Win Ace Front Bumpers (and other bits) - Potential Group Buy (not endorsed by TLF)

[Alfa2Evora 698]

When I looked into making a solo purchase of a basic fibreglass GTE bumper from Win Ace in Malaysia a few months back, the best price to get it here worked out at over £1700. This, and the generally positive reactions posted when some photographs of a couple of their products appeared on this forum is what prompted me to look at the savings possible by buying and shipping in bulk and so this potential Group Buy took shape.

I have had previous experience in importing (and exporting), albeit some time ago admittedly, but nothing prepared me for the mountain of bureaucracy and red tape that has been thrown my way in the past few weeks. Knowing now just what is involved, and all the associated pitfalls, to bring a product from outside the EU into the UK I wouldn't recommend to anyone that they try organising a personal import. I'm now most likely going to have to go lie down in a darkened room (or a padded cell) for quite some time.

However, all the hard work is done now so all that remains is to present it to 'the masses'. Firstly though, a big big "Thank You" to Bibs for permitting this Group Buy to be publicised on TLF,  .

TIMESCALES  There is quite a tight deadline on this deal as the fluctuating exchange rate means that these prices can only be guaranteed for a short period before they will need to be renegotiated. Therefore, the closing date for this Group Buy is set at Sunday, 17th July 2016. Apologies for this, but I have no control over these external influences on pricing.

The production lead time from factory order placed to goods ready at factory door is 10 days.

Vessels depart Port Kelang, Malaysia weekly and the sailing time to the UK is approximately 26 days, with a further 2-3 days required to offload and process the cargo.

Therefore, assuming our consignment clears through customs without delay and is then collected by the road haulier immediately thereafter, I would expect your items to be available for distribution from my address around week commencing Monday, 29th August 2016.

There are a lot of caveats - sorry about that but we all need to be clear on what's involved. The things you need to know:

1. Please note that this Group Buy is being organised from Scotland. If you live further afield, you are still more than welcome to participate but please bear in mind the following. Final domestic shipping to your location from my address here in Bathgate (near Edinburgh) is an additional cost and unknown at this time. This may be expensive because of the size, as a packaged bumper will be too big for the likes of DHL, TNT etc and will require a more specialised national haulier such as Paisley Freight for example. Pick-up from my address is the ideal solution, and of course there is no additional charge for that - in fact I'll even buy you lunch for saving me further hassle. However, if you're within a reasonable distance of here, I can offer delivery in my estate car for the cost of the fuel (and you can buy me lunch if you're feeling generous, ). If boxing and packaging is required, this is also an unknown additional cost at this time. The items will arrive in 1 (or more, see #4 below) large wooden crates and so will have to be separated and re-boxed if onward shipping is required.

2. Your payment for the item(s) (the FOB Malaysia price in the attached list below) will go directly to Win Ace via PayPal - he will invoice you. I am not the broker or retailer, I'm just the guy who's gathered all the information and is dealing with all the logistics to make this Group Buy possible. My reward is being able to take advantage of the reduced shipping and associated costs afforded by this Group Buy. I am not making any money on this deal, nor am I assuming any responsibility for Win Ace.

3. The balance of the total item cost (i.e. the shipping, insurance, documentation fee and taxes) is payable to me as I have to pay these charges to the shipping agent prior to the goods being released for delivery to me (see #6 below). I will contact you individually regarding this payment, early settlement of which will be appreciated by all in the group as any delay in processing our consignment through the arrival port facility will cause additional storage charges to be incurred - something we want to avoid as they are not cheap!

4. The shipping charge on the bumpers is calculated using a mix of volumetric and weight parameters; on all other items, weight alone is used as these can be packed within the void already created within the arc of the bumper. All shipping costs are based on a Group Buy quantity of 5 bumpers which makes the maximum use of the 3 cubic metre shipping crate being used. Therefore, the Group Buy will only take place if and when 5 bumper orders have been placed; if there is more demand, multiples of 5 bumpers will be required to minimise the shipping charges on each unit (above 3 cu m, the shipping charges increase significantly so, say, 6 or 7 bumpers in a larger crate or 3 or 4 bumpers in 2 smaller crates doesn't work out economically).

