Quality Astro gears at US price in Australia

[ddastider]

How to get astro gears at US price in Australia

Well, has any wise one bought quality Astro gears like Tak, Vixen, WO, TV stuffs

Direct from country of origin distributor/seller/factory special sale -without paying unjustifiable postage

and

off coarse, avoiding over-confident on-shore monopoly, light bucket sellers charging like wounded flock of bulls and a rhino by giving excuse of 1-2 warranty ie once out of shop too late.

Thanks a bunch for 2 cents here:hi:

Let's get united and stand up!

[wasyoungonce]

Hate to rain on your parade but have you ever tried to import gear from OS? This is not a trivial exercise from the standpoint of postal charges, insurance and customs fee's.

Then take into account most factories will not sell direct to users and most suppliers are distributors who have sales agreements not to sell to other OS markets (undercut other distributors).

There are a few threads in this forum on buying OS, a search might help you to understand the complexities, downfalls and traps in doing this. Don't get me wrong I'm a supporter of lower prices but IMHO prices in Australia, ATM, from some of the big suppliers, are not that bad (compared to OS).

[bojan]

Just recently I bought LXD75 mount with dual axis motor controller directly from Northgroup in China (while I was in Beijing), to be used in November for eclipse.
The total cost was US$350 (160 for equatorial mount (no tripod, with counterweight), 120 for dual axis controller and motors, 55 for postage (DHL China) from Nanjing to Beijing, 25 for surcharge and insurance).
I am sure they will be willing to ship to Oz as well, and they have other interesting items for sale (APO's, Maksutov's.. )
Talk to Gilman and ask for quotes (via made-in-china.com)

[SkyViking]

I'm in NZ but never found importing to be much of an issue, I track the parcel online and when it has arrived for distribution I just go to the depot and pay the GST + small import fee and pick it up.
I buy from wherever it is cheapest, which is usually Optcorp.com for the items I have purchased in the past (Losmandy mount, TeleVue eyepieces and barlows, filters and other bits and pieces).
This is factoring in the GST payable upon importing. I check prices with Bintel as well, but with the AUD/NZD exchange rate they are usually more expensive for me.

[AstralTraveller]

There is duty payable on any item over $1000. Customs never policed this too closely but it seems that after a certain billionaire had a very public whinge about people buying OS they are now much more on the ball. Still it was cheaper to buy my Canon 400 f5.6L from Hong Kong than locally.

In the lab we often run into the problem of 'exclusive distributor' and so have to buy locally. Mark ups of 100% are not unknown. These companies generally do not hold stock (so warehousing is not a cost) and just order the goods in when they receive an order. The last case I had was small glass vials we use. The distributor's price was about 40% above the US price, and then they added 'postage and handling'!

I'm not saying don't try to buy from OS but do be aware of the problem you could face.

[Larryp]

Bojan, that looks the same as a Skywatcher EQ3-is it the same mount?

[bojan]

Not sure... but I know it's marketed as Meade LXD75.
http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/lxd75.pdf (http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CFYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cloudynights.c om%2Fdocuments%2Flxd75.pdf&ei=7BkOUO2mN_GXiQfX8YDYDw&usg=AFQjCNFu70LwNo95uO-3IaXi-kK7W3Vfvw)
http://www.thestardeckobservatory.com/The_Meade_LXD75.html
Mine has "Bresser" sticker on it

[ddastider]

tks to each and all of youz for sharing ur +/- ..

i became a ASV groupie after the Venus transit ..and now no. IceInSpace..he he..

also got stuck ordered $800 LX80 with a US seller

but some local sellers have thrown wet blanket on beginers like me (and it's already brass monkey and cloudy winter)

i dont know how to put an ad as Wanted working VMC/VC200L or RC8" or C9.25" type OTA and SXW/SXD/SXP or iOptron i30/45/SmartEq or HEQ5 or Celestron Nexstar as i did on Australia Astronomy Buy & Sell website-

i am into those types and a Nagler27mm for DSO later Mewlon210..

has any kind soul near or far, any idea/feelings to share..

much appreciated for help

:thanks:
Deepie 3083

[ddastider]

sorry if any mistakes,

Mr Luke of Andrews is exeptional but they cant help me now

anyone tried tan14.com?

