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Good old Philippine customs have changed the rules again  Apparently, unless you are now a recognised importer, a value $500 US, including shipping, is the maximum limit and to bring anything in of greater value, you have to write a simpering letter, example below:- Dear Sir: This has reference with the above-mentioned importation under my name. That this letter has intended to seek assistance to allow us to file Informal Entry as this is for personal use only. In addition, I am very much willing to pay the corresponding amount of Duties and taxes due thereon. Your usual kind assistance and approval on this matter would be deeply appreciated. Respectfully yours, CONSIGNEE So my height sensors and other stuff I ordered are languishing up at Clark Field in Pampanga. The thing that has really annoyed me  is that they have been here for a week and it was only because I mailed UPS asking when they intended to deliver that I was informed of the new rules and sent the sample letter to sign. If I hadn't got in touch, you only have 30 days, including weekends, and then your stuff is confiscated, or as they tactfully put it "shipment will declared as abandoned shipment in favor of Government" All I can say is thank God all the other expensive stuff got through before all this. It's more fun in the Philippines - the posters keep telling me so. Oh, and another issue is that they are now not allowing the import of engines over a certain size, so I've been eyeing up a 4.6 on Sulit as a just-in-case spare. However the guy's miles away and the only response I've had is that he knows nothing about the unit. Helpful. In other news those of you with (still) razor sharp minds may remember Madam carting off the druggie wheels from the Range Rover with the express intention of selling them in Tondo. You may also recall that I had my doubts regarding this enterprise due to a notable lack of Land Rover products in that area but, wisely, kept my own counsel. Anyway, for some time I have been bemoaning the fact that I am forced to use a crappy Philipps beard trimmer, my top-shop Whal one getting “lost” in our KL-Manila move, although I have my suspicions, what with the brother-in-law looking incredibly well groomed these days. This morning, Madam announces she has seen one and, enquiring of the price, found it was 5,000 Pesos. She then says, “I will buy for you today” and me, waiting for the next and inevitable sentence, “You give me money” was shocked and astounded when she said she would pay for it. I must have immediately looked suspicious as she hastily says, “I sell your wheels at last, darling, so I will pay for razor.” On enquiring how much she’d realised she admitted that she’d only got PHP10,000 for them bemoaning, in mitigation, that “No-one hab Range Rover in Tondo.” Get away with you! Still, the guy who’s asking 135,000 for an identical set on the well-known Sulit.com.ph is still looking at his six months later, whereas I get a new trimmer. So a result of sorts. |
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Last Edit: Oct 16, 2014 1:34:31 GMT by georgeb
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At last, after 11 days languishing in the Pampanga sunshine, UPS finally delivered my parts last night. And what did nice Mr Philippine-Customs man get? Well, on an order of just shy of GPB600 he hit me for another 200 dabs  . Robbin' b'stard. Fortunately I'd just been to the ATM before they delivered and after I'd paid UPS, I had to settle the bar bill on the card!  Must remember the sub-US$500 personal import limit in future. Trouble is when that figure includes courier charges, it doesn't actually leave a lot for bits. Still, I think all the big stuff has been sorted and safely here. Thank God I got the wheels though before the change. Mr P-C could have retired on that one!
Anyway, we now have 4 height sensors, heat shields, compressor rebuild kit, new silencer and filter, the donor has the bags and compressor, so just waiting on the valve block rebuild kit then we can book in for surgery.
The valve kit was posted from the US on September the 22nd and still hasn't appeared. However, I have had dealings with the mighty PhilPost before. The last time they had something in their “care” I e-mailed them with proof of postage and lo and behold, the following day a card was delivered downstairs saying they’d tried to deliver the day before. Nice try! Lets see if this works again. 
On another subject completely, let's talk about ants as the other morning I wake up with a couple of unexplained bites. A quick hunt showed a new herd of red ants had taken up home in the en-suite. Now generally, I quite like ants, they’re interesting and industrious little mothers, but I also believe there is a place for everything and, just as I don’t live in a little cranny in the pavement, I don’t expect them to take up residence in my bathroom. I mean, what so-called “intelligent” life makes its home in the only room of the house least likely to contain any tasty snacks unless you like the flavour of soap, or me? Old Good Queen Ant was clearly having a bit of an off day when she carefully selected the corner of my loo to set up home for her brood.
So, not being a fan of having my feet walked on when I’m having my morning poo, I’m helping them with their pre-winter hibernation metabolic rate slow-down with a view to stopping it completely.
Purchasing some Super-Tasty Ant Death Killer Murder Gel – “Makes your ants bounce with health, temporarily”, I ceremoniously fed them their last meal yesterday morning. They obviously loved it and, after a week of eating Palmolive, who can blame them? Gone now and I think I did them a favour in the long run, really.
