Hi.
I'm in New York next weekend and had hoped to buy a Trek while I'm there. Could anybody recommend a dealership I could contact.
Many thanks.
Brit in NY
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 2:55am
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 5:26am
#1
treks
Metro Bicycles carry Treks. They have several stores around the city. John, a manger at the store on Lexington and 88th will treat you well. I'm sure there are other shops that carry Trek as well, but this is where I got mine.
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 7:51am
#2
Thanks
Thanks guys.
Yes it's the exchange rate. You're right about duty, but there are ways around it.
Enjoy your cycling!
Cheers.
Sinclair
Fri, 03/09/2007 - 10:19am
#3
Brit in NY
Don't forget the brakes will be reversed on any bike you buy in the States from what you are probably used to in the UK. Not a big problem but worth remembering when you make an emergency stop.
Mon, 03/12/2007 - 3:23pm
#4
Srong chance UK Customs will stop you
Ever since the £ got to the $1.95 mark and above, officers from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs -- formerly HM Customs & Excise -- have been routinely stopping people at British airports getting off flights from the US with large baggage items, especially on flights arriving Monday and Tuesday mornings, where British passport holders are likely to have been to New York and elsewhere in the US for a long weekend, having shopped their bollocks off. In other words, these people stick out like a sore thumb.
Given the exchange rate, you will still be better off buying the bike in New York and declaring it and paying the duty and VAT to HM Revenue & Customs than you would if you bought the bike from a store in the UK.
If you get caught not declaring it and you cannot prove to Customs that the bike was purchased in the UK, they can confiscate it as well as fine you. Or they can charge you the duty, VAT and a fine, which would more than triple the price of the bike.
Lying to a customs officer is a criminal offence, which carries hefty fines and, I believe, a custodial sentence.
Never underestimate the intelligence of customs' officers; they do know what they're doing.
It's your choice.
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 6:33am
#5
Bicycle Habitat
Check out this link, Treks for sale at Bicycle Habitat.
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 7:12am
#6
I like Habitat
Big inventory, near major trains in SoHo, and owner Charlie McCorkell always stands behind his sales.
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 7:34am
#7
Habitat.
Bicycle Habitat also gets my vote (I'm in there all the time). They recently expanded and have a nice selection of trek bikes.
You can also ask for Erick.
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 8:07am
#8
Yay for Habitat
I like Bicycle Habitat as well. Great service and knowledgeable staff- they always help me get exactly what I'm looking for at a great price.
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 7:34am
#9
Weak Dollar
"
I’m not sure how you’re getting your new Trek across the pond. I’d check first with Customs at your home country. I don’t know about the UK but a lot of European countries will hit you with a hefty “tax” on your new bike (< 6 months old).
Is there such a thing as a ""new bike smell”?
You might not end up “saving” any money if you get nailed. You’ll also end up with a bike that you brought thousands of miles from where you live and ride.
But it’s better than a snow globe of NYC.
Good Luck
"
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 9:26am
#10
Either he brings a bike case with him that is empty and returns with the new bike in the case or he buys the bike and a new case and then takes it back. When you get to the customs counter in U.K., you claim that the bike is yours and you took it with you when you left.
If he is really smart and has a used case to bring with him and take back, customs will not even ask him to open the case because it is obvious he has traveled with the case before.
On an international flight with an international carrier (Virgin for example), the airline will not charge to bring the case assuming he has only 1 other bag.
Not commenting on the legality or the ethics; just explaining how it might be done.
Fri, 03/09/2007 - 10:29am
#11
Or stick the barrel of a snub nosed .38 up the inspector's nose
"Love the way ya think, Sonny. But if you're gonna be in the getting-around-the-law business, ya gotta think all the options through.
I mean, suppose customs is looking for a pipe bomb, opens the case and finds a new bike in the old box? What then?
You could push a few General Grants (or the Sterling equivalent) across the counter and say, ""Hey, you're working too hard. Buy yourself a coupla a beers.""
Or you could grab him by the collar, jerk him across the counter, stick the barrel of a .38 up his nose and say, ""What new bicycle? I don't see no new bicycle.""
Or you could grab some unsuspecting tourist and say, ""Hey Mac, you wanna make yourself enough for your first hotel night here? Help me with my bags. Just say this one's yours when they ask.""
Or you could...well, you get the idea.
I mean, why pay more than you have to?"
Fri, 03/09/2007 - 10:31am
#12
I am a lawyer - I get paid to get around the law. In all seriousness, as a corporate attorney, a big part of my job is analyzing risk (say the cost of a claim by a patent holder if intellectual property we have developed might be construed as similar to someone else's) versus the reward.
Tue, 03/13/2007 - 1:43pm
#13
Geez, such a no brainer!
Ride the brand new bike around Central park and pick up a bit of dirt/leaves, or better yet, horse sh*t. Wipe your hand on the drivetrain and run that same hand over the toptube so the grease mark runs across the logo!
Now your brand new bike looks well used!
Someone has no brain?
