Probably semi-FAQ
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Hi, I sent a message to the customer service today and got a replay within a few hours.
As these questions probably are quite common I'm posting the questions and answers here:[quote:275q8r73]Hi!
I am curious about your products. Did you improve the antenna from the prototype? In other words, do I still need to buy an alpha ring to use my NFC ring with the Samsung S4 Active, or can my S4 read the regular NFC ring?
The frequency of your rings are operating at 13.56 MHz, right?Do you have any idea if the ring works with Salto Systems? I have a RFID door lock so I am curious if you have any experience or know if the ring would be compatible.
When you ship to Norway will you write the value below 20 GBP and/or mark the package as a gift? This is to avoid paying customs.[/quote:275q8r73]
[quote:275q8r73]Hey Eirik, sorry for short answers you asked quite a few questions and we're experiencing high volume-
Yes.
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No.
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Yes.
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No.
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No.
These questions would also be useful on xxxx if you have time :)[/quote:275q8r73]
My personal thoughts on this:
The answer to question two is quite ambiguous, I don't know if it is a "no" to needing an alpha ring or if it's a "no" to the S4 being able to read the chip.I really love the look where the chip is going around the whole ring, instead of just a patch on the surface.
On the subject of writing the value on the package, getting the ring to Norway when the package is above ~20GBP triggers the point of paying customs. With the price of the NFC Ring I actually have to pay the price and an additional 90% in customs
So I won't be buying the ring after all. However, I am (maybe too) optimistic in the belief that they may change their policy in the future. My reasons for believing this is that most shops (big and small) I have asked, agree to this. For example shops I frequent like Amazon and Maker Shed.Cheers and congratulations on the pre order!
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Hi mate,
It pretty much goes: the antenna was improved so you no longer need to buy the alpha for the S4 because the normal ring is readable by the phone. Frequency for NFC is part of the specification, that being 13.56 MHz. Any other frequency is RFID not NFC.
I vaguely recall the Salto Systems setups being 125kHz, but try it or see if you can find the documentation and let us know, it'd be good to have a list of units that work.
Some sellers of items internationally will write down the price of items that are sent to their buyers but it's a bit problematic as avoiding tax tends to be on the illegal side of illegal in most places.
As a suggestion, if you had a friend buy the ring for you and send it to you as a gift then that can be legitimately written down (though some countries are really mean and still want tax on gifted items).
A solution to that would be to move to Australia... the amount that triggers customs duty is ~$1500 in around a month. Europes taxing of things just seems crazy to me. -
That's great then!
The Salto Systems seem to be operating at 13.56MHz. [url:3j4puie9]http://www.saltosystems.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=42[/url:3j4puie9]
However I have tried to see if the door lock registers the tags I have from TaggerNFC, and there is no reaction. Also, the key fob I have is incompatible with the NFC reader in my S4.
It seems 13.56MHz would qualify as RFID as well, or am I misunderstanding something here? [url:3j4puie9]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification#Frequencies[/url:3j4puie9]When it comes to writing down the package I understand the legal aspect, I guess I was just used to it. However writing down a package might be an exception rather than the norm.
Haha, yeah I'm actually moving to Australia in about a year, next February! I'm going to study abroad for a semester, so I guess I'll get my chance then if I haven't already.
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Yes NFC is a special RFID standard. Be aware, there are multiple standards!
@FAQ of storeQ Which digital door locks work with the ring?[/b:39m62m09]
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[quote:1z0xb289]
On the subject of writing the value on the package, getting the ring to Norway when the package is above ~20GBP triggers the point of paying customs. With the price of the NFC Ring I actually have to pay the price and an additional 90% in customs
So I won't be buying the ring after all. However, I am (maybe too) optimistic in the belief that they may change their policy in the future. My reasons for believing this is that most shops (big and small) I have asked, agree to this. For example shops I frequent like Amazon and Maker Shed.[/quote:1z0xb289]Hi Sverd if you contacted support in maybe a week or so when it's a little less hectic, we could see how we could accommodate your request.