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Smiler
Posted a lot
I no longer own anything FWD! Or with less than 6 cylinders, or 2.5ltrs! :)
Posts: 2,492
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Oct 21, 2014 11:32:13 GMT
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This is looking like a real trial off patience, and not so much the subject vehicles fault for once.
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www.Auto-tat.co.uk'96 Range Rover P38 DSE (daily driver) '71 Reliant Scimitar SE5 GTE 3.0ltr Jag V6 Conversion '79 Reliant Scimitar SE6A 3.0ltr 24valve Omega Conversion '85 Escort Cabrio 2.0 Zetec - Sold '91 BMW 525i - Sold '82 Cortina 2.9i Ghia Cosworth - Sold '72 VW Campervan - Sold '65 LandRover 88" - Sold
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Oct 21, 2014 12:01:04 GMT
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You mean to tell me you don't have a recipe for ant and you can't sell ants at a profit? I'm shocked!
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Oct 21, 2014 22:14:54 GMT
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This is looking like a real trial off patience, and not so much the subject vehicles fault for once. Getting there slowly. The car's running absolutely beautifully and doesn't miss a beat, so no blame there! I've just got proof of postage so later I will poke that hive of complete inactivity that is the Manila Central Post Office. You mean to tell me you don't have a recipe for ant and you can't sell ants at a profit? I'm shocked! Funny you should say that! However, if we were to create an "Ant Caldereta" or "mechado panlasang ant" or some such, it would have to be for export. The Filipina, although she'll eat pretty much anything else (look up balut on Google - if you're brave enough), does not generally have the penchant for insect life of her Thai cousin. Shame, but there we go. So when I bought the RR and after hunting down an oil filter, I took it round to our local "We changee oil" place so they could get the stuff all over their floor rather than me coating the apartment car park with it (yes, I'm a messy changer). We were on a shade over 106,000kms with no idea when it was previously done. The stuff that came out was, to put it mildly, a tad mankey so was replaced with good quality mineral oil. Anyway, now I have filters in stock and I had given the old girl a good hammering down to the bottom of Luzon and back the other day, I went round yesterday afternoon for another. Now, I've only done around 2,000kms since the last change, and this was worse! Obviously the new oil coupled with a good caning has shifted a load of gunk and boy, it showed. Out with the old and in with the new and whilst I know some of this is psychological, I swear the only thing you can hear now are the air-con fans. She's absolutely silent. Maybe I'll do another at 3,000km and then 5,000 thereafter. Oh, and in breaking news, the guys at the "We changee oil" place said they'd be happy to fit the new front pipes for, wait for it, a whole ten pounds, so that's this morning's job. Update, new pipes fitted. A tenner to the garage and the same for the fitter. All blow free and a deeper exhaust note as well. Another job ticked off the list. |
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Last Edit: Oct 22, 2014 4:39:42 GMT by georgeb
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Oct 22, 2014 16:42:35 GMT
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look up balut on Google - if you're brave enough I am, I did, I wish I hadn't! Who'd have thought my worst nightmare whilst crafting the perfect omelette turns out to be a delicacy in some parts of the world. James |
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Oct 22, 2014 18:16:57 GMT
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Hi, You have a good narrative style. It seem everyone is opportunistic, in an Arfur Daley kind of way!
Colin
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I am, I did, I wish I hadn't! Who'd have thought my worst nightmare whilst crafting the perfect omelette turns out to be a delicacy in some parts of the world. James Pretty disgusting isn't it? Makes you view anyone offering what is probably an innocent hard boiled egg with, possibly misplaced, deep suspicion. When Madam or my girls are on this, I have a four hour "stay away" rule! Since I've lived here, I've been offered balut, pounded fermented rotten fish (a Pampangan delight, that one), barbequed pigs intestine, fried chicken feet, roasted pigs ear and all sorts of other goodies. It seems to be a sport to see what the "White Guy" will eat. The great thing is if I roast a chicken (or two with my lot) they fight over the lips and ar5eholes whilst I get all the meat! As I write this, the cleaner is having "elevenses" knocked up by Madam, consisting of some very smelly dried fish which is fried then covered in soy sauce and Philippine vinegar along with some unidentifiable vegetables. God it stinks! Hi, You have a good narrative style. It seem everyone is opportunistic, in an Arfur Daley kind of way! Colin Colin, glad you like. Yes, in the main they are opportunistic, but given the enormous levels of poverty, this is hardly surprising. It's estimated that nearly 25% of the population are below the poverty line of around 200 GBP a year. Even those in work aren't exactly paid a fortune. As an example, in the world I know, a train driver will take home around GBP175/month and be considered well remunerated! They say unemployment is officially 7% but that's only the ones they know about. Huge swathes of "homeless" population are basically unknown to government and the only official paper they've ever had is a birth certificate, which they've probably long since sold. As a consequence, if they can make a buck or two from a foreigner, who can blame them? All that said, it's still a fantastic place to live! Anyway, yesterday's job went pretty smoothly. No seized studs, which was my main concern, and the O2 sensors were happy in their new home although I'd got a couple of spares just in case. By the time the mechanic arrived, I'd got the old system pretty much undone so that all was left to do was remove the gearbox x-member, drop the old pipes out and bolt up the new. Twenty quid well spent not to have to lie on my back trying to support gearboxes or having to hacksaw through the old pipes, upside down, to slide them out without removing the X-member. They even supplied the soap for the wash up. Obviously it was then time for a road test to my local for a couple of well deserved San Migs! Lovely. |
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Last Edit: Oct 23, 2014 9:17:47 GMT by georgeb
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Great result on the exhaust!
