Start with the destination
Before choosing where to buy, write down who will receive the item and where it needs to arrive. A delivery to a collection depot is different from delivery to a front door. Ask the recipient about size, connections and practical needs before spending.
Build one complete comparison
Put the purchase price, local delivery, international freight, insurance, import charges and final collection costs side by side. Ask the carrier for a written quote that identifies what is included. Leave an unknown charge blank in the ACROSS worksheet; zero means you have confirmed there is no charge.
Think beyond the parcel
Record who handles damage, a faulty item and a return. Ask whether a warranty can be used where the item will live. A lower purchase price may be less useful if returning it would be difficult.
Make the next decision
Compare the same model, condition and delivery destination in each market. Keep a copy of the quote and note when it expires. Confirm current import requirements with the relevant authority or qualified carrier before dispatch.
Write down the decision
Give each option the same finish line: the item ready to use at the recipient’s address. Record which costs are confirmed, which are estimates and which are still unknown. If one option includes delivery and another stops at a depot, add the missing journey before comparing them. Ask who can inspect the item on arrival and how a problem will be reported. Keep the order confirmation, carrier quote and photographs together so the person receiving the parcel has the same information as the person paying.
