"Jose Rizal" <_@_._> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
..snip..
> > Postage for US Site - $25US Total $118 AUD and hope you don;t get stung by customs for their
> > duties, taxes, and whopping great electronic document charge (been there done that)
>
> Unlikely, as Customs only charge incoming goods when value approaches $350 AUD, including document
> charge which is courier-induced. Ring Customs to ensure the exact figure. I've ordered bike
> consumables many times from the US without incurring these charges.
The figure I was quoted by customs was $200AUD per shipment inclusive of all charges - shipping,
document charges etc. This has been charged on items from Fedex and DHL couriers. Also charge GST. I
have had 5 orders from US and the last one was charged - incurred an extra $150 AUD on the order,
and took an extra 4 days. Nasty surprise... but in the end it was still cheaper overseas. Sounds
like you have been fortunate.
> > less risky - next day delivery $129 + $5 pp
http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/product.asp?pid=409
>
> US cost: $116 AUD. Aus cost: $134 AUD. What's the risk? The point is that it is more expensive to
> obtain this item locally. The same is true for most other bike parts; this is easily proved.
risk - hidden charges, long delays, warranty issues (not on above item) have known people with
faulty items and only warranty is to return to supplier at own cost. sending a set of forks back to
US and paying for shipping for return is not cheap
As for delays - a few years back I had a parcel labeled bike parts get stuck in customs and
quarantine for 2 weeks - the supplier was Lizard Skins. That was not the norm for my orders, but a
mate spent a couple of months chasing down a missing order (substantial cost)
agree we are certainly getting the rough end of pricing down here in Aus, and most of that is due to
volume. Does not help matters when we source from overseas.
...snip...
> And of course buying in relative bulk from overseas drops the per item cost noticeably.
Yep - I had an order with forks, brake calipers, clothing and cables and derailleur all delivered
from Colorado Cyclist at lower postage than quoted by Supergo for brakes and derailleur.