It's late Monday afternoon here in the eastern US and I'm wondering what, if anything , the postman will have brought that carries a British postmark. After pursuing modelling various US prototypes over the past 50+ years, I've taken the plunge into OO gauge, and am awaiting the start of a veritable deluge of materials, both OO and OO9 in nature.

Even the beginning of this journey has not been without both worry and wonder. For example--

My kind credit card issuer suspended my ability to make any charges for several days until they could verify with me that I was indeed buying things from "over the pond".

British "stockists" are very friendly, familiar with their wares, very detailed in the questions they ask, and not likely to ask all the questions they need to ask in one e-mail. Hence, a leisurely transaction is the norm.

Postage from England and Wales is sometimes more expensive than the goods that you order. Conversely, some goods can be purchased in England and Wales and shipped "over here" for less total expenses than buying them from the States or (especially) from Canada.

VAT is a mystery with which I'm pleased I don't have to deal.

I will leave you with these thoughts for now and go check the mail box.

Best Wishes--Carl