£551 for a Martin sounds like a fantastic bargain to me, even for the low-end jobbies. The same guitar bought from a UK dealer would definitely have cost more, I can guarantee that.

But I'm not here to argue about whether to import or not, or comparative values, or whether VAT is a regressive tax, or why did we join the EC, or what's the meaning of life, or any other bollocks like that - just to stress that, if you choose to import, do it properly. 'Smuggling' contains the word MUG, and that's what the smuggler is. And I've seen a lot of sailors (please note, McG) taken to the cleaners by the Rummage Gang. Under the Customs Man's beady-eyed gaze is not a good place to be. Trust me.