Eh, is it though? Is filling out and returning a very simple form and paying some import fees really that much of an inconvenience? I’d imagine the time taken for things to arrive will smooth out in time, if things taking to arrive is really considered a downside. I guess I’ve been shipping things over from elsewhere in the world long enough to just never really be in much of a rush.
Main consideration is whether it actually winds up much different to UK prices when all is said and done. Granted cost savings have never been the draw of importing things in for me, it’s mostly supply/availability.
Nevertheless, being patient and keeping your eye out of classifieds/putting up wanted ads is an option. Failing that, either make do with what you have, or sell up and find something else you want to do with your time. Not intending to totally blunt, I’m just struggling to piece together the part that makes it feel like a real hardship to import things.