Damn customs!

[Joni]

I'm going to play this weekend, and I expected my ULE RTP to be here by now, but it got stuck in customs. I have to pay tax and handling fees before they let it go, and they are sooo slow with giving me the bill. I'm happy to pay, but they won't tell me how much! I was on the phone today, and they promised to call me about the info, but nothing. Now it won't get here until next week I guess, so I'm stuck with my classic =(

Sorry, just needed to went...

[chizle97]

I feel ya man I remember readin a story about some people that tried to go through the boarder into mexico to play at a field and thier car got flaged and when they found the stuff it was confiscated and never given back. it was like 3000 bucks worth of stuff. I think it was in crossfire like 3 year ago. But at least ya get a sweet piece of awsomeness sonner or later. (to play the optomist)

BTW. Are there Seal or Walrus's in Sweden

[Joni]

Seals we have =)
It will get here, no doubt about that. The reason they hold it is that we have to pay 25% tax on anything we import. Actually, the same tax is added to everything here, it's just added by whoever sells it, but when you import something as a private person it's the customs that take care of that.

[Trigger_Happy]

25% tax!?! I'd never be able to put up with that. Stupid socialism....

[Joni]

Well, yeah, but I can go to a hospital any day and get practically free healthcare, I'm studying at one of the best universitys in sweden without paying a dime, and anyone who want's to study can get a students loan with a very benificial payback plan. I'm happy to pay the 25%, b/c otherwise I would never have been able to study at this level. This way anyone with the ability can get the best education, not only people with rich parents.

[Trigger_Happy]

Obviously there sre benefits. A good friend of mine has a swedish roomate that's studying here is the US for free. The healthcare is the envy of other semi-socialistic governments like Ireland, and there are many people happy to pay 25% tax. I still think that you're either paying for those services yourself over time or exploiting somebody else. The money has to some from somewhere. I think Twain said that a government trying to tax its way to prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself by the handle. I personally could not put up with it, but I didn't intend to debate on socialism vs. capitalism. It's a very complex issue, and niether of us are likely to switch viewpoints :)

[PyRo]

I heard somthing like 80% of your income there ultimatly ends up going twords taxes, or was that another country.

[Joni]

I see your point with what Twain said, but this system has worked well in 50+ years here now. I don't disagree about capitalism. Sweden is still based on capitalism, just not as aggresively as USA. But you're right, no sense in discussing what we won't change our mind. Have a nice day =)

[Joni]

I don't think it's quite that high, but it's a lot that goes into taxes. About 33% income tax, 25% tax on everything sold, liqour has about 100% tax I think (just as well, otherwise we would drink ourselves to death =), gas has rather high taxes as well.

[cphilip]

Not to mention Swedish girls.... Mmmmmm.....


Heck I got a box full of Italian Motorcycle parts stuck in Customs coming here into the US. Not a tax issue I think. Just a inspection issue I guess.

[Joni]

Yes! It seems as I might get the RT tomorrow. I'm happy!