Helmet: Ordering from Great Britain?

[judithk]

I’m just wondering if there’s a good reason NOT to save $100 by ordering a European or British-made helmet from a shop in Great Britain?

Shipping should be no more than a matter of days; there’s no import fee; and sizing and styles are generally the same. I do know that, for Charles Owen helmets, accident replacement would be somewhat more difficult, because the helmet would need to be returned to Great Britain for replacement; I don’t know the policy for other brands.

The helmet clearly would not have ASTM/SEI certification. But if the helmets for the European and U.S.markets are identical, I can’t see why that would be an issue, particularly if the helmet is used for schooling only.

I’m all for supporting my local brick-and-mortar tack shop . . . but we’re talking a savings of $100 or more! Is there anything important that I’m overlooking?

[HJdaydream]

Do it! I bought my last 2 samshields from Europe. It is definitely a money saver!

[skip99]

I recently bought a leather look AYR 8 from Ireland for less than half the price of most retail stores over here, including shipping. When I eventually look to get a custom one I will go abroad as well. I also believe it does have a SEI certification inside the helmet.

[MCF1991]

I always search for UK tack stores. Some don’t ship to the US so just double check. I only had one bad experience where I ordered a Rambo and the money just sat pending in my account for a week before I finally emailed them and they said they wouldn’t ship something that heavy so they refunded my money.

[judithk]

Alrighty, then - UK, here I come! Thanks, all, for your replies . . .

Even if I get the least expensive possible option, which would be the CO JR8/YR8, it’s still $100 less to buy it over there. And, of course, I’m not really looking at the least expensive option . . . :lol:

[judithk]

Hey, all, are there any particular vendors you’d recommend (or not recommend)?

[skip99]

I went through Raceview Equestrian for my Ayr8. Very nice to work with - we had to play phone tag a bit to get them the card info as their online payment system didn’t like my card and they called me back at almost 9pm their time!

[judithk]

Ohmygosh - Raceview’s price for the Ayr8 is about $200 less than what you’d pay in the U.S.! I may need to rethink my helmet choice . . .

Thanks, @skip99!

[skip99]

@judithk no problem! Their shipping was super reasonable, too and I had it in about a week

[izzy98]

I got a Miss Shield helmet from equishop.com for $300 and some, which is considerable savings over what you would pay here! Arrived exactly one week after placing the order. Only thing a little weird to me was that it came in just the Samshield box; no additional packaging.

[judithk]

@izzy98

Only thing a little weird to me was that it came in just the Samshield box; no additional packaging.

Oh, that’s a bit unsettling. Maybe the Brits are used to postal carriers who are more delicate with their cargo than what we’re accustomed to. I guess that’s something I can check on with the seller before placing an order.

[McVillesMom]

I’ve ordered several (Charles Owen) through eBay. No problems with shipping, much less expensive!

[222orchids]

I’d buy local or be sure the trade-in program can be accessed here. The One K is $230 or so and it is a great helmet, The reason i’d buy local is that if you have an accident, you should get a new helmet; you send the possibly (or certainly) damaged helmet back and they give you a new one for about 50% of the price. Trust me, it happens.

[judithk]

@222orchids - I asked about this, and the policy is that if you buy in the UK, you need to do the replacement in the UK. So you’d have to ship the damaged helmet back in order to get your replacement. If you were only saving $10 or $20 on the new helmet, then it wouldn’t be worth it. But of you can save $100 or more on the original purchase, then possibly having to spend an extra few dollars on shipping at some point down the road isn’t such a big deal. You’d probably have to spend at least $10 just to ship the helmet back in the U.S., anyway.

[skipollo]

Following. Any other reviews of Raceview Equestrian or other vendors in the UK? I’m looking to buy a new helmet soon and would like to save $$$ if possible.

[HJdaydream]

I would STAY AWAY from Equiporium.co.uk. I had a TERRIBLE experience with them and will never shop their again, just FYI! They constantly get awful feedback posted on their FB page that they immediately delete.

[HJdaydream]

I have purchased from myselleria.us with great success and fast shipping. Would order from them again :yes:

[Bunker]

Any thoughts on ordering from Equiport (UK) or Tailored Equestrian (Ireland)? And how do you know if you are going to be charged duties/customs? It seems random…

[Denzel]

I have now ordered 2 helmets from Calevo personally and have had friends order using my account as well. Shipping is pretty slow and they ship DHL which is the most horrendous company ever. I have only ever paid a small brokerage fee, no duties. Got a GPA First Lady for just over $500 CAD instead of the $800+ they are in Canadian tack stores.

[Anne]

I got a GPA from Amira Equi and had a great experience.