Quote:
Originally Posted by Slawomir
Thank you for clarifying that. 
Nevertheless, the bottom line is that tax needs to be accounted for when considering buying astro-gear above $1000 US to avoid disappointment.
Experience taught me that each astro item (above $1000 US) I bought directly from a manufacturer ended up costing about the same as if buying from an Australian dealer. |
I am interested to know what you are buying that is coming out around the same price as here, although you did give one example of filters. I do agree that with some items, that definitely is the case. An example is Televue eyepieces, which are, essentially, the same price here, when you add the freight component. However, a special recently offered on Televue Delos eyepieces by OPT resulted in a $50 saving over that offered by the local distributor, and that included the freight cost too. Which also doesn't include the extra $10 I would have paid to ship from Sydney to Perth, when buying it in Australia. There was no tax or clearance involved as my order was under a grand. I don't know about you but a $50+ saving is significant, particularly since I refuse to deal with the local retailer. And the really sad thing is, they have lost significant business, as I never cared about cost, as I used to buy Nagler eyepieces from that retailer when the dollar was at 74c against the US currency (and I still have the receipts to prove it). Now that my business isn't respected here, my main criteria is cost. Why not, if my custom isn't respected, why should I support them.
Furthermore, on reflection to a previous statement, it won't matter what the dollar is, as the cost of local suppliers will rise in line with the fall in the dollar anyway, so that will balance out. Although, that doesn't include changes in the cross rates with other currencies. Where I am winning at present is that I had made an educated guess and bought USD ahead of the fall.
In the past twelve months, and not including items that I cannot purchase here anyway, I have made many overseas purchases, and in nearly every case, I have made some small or significant savings, and furthermore, I have been treated with a great deal more respect with the overseas suppliers, now that I have established a relationship.
It will also depend on where you are looking for prices too, as I rarely accept prices at face value and look for further discounts. But, I realise that not everyone has the skills to bargain, or indeed, the bargaining power that I have obtained. Getting the best price has, for the most part, become a game for me. The hard part with that game is that often you can only get a particular item from one place, so they can ask a premium. But I still ask for a better price though. You may be surprised how many times that I do get a better price by asking for it. This is particularly important where you have a lot of competition for business. But, I have to admit, I have also been caught too. In a recent purchase I bought an item from the US for $89, after seeing it in S&T, and after getting it, and seeing it, I discovered that I could get the exact same item from eBay for $18, with free postage. Unfortunately, in this case, I paid a premium due to ignorance about the item. I ordered a second unit off eBay. Fortunately, this only happens rarely, but it is an example that you can pay too much sometimes. You live and learn.
Sometimes the savings are small, however, sometimes the saving are significant. I saved nearly a grand by buying my WO 110 FLT direct from WO, but I admit, I took advantage of a special being offered. Nothing I need, I need urgently, so I can bide my time until a special price comes along. And there always specials being offered somewhere in the world.