Buying gear in the States - third-party agents

[pmrid]

How does this work? I am thinking about buying some gear from the States - the delaer is unable to sell to me directly for the usual reasons but will happily sell to me if I have a US address. I understand that different companies provide services that can help. But I;'m not sure how they work and what they actually do. The first thought I had was to use a Freight Forwarder like Cargoline but I recall someone else in these threads also mentioned a company called BuyUSA or something similar.
I'm trying to figure out how to arrange a purchase this way and how I should go about it. Who do I pay for the item I'm buying? Do I have to supply the US address or is that done between the freight forwarder and the seller? Who arranges insurance, Customs clearance, etc?

Can anyone enlighten me please?
Peter

[dannat]

the freight forward company is paid by you first..they then make the purchase & have it delivered to there US warehouse address - they rpack & send fed ex or who-ever to you..they charge you in US for the item + freight + there cut (i think usually about 10% but companies differ)
a couple do operate slightly differently..a girl advertised on here she is based in bendigo or something if i remember right

[mithrandir]

Think you mean Price USA (http://www.priceusa.com.au/)

See their web site for full details, but it more or less works by them buying the product, have it shipped to their location, doing any necessary repackaging and sending it to you. You choose the insurance, and you can also choose insurance to cover transport back to the US if needed for warranty claims.

The customs paperwork will be sent, and you have to pay any duty before they will release the goods for delivery.

[spearo]

I've used Price USA once to get sunglasses and it all went well
frank