Reinhard Goebel's Archiv box set

[MickyD]

I now have a copy of this set, which was kindly bought for me as a Christmas present. Indeed it was supplied - presumably from France [though I'm often suspicious that Amazon supplied objects might just go via a sort of virtual Europe [in this case France] - with paperwork to prove it - and then get sent on via a depot near Dunfermline. There were carriage charges - as specified, but no additional charges or deductions by HMRC for import tariffs.

I've not bought anything from mainland Europe since the Brexit debacle, but may now resume such purchases if there are items of interest, either bargains, or items which are otherwise unobtainable.

I've yet to open the box, but I"m hoping to sample it in the next few days.

I buy from Amazon UK here in France and have never paid extra customs charges. However, I have ordered clothes from a great UK company and the customs duties were so horrendous that it will be out of the question for me to order again. Amazon must have some special deal

[Cockney Sparrow]

Last time I looked - at the Parcel handling site and the .gov site dealing with imports, I think that the VAT needs to be accounted for in the UK system. Large sites vending goods - the Am, Ebay and Discogs, do that accounting and I have found no charges on imports (limited experience in Ebay and Am.). There must be some information on their help pages. Discogs- the invoice shows "UK VAT" as a specific item.
Where a trader indicates the buyer is responsible for customs dues and charges on entrance to the UK, then charges are likely to arise - unless by some luck there is some De Minimis in operation - even if strictly - when I was looking - it said there was no allowance in whatever amount. (Pre Brexit, I think it was £15?)
I have also found some manufacturers - for example Hi-Tec shoes/trainers and some other companies choose to market in the UK but despatch from Europe. Unless they make it clear, you should expect they are set up to handle the VAT accounting - I would look for some indication on the web site and if necessary ask the question.

[Dave2002]

Yes, that is the one drawback about boxes like this. I'm fortunate in that I have most of the original releases with all the notes. I often think that companies such as DG should realise that serious collectors - and you would be one to go for a box this big - would happily pay a bit extra for those precious notes. They are such an important part of a release like this.

I guess this is still about the Reinhard Goebel's set, though threads might have got crossed.

I seem to have hit another drawback - simply getting into the box, without totally destroying it. Has anyone else found an easy way? I got the thin flim off, but the lid looks as though it should hinge from the back, but there's not enough give around the middle to make that easy - or maybe even possible. Cutting through the list at the back might be one option, but I'm reluctant to do that straight off.

[oliver sudden]

I guess this is still about the Reinhard Goebel's set, though threads might have got crossed.

I seem to have hit another drawback - simply getting into the box, without totally destroying it. Has anyone else found an easy way? I got the thin flim off, but the lid looks as though it should hinge from the back, but there's not enough give around the middle to make that easy - or maybe even possible. Cutting through the list at the back might be one option, but I'm reluctant to do that straight off.

I had exactly this problem until while I was attempting to ease the lid up the thing that looks like a hinge relinquished its grip on the box. Although stuck on it is designed to be removed and it’s the sort of glue that leaves no trace.

(unless your copy has for some reason been put together differently from mine…)

[MickyD]

Yes, I was a bit baffled by this when first trying to open the box. But as Oliver says, the 'hinge' is just a rectangle of paper (with a list of the contents on it) that can be prized off carefully. There is a dot of glue in each corner and yes, thankfully it leaves no trace. Once removed, the lid comes off smoothly. The good thing is that the piece of paper with the box contents fits inside on top of the discs, giving you a handy glance at the disc numbers and contents.
I'm still only on disc 4, not enough time to listen at the moment !

[Dave2002]

Yes, I was a bit baffled by this when first trying to open the box. But as Oliver says, the 'hinge' is just a rectangle of paper (with a list of the contents on it) that can be prized off carefully. There is a dot of glue in each corner and yes, thankfully it leaves no trace. Once removed, the lid comes off smoothly. The good thing is that the piece of paper with the box contents fits inside on top of the discs, giving you a handy glance at the disc numbers and contents.
I'm still only on disc 4, not enough time to listen at the moment !

Thanks. Best to use a very sharp and thin knife - to avoid problems.

Now listening to Telemann - CD 52. I didn't realise that this box has a lot of music by composers other than Bach - and also from a wide range of different dates.

Very good bargain spot!

[MickyD]

Indeed, Goebel explored a lot in his career. Interesting in the booklet that he said Purcell was not for him. Very much our loss, I think.
Anyway, glad you snapped it up, Dave, the box is very nicely presented in my opinion.

[MickyD]

Another nice surprise in the box today, disc 7 has the Bach Trio Sonatas, which I don't think had been previously released on CD. So with all these little discoveries, the box was well worth the investment, as Vinteuil quite rightly said earlier on!

[Barbirollians]

Now out of stock and deleted it seems.

[richardfinegold]

Now out of stock and deleted it seems.

These box sets have short lifetimes. One has to decide fairly quickly if they want to pull the trigger. The next stereo Ormandy stereo box is out, almost $300. If I remain undecided a bit longer the market will make the decision for me

[MickyD]

Now out of stock and deleted it seems.

Well, I'm not surprised at the price it was going for on Amazon.fr in November. I'm glad I snapped it up.

[HighlandDougie]

They must have found some more at the back of the cupboard as I’ve just ordered a copy, to be delivered on Friday (here in France). Same low price. We had a mutual friend way back when (late 1970s) and I remember RG’s enthusiasm for life in general.

[MickyD]

So great that you've bagged a copy, Dougie! It's a very compact, handsome set. I'm now well into the Bach chamber music recordings. So much treasure in this box!

[Barbirollians]

May only be delivered in France apparently.

[HighlandDougie]

May only be delivered in France apparently.

I've just tried to order it again with delivery to my address in Scotland and, with €5,33 added for P&P, the order would have been accepted. Perhaps try logging into Amazon France using a VPN set to France? I assume that your Amazon address book would use your UK address?