Cuts both ways. I have been lucky in purchasing locally - only ever 1 item missing, but the seller was a well known shonk.
On the other hand, I have been ripped off 4 times by Chinese sellers - either a product that was counterfeit and not even working or simply not delivered at all. I also have had 3 US suppliers give me the exact same run around as your Aussie clock supplier.
Anyway, I still prefer to buy locally when I can. I only buy from 3 astro supply shops locally - myastroshop, Kunama Enterprises and Flashdrive Express
