Buying a Goban Go Set - Can anyone help?

[qualia]

I'm in Spain, Kirkmc. Looking at the general prices in the EU, USA and Japan, I have no problem paying post and package and insurrance and that kind of thing. The promise of scare comes, however, if I get stung heavily with import duty and vat. I still can't figure under what category comes Goban sets, but regardless of country, it looks like any import coming into the EU is subject to added tax. If one hasn't been caught, it looks like one has been kind of fortunate.

[willemien]

willemien, yeah, you're right. On inspection it looks as if it is an 18kyu bot - whatever that signifies. If 18kyu indicates that one has picked up a few things after a couple of weeks of learning, then it really is an elementary program, but it is helping my play. However, I'm suspicious that any human, say between 25kyu to 18kyu, would play like this. If general kyu Go ranking ranges from 35 to 1, then 18 would be of an intermediate level. I still play and place myself as an elementary beginner.

No the ranking is a bit more complicated. (are there some Japanese things that are simple?)

The lowest are the Kyu ranks numbered from high to low.
Then above that come the Dan ranks numbered from low to high.

and also the progression gets slower and slower...

[qualia]

That's right, Willemien: accession of rank within kyu indicated by the diminution of number (say, 35 to 1) . 1 clearly being of higher ranking than 35, 18 with the promise of being about intermediate kyu.

From where I'm sitting, still can't believe any 18kyu would play like this free download bot.

[lorill]

the progression isn't linear, as you'll see by yourself if you stick with the game

[kirkmc]

I'm in Spain, Kirkmc. Looking at the general prices in the EU, USA and Japan, I have no problem paying post and package and insurrance and that kind of thing. The promise of scare comes, however, if I get stung heavily with import duty and vat. I still can't figure under what category comes Goban sets, but regardless of country, it looks like any import coming into the EU is subject to added tax. If one hasn't been caught, it looks like one has been kind of fortunate.

No, it's just that different countries have different ways of dealing with it. I don't know how it works in Spain; maybe there's someone on the forum in Spain who has ordered such a set.

At worst, you'd be paying VAT plus a bit more. Maybe it's a risk worth taking?

[PGWM]

I find it interesting that no one mentions Yutopian enterprises. Sidney Yuan has always done well by me. I get great stuff at great prices. They also have wonderful go Books. He's located in California. I haven't ordered anything for awhile, but thats only because I have 3 floor gobans, 10mm slate and shell jitsuyo grade shells and lots of books.


I suspect Sidney would ship to Spain.