bought in the UK - and are therefore not competing with UK manufacturers - just like Inheritance Tax - is nothing more than a money grab, which is exactly why the government lowered the limit during the start of the recession - as a way to squeeze more cash out of people. It may be 'the law', but the law and justice or even fairness are not always the same thing, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with pointing out when the law is unjust.

And as for my more extreme description of the government itself, I do believe that when ministers vote in a law which fundamentally strips all citizens of their right to online privacy, and then moments later vote themselves to be excluded from said law, that they are indeed just as I described them to be. These are the same people that vote themselves payrises every year. I'm not party-political about this, I believe this of most politicians. And those politicians who aren't corrupt, and do have good intentions, are inevitably outnumbered by those that are self-serving and quickly find themselves relegated to positions of little or no consequence as a result. Frankly, what I said was tame compared to a single page of 'Private Eye'.

If, however, you truly disagree with some or all of what I said, and believe there is a perfectly valid opposing view, then state it. All you really said was; 'I work for HMRC / It's the law / I want to snitch / I'm offended / I'm leaving / Be careful what you say' - all of which may be true, but none of it is an actual argument.

[Lionheart]

Ok, I wrote the above out of a sense of shock that my rant had so upset Panthro. I'll leave it there anyway.

However, what I want to say now I've had a knee jerk reaction is:

Panthro - don't abandon a forum just because a couple of people disagree with you about something, especially something as silly as being taxed too much in the UK - that's what most people think! We can agree to disagree, and there's lots more common ground than not here, and we don't stray too far from toy talk most of the time.

Also, I want to be extra clear; I was in no way trying to insult either HMRC or the people who have to enforce the many mandated rules being objected to. Like the Policeman who has to give out speeding tickets, the people on the front line of these rules who have to enforce them are often the people who bear the brunt of people's ire and anger, even though they aren't the ones who decided the rules at all, but still have to carry them out. It isn't their fault and I don't blame anyone just for doing their jobs.

That's it. Just wanted to clarify.

[ukmu]

Good thing it is a 4 day holiday weekend... looks like I've some catchup reading to do!

Definitely taking some pics outside at some point over the Easter weekend. I will post them here first gang. I will go back and read the mini novel that is going on and chime back in later... I did briefly scan it very quickly and saw the word BREXIT. Made me chuckle as it seems to be everywhere.and I can't escape it.

[Jackieboy]

Nice set ups ukmu!
i cant really chime in on the shipping chat as customs over here is a little more laid back,but hasnt that been an issue for a few years now with you guys in the UK as far as customs charges are concerned?
my gripe is with ebay shipping prices,ive had to pass up many great deals because shipping prices far exceed the item cost.maybe thats a cheap way for the seller to try and regain some "lost" revenue??? now ive noticed double charges on ebaY items not only are you paying the shipping but now they are adding customs costs below the shipping fees and to be honest ive never even seen that before.
and panthro please stick around,you were one of the original guys here when i first joined the ark and you always were good for giving us the heads up when items and waves landed over this side of the atlantic.
still no sign of the 2017 figures over here yet,but did find this so i decided to buy it because i was curious to see what it looked like beside the "4 eyes" mech.the store has another one will grab that also.

Gremlin loves his mech suits!

[ukmu]

Wow... Taxes? A row over taxes? I have very strong opinions that I will simply keep to myself on the matter. I get both sides.

On a toy note.... I do love a good mech suit for 3.75" figures. I have the same as Primacon for HYDRA. A Steel Marauder suit from GI Joe. Love it!

Just got 20 more Protech figure stands for a tenner. I have had and tried more than a dozen stands and hands down, Protech are miles ahead of everything else. That said, I think I will buy a tenner worth every month until I have enough. Need about 400 stands so seems 19 months from now I should be set!

[Jackieboy]

Mechs look nice in certain set ups,im going to use those guys for my hulkbuster squad.on a side note i finally managed to acquire the final piece that will complete my fin fang foom after so many years!!!

[Lionheart]

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Wow... Taxes? A row over taxes? I have very strong opinions that I will simply keep to myself on the matter. I get both sides.

Tease!

[Primacron]

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Originally Posted by ukmu

Wow... Taxes? A row over taxes?

Taxes?! Isn't this the line for Metallica?

[ukmu]

One week until g. O. T. G. Volume. 2

[Pilkster]

Thought it was out tomorrow

[ukmu]

28th...

It is out in Japan and smaller Asian markets now. Mid week next week for Spain, Australia and a few other places. Next Friday (early access on Thursday) and most of the EU as well. Then the following week for the US, Mexico and Canada.

I've been looking at that date since bonfire Night!!! GotG2 and Infinity War 1 I am super pumped for.

[ukmu]

Redid some shelves in my sons Detolf yesterday. Still need to grab some hardware bits and bobs from Wilkos today but the Doom shelf is done. Eleven more shelves to go and about 450 more protech figure stands to buy!

[Jackieboy]

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Originally Posted by ukmu

Redid some shelves in my sons Detolf yesterday. Still need to grab some hardware bits and bobs from Wilkos today but the Doom shelf is done. Eleven more shelves to go and about 450 more protech figure stands to buy!

i find detolf layouts to be interestings,where did you set yours up?sitting room?spare room?

