Just wondering, it's clearly not a much discussed topic (I'm sure there are reasons), and is certainly underhanded insofar as competing with UK businesses,
That said, my general observation has been that even with taxes/duty the price of buying from the HK retailers tends to only come down to availability, shipping cost, shipping time, and cheapness(even when expecting to pay VAT/duty @ 1.25).
I recently had a $500 order from HK, excellent stuff. A single store with the entire Flyye range, much better than 5-6 in the UK to get everything I wanted, at the time of ordering I factored in paying 1.25 for importing etc but it was still cheaper than the UK, and they had to restock some items too, but I was quite shocked when it was delivered with a marked value of 1/10th of what I paid and I pocketed £85 the govt was due.
Edgy subject, I name no retailers!
I said 'unfairly compete' in the title, but TBH they were cheaper even when I thought I would have to pay x1.25 on import.