----- Original Message ----- From: jackiestapleton To: gorgeous-gear Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 5:05 AM Subject: Re: Swing Jamboree & Swing Cats Corner Hello to you both, just to let you know the shoes have arrived safe and sound, without any duty to pay, thank you for your help. I can't remember if my other choices were discontinued or whether you can order them so here we go again....... twin strap in green & green, black/red. And yellow & green in the Briarcliff.   All size 8 let me know sometime Thank you again. Jackie ----- Original Message ----- From: gorgeous-gear To: jackiestapleton Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 6:01 PM Subject: Fw: Hi From the UK Hi Jackie... We thought that we'd copy you on the email below... John & Carol had pretty much the same questions as you regarding import duty - & you'll be able to read our response to them as follows... regards Mary & Ray Hi Your range of clothes and shoes is fantastic!  Much better than we can get in the UK. We have bought clothes from the USA a few times and have been `badly stung' with import duties (over $150 on a recent $100 purchase), I don't know if it is the same if we buy from you, or if you have any suggestions on how to avoid or reduce these taxes.    If not I suppose we might have to consider visiting Australia with a couple of empty suitcases!  :-)     Thanks for your help Regards John & Carol Turner

Hi John & Carol... Thanks for your enquiry - with the exceptions of Australia & the USA, the majority of our gorgeous customers are from Europe & the UK - & thanks also for your kind comments about our range... Gorgeous operates on the "Five R's": Repeats - Referrals - Recommendations - Reliability - Response... We're very “aware” of the importance of "looking after" our International customers - because if we didn't, they'd understandably tell us to “take a running jump” for future business... Part of this gorgeous “awareness” is doing everything we can to help ensure that you pay no duties - as a result, there's 8 simple, but crucial steps we take to make sure this happens... One - we mark the paperwork on all shipments as "Gifts"... Two - we do not include a "dollar value" amount anywhere on the outside (or inside) of your parcel, we instead mark every shipment as "NCV" (No Commercial Value)... Three - we show the sender's name as "Ray Harris" (that's me) - so there's nothing on the outside (or inside) of the parcel to state that your shoes or clothes are being sent by a vendor or merchant... Four - we show our private home address as the sender - again, there's nothing on the outside (or inside) of the parcel to state your shoes or clothes are being sent by a vendor or merchant... Five - the usual "trigger" weight for customs inspections/queries in almost every Country in the world is 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) - so we make sure that no parcel we send is in excess of this weight... Six - customs departments often focus on larger packages - so for multiple shoe orders, we remove shoes from individual boxes & combine in one box - obviously smaller than the combined box sizes... Seven - we send all our shipments via Airmail Post, because there's huge numbers of mail movements internationally, far too many for any customs departments to check for import duties - & customs of course, tend to concentrate their efforts on illegal imports such as drugs... Eight - we're also aware that shipping methods other than Airmail Post, are far more likely to "wave the red flag" with customs officials... Additionally, Airmail Post is surprisingly inexpensive, exceptionally efficient & fast from Australia - it usually takes only 5 to 6 days to arrive in the US, UK, Europe or just about anywhere else worldwide from “down under”... We're pleased to say that during the almost 10 years we've been shipping throughout the world, this strategy has  a 100% success rate - no one has EVER had to pay any import duties or taxes... Also - we don't “hide” behind a website or email so nobody can locate us - our personal address, phone numbers & mobile (cell) numbers are shown on every single page of the gorgeous web site, & you're also able to talk to and/or see us via “Skype” - eg: to find us, search Skype under: gorgeous-gear... It appears from your “badly stung” comments - that you've already found most online companies, don't seem to “give a toss”, once they “make their sale” - that's certainly not the gorgeous philosophy... Superior service is not only ethically correct, it makes “good business-sense” - we take a long-term view & want to help you again in the future - we'd like you to “welcome us” when we visit the UK..  :o) regards Mary & Ray

Hi ... We've found that a small number of dancers from some Countries, are a bit on the “nervous” side about ordering shoes from us... Some of them appear to be a little reluctant about ordering shoes from the other side of the world, without knowing anything about who they're dealing with - & that's probably quite understandable... Especially as there's so many “scam merchants” on the internet... They're unaware that we have many, many satisfied customers right throughout the World - but us “telling” them this, can sound very much like “just another sales spiel”... What we're hoping to do, is have a small number of existing gorgeous customers from various Countries who can verify that gorgeous are “OK to deal with”...   :o) Would you mind if we included you as one of these “existing customers” so they can contact you ??? We of course respect your privacy, & would certainly not give anyone your email address without your prior permission... regards Mary & Ray

