Ordering while on holiday in the states - advice needed

[Bowie]

In 2 weeks I'm off to Florida for 2 weeks. I'm tempted to take advantage of the better prices over there and possibly do an online order to get delivered to the villa.

I've never had to deal with US postal services before so just any tips/advice would be helpful.

[SilverPirate]

Would a trip to a local coin store be a better option.

[Paul]

Google is right useful   as above, why risk post service when you can buy in person 

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=coin+shops+florida&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=27731618,-81922419,98441&tbm=lcl&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:2

[Bowie]

I went last year and visited a local coin shop. It was quite good but mostly just old collectable coins not so much silver. Could try some others I guess! 

[Pete]

If in Orlando there is a good coin shop I have used in the past - http://www.orlandocoinexchange.com

I bought mainly used Eagles and some proofs but I also got them to order a tube of new Eagles at a price that beat Apmex.
As I was staying in the area waiting a day or two wasn't a problem.

If you see any blackened or heavily toned silver coins they can dip them in cleaner solution that takes about 5 seconds to restore to perfect silver colour.
I know some stackers would raise their eyebrows on cleaning but a coin that looks as if it came out of a bonfire is awful.

Just keep in mind the VAT threat on returning to the UK as prices are so tempting you can get carried away.

[silversky]

From memory, the max allowance of goods that can be brought into the UK from outside the EU without paying VAT/duty (not including specifically separate things like booze and fags) is £390.  Check it out on the gov uk website.  Not tried it with coins but you can quite legitimately argue that they are collectables and are a good just like anything else you could have bought abroad and as long as your total suitcase does not add up in value above that number it should be fine.  You do have to consider the value of other new items in your case if you went clothes shopping as well for example.

If you're staying in a hotel, many hotels in the states have a mail room and will allow you to send parcels there.  I've done that before with car parts which was very handy.  You could always give the hotel or resort a call in advance and check their policy.  That would allow you to order shortly before leaving the UK just to be sure they arrived in time etc.

 

[mikehosilver]

It can take a little time for shipping so I'd definitely try to find somewhere local at first. What city are you headed to?