Dunno what's up. No VAT involved (perhaps because the Koetsu is not made in the UK in the first place, whereas the Decca is made in UK), and if UK or US customs examined the package, I don't know about it, and there was obviously no hold up associated with customs, because ESR informed me when the cartridge was on the way back (probably via DHL, but I don't remember), and sure enough it arrived 2-3 days later.
Progress at londondecca.com
There have been two hopeful changes at londondecca.com - there is a "Coming Soon" link which promises an online store, and there is the ability to create an account for online shopping. I did so and received a welcome e-mail from Stewart Suda (I have e-mailed back and forth with a Stewart who seemed to be in charge). So I looked him up, and turns out he is the owner of Rogers Music Systems, which is the agent for Rogers speakers in the USA, based in Green Bay, WI.
So Decca is probably now an American enterprise, though repairs are, I assume, still based in the UK It has been Neil Marshall in Exeter). The online shop might indicate that new cartridges will soon be sold (he had told me he hoped for August 2024, but evidently that has slipped). I wonder if they will be made in the UK or the USA?
I’m hoping there will soon be a new generation of Decca enthusiasts!
Chris