5. Insurance against loss or damage in transit is an inexpensive 'must have'. At only £1.31 (including Insurance Premium Tax) per £100 insured value it really is a no-brainer when set against the overall cost of these items so the appropriate premium for each item is included in the quoted shipping costs.

6. Import Duty (4.5%) and then VAT (20%) on top of that (i.e. a total of 25.4%) is payable on landing at the UK port (in this case, Grangemouth) and is levied on the invoiced price of the goods, shipping costs, and insurance premium. This has to be paid before the consignment will be released from the Customs bonded warehouse. This must be done within 3 days of landing to avoid additional storage charges. To ensure that we avoid any holdups and therefore any 'surprise' additional costs, I am using the services of a shipping agent to ensure the smooth processing from ship through Customs to on the truck heading to my address. They will prepare all the documentation, organise the port handling required to land the consignment and process it through Customs clearance for a fee of £24.58 (incl VAT) per individual invoice, based on 5 orders - whether you've ordered just 1 item or several, the charge is the same and is well worth it to avoid the headaches of negotiating the HMRC minefield. Only VAT, and not Import Duty, is levied on the documentation fee and the land transport from UK port to my address element of the overall shipping costs.

7. Although highly unlikely, please be aware that any consignment arriving in the UK could be subject to a random, more intensive scrutiny by Customs. This will result in a delay in their 'availability for free circulation' within this country and could just possibly result in additional (and unknown at this time) charges being levied. It's a risk that every importer to the UK must run and there's no way of avoiding it, well not legally at any rate. As I've said, it'll most likely never happen but you just need to be aware of the remote possibility.

8. Win Ace is a new company to me as much as it is to you. We always take risks with any purchases, especially international ones, and you will have to take ownership of that risk. However, by using PayPal to transfer payments you are afforded some level of protection by them. Having said that, a group buy from Win Ace has already taken place in the US (it is well documented on LotusTalk for those of you on there), and all the feedback is very favourable.

9. Having not seen any of his products first hand, I can only go on the reports from the US that these items are finished to a high standard and are virtually 'ready to paint and fit', with only some very minor surface corrections possibly being required. Win Ace describe the bumpers as being "a direct bolt-on replacement for the original bumper, prepared in 2K primer ready for paint". At least one of the US buyers is on here ( @2011 Chrome Orange ) and he seems to be more than happy with his (see Page 67 in the 'Evora Picture' thread).

Well, I suppose having ploughed your way through that lot what you're now keen to see is the price list, complete with pretty pictures, so here you go: Win Ace Group Buy Pricelist.docxWin Ace Group Buy Pricelist.docx

If you're interested in ordering, please reply to that effect on here so we can all monitor the 'headcount' towards the Group Buy target of a minimum of 5 but you can PM me your requirements if you'd prefer the precise details of your intended purchase not to be made public. If you don't want a bumper but only some of the other items, this should still be possible (space permitting) as long as the 5 bumpers target is reached so don't be shy.

David.

[C8RKH 5,804]

I pulled the trigger on new 2bular headers and sports cat last month, to be fitted by Craig later this month, so my Evora fund is depleted for this group buy.

I still think they look great with my preference being the GTC McLaren esque bumper. I think it looks superb on the S1 Evora.

Good luck with this Dave and I am sure many people will be thank full for the hard work you have put into this.

[Alfa2Evora 698]

It goes without saying of course that "I'm in", so I'll get the list started:

1.  Alfa2Evora - GTC front bumper (basic, with addition of DRLs) + GT4 Vented A Panels (fibreglass) + GT4 side scoops (fibreglass, long version)

[Alfa2Evora 698]

1 hour ago, C8RKH said:

I pulled the trigger on new 2bular headers and sports cat last month, to be fitted by Craig later this month, so my Evora fund is depleted for this group buy.