[wasyoungonce]

I've purchased quite a bit of stuff OS but with a newbie I'd be hesitant to recommend this.

Peter Tan is a good seller.

[MattT]

And your bank will take their bit if you pay by credit card... OS transactions are very hard for them and they have to pass the costs back to you..

[hikerbob]

http://northgroup.en.made-in-china.com/product/rqDmOpPEabcH/China-Goto-Telescope-Mount.html

This seems to be Northgroup

Bob

[pluck]

Anyone with any brains will try and purchase from the lowest price, best value vendor - but to think that you can somehow circumvent the entire GST, shipping and retail thing is foolish.

I for one don't know how Bintel and other specialty retailers in Australia have managed to stick around. I certainly would not want to be a small business owner in the current environment.

I think you need to recognise that you can't have it both ways - ie, buy straight from the vendor, pay no GST, or shipping cost, and yet somehow have access to great gear and an expanding community. There's a bit of give and take required here, from both sides.

[JB80]

They do have an interesting mould 4th down on the left hand side.
:question:

[Astro_Bot]

I agree with the general sentiment, but the markups on some products are utterly outrageous. Choice's recent survey of prices here and overseas (not astro-related) concluded that local retail rents/costs and additional shipping were very small contributors. 10% GST is a valid charge, but that's about it. Some companies (e.g. Apple) manage almost price parity, whereas others have inexplicable 100% markups.

As far as I can see, many astro products have similar price disparity.

Whilst I'm no expert at running a local business, and I gather it's not usually the retail outlets pocketing the difference, I can't see how the large markups are justifiable. Personally, I think those responsible for the markups (distributors?) are hanging themselves with their own rope.

By and large, the people want fair pricing - i.e. when items are manufactured and shipped from China, Taiwan, etc. to worldwide markets, and domestic shipping, handling and order processing is pretty much the same in any developed nation, then we expect prices to be comparable (tax/duty and exchange rate adjusted, of course).

[hikerbob]

Jarrod, a discussion on that DIY accessory would go downhill very quickly. I'm not game to go there.

Bob

[ddastider]

Hello all,
Is here/there any astro live-chat on iceinpace/cloudynights?

What website/s UK astro-hobbyist use??

you see on some sellers website here even after say30~50% off asking prices are double/triple of US sellers -

Personally I find it insulting to prospective buyer/s, unless I wanna prezzie for Mothers day by spinning lottery money around..

Ok I am learning the ropes here.. The catch with local 1-2 warranty is eg buyer WAIT L..O..N..G; pay intl shipping again for mirror recoating ...homework time again..

Good grief

[Astro_Bot]

Just for completeness, large price disparity in astro equipment is not always the case. Consider the following example - although prices vary from vendor to vendor, the cheapest prices I've found for this item (so far), when 10% GST is taken into account, are pretty close.

Item
Celestron C11-A XLT with the same inclusions:

Prices
USA (Optcorp): USD $1995
Aust (BTOW): AUD $2250


(Mods: if this transgresses the ToS, please remove).

[Peter.M]

People should note that any optics or their mounts imported to Australia should incur NO import duties. Authough you still have to pay the gst . I can find the official tarrif number that states this if required

[wasyoungonce]

Optical equipment might not attract import duties but some companies, like DHL, like to charge a custom inspection presentation and handling fee to the unwary.

[brian nordstrom]

:) Thats right Paul , I for one have got a lot of gear from Andrews and Bintel over the years and have never had a problem , I would rather pay a little more and get piece of mind on shipping , a good return policy and buying local helps these companies survive , can you imagine if either one of these companies went under ? :mad2: it woulkd be a sad day for amateure astronomy in Australia ,
Buy Local mate .
Its in every ones intrests to do so . ;) .
Oh yea , prices have never been so good .
Brian.

[brian nordstrom]

:rofl: , now there is a growth industry for some one wanting to start one ...:lol:
Brian.

