Very nice quality tagstrips...

[Nick]

Bit expensive aren't they? And then there's the OTT P & P charge on top.
RS supply 'standard' tag strip at £10.25 for ten! Even if you add VAT and P & P to that, that is still a good price in comparison. If RS are selling them at that price, I reckon I could shop around and get them even cheaper!

As for "rather crummy tag-strips that have been around for many, many years", if they are the common-or-garden variety that you're referring to, I've had never had trouble at all with them - even when they're second-hand and salvaged.

Apples vs. Pears. The RS tag strips are the standard paxolin ones and are 123p each (incl VAT)... and the ones from alexer1 (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190769336424 - similar number of tags) are 89p. Maybe you missed that the auctions were each for multiple items? the sums are similar for other combinations that they have.

The Russian ones are very solid Bakelite (or something very similar - I'm not sure yet), already threaded (M3) with brass inserts & stand-offs and are a different beast entirely in terms of quality - chunky steel, brass & Bakelite; the RS ones are the standard paxolin base and tinned strip. Apples. Pears.

The postage from Russia, 711p compares not unfavourably with the RS standard charge for orders under 20 quid of 594p (495p + VAT) making the Russian ones cost GBP 16.01 delivered and the RS ones GBP 18.24. It may not be next-day delivery from Russia, but its not unreasonable.

However, if ordering from Russia, its would plainly be silly to just order one thing - generally you offset the P&P by buying a few more items at the same time - they always combine P&P so you don't pay it multiple times for multiple items.

So, I'm not entirely sure where you got the idea that they are a "Bit expensive aren't they? And then there's the OTT P & P charge on top."... In the UK, as a not VAT-registered entity, you always have to include VAT (which is generally not applied on the imported items under a certain amount see HMRC's own guidelines at http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPorta...4#P34_3115) and normally P&P - this is the REAL cost of purchasing in the UK/EU. Delivered and taxed, the Russian items are very comparable in price (often cheaper) but of a far far higher quality.

Maybe they're not for you, but they aren't expensive, are very high quality and look good to boot!

Anyway, it was just an alternative for that occasional project where you might want something different