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What are the import tax rules for buying items from Amazon and using Lazada in Thailand?

Import TaxesOnline ShoppingAmazonLazadaVisa RulesExpatsThailandE-commerceShippingCustoms Duties
May 6, 2024
6 months ago
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It looks like Amazon is out of the picture in regards to buying something for Thailand. There are huge import taxes.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the challenges of purchasing goods online for delivery to Thailand, primarily focusing on Amazon and Lazada. Users highlight the high import taxes when buying from Amazon, contrasting it with Lazada, which is perceived as a cheaper alternative despite concerns over counterfeit products. The discussion also touches on the recent changes in import tax regulations, which are expected to affect all imported items, including those bought on Lazada. Users share experiences and preferences, noting that Lazada is likened to Amazon but is more integrated into the Asian market, where many alternatives and official brand stores are available.
Jat ************
Lazada is just as good as amazon
6 months ago
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Sonik ***********************
Lazada is the alternative, it's like the Asian version of Amazon and they have just about everything
6 months ago
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Edna *******
Lezada is similar to Amazon. Not sure if clothing and shoes would be expat friendly. Check it out, my extended Thai family use them.
6 months ago
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Tim ********
😭😭😭
6 months ago
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Mika ********
So do you have first hand experience on any new charges or are you just regurgitating weeks old news 🤔
6 months ago
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mika *******
 yes, was looking at a new pot and pan set. More than double the cost on Amazon
6 months ago
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Greg *********
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Colin *********
Do these new taxes affect Thai Nationals who send used goods home from overseas?
6 months ago
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Madz ******
Just use Lazada
6 months ago
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Keith *********
I have recently posted 5 items of used personal clothing to Thailand from Australia. Cost Aust$59 to post. We had to pay 700baht to clear it from Customs. They've got a formula that's mandatory.😟
6 months ago
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Benjamin ********
It's all made in china anyway
6 months ago
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Bob **********
Everything you import always is
6 months ago
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Jay ******
Ship to someone 1st if you have that option… double shipping is still cheaper than taxes… just shipped 36lbs for my “birthday “, take everything out of the wrappers and boxes and you might not get taxed… we even included a bday card… Wright happy birthday on the box also… just a suggestion… worked for me… good luck 🍀
6 months ago
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Terary **********
shopee is your friend - never use credit cards in Thailand
6 months ago
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Brook ********
@Terary *********
 opm
6 months ago
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Sophie *********
@Terary *********
 I use one all the time. What's the issue?
6 months ago
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Terary **********
@Sophie ********
 I had a credit card, never used. I purchased a TV and a Couch with it. By the time I got home (2 hours), it was being used in the UK to purchase fast food. Almost every time I use a credit card in Thailand, I find fraudulent charges.
6 months ago
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Han ********
@Sophie ********
 no issue. Although best to not let Lazada or Shopee or any Thailand website store your credit card details.
6 months ago
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Han ********
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Daniele ***********
Depends what you order, I had things from amazon before and was cheaper than buying from importers here
6 months ago
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Max **********
Shopee never had a problem
6 months ago
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Andy *********
No import taxes under 1500 baht, but shipping is exorbitant
6 months ago
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Lisa ********************
Lazarda. Use them
6 months ago
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Jon ********
Not true. I have ordered many items from Amazon to Thailand. For whatever reason some items have very high import taxes some don't.
6 months ago
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Sophie *********
@Jon *******
 My orders have been cancelled or held somewhere.
6 months ago
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Jon ********
@Sophie ********
 they were never delivered or delayed ?
6 months ago
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Sophie *********
@Jon *******
 The former. Annoying.
6 months ago
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Jon ********
I have never had an order not delivered in 20 plus years of which last 10 years were in thailand.
6 months ago
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Jon ********
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Jeff *******
@Jon *******
I think it comes down to whether it’s classed under ‘luxury’ as in non-essential. They like to keep ‘em poor here!
6 months ago
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Jon ********
@Jeff ******
 No....I was going to order 5 shirts for about $120 and they wanted $111 to ship it and import fees. Too much. I have ordered Gig bags for Drums and the import taxes were 20% not 50%....no rhyme or reason for costs....
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Jon *******
 Thai law is the reason. Each item has a different classification and different tax rate
6 months ago
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Jon ********
@Brandon ***********
 partially true. Amazon controls the shipping fees. They can charge whatever they want or wave them.
6 months ago
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Jon ********
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Julian ***********
I think Lazada and Shoppee are the reason why they've changed the tax laws. If the item's from Thailand no import tax.
6 months ago
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Kool *******
@Julian **********
 actually it has more to do with Amazon trying to gain market share in South East Asia by competing with Lazada. This is designed to make Amazon more expensive for the same products, and thus keep Amazon from growing in South East Asia, especially in Thailand.
6 months ago
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Kool *******
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Ian *****
That's why Lazada is there and Shoppee
6 months ago
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Goi *************
Shopee, lazada
6 months ago
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Todd *********
For all the slow learners out there
6 months ago
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Carlo ******************
Do you know if it's possible to buy from Amazon India?
6 months ago
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Steve ***********
It's Thai law
6 months ago
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Darren **********
Just learning this? Try Lazada or Shopee
6 months ago
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Daniel ******
Lazada/Ali express, shopee. I find Amazon over priced anyway
6 months ago
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel *****
 it looks like Lazada is getting taxed too starting this month
6 months ago
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Greg *********
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Here is an example of cost changes for pots and pan set
6 months ago
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Mika ********
@Greg ********
 and have those import charges changed from a few months ago ?
6 months ago
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mika *******
 yes it seems, never noticed before. Just recently
6 months ago
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Greg *********
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Brandon ************
@Greg ********
 why would you even consider importing something like that? Obviously it'll be much cheaper buying it here rather than importing it.
6 months ago
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 not considering that anymore
6 months ago
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Greg *********
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Brook ********
Import taxes are due on almost EVERYTHING you import into Thailand, even Lazada.

