markturner Posted January 12, 2012 Report Posted January 12, 2012 Just a quick word to say how pleased I was with both the service from Tsuruta-San and the product. I recently purchased a Koto wakaizashi, Tokubetsu hozon papers and kaoshirae. My sword came in a lovely brocade bag, with separate silk bags for the koshirae, a lovely scroll for the oshigata and a nice laminated sheet with photos and full description and appraisal of the sword. The only fly in the ointment was that the sword was detained by customs as a prohibited import, despite documents attesting to its age and price and describing it as an antique being sent with it. It took me 4 weeks to get it after it hit the UK and getting the UKBA to answer the phone or emails was nearly impossible. Anyway, I am very pleased, and funds permitting will hopefully be using Tsuruta-San again in the future. I can recommend him and his shop extremely highly. Regards, mark Turner Quote
Takahashi Posted January 13, 2012 Report Posted January 13, 2012 I made the same positive experience with Aoi Art and Tsuruta-San. I can also highly recommend his online shop. Cheers, Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted January 13, 2012 Report Posted January 13, 2012 What's with UK customs? Was this a random experience, I wonder? Must have been quite stressful. Glad you got it back in the end, though. Quote
Curgan Posted January 13, 2012 Report Posted January 13, 2012 I share both your satisfaction for Aoi Art and the dissapointment for (my coyntry's) customs.... We expect pics! Quote
paulb Posted January 13, 2012 Report Posted January 13, 2012 I am also very sad regarding our customs capabilities here. However I think the problem seems to be focussed at the Coventry clearing facility used by Parcelforce. The problem is that even after the home office have claimed to have trained them they continue to make the same errors and more often. I have resorted to using Fedex where possible who I think have their own clearing facility at Stanstead. So far I have had a very good service from them. as an example a sword leaving the USA on Thursday night their time arrived with me before 12 noon on the following Monday. They are more expensive but not by too much and the experience is vastly better. Quote
markturner Posted January 13, 2012 Author Report Posted January 13, 2012 It was indeed the Coventry facility.... thanks for the tip Paul, i will try and remember that one next time. Regards, Mark Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted January 14, 2012 Report Posted January 14, 2012 Ah, I had a problem with Coventry last summer; 'nuff said. Quote
DaveM4P99 Posted January 15, 2012 Report Posted January 15, 2012 The UK needs to lighten up on gun control and sword/knife control. It does nothing to prevent violent crime. I remember reading an article from the UK about how some guy found a single .22 caliber shell on the ground outside his london building...and it shut down the entire block for a few hours whole the police and bomb squad cleared the area and searched for more "dangerous" materials. If they ever saw my ammo or weapons/gun collection, they would crap themselves. Glad I live in a free country. Anyway, If I ever buy another blade, I will check this Aoi place first! Quote
markturner Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Posted January 15, 2012 Hi Dave, that's so true. the real criminals are as armed up as they want or need to be, and the only result of the legislation is that normal law abiding people have their lives and hobbies spoilt by pointless beaurocracy. but that's a discussion for another time/place... Anyway, here are the pictures you requested: cheers, Mark Quote
DaveM4P99 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Posted January 16, 2012 Awesome thanks! Nice pics. I love the style of tsuka and fittings. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.