[White Rabbit]

What about buying second hand from overseas? I wouldn't imagine that would incur GST. I'm going to buy a G 11 in November and I have family in Vancouver, and Scotland. the price is much cheaper over there than over here, about 1500 cheaper. If I got someone over there to buy it and then post it over as if second hand, surely GST would not apply?

[rat156]

GST has applied to everything I have bought from overseas. New or used. They won't miss that one now thanks to the likes of Gerry Harvey having a bleat about online sales.

I think Bintel have been more actively trying to match overseas online pricing recently, I would buy from them if I could, but they don't carry some of the gear I want.

Cheers
Stuart

[traveller]

Agreed, suppport local suppliers if you can, most of them are very knowledgable and agreeable to price discount/matching.
GST only applies to new items and not used items. For imported good (new or used), there is a $1000 limit on the purchase before GST and import duty. So if you buy good valued at $800 say, regardless of new or used, it wont attract GST or import duty. But if you buy an used scope for $1500, then it will attract GST and import duty. Shipping and insurnace is not included in the $1000 assessment.
See here http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5653.asp#Goodswithadeclaredoras sessedvaluenotexceedingA1000
Cheers, Bo

[GrampianStars]

NO GST is applied for imports under $1,000 end of story

over that amount GST is applied on the amount over $1,000

say item is $1,100 GST is applied to the $100 = $10

[Astro_Bot]

GST applies to the whole amount including shipping/insurance charge (if the total value is over $1000):



From: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5549.asp

[AndrewJ]

Re these




Last time i enquired, ALL costs were added to the purchase cost
for the purposes of the $1000 limit, and it applied to the total value,
not just the bit above $1000

Just saw this bit,
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/importingGoodsByPostFaq.asp#Howisdu tyandGSTcalculated

and it seems to still be the same.
Although the weasel words arent 100% specific on when
the $1000 limit applies. ( I was "told" it was the lot,
so $950 goods + 100 shipping got you
but $950 + 40$ shipping didnt.
Need a lawyer to understand it all.


Andrew

[traveller]

Speaking from personal experience, my scope costed $950 and shipping and insurance was $350. The GSTapo didn't come knocking on my door.:)

[Astro_Bot]

I've seen vendors write a lower value on the CN22 declaration ... without any prompting by me, not that those items were anywhere near the GST limit anyway.

[AndrewJ]

Is that a knock i hear on your door :lol:

Andrew

[ddastider]

Anyone please :hi:explain, if I buy $3000 new/used items+ 300 shipping by USPS; i pay 200 as 10% GST on 3000-1000=2000 and no duties????:question:

Do CA/NY/OK.. online sellers like Astronomics, BHPhoto..etc in USA charge/NOT charge overseas buyes state tax/duty/VAT..etc??? or it varies/depends???:shrug:

also from where I pay GST and collect from??:sadeyes:

[traveller]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but if the total is over $1000, you pay GST on the entire amount, including shipping and insurance charges. So if your goods costs $3000 and shipping and insurance is another $500, you pay $350 GST. Have a read of the Customs site links very carefully.
I don't recommend buying over $1000 on personal import, as the forms can be confusing.

[wasyoungonce]

GST is applied to the item cost (if over $1K) plus shipping/handling cost.

So if item = $3K shipping = $300, GST payable is on $3.3K. Customs will contact you to pay GST. Sometimes customs slaps an inspection fee on top of all this as well.

$300 shipping on $3K appears a bit low you will need to insure the items as well.

edit:
Oh many/most big US/OS suppliers will not sell equipment like Tak/Celestron/Meade etc, new, to OS markets as they have commercial agreements not to do so.

To add to this...this is one of the reasons I said buying OS for a newbie is not for the feint hearted.

[ddastider]

hmmm..I am confused..

wanted to buy Mewlon210, cant afford..

i am an ASV member, but the place and 8pm start time is far now; after i work f/t near airport and ring rd traffic.. ..(i cant drive well at night)

may i request, has anyone 20~30km from CBD got some time from 5~7pm to show/intro me few astro gears as that i can be more clear wat i need to do or i am wishing to much....!?