That's a pity Andy as I know you were keen to see this happen, but a good 'investment' on your part nonetheless - you'll certainly turn a few more heads with your improved aural bombardment.

After putting in all the hard work to cause this to happen, it would be a shame for it all to go to waste in the future so there's a good chance that it might happen again some time, subject to interest levels of course.

[mik 374]

Any pics available?

[mik 374]

Ignore - I've just looked on the WinAce website

[Alfa2Evora 698]

25 minutes ago, mik said:

Any pics available?

....and there is an example of each illustrated from page 3 onwards in the price list at the bottom of my OP. The Win Ace website is still to be updated with all the recent additions to his range, but it does give a good idea of his capabilities.

[Al. 287]

Well done David.  Not for organising it, but typing that OP!  Complete with all the detail my brain likes.  

Either our useless offshore connection here in Guyana or our net nanny won't let me open any links so I'll have to sit on my hands until I get home this Friday night to see what the final offers are.  

Do you know what the wrapped, but after unpacked dimensions are going to be?  I have a 4 wheel 8'x5' (2.4m x 1.5m) trailer that I would use to collect if I order.

I may be willing to help distribute certainly within central Scotland and maybe further afield, which may reduce further financial impact after arrival in your garage and make different times of day deliveries an option.  Only thing would be fitting in round my offshore rota and holiday in Sept. unfortunately.  I'm home on 3rd Sept and go on holiday 8th till 22nd and then back off shore for 4 weeks on the 27th so only 2 small windows that leave. Home again 28th Oct.

[Alfa2Evora 698]

6 hours ago, Al. said:

Do you know what the wrapped, but after unpacked dimensions are going to be?  I have a 4 wheel 8'x5' (2.4m x 1.5m) trailer that I would use to collect if I order.

I may be willing to help distribute certainly within central Scotland and maybe further afield, which may reduce further financial impact after arrival in your garage and make different times of day deliveries an option.  Only thing would be fitting in round my offshore rota and holiday in Sept. unfortunately.  I'm home on 3rd Sept and go on holiday 8th till 22nd and then back off shore for 4 weeks on the 27th so only 2 small windows that leave. Home again 28th Oct.

The sizes obviously vary slightly between the different styles but within a centimetre or so either way, a bare bumper is 192cm x 105cm x 50cm so even with a good layer of bubblewrap around it, it's going to fit OK.

Thanks for reminding me of your transportation offer - I'll keep it 'on file' and might well take you up on it at some point as you're bound to be cheaper than a double-manned 12/18 tonner,  .

[Bibs 10,691]

58 minutes ago, Alfa2Evora said:

you're bound to be cheaper than a double-manned 12/18 tonner

Have you seen how much he charges for his little boat?

 

[Al. 287]

Little?  Pah! Anyway the way the drilling game is these days we now come very cheap. Only a third to a half of what you would have paid 2 years ago. So if you have a well to be drilled in deep water anybody, drop me a PM? Never been a better time to go drilling. 

Having said that a 2 Ltr turbo petrol Evoque towing that trailer doesn't get many miles to gallon!

[Mite 5]

PM sent

[Alfa2Evora 698]

1.  Alfa2Evora - GTC front bumper (basic, with addition of DRLs) + GT4 Vented A Panels (fibreglass) + GT4 side scoops (fibreglass, long version)

2.  Mite - TBC

 

Oh, and I'm sure 'Mite' (Dave) won't mind me mentioning it as he has posted it in the FB page, he is hoping to come up in a truck from the Midlands to pick up his order so if this helps in the decision-making process of anybody else from that region, it might be worth contacting him to discuss as he is willing to oblige.  

[Alfa2Evora 698]

The closing date for processing an order with the factory at the prices negotiated has now passed, and unfortunately the required uptake of 5 units was not reached so this Group Buy will not proceed any further at this time.

Should there be an upsurge of interest at some future date, I might consider starting the whole process over again.

[trcm 110]

I would have gone for some long GT4 side scoops in fibreglass.