“Hi, hope you are both ok,  We are going to Spain soon HI-ROCKABILLY weekender, feel free we will recommend to anyone that asks, not sure if i got back to you.  Catch up soon.” Jackie Stapleton United Kingdom j.jstapleton@ntlworld.com

“I would be more than happy to be a reference for you.   The very first night I went out with my new bleyers, someone came up & asked where I got them, so I was excited to pass your info on!” Gretchen Metzenberg Oregon, USA gmetzenberg@gmail.com

“Of course!   Anything I can do to help.   You may give out my email if someone wants a personal review or reference.   Hope to visit you guys in Melbourne sometime!” Jaemy Mazuelos Tennessee, USA jaemydoll@gmail.com

“You can include me in your referral, no problem.  I have nothing but good things to say about my Bleyer Harlem shoes.  I love them so much and get so many compliments about them.   I always tell people that I got them from your website. Thank you!” Elaine Silver New York, USA mailto:esilver23@gmail.com

“I am glad to help spread the word about how wonderful you guys are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Kelly Leas Arizona, USA kellyleas1@msn.com

“Very happy to help.   You folks were a pleasure to deal with.   I too felt some reluctance about purchasing shoes overseas.   Thank you for your friendly & prompt service.   Our shoes arrived in a timely manner & we are very pleased with them.    I wouldn't hesitate to purchase from you again.   The Bleyer shoes we purchased are wonderful.   The special sole makes for comfort & also is great for both indoors & out.   We have happy feet!” Charlene Blackburn Kansas, USA charlene@cblackburn.com

“Yes, absolutely, I am happy to be on your list.   I am very pleased with the manner in which you deal with difficult customers, such as myself!   Top quality service!” Kurt Lichtmann New York, USA ithacadance@verizon.net

“Hello, You definitely have my permission to include me.   Incidentally, I have recommended you to several dancing friends already.” Jean Sica-Lieber New York, USA jsicaliebe@frontiernet.net

“I don't mind people e-mailing me and I will be happy to recommend you.” Debbie Feeney United Kingdom debbie@embothrium.fsnet.co.uk

“I would be happy to be listed as one of your customers.   You did an outstanding job getting my daughter shoes when no one had any to fit her.   It was great to hear from you.” Susan Basquez Florida, USA softballsue@hotmail.com

“I would be delighted.   Heck, have them call me at work or home, or email me.   I love to convey reliable, honest, friendly, more than fair tradesmen to anyone.    I just love great quality products & vendors, & in this case, it's custom dance shoes.   It's a shame there is no "Global Business" review rating system like Amazon or EBay has, because you would definitely be 5 stars.   Your delighted customer and friend.” Wilson Horne Connecticut, USA wilson.horne@pw.utc.com

“We are certainly willing for other people to contact us by email regarding our experience with you. However, be advised we feel obligated to warn of your excessive friendliness & the outrageous personal interest you take in your customers.”  :-) Bruce & Tanya Marvin Colorado, USA tmarvin@tds.net

“You may use my email.   I have to admit, I was also nervous until you rang me & we talked on the telephone.   Thanks again for the great shoes & socks, I can dance all night without the least bit of discomfort on my feet.” Craig Golightly Utah, USA craig.golightly@gmail.com

“I'm very happy to help!   I, too, was a bit uneasy ordering from halfway around the world, but you guys provided nothing short of a fabulous transaction.   It was safe, secure, & the shoes are GORGEOUS!” Shawna Vesco California, USA shawna_vesco@hotmail.com

“Sure no problems. I've got a lot going on so sometimes I won't be replying for a couple of days.  I received the shoes and they are spectacular.” Jesper Andersen Norway j-a@webspeed.dk

“I am absolutely willing to tell people what a great experience it was in buying my Bleyer swing shoes from you.  Not only are the shoes great but you took the time to help me with my decision & cleared up any concerns I had about working across long distances for this purchase.   And it all went so smoothly!!   All I need now is a little vacation in Australia so I can thank you in person.  I'll be the one in the black & white Bleyers getting off the plane.  :-)” Kathryn Hinton Virginia, USA hinton.kathryn@gmail.com

