Johnnie Walker Bottle Arrived

[andy]

[temponaut]

Took safe delivery of my Bottle in Tokyo yesterday. It arrived in perfect condition, thanks to meticulous packaging by Once-bitten.

In order to get my Bottle, I paid JPY 1700 in taxes (about USD 15.44 or GBP 8.33 at current rates). When I look at and handle the Bottle, all of the expenses along the way are dwarfed by this gorgeous recreation, the product of a true labor of love by Paul and many others. I can always make more money, but can't see myself ever having the time, energy, or drive to have orchestrated a monumental project like this one. What a tremendous accomplishment on behalf of BR fans and collectors around the world, and how grateful I am to be among those who have benefited from it.

Thank you again, Paul, for undertaking this herculean, sometimes heartbreaking, ultimately triumphant project, and for seeing it through so brilliantly. Thanks to all of you who contributed to the realization of this amazing piece!
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"Your old titles mean nothing here... Captain!"

[lethal1973]

I have found the for most overseas shipments, declaring the item as a gift helps avoid customs fees. Also, lowering the declared/insured value down from $300 to $150 would help. If a bottle was broken and it was insured for $300, it would probably be impossible to recover the $300 insured value what with all the hoops the post office makes one go thru to establish the proof of actual value. Just some thoughts.

[spinner44.com]

Here's another! Thanks again Paul!

[jfuste]

[megamicrofish]

Yes - marking it as a gift would probably save a lot of grief and expense.
I have paid the post office their £60 ransom demand for the bottle and it should be delivered to me tomorrow, I only hope it has survived the long journey over the pond and the post office/customs guys havn't been playing football with it

[SaberFreak]

Came home to a postal slip for a package from the US. My heart skipped a beat.

Rushed to the post office to get it before they closed, and...

[Anson James]

AND??!!

[SaberFreak]

And it turned out to be a package from someone else

[Anson James]

I hate it when that happens...

[Mr Webber]

Was it Cake?
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Formerly offworld66

[andy]

Most shipping "insurance" offered by couriers is not true insurance but a way of declaring value for a claims process ahead of time. It mainly protects the carrier regardless of which one. Insurance for mailing items of value is often available through home owners and renters insurance. Also no courier will allow you to post a different "insurance/claims" value that the "customs" value, in order to prevent fraud. "Gift shipments" will usually work to prevent paying too much import/duty taxes, but you will still have to pay some.

Also claims value will increase shipping costs. I usually ship trying to keep the claims values as low as possible always under $100. Low customs values that are too low can get the attention of customs officials. so keep them realistic. (i.e. $10 for a bottle) and try contacting a third party insurer for anything over $500. Most shippers (FedEx for sure) will automatically give you up to $100 coverage in their claims department without hassle, even without a claims value.

BTW Paul you packaged those bottles perfectly and breakage should not have been a problem. Lost packages maybe, especially international. Low customs value would have also increased it's chance of getting there and not drawing attention to it. For example when a package sent to Russia is ever valued of $100 it disapears almost half the time regardless what it is.

I am sorry I didn't give some of these tips a head of time.

Andy

[hirohawa]

Mine arrived intact. Really stupendous piece!

Thanks

[Kgaijin]

Got the "delivery attempted" notice in my mailbox today, heading the the post office first thing tomorrow morning!!!

[temponaut]

Got my labels attached and some JWB to put in my Bottle, so I figured I'd share some shots (no pun intended ).

Here's Bottle #12/60:



And here's a shot of my Bottle together with the donor bottle of JWB. The authentic bottle provided not only the hooch for the transfusion, but also (together with the box) a great reference for the correct angle at which to place the label.




Many thanks again to Paul and everyone else who made this project possible!


Thank you, too, Pilot.


[Edit] The Bottle appears to lean backwards in a couple of the shots. I was holding the camera at an angle. The Bottle itself stands straight up.
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"Your old titles mean nothing here... Captain!"

[Once-bitten]

NICE JOB!
Gary IS the official BR Whiskey Bottle Ambassador to Japan by the way...I think you can all see why!

[temponaut]

Thank you, sir!

I see from your most recent shipping update that several more Bottles will be making their way to the Land of the Rising Sun. It's very exciting to see these Bottles going all over the world. To how many continents will you ultimately ship? How many countries?

Now that my Bottle is complete, I am going to drink a JWB toast to you, OB, and to all who supported you in your efforts to realize the Bottle. Cheers!
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"Your old titles mean nothing here... Captain!"

[Mr Webber]

I know this is the only one in Australia..........

Friday nights covered......just press play.
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Formerly offworld66

[SKIN JOB 66]

Can't wait to get my hands on one of the 2 supposed to land in France !!!


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THE FUTURE IS A THING OF THE PAST

[megamicrofish]

OK - There is at least one in the UK



It arrived in one piece thankfully.
havn't had a chance to put any liquid in it yet

I think I have officially the most expensive bottle

All i need now is a Cibi Double Old Fashion