Another method for Importaing from US - Maybe! - Page 2

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #21 07-10-2009, 11:56 AM

Hi Carolina.

I saw the to do over at whirlpool forum a few weeks back. It appears that person in question did not take out return insurance and was trying to eek damage to your business name by using the Web....In short you handled the situation well.

It appears you will be getting some business from these Astro guys. The Aust Dollar is at 88.5c per USD yet Australian suppliers are still selling at grossly inflated prices.

I saw one scope from Optcorp (USA), 14 inch Celestron edge on a CGEPRO mountr for $8999 USD ($10,166 Aust) yet the only price I can find in Aust is suggesting around $34,999 Aust.

So I hope you can pick up some business as the locals have their snouts in the trough!

troypiggo (Troy) · #22 08-10-2009, 06:34 PM

I just placed my first order with these guys. I'll be interested to see how it goes. Best price direct from Adobe Australia for Lightroom 2 (non-student version) is AU$609. Adobe US has it for US$299, but you need a US address even for the download version. Followed some links from PriceUSA website and it appears delivered cost to here will be about AU$270!

snowyskiesau · #23 08-10-2009, 07:14 PM

FWIW I have a contact in the US who handles reshipping at a reasonable rate.
I order the items and get them shipped to him, he repackages if required and then forwards on using either USPS or DHL/FEDEX/UPS or the courier of your choice.

It's handy when dealing with sites that insist on a US delivery address. He will even purchase on your behalf if the site involved used the credit card AVS that requires a US address on the credit card.

His name is Elwood Beauchamp. (Woody)

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #24 09-10-2009, 04:54 PM

I am now seriously thinking of purchasing a new mount while the dollar is high.

Weighing up between the older CGE run out models or maybe a Losmandy G11 non Gemini (to cut costs..sigh).

Anyone have thoughts on this? The CGE certainly has the goods and is at a very attractive price! Or should I go the G11?

Anyone...any input appreciated.

Any ideas on shipping costs!

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #25 10-10-2009, 12:30 AM

Anyone have experiences with either of these mounts?

I have the financial minister in the right frame of mind and don't want to miss the boat...it's about now or never. I'm leaning to the G11 but not Gemini due to costs. Is this wise?

The older CGE has all the bells & whistles and is selling cheap as a run out! I need to make a decision rather soon.

Anyone?

gregbradley · #26 10-10-2009, 10:57 AM

Hey whats all the complication about?

You simply buy from OPT or whomever and it gets shipped and it arrives
a week later, you pay GST if it is over $1000 and it gets dropped off at your door.

I've done many times. Easy as.

No need for middleman or anything.

Ship using UPS, Fedex or DHL. You can use US Postal Service Express mail for smaller items.

Simple and reliable.

You want a Celestron HD?order one through OPT and it arrives a week later once they get it in stock. Forget the local distributor is he is uncompetitive.

Some US suppliers won't ship to Aussie as it violates the agency agreement so check them out first.

Soon the Aussie dollar is likely to be worth more than the US Dollar as the US is probably facing a fairly long recovery from its experiment in greed so it could be an even cheaper place to buy from soon as it still is the largest market so prices tend to be lower because of that.

Greg.

troypiggo (Troy) · #27 10-10-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

....
Some US suppliers won't ship to Aussie as it violates the agency agreement so check them out first.
...

That's the scenario that PriceUSA works for. They buy it from a US address that these places will ship to, then transfer it to Aus.

gregbradley · #28 11-10-2009, 01:41 PM

Yes that is handy but there always seems to be that there is someone willing to sell to you.

Greg.

