British and European Obama fans, rejoice! Zazzle.com, the on-demand e-commerce shop that allows users to create and sell their own products has launched a UK site at Zazzle.co.uk, which now means you can get all the Obama branded stuff your heart desires without paying import duties though as TCUK’s eagle-eyed readers have pointed out, the goods will still be shipped from the US, so import duties will still apply. On the downside, you have to pay in pound sterling - no more exploiting the old GBP-USD exchange rate.
The UK site launched yesterday; to celebrate, Zazzle’s offering free shipping on all UK and EU orders over £30 until the end of November. This ain’t no sneaky pseudo-secret discount code either - it’s plastered all over the new website.
The launch means Zazzle’s effectively stolen a march on its closest US competitor, Cafepress.com and may yet shake things up for European counterpart, Spreadshirt. The company acquired its other major competitor, GoodStorm, last year. Founded in 1999 and backed by $16 million in VC funding raised in 2005, Zazzle.com won the 2007 Crunchies award for best business model.
Sorry to disappoint, but my understanding is that Zazzle have simply launched a localized site for the UK with products continuing to be shipped from the US. Therefore import taxes will still be applicable. I believe Zazzle now includes these taxes in prices displayed in GBP, but that has just lead to an increase in prices.
The only way I’ve found to “avoid” import taxes and long delivery times is to use a UK or EU based print on-demand service like CreativeCraving.co.uk or Spreadshirt.net.
And they haven’t stolen a march because CafePress offer the exact same thing too.
@Mark Thanks for the correction - mea culpa.
I’m working on a UK based tshirt and product customisation site - with our launch due early next month. Unlike the zazzle offering this will be sourced and supplied out of the UK. Mail me if you would like to know more.