[netwolf]

Tandum might be correct on this one, I have seen the examples before. But got the information from some one else's post i read at some point in time.
I have also posted previously on the topic of Duty, duty as pointed out in an earlier post in this thread should not be applied to Astronomical equipment including mountings for astro gear.
AO prices seem quiet good, the one nag i alwasy had with there website is that it only indicates a price range and not a price. I dont understand this system.

Based on the HK prices you provided from another HK supplier.
10900 VC200L +700 shipping would come to 1581AUD + 10% of 581 would come to 1639.1. When you consider local warranty from AO then there price is quiet good. Still most optical issues would be resolved by sending back to Vixen. So I would ask how long is the warranty, what does it cover. Will AO pay for shipping back to Vixen for service or will you have to fork that out. If AO will cover all costs during the warranty period then I would go with AO or other local providers who will and will match the price.

I have not bought anything from William so i will leave him to comment on how and if Warranty would be available on purchases from him.
My eye was on the used equipment that he sometimes has and in that case Warranty would not matter. I currently am looking for a 8" Newt and the R200 looks real nice, but I am yet to be convinced it will outperfrom a GSO 8" F4 in my suburban sky conditions. If i go with Cassegrain i will wait till i can afford the VMC260L or something in that size for Planetary imaging.

Regards
Fahim