Hey all, how do you handle purchases on Amazon? I figured most in the Zurich area buy from Amazon.de but do you have it delivered directly to Switzerland or so you all do something else?
It's usually difficult to have Amazon DE send packages to Switzerland. I have only been able at this point to receive some hand tools, books, and a few other misc. items directly to Switzerland.
Best way to go about it is obtaining a Mailbox or ability to collect your package at a package/mail center over the border in Germany.
I use this place in Waldshut, which is about 1 hour from Zurich area.
They charge per package and depending on size of package. They will hold it for a few weeks if you can't pick it up right away. There are several places over the border in the Waldshut - Tiengen area that perform this service. The store is next to the Edeka grocery store as well if you want to stop in and save some dough on grocery items.
You can also use Amazon.co.uk to do your shopping for some items if they are sold by Amazon EU sarl as then they are shipped from France and seem okay to ship to Switzerland.
For books in English, Book Depository is good and has free shipping to Switzerland.
There is a mail holding business in Konstanz germany. Google 'mandy klein konstanz'. her address is right there by the train station. Otoh I've been to Konstanz so many times now and I can see that it's ok for a day trip but it is a rather gloomy place to wait for the train home in. But you can get a lot of cheap shopping while there of course. Still, the lake is so massive it's dispiriting in a way. Also, go on the train and not the bus because the border cops come on at the busses and it's just a massive boring hassle although because they're all very tall fellows they sometimes bang their head on the overhangs on the bus roof so that's kind of funny I suppose if you like that sort of thing.
It's cheap too, I think 3 euros to 5 euros per week to store your mail
I was able to purchase an Instant Pot 6 lt. this way last year through the UK site.
To the original poster, also keep in mind that if you order from other countries they often times will drop the Tax / VAT in their checkout process if they send it to Switzerland but if the amount is over about 65 Francs and it arrives here, the Swiss will then tax you. The minimum to pay is typically around 17 CHF or more depending on cost of the item. I ordered some items from the Netherlands a few weeks ago and total went over by .15 cents apparently and received a bill from DHL for 17 francs. I didn't end up saving any money vs. buying locally after that point.
Amazon.fr delivers to the post office in Divonne and I assume to Ferney as well. That is if it is not too big. Perhaps the German post does something similar.
Or similar, use a parcel forwarding service such as MyUS to get a postal address in the US (and pay 0% sales tax when using MyUS) and buy from Amazon US.
Its much easier in border cities. For Geneva/Basel, Amazon FR has official pick up spots where you can get things delivered for no additional costs, usually some small supermarket run by immigrants. Pick up one that is opened till 10pm even on Sunday, bring your ID, and go there once you drive along.
Can you provide a bit more information on this service...
Does it really work here in CH. Do you have a sample that you could provide. I'm checking their website now but thought a 1st hand experience would be good to know.
Yes that's true for items that are produced in a country and not imported to Switzerland. But for these cases, why not buy it from an (e)-shop of the country where the item is produced? This way you support the local economy and avoid the Amazon hegemony.
@Chuff - you make a very good point! Usually, I do that. I guess I was a bit too eager to find out and blanked on searching the forum first. My apologies!
To everyone else: thank you for the suggestions and input!