On sort of a similar note at the moment we are limited to how we ship and what custom fees customers incur. What we are looking for is distributors worldwide so people wanting to buy the ring don't have to pay custom fees. It might be something that could interest you..
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When it comes to writing down the package I understand the legal aspect, I guess I was just used to it. However writing down a package might be an exception rather than the norm.
It's something that a lot of asia-based sellers and dropshippers do as a matter of course, perhaps because it's unlikely to come back at them. But more reputable vendors actually have a lot to lose if they were seen to be trying to circumvent tax laws. It's a difficult issue.
Which city are you looking at studying in? I'm guessing either Melbourne or Adelaide?
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[quote="NFCringTom":26bykn5t]
Hi Sverd if you contacted support in maybe a week or so when it's a little less hectic, we could see how we could accommodate your request.On sort of a similar note at the moment we are limited to how we ship and what custom fees customers incur. What we are looking for is distributors worldwide so people wanting to buy the ring don't have to pay custom fees. It might be something that could interest you..[/quote:26bykn5t]
Thanks for the tip, I'll do that.
Yes, I would be interested in learning more about your potential distributors.[quote="Lokki":26bykn5t]
It's something that a lot of asia-based sellers and dropshippers do as a matter of course, perhaps because it's unlikely to come back at them. But more reputable vendors actually have a lot to lose if they were seen to be trying to circumvent tax laws. It's a difficult issue.Which city are you looking at studying in? I'm guessing either Melbourne or Adelaide?[/quote:26bykn5t]
I figured as much, it had just never been a problem before which is the reason it surprised me.
I'm actually going to study in Perth at UWA. -
I'm actually going to study in Perth at UWA.
Ah, nice one. Good country there, you should enjoy it. The further west you go in this country the more laid back the people get. And if you pick the right flights then you can skip across to the eastern states on the cheap for a bit of sightseeing.
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[quote="Lokki":23rtrvmg]
Ah, nice one. Good country there, you should enjoy it. The further west you go in this country the more laid back the people get. And if you pick the right flights then you can skip across to the eastern states on the cheap for a bit of sightseeing.[/quote:23rtrvmg]
Haha great, I'll be sure and have a look around the country! -
...snip...the amount that triggers customs duty is ~$1500 in around a month...snip...
I just looked into this and since I'd prefer not to mislead anyone, customs duty in Australia is triggered by a single package import valued above AUD$1000 consisting of other than wine or tobacco products. Add 5% value for customs duty, plus freight costs then add GST at 10% of previous total = 1000 + 50 +150 = $1200 item value taxed at 10%
So we'd pay $170 for import duties and taxes on that hypothetical parcel. Why on earth does Norway charge so much for imported items? That's crazy. -
[quote="Lokki":15q4lm0f]
I just looked into this and since I'd prefer not to mislead anyone, customs duty in Australia is triggered by a single package import valued above AUD$1000 consisting of other than wine or tobacco products. Add 5% value for customs duty, plus freight costs then add GST at 10% of previous total = 1000 + 50 +150 = $1200 item value taxed at 10%
So we'd pay $170 for import duties and taxes on that hypothetical parcel. Why on earth does Norway charge so much for imported items? That's crazy.[/quote:15q4lm0f]Ah, that is not really that bad!
Well, the government claim it has to do with protecting the industries in our nation. The trigger point of the import tax has not been adjusted for inflation since it was legislated in the second half of the 1970's.
The import tax triggers at 200 NOK then you need to add 25% on the price of the item including shipping, you also need to pay a fee to pay for the expenses of taxing your item.
The NFCring is valued at ~340 NOK including shipping, this is a really good price. Add the tax and it is 425 NOK pluss a fee which is at ~150 NOK. The total price for the NFCring they goes from 340 to 575 NOK. The total value added to the ring and shipping is 70% (69,11%), the total value added to just the ring, excluding shipping is 90% (91,67%). -
That's just crazy, man. I shudder to think of importing something more expensive there, that'd be awful.
It's especially ridiculous when you think that there's probably so much stuff that they're taxing crazily that really isn't and never will be manufactured there.I guess it's even a bit dicey to buy stuff overseas while you're travelling and carry it with you back through customs eh.
