Experience with Clove.co.uk?

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SpookyAwol

594 posts

Ultimate Geek

#113205 9-Jan-2013 14:56

Ive got tired of waiting for RAZR i/m to be released in NZ, so I thought I would grab one from overseas.

It seems clove is the name that pops up as most reliable for nz market phones.

Any tips or advice from experience in getting a phone from them (or others) ?

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110 posts

Master Geek

#742322 9-Jan-2013 15:26

Used them twice, normally about 24 pounds shipping. One got stopped for Customs/GST one didn't so be prepared to pay. Also have a copy of bank statement (Part that shows address) or passport ready to email to them as proof of ID as they require from any first time buyer paying by credit card.
They were fast both times.

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freitasm

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Geekzone

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#742326 9-Jan-2013 15:30

I don't have any experience but we started using an affiliate link to ValueBasket and they have free shipping to New Zealand. Worth looking at the option?

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SpookyAwol

594 posts

Ultimate Geek

#742339 9-Jan-2013 15:48

Price wise value basket is the same as clove (so guessing shipping is not quite 'free')

clove = $591 (with shipping)
value = $609

I see they arent in stock at valuebasket though

Goosey

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#742340 9-Jan-2013 15:52

I used clove a couple months back for the first time.
Paid by credit card, and the goods arrived in a week as expected.
Puchased a phone case (as couldnt find the one I wanted in NZ or anywhere else), Micro USB Cable and a couple of other things to make the shipping worthwhile.

kiwitrc

4123 posts

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#742341 9-Jan-2013 15:53

What product are you after?

SpookyAwol

594 posts

Ultimate Geek

#742349 9-Jan-2013 15:55

YadaMe: Used them twice, normally about 24 pounds shipping. One got stopped for Customs/GST one didn't so be prepared to pay. Also have a copy of bank statement (Part that shows address) or passport ready to email to them as proof of ID as they require from any first time buyer paying by credit card.
They were fast both times.

What shipping did you use?
The reason I ask, is I used to bring in quite a lot of items from the US in small shipments.

What I found is that FEDEX 9 times out of 10 went through customs easily and didnt attract duty.

Using others like DHL and cheaper airfreight almost always did. I guess they have different entry methods

SpookyAwol

594 posts

Ultimate Geek

#742350 9-Jan-2013 15:55

kiwitrc: What product are you after?

Motorola RAZR i or m

Goosey

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#742353 9-Jan-2013 16:01

Using others like DHL and cheaper airfreight almost always did. I guess they have different entry methods

You will find its luck or rather the frequency in which the NZ customs service do their checks etc. I'd say DHL are more exposed to having the customs checks as they are handling a decent volume of freight.

Edit: and more likley to pay attention to the declared goods value and squeek you out to HMS Customs !

Elpie

1304 posts

Uber Geek

#742598 10-Jan-2013 00:29

I've used Clove several times over the past 3-4 years and am a very happy customer. I've bought phones, cases, SD cards, and accessories from them. They require a security check on first ordering but that's the only time. For every order processing has been fast. I used courier a couple of times then after using Royal Mail for one phone I've stuck to that shipping option ever since. Royal Mail has usually taken 4-7 days so is close enough to courier time to make it worthwhile. None of the parcels coming through via mail were ever stopped for GST (probably just luck).

The phones have had an extra year's warranty over the same phone in NZ too, which is nice. That probably doesn't apply to all phones but it sure made my experience with Clove great.

I was wary the first time I ordered from them but all my dealings with them have been excellent and I now check their prices before buying any new gear.

AKLWestie

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#742610 10-Jan-2013 07:36

At least four work mates of mine got their phones from Clove in the past year or two and none of them have problems. They all use the royal mail option and got their phones within a week.

SpookyAwol

594 posts

Ultimate Geek

#742957 10-Jan-2013 18:03

Sounds good. Button pressed........

NZtechfreak

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#743020 10-Jan-2013 19:42

Purchased several items from them, top notch outfit. So much so that when I started to get into blogging again I went to them first to see if they would have me, since I was so impressed with the integrity of their service.

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kiwigander

225 posts

Master Geek

#744827 14-Jan-2013 23:50

Just got my own RAZR i from Clove today. 7 days order to arrival, including security check (had to e-mail a copy of my driving licence) and delivery to a remote rural area. So far, so good.

After ordering the RAZR i I ordered a Defy+ from ValueBasket. I'd seen their listings and Web site but was hesitant to order from them until I saw that Geekzone had associated with them. So far they've been efficient and courteous communicators. They seem to have a policy of accumulating orders before despatching, so it'll be a while yet before I can pronounce success.

SpookyAwol

594 posts

Ultimate Geek

#745473 16-Jan-2013 08:52

After 3 days messing around with security checks and waiting a few days, I asked where the tracking was. Sorry, the phones not in stock.....

This is kind of info I wanted at START of process. Not entirely happy at this point....

nakedmolerat

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#745486 16-Jan-2013 09:09

Lol!

I had similar issue before too.. I ordered few items and I found it weird why none of them has been sent yet. Turn out the case I ordered was out of stock and they were waiting for new stock in 3 weeks. I told them that I wish they inform me because that case was not really required but the rest of the items were quite important.

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