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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Jesus, 20 quid for an exhaust fitting! If it was that cheap here I probably wouldn't do anything myself!
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Pigs ears are actually pretty good
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Contrary to popular opinion, I do have mechanical sympathy, I always feel sorry for the cars I drive.
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Great result on the exhaust! I know, and my guilt trip over inaction is over! Jesus, 20 quid for an exhaust fitting! If it was that cheap here I probably wouldn't do anything myself! If I hadn't gone mad and tipped, it'd have been only a tenner! Doing nothing is very tempting, but you have to be there as well. If not, it'll end in tears. Had this in Malaysia with an old Volvo 240 that I bought when I first arrived, and asked for a full service at a garage recommended to me (sucker). Go to pick the car up and the bill was around 12 pounds. Oil? "Yes", oil filter? "No", plugs? "Only needed two", air filter? "No", brakes? "No". At this point you realize a) you need to write a list and b) be in attendance throughout the entire process. This is the same guy ("I work on many European car") who, when the HP fuel pump started to call it a day and I asked him to order both the HP pump and a new LP in-tank one, told me with authority that there was only one fuel pump on an injection Volvo. Pigs ears are actually pretty good Not when the alternative is potentially a home cooked angus sirloin steak, gratin potatoes, French bread and a rather nice Shiraz but yes, I've eaten worse.  |
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Last Edit: Oct 23, 2014 9:49:00 GMT by georgeb
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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Oct 23, 2014 12:47:19 GMT
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If I hadn't gone mad and tipped, it'd have been only a tenner! Doing nothing is very tempting, but you have to be there as well. If not, it'll end in tears. Had this in Malaysia with an old Volvo 240 that I bought when I first arrived, and asked for a full service at a garage recommended to me (sucker). Go to pick the car up and the bill was around 12 pounds. Oil? "Yes", oil filter? "No", plugs? "Only needed two", air filter? "No", brakes? "No". At this point you realize a) you need to write a list and b) be in attendance throughout the entire process. This is the same guy ("I work on many European car") who, when the HP fuel pump started to call it a day and I asked him to order both the HP pump and a new LP in-tank one, told me with authority that there was only one fuel pump on an injection Volvo. Sounds like Kwik Fit only cheaper. |
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Last Edit: Oct 23, 2014 12:47:40 GMT by THE_Liam
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Oct 23, 2014 15:02:44 GMT
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If I hadn't gone mad and tipped, it'd have been only a tenner! Doing nothing is very tempting, but you have to be there as well. If not, it'll end in tears. Had this in Malaysia with an old Volvo 240 that I bought when I first arrived, and asked for a full service at a garage recommended to me (sucker). Go to pick the car up and the bill was around 12 pounds. Oil? "Yes", oil filter? "No", plugs? "Only needed two", air filter? "No", brakes? "No". At this point you realize a) you need to write a list and b) be in attendance throughout the entire process. This is the same guy ("I work on many European car") who, when the HP fuel pump started to call it a day and I asked him to order both the HP pump and a new LP in-tank one, told me with authority that there was only one fuel pump on an injection Volvo. Sounds like Kwik Fit only cheaper. Only if the Kwik Fit guy hasn't done the 'How to sell people stuff they don't need at all' course |
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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Oct 23, 2014 15:21:55 GMT
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Sounds like Kwik Fit only cheaper. Only if the Kwik Fit guy hasn't done the 'How to sell people stuff they don't need at all' course Or read the memo that says "inform customers of the new legal limit of 5mm tread for tyres, and make vague threats about keeping them from driving away on a shaky legal basis"... But enought about Kwikshit. |
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Oct 23, 2014 18:38:16 GMT
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Only if the Kwik Fit guy hasn't done the 'How to sell people stuff they don't need at all' course Or read the memo that says "inform customers of the new legal limit of 5mm tread for tyres, and make vague threats about keeping them from driving away on a shaky legal basis"... But enought about Kwikshit. I'm getting the distinct feeling that one thing that hasn't changed since I left the UK is Kwikfit! Nice to see some consistency in an uncertain world, . |
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Oct 23, 2014 18:47:11 GMT
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The next few days should be quiet, vehicle wise. This weekend I've got a mate and his missus flying over from KL and as the girls will be elsewhere on Sunday, I've offered them the choice of the Hello Kitty suite or the Hello Kitty suite!