“Hello! I am so excited - thank you so much.   I will email you as soon as it arrives……  My husband & I were away on vacation - however, our neighbors received the shoes on Saturday!!    Amazing, really.  Thank you so much!    And the Betty Boop socks are great!   Please feel free to use me as a referral.  If you would refer to me as Michele R. from New York City, that would be fine….!” Michele R New York, USA chele@glassbell.com

“As I was more than pleased with the outstanding quality of the shoes & your exceptional customer service - I would not hesitate in the least to recommend you to others.  Yes - absolutely you may include me in your referral pdf.” Carolyn Arwood  (Rhythm & Moves Dance Academy) Texas, USA rhythm-and-moves@hotmail.com

“As I told to you at least 10 times, I'm so happy doing business & buying Vaulting Shoes for my daughter with your company.   I can't believe how fast & professional you & your company are.   Congratulations.  Please feel free to inform my email, skype or phone number to anyone who would like my feedback.   I'll say to everybody here in Brasil about Gorgeous.” Artur Gomes Brazil arturbgomes@hotmail.com

“Hi Guys, No problem to use our name.   We are now at: myspace.com/luckystrikerocknroll”   Dave Taylor United Kingdom dave@speedwater.co.uk

“Sure--I will be happy to serve as a reference.   I was a little weirded out about sending money half way across the globe for a pair of shoes, but they were in my hands much more quickly than I expected, & they were just great.   I continue to get compliments.   I cannot wait for another excuse to get another pair!” Jill Walker Wyoming, USA jrwalker@uwyo.edu

“I was just talking about you to someone the other night!   I have not been keeping up with the dancing as I had hoped.   I'm trying to get myself back out there & have some fun.    I just did some blues dancing the other night & got to show off my fancy shoes!  Anytime I pull out the shoes I get to tell everyone how great it was ordering from you!  It was so awesome being able to speak with you by phone!    It was such a bonus & way more personal than just online interactions.  I felt like I was talking to a friend & it definitely made the entire ordering process less stressful.    It's always great to know there's a "real" person helping you on the other end!    So, yes!  You can definitely include me in your referral!” Michelle Barnett Chicago, USA silverchild76@yahoo.com

“I'd be happy to.   It really surprises people when I tell them I buy German shoes from Australia!  Send me a few fliers in the mail, to take to my dance classes for my students.” Maureen Brunetti Texas, USA fastdogs@comcast.net

“I'm happy to serve as a reference.   I remember that you were extremely helpful in getting me my order, & the shoes themselves are fabulous.” Paul Kwiat Illinois, USA pgkwiat@hotmail.com

“They did arrive and they are terrific.  Thanks for checking and for your excellent service.   I was a bit hesitant on my first order, but you guys were very helpful and I would be happy to share my experience with any who would like to have a reference.   I was extremely pleased with the customer service and with my new Bleyers!” Peggy Phillips Tennessee, USA phillips531@comcast.net

“It's been some time since I ordered your shoes & I am very happy with the product. Although I don't wear it everyday, but whenever there is a dance event, it sure outstands.  I understand your request & feel free to include me as a happy customer from Japan.” Ken Tsutsumi Japan Ken.Tsutsumi@alliedpickfords.co.jp

“Sure, I have been really happy with my shoes.   Whatever you need let me know.” Jon Cheifitz Colorado, USA cheifitj@gmail.com

“I wouldn't mind at all.  The shoes and shirt look great!  Thank you again.  So feel free to use our comments.   I'll even make some spiffier ones if you want.” Signe Rose & Trevor Lalish-Menagh Pennsylvania, USA signe@signerose.org & jumex@trevreport.org

“Sure, you can give out my email addy.   I have now bought 13 pairs of shoes from you.   Due to a lower back injury, I don't get to wear these great shoes dancing a lot.   But I do at work, & always get compliments & pass on your name & biz cards.” Victoria Lichtman     Maryland, USA wicketyshea@hotmail.com (Victoria recently ordered her 15th pair of gorgeous shoes)

Australian Info:       tel:   03 9305 6509       fax:  03 9305 7737       mob: 0414 811 525 (Ray)       mob: 0414 811 081 (Mary)

International Info:      tel:  +61 3 9305 6509      fax: +61 3 9305 7737      cell: +61 414 811 525 (Ray)      cell: +61 414 811 081 (Mary)

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