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Ratings and Reviews for grand-illusions.com

Merchant Ratings
5.0 1
4.8
 
 
URLhttps://www.grand-illusions.com
Customer Review
3.5 / 5
Better if you inform before purchase of custom duties for abroad shipments.
Paolo M. 3/11/2024 at 00h06
Hi

There is a banner across the top of every page of our web site, with the heading SHIPPING TO THE EU where we explain this. Since Brexit (which I did not vote for!) we no longer charge EU customers VAT. But while you save the VAT when you place the order, you then have to pay the VAT in your country. Unfortunately there is normally a handling charge as well, to cover the cost of collecting the VAT. We are not happy about this either, but as a small company there is not much we can do about this situation.

Regards

Hendrik Ball.
grand-illusions.com 3/11/2024 at 10h45
Customer Review
3.7 / 5
The products are awesome, so GrandIllusions.com deserves a 5/5. My problem is the shipping company they deal with: DHL is the worst company for Canadian buyers who buy from a foreign country because they systematically charge duty & import taxes and they do so at a shameful rate, something like 30% of the price paid for the items. It almost spoiled the pleasure of getting my package.
Olivier B. 7/19/2023 at 05h41
Customer Review
3.7 / 5
I love the product. Very good quality, very satisfying. I play with it all the time. I love mathematical illusions. It’s art and mathematics.
If you are in EU, be careful, ask the seller not to use DHL. This carrier ask a huge fee to take care of customs. What you buy may be doubled. The minimum fee for DHL is 6 times the one asked by the Post.
Pierre E. 6/25/2023 at 21h13
Customer Review
3.7 / 5
I think in general the products are way too expensive considering what you receive. I live in the Netherlands and if I knew I had to pay so much in taxes I would considered twice buying anything at all. There are other products that I would like to buy but considering prices and taxes I will look for other options.
Now, about what I bought: the light modulator is still not working. I have to figure out if it is because of the batteries or if there is any other reason.
.
Daniel C. 11/30/2022 at 12h09
We are struggling with the problems caused by Brexit (which we didn't vote for!)

On the one hand, we no longer charge 20% VAT on orders to the EU. However EU customers will have to pay the VAT in their country, before they receive the package. This is an extra amount of administration, which is a real nuisance.

But in addition, the courier companies also charge a handling charge, because they now have to contact the customer and collect the payment, before they can deliver the goods. While the amount of VAT varies with the value of the order, the handling charge is often a fixed amount, and so can make a small order much more expensive.

Many of our most interesting items are hand made, and not mass produced in China. The Light Modulator is just such an example. This makes them more expensive. I am sorry about that. Our mark up is not that high. Grand Illusions is just 3 people, and none of us get any salary from running the company.
grand-illusions.com 11/30/2022 at 12h26
Customer Review
3.7 / 5
P&p seemed very expensive.
.
David M. 6/16/2022 at 12h22
Sorry about that. The warehouse no longer use Royal Mail, as I think they had too many problems. So now the main option is DHL Parcel. This is a courier service, so far more packages will arrive the next day. And it is the same price up to 10kg. However I appreciate it is not so economic for small orders. We are looking to see if there are alternatives we could offer.


UPDATE - 11th July 2022

We now have EVRI (formerly HERMES) as a shipping option, which is quite a bit cheaper.
grand-illusions.com 6/20/2022 at 10h56
Customer Review
3.7 / 5
Unfortunately, and that I understand is not your responsibility,
Shipping, custom duties and handling fees were higher than the price of the puzzle.
I feel very sorry for all small business in the UK.
I still will try to be back to you as a customer because I appreciate what you put into your business.
Thank you.
Giovanni C. 4/1/2021 at 14h38
Thank you for your understanding. We are very upset with the new rules, which are a disaster for small businesses here in the UK. I believe it is also a problem for small businesses in the EU wishing to send items to the UK. I believe the phrase in English is 'omnishambles'.
grand-illusions.com 4/1/2021 at 15h44
Customer Review
3.3 / 5
Everything came quickly. Once of my horse racing derby games didnt work. I cannot comment on customer service as i havent had to reach out or deal with them.
Mike W. 11/3/2020 at 17h12
Customer Review
3.7 / 5
Superb service .I purchased this item for my grandson’s birthday , but it got lost in transit. Realising there was a problem, without any request from me ,another was sent by another carrier. It arrived ,in time, the next day.Superb service by the carrier but even better from Grand Illusions.
Alun C. 10/2/2020 at 15h51
Customer Review
3.3 / 5
At the first day the Vortex dom works beautiful and it was amazing to see, how build spirals like glaxies and so on.
But at the sixth day there was a lot of Airbubbles in the Middle of the dom and im afraid, they will be more and more. I had handle the dom very carefull.
I am very sad because it was not cheap.
Claudia. 4/20/2020 at 08h07
Hi

I am sorry to hear that your Vortex Dome was faulty. You should not get air bubbles inside. We will send you a replacement as soon as new stock arrives.
grand-illusions.com 4/20/2020 at 09h59
Customer Review
3.7 / 5
Very securely packed. A Speedy Delivery. Merchandise looks fine. No queries so cannot comment on customer service; have put one star, but should be N/A for Not Applicable.
Jan C. 11/22/2019 at 22h34
Customer Review
3.3 / 5
I threw it away after Grand Illusions did not reply to my email complaint the day of delivery.. Disappointing. I guess you could say I got "impossibly screwed." I actually like their products--and they have responded to my emails in the past--but not this time. So i lost the product and the money.
Bryan F. 8/17/2019 at 21h57
Customer Review
3.7 / 5
There was a delay in dispatching my order and I needed it as it was to be a birthday present.
Kay g. 7/9/2019 at 19h10