| Buying fencing equipment overseas I'm based in the US, but travel overseas a fair amount. I've been wondering what good opportunities for buying fencing equipment and supplies I've been missing for lack of knowing about them. Within a year I'll have visited Amsterdam, Munich, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Australia, New Zealand and some random other places.
While I've phone and web ordered various fencing items from overseas vendors before, shipping charges have often eaten up a large part of the price advantage. But if you're already in the country with an extra suitcase, shipping costs disappear.
So do any of you have vendors in places around the world where when you're "in the neighborhood" you pick up favorite fencing items that are unavailable or are much more costly in the US?
Anything from the Leon Paul retail store in London to the more exotic. Perhaps you've scored a suitcase full and lifetime supply of gloves dirt cheap from a factory in Hong Kong. Or fencing shoes from Elbonia. Or your clubmates always want those sabre blades (made from depleted uranium) from Moscow. Or perhaps you made a deal with Sam to bring back a suitcase full of high quality foil and epee screws that you bought at 1000 for $1. Whatever you've found. |