Previously there was a FTA waiver on items from China under a certain amount (฿1400?).

However, there is a new policy recently announced, and you can expect prices to increase on all items from China.
6 months ago
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Steve **********
@Brook *******
 Prices have steadily risen monthly for past 4 years.

All groceries have doubled.

Just back from Rimping, $3.00 for an apple.
6 months ago
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Steve *******
@Brook *******
 it’s being implemented on post first. They are “studying” how to do it for express carriers - even though that’s actually very easy. The express carriers are kicking up a huge fuss “oh no! It’s so hard! We can’t do it! Business will die!” That is complete BS as it’s already been done in AU, NZ, MY, Singapore and 27 EU countries without huge drama. It’s coming
6 months ago
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Kool *******
@Brook *******
 that's actually not true. Thailand has trade agreements with China making most purchases tax free from there. Lots of what I buy on Lazada that comes from China is tax, and duty free, at least as of two days ago.
6 months ago
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 I think it's changing this month
6 months ago
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Michael *******
@Kool ******
 the Thai Govt are removing the deminimus which used to be B1500 so VAT will now be applied plus the handling fee by the carrier for collecting it which could be as much as the VAT - no duties from China though
6 months ago
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Brook ********
@Kool ******
 completely true. Google it.
6 months ago
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Brook ********
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Steve *******
There are huge import taxes for anything imported to Thailand
6 months ago
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Stephen ********
shopee ok to
6 months ago
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Mike *****
Lazada is much cheaper
6 months ago
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Sophie *********
@Mike ****
 Not always and much of the goods are fakes so..
6 months ago
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Sophie *********
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กะ฼าส฾ *****
Try Lazada or Shopee
6 months ago
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@กะ฼าส฾ ****
 Lazada is Chinese owned. They may start charging Import taxes too
6 months ago
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Dylan ********************
@กะ฼าส฾ ****
 which is better in your opinion.
6 months ago
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กะ฼าส฾ *****
@Dylan *******************
 also, my wife uses the TikTok store & loves it but I don't know if it's in English because I've never tried it.
6 months ago
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กะ฼าส฾ *****
@Dylan *******************
 Lazada
6 months ago
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กะ฼าส฾ *****
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Jeff ******
Lazada is equivalent to Amazon in Thailand 👍

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5147
6 months ago
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Jeff *******
@Jeff *****
Lazada has the worst search engine in the world! Terrible website chocked full of fake Chinese crap. Doesn’t even compare imo.
6 months ago
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John **********
@Jeff ******
 fully endorse your comments, I buy from them purely for convenience sake, but the amount of counterfeit shite I receive is criminal, minimal safeguards from Lazada, limit your spend to about $20 I would suggest
6 months ago
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 lazada does have a lot of counterfeit crap.
6 months ago
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Greg *********
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Jeff ******
@Jeff ******
 OK 🤷‍♂️
6 months ago
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Jeff ******
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeff *****
 lazada is Chinese owned by Alibaba. I am sure they will start import taxes on them too
6 months ago
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William *******
@Greg ********
 It’s already in the planning stages. See Bkk Post article that was posted earlier…above.
6 months ago
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William *******
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Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeff *****
 that's who I will start using. I bought from them before. Is Lazada a China store?
6 months ago
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Jeff ******
@Greg ********
 I think Lazada started in Singapore? But if you’re living in South East Asia, Lazada is where you do your online shopping, since Amazon isn’t available as much.
6 months ago
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Brook ********
@Jeff *****
 Amazon is completely available and international shipping on most orders over $35 USD is now faster and free.