[ukmu]

We have three in his bedroom.

The hardware store was closed Monday as it was a holiday here, but I am going too town Wednesday morning. The shelf look similar too the Doom shelf posted earlier, except for three flight stands, six protech stands, Force Awakens green weapons, Doom flags on the castle, two flying mechs, and some head swapped large figures.

Will post tomorrow when I hang the mech things. They are the same olive green single carded Doom colour. Got from some cheap pound shop in a big set of cheap military figures, the mech, a small canvas tent and of course the standard gigantic machine guns that will never fit or scale with the cheap figures.

I'm looking for a cabinet from Ikea that you can lay flat and three Detolfs fit on it perfectly. It is always hard too see the bottom shelves as is. I saw a picture years ago but for forgot what it was.

[Jackieboy]

sounds like a cool set up,i do enjoy the various set ups people create from simple shelf set ups to more complex and creative set ups.

[Lionheart]

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I'm looking for a cabinet from Ikea that you can lay flat and three Detolfs fit on it perfectly. It is always hard too see the bottom shelves as is. I saw a picture years ago but for forgot what it was.

I think I saw a pic like that - weren't they on some filing cabinets filled with comics?

[ukmu]

We are going for each shelf having a theme. Trying too utilize every inch of the height of each space. I didn't want just figures stood on rows. Looking for a mini diorama on each shelf....

Bare with me and I will attempt too explain each one. Each Detolf has four spaces. So that will be 12 little areas too fill.

1. Doom Castle
2. Skrull base
3. Chitauri invasion
4. A.I.M. laboratory

The other are empty so far, well he has random things in them, Simpson's Lego, Jason and Freddy little cute figures stuff like that. They are in the process of being full MU Detolfs though. Will have too work out the other two...

[ukmu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lionheart

I think I saw a pic like that - weren't they on some filing cabinets filled with comics?

Perhaps. You can add doors to each section, or drawers. Leave them as is or leave the middle dividers out. When laid sideways they hold three details absolutely perfectly.

KALLAX Shelving unit White 42x147 cm - IKEA

[ukmu]

Might get two more Detolfs and do this set up

Also, I have only paid £10 for all three Detolfs so far! Got two for free on gumtree and found one for a tenner on a local Facebook sales group. So if I can find one more for free and buy the fifth at full retail then I will be VERY happy.

Pretty sure three Detolfs won't be enough. Plus, the area underneath can hold our Super Helicarrier versus our custom HYDRA P.I.T. vehicle.

Planning on having an Ultron shelf, two HYDRA shelves, two S.H.I.E.L.D. shelves, two Avengers shelves, a Deadpool shelf, X-Men shelf, Moleman shelf, Guardians of the Galaxy shelf. Plus some other stuff I am forgetting... oh yeah, bad guys! They will need some space too.

Taking a break buying figures to focus on buying stands and cabinets. Tired of having them in boxes under the stairs. He is getting older and soon won't want them in his room so the clock is ticking.

[ukmu]

Let's see some display pics if you have some. I like team shots, action shots, diorama shots and collection display shots... Not necessarily in that order though.

[Lionheart]

Can your floors take that many detolfs? They weigh a ton! I do really like the idea of a row of them sitting on cabinets with comics or other toys stashed away.

[Jackieboy]

unfortunately i dont have any kind of set up,but im working on getting fresh pics onto the ark.so in the meantime heres something to whet your appetite for collections................behold an omega level collector!!!!

[ukmu]

I watched that whole thing. Starts off a little weak a lot of mid skool filler stuff. Next to zero 3.75" stuff and lots of repeats. That sqid, it is VERY impressive room. One that makes any of us well jelly. It also reminded me I need that Toy Biz Doombot from the original film. Goes for crazy money though. I have a bunch of random shit I might flog to buy it though, seeing as I am finishing the Doom shelf THAT figure would finish it off perfectly. So... thanks for costing me another £100 Jackie Boy. My family will have to starve now to justify his price tag. Plastic over food any day....

[Jackieboy]

hahaha sorry about that bro, yeah that FF line was very hard to get at the time and had some gems in it.....kang,dragonman and of course those doombots.it sucks that he doesnt have a section dedicated to MU but his collection is just so interesting it doesnt really need it.if i went in there i dont think id come out of it for a month.he raised a great point about hasbro getting into making 4 foot vinyls of galactus and Foom.are those doombots even popping up online?had a chance on one years ago but didnt buy it.dragonman is the one i really want.

[ukmu]

Same here with Dragonman, would make a solid investment piece. I know it is taboo to speak of speculated toy value, but I try to buy the most valuable figure when an option is available. I want my son to get the most amount of cash should he choose to sell in his twenties.

About a year ago I saw an auctuon for two of the Doombots sell for around 80 quid. The regular one and the variant diffrtent eye colour version. Seemed too much to me at the time. Looking back it was a bargain!

One day I will have them. Im playing the long game and if it takes twenty years to complete it then so be it.