After they've buggered off, we heading to that world famous hotel, Nigi Nigi Nu Noo's Beach Resort on Boracay for a few days R&R. Or rather we nearly weren't.
Madam and the girls told me that 28th November to 2nd December was good, as both the girls were off school then. So I do no more than book flights and hotel on this information. Stupid boy, Pike. We even talked about the fact that the eldest would turn 14 whilst we were away, on November 30th and so we could have a beach bash.
So, I happen to overhear Madam talking to the weekly cleaner yesterday about how we wouldn’t be here next Thursday. On enquiring as to our whereabouts I was told we’d be in Boracay. Pardon me? So, right dates, wrong months then. PANIC! Cost me nearly the same again to change the flights with Philippine Airlines but the hotel was, as ever, brilliant, thank god. So all good.
Having three very curse word off Filipinas doesn’t bear thinking about and as you may guess, it would have been all my fault if there was a problem.
It’s more fun in the Philippines!
Is fun an anagram of difficult, confusing and expensive?
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Last Edit: Oct 23, 2014 18:48:15 GMT by georgeb
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Oct 23, 2014 19:13:35 GMT
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look up balut on Google - if you're brave enough I am, I did, I wish I hadn't! Who'd have thought my worst nightmare whilst crafting the perfect omelette turns out to be a delicacy in some parts of the world. James Thank God my missus is Vietnamese. I'm sure they can eat some pretty weird stuff as well (I know she ate dog once for a house warming) but I haven't come across it yet. Besides their coffees and baguettes (The French influence) their best known dishes are spring rolls, fresh rolls and Pho which is a beef and noodle soup. They do tend to marinate everything in fish sauce which tends to stink the kitchen up though. |
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Last Edit: Oct 23, 2014 19:14:12 GMT by mrabody
1995 Range Rover 4.0
1995 BMW 320i Saloon
1989 BMW 325i Touring
1991 Mercedes 300TE-24
1991 Mercedes 190e
1970 Sunbeam Imp Sport
1966 Valiant 200 Custom
1964 Ford Fairlane 500 Station Wagon
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Oct 23, 2014 20:19:49 GMT
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Thank God my missus is Vietnamese. I'm sure they can eat some pretty weird stuff as well (I know she ate dog once for a house warming) but I haven't come across it yet. Besides their coffees and baguettes (The French influence) their best known dishes are spring rolls, fresh rolls and Pho which is a beef and noodle soup. They do tend to marinate everything in fish sauce which tends to stink the kitchen up though. Ah yes, fish sauce. Where would the Asian girl be without it? Another toothsome treat here is Soup Number Five (no idea how it got that name) which is a hearty little broth made from a bulls whatsit. It's alleged to have a good effect on your gentleman parts, unless you're the bull of course. Only ever got to Hanoi in Vietnam and would like to see more of the country one day. |
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Last Edit: Oct 23, 2014 20:20:48 GMT by georgeb
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Oct 23, 2014 23:01:33 GMT
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Is fun an anagram of difficult, confusing and expensive? As in F-ed Up Nightmare? Fila's unpredictable nature? Foreign unorthodox nonsense? |
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Apparently, unless you are now a recognised importer, a value $500 US, including shipping, is the maximum limit and to bring anything in of greater value, you have to write a simpering letter, example below:-
is that they have been here for a week and it was only because I mailed UPS asking when they intended to deliver that I was informed of the new rules and sent the sample letter to sign. If I hadn't got in touch, you only have 30 days, including weekends, and then your stuff is confiscated, or as they tactfully put it "shipment will declared as abandoned shipment in favor of Government" 
. Robbin' b'stard. Fortunately I'd just been to the ATM before they delivered and after I'd paid UPS, I had to settle the bar bill on the card! 
Must remember the sub-US$500 personal import limit in future. Trouble is when that figure includes courier charges, it doesn't actually leave a lot for bits. Still, I think all the big stuff has been sorted and safely here. Thank God I got the wheels though before the change. Mr P-C could have retired on that one!