Even better you can see all the import fees reflected in the price before you buy.
6 months ago
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Nick *******
@Brook *******
 why would you want to order from Amazon when we have Lazada here which is cheaper and mostly free delivery if you pick the right store.
6 months ago
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Jeff *******
@Nick ******
Lazada search engine is crap and upwards of 95% of stuff on Lazada is fake! Could go on
6 months ago
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Brook ********
@Nick ******
 many reasons. How much time do you have?

Size 13 US shoes

512gb micro sd cards that are reliable and not counterfeit/fake

US sized high end motorcycle helmets from Shoei
6 months ago
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Pui *****
@Brook *******
 Lazada has official brand shops for most retail brands. If you are worried about counterfeit SD cards, buy them from Sandisk Official, Kingston Official, or from the major electronics chains' official stores on Lazada, such as Powerbuy or Banana IT. Considering the frequent coupons and sales, it makes no sense to have such items sent from overseas when the actual manufacturer has direct shops on Lazada. Same applies to many other consumer goods brands. Just type a term like Sandisk Official, or Colgate Official, or other such term, and Lazada shows you the official store in their results.
6 months ago
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Brook ********
@Pui ****
 Thanks. Crocs Official doesn’t sell size US 13 shoes. They aren’t even made is Asian factories.

When I needed them 256gb weren’t available either.

Just a few examples.
6 months ago
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Nick *******
@Brook *******
 still a lot better over here. Amazon only good for oversize Americans haha
6 months ago
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Brook ********
@Nick ******
 not everyone is short and malnourished with bad teeth haha
6 months ago
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Nick *******
@Brook *******
 my teeth are perfect and are my own, are yours? An i'm in perfect shape not 105kg like most Americans.
6 months ago
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Jeff *******
@Brook *******
the vast majority of items will say ‘does not ship to Thailand’
6 months ago
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Brook ********
@Jeff ******
 Most every item shipped from Amazon is available unless internationally unless restricted by the manufacturer (ie some western Arai motorcycle helmets).

Items shipped directly from the seller and not stocked by Amazon are usually not available, as the seller doesn’t care to deal with the hassle of international shipping and customs headaches.

I have almost always been able to find a seller that is available.
6 months ago
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Jeff ******
@Brook *******
 ahh good to know. That’s why I said “isn’t available as much.”
6 months ago
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Jeff ******
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Eric *******
Is there a tax free importing arrangement like in PH anything under 200 per shipment is always free
6 months ago
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Michael *******
@Eric ******
 there used to be a deminimus of B1500 below which no duty or vat, this has been removed to vat will apply as well as duties from countries where there are not free trade agreements - then the carrier will charge for collecting the VAT as an import declaration will now be required - important to check with supplier before you buy
6 months ago
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Steve *******
@Eric ******
 of the shipment is imported as a formal entry. Which takes extra time and the carrier will rip you off for a fortune for doing it.
6 months ago
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Steve *******
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Olivier *********
********************************************************************************************
*****
57/how-vat-on-cheap-imported-goods-adds-up
6 months ago
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William *******
@Olivier ********
Thanks for posting
6 months ago
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William *******
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Brandon ************
Because you're importing something. You pay the taxes up front with Amazon and they'll refund you if it turns out lower.

Importing from other online stores without paying up front just means you might be making a trip to the post office or airport to pay the duty on your items or forfeit them.
6 months ago
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Cris ******
@Brandon ***********
 ya but doesn’t this only apply to goods that are not included in that trade agreement?
6 months ago
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Cris ******
I mean Lazada etc
6 months ago
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Ivan ************
@Cris *****
 VAT is due even with a free trade agreement
6 months ago
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Ivan ************
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Brandon ************
@Cris *****
 Amazon only collects what is legally due. And if they are wrong and collect too much they refund you the difference
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
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John ********
@Brandon ***********
 Yes however, the import fees have increased.

And so will AliExpress & Lazada.

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39/all-imported-goods-to-face-vat
6 months ago
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Tom ***********
@John *******
 sad for consumers
6 months ago
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John ********
@Tom **********
 Yes, there are items I could only get on Amazon. But 15% is to much for me to pay, I’ll do without
6 months ago
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John ********
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Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
 completely accurate
6 months ago
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Jo **********
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