importing

[tez]

Hi. I'm Tez from Sydney Australia. My great issue at the moment is that I really want to buy interesting boots from on line stores in the US and Italy. BUT THEY DON'T EXPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What am I to do? Any suggestions?
Found a great pair of Type Z boots on Zappos. They're tantalisingly close. But out of reach. Help!

[shoesense]

Zappos doesn't ship outside US, that's true, and I'm not sure that can be "helped." However, if you're willing to invest in fabulous shoes from Europe, Luisaviaroma.com will ship to Australia for 50 Euros (plus custom duties). They have some fabulous collections! But ... pricey.

Your best bet is to find a kind soul that will buy it and ship it for you (you will agree to pay for shipping costs). Any friends in the US?

[tez]

Thanks. I have found forwarding agents in the States, but using them nearly doubles the cost of the shoes. By the time your've paid the registration fee, paid the 3 months compulsory membership and then the courier costs it becomes prohibitive. I bought great shoes from Cinti, Italy, last year. All leather, really stylish and cheap (their winter range is better than their summer one). They just gave the package to UPS who delivered it to me for 25 euros. I wish it was all that simple all the time. I hoping for hints from fellow bloggers on how to get packages delivered cheaply and easily.

[shoesense]

I'm sure if you contact manufacturers directly, at least some of them will be willing to ship them to you for a reasonable price. My husband does that with certain shoes he likes and can't get anywhere in the US (he gets them primarily from Europe.).