If only they did the Mansory rear bumper and diffuser holder too, I love that look but wow the cost

Edited July 20, 2016 by trcm

[Alfa2Evora 698]

On ‎20‎/‎07‎/‎2016 at 14:11, trcm said:

I would have gone for some long GT4 side scoops in fibreglass.

If only they did the Mansory rear bumper and diffuser holder too, I love that look but wow the cost

A GTE-style rear bumper is in the pipeline - here's a taster of the production 'prototype'............

[Bravo73 1,234]

13 minutes ago, Alfa2Evora said:

A GTE-style rear bumper is in the pipeline - here's a taster of the production 'prototype'............

Your image is also broken...

[2011 Chrome Orange 135]

Too bad you didn't get enough takers.

[Alfa2Evora 698]

On ‎22‎/‎07‎/‎2016 at 16:08, Bravo73 said:

Your image is also broken...

Strange - it was there when I first posted it. Let's try again.

[C8RKH 5,804]

Wow Dave. Can't decide what looks better. That rear end or that blue paint with the silver stripe. Both look wonderful!

Front end, back end, and you have a slimmed down GTE look a like. Very very nice.

Think you've done a great job here Dave pulling it all together. I know you're probably disappointed re take-up but these things are big investment and if you keep plugging away I'm sure people who want one will squirrel away the cash and pop up at some point. A month is a short time to get £2k together for many and if I had not already pulled the trigger on my headers ( £2.2k plus fitting) I would have been in. Although SWMBO has no idea re the headers as she can't see them, I doubt I could hide quite so well a new front and rear!

 

 

[C8RKH 5,804]

So here's a different picture of the same rear end from a thread in LotusTalk where the rear end is now advertised - fibreglass rear with carbon fibre rear panel and diffusor surround is circa $4000 shipped to US.  Looks bloody fantastic, and that blue is great - is that Persian Blue? Is that also a third brake light in the middle of the bumper. If so, that's neat.

 

[Alfa2Evora 698]

15 hours ago, C8RKH said:

So here's a different picture of the same rear end from a thread in LotusTalk where the rear end is now advertised - fibreglass rear with carbon fibre rear panel and diffusor surround is circa $4000 shipped to US.  Looks bloody fantastic, and that blue is great - is that Persian Blue? Is that also a third brake light in the middle of the bumper. If so, that's neat.

 

3rd brake light it is - can't really call it a high-level brake light when it's lower than the main ones, .

I've done some back of a fag packet (I don't even smoke) calculations based on the pricing structure for the 5 bumper Group Buy and it would be roughly £2900 for the carbon fibre version or £1950 for the all fibreglass one, landed, all tax and duty paid, sitting in my spare room.

He's also now doing a take on the GTE front clam upper outlet vents, which are of course a 1 piece affair on the genuine article, which would work out at about £1500 for the lacquered carbon and £900 for the black-painted glassfibre versions.

Here are another couple of views of the rear bumper, plus some of the front vents.

[C8RKH 5,804]

I love those front clam outlet vents and have just put them on the xmas list for my wife! Little does she know I'll probably buy them regardless. I just think they really really finish the front clam so well. Really adds to the "prestige" look and feel of the car.

Hmmm, I'm now thinking to convert my car to a "mini-GTE" spec. It will never be a GTE, I know that, but wow, if it looked half as good as a real GTE I'd be one happy bunny.  Shit, this could start to get very expensive and I may need to keep my Evora for the next 20 years....

Can anyone confirm the blue colour of the car above. I think it looks real lush!

 

[Hedgehogfromhell 125]

Looks very much like Essex blue.  

I'd like a set of the A Pillar vents... but its amazing how expensive they are!

[Colin G 762]

If I still had an S1 I'd be all over that GTE rear, the one area I thought my first two Evora's were a let down in the looks department was the back as its a bit bland. Looks brilliant side on in S form with the more pronounced diffuser, but that straight on rear view was where I wanted more oomph. (I'd pass on the ironing board boot spoiler though)

hope one of you lads get this fitted and I can get a look after!