HarryD (Greg) · #29 12-10-2009, 06:00 PM

Just to add some more fuel to the fire. Celestron Edge HD 11 inch OTA, just a bit over $A3000 from OPT at the moment. It seems selling Celestron telescopes is a profitable endeavour in Australia.

mickqueensland (Mick) · #30 13-10-2009, 02:04 AM

Hey all,

wish this thread had been around about 2 months ago. True, I didnt research the possibility of having a service purchase and ship to me, it never occurred to me. Anyway, too late as I have ordered my scope from a local dealer. I think the price is ok,

, its still higher than OPT but it was very much reduced from what it was 3-4 months ago.

Well, I can only hope that my dealer continues his good and friendly service and that he continues to offer discounted prices (in light of the little ozzie battler's current value of 91c)

Still, I may find a use for Carolina's services in the future, as I am sure there are more goodies I will "need"

cheers
Mick

netwolf · #31 13-10-2009, 09:33 AM

Heads up everyone.

just got an email last night from southerngalactic that OPT are offering SG and NG members a further discount for buying from them. As well SG/NG offer a freight forwarding service. You can join the forum there and send a private message to to the OPT director who is a forum member there Craig
Weatherwax.

Freight forwarding service details are here
http://www.southerngalactic.com/ecf.html

wasyoungonce,
I mention this becasuse OPT currently have a opned box G-11 for sale in there used section. Might be worth while for you to check this out and get the afore mentioned discount as well.
Also note OPT will sell to overseas buyers used/opned box return/demo Celestron/Meade gear.

FredSnerd (Claude) · #32 13-10-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

Heads up everyone.

You can join the forum there and send a private message to to the OPT director who is a forum member there Craig
Weatherwax.

Freight forwarding service details are here
http://www.southerngalactic.com/ecf.html

Hey Fahim

Your doing some great work here. More power to ya. How does one become a member of SG/NG. Unfortunatly the link does not say.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #33 13-10-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

wasyoungonce,
I mention this becasuse OPT currently have a opned box G-11 for sale in there used section. Might be worth while for you to check this out and get the afore mentioned discount as well.
Also note OPT will sell to overseas buyers used/opned box return/demo Celestron/Meade gear.

Thanks for that.

I must have missed it. I have been trolling OPT site lately and know the approximate shipping costs. I think we can get a 2% discount from OPT is you are a member of an Astronomy forum.

I'm off to see the OPT site right now.

edit:
I meant to say ..It's a toss up between the run out CGEs & probably a non goto G11. The Gemini goto extra costs are probably straining my budget a little too much.

That said If I get a G11 non goto I suspect I'd really miss goto functions. I was trying to image the Helix nebula the other day and couldn't even see it in my finderscope. Luckily my GTS system is qute accurate and so I took one pic to see if I was on target...yep spot on.

I think I really need the goto function!

gbeal · #34 13-10-2009, 01:43 PM

WasYoung,
I have a CGE (it was/is in the for sales recently), and if you are tossing between it and the G11 I feel the CGE is slightly better. I can assure you the goto's are spot on, best I have ever had. The tripod is an absolute beast, big as.
Gary

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #35 13-10-2009, 01:59 PM

Thanks Garry. That's the way I am tempted to go, the CGE.

The only down side I can see is that there are lots of Losmandy parts (accessories) available in Australia...not so much for the CGE.

The filp side is a run out CGE compared to a G11 with Gemini prices are around $400 Aust difference between each with the G11 being the more expensive..but not by much!

Isn't it good to have choices available with the Aust $ so strong....I feel like a kid in a candy shop!

gbeal · #36 13-10-2009, 02:57 PM

Yep, spoilt for choice, and it is good.
The Losmandy parts all seem to interface with the CGE, at least saddles, rails etc do. What others do you think you will need?
Gary

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #37 13-10-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbeal

Yep, spoilt for choice, and it is good.
The Losmandy parts all seem to interface with the CGE, at least saddles, rails etc do. What others do you think you will need?
Gary

Good point PM sent!

netwolf · #38 13-10-2009, 09:08 PM

Fred,

The register link is at top of this page.
http://www.southerngalactic.com/

FredSnerd (Claude) · #39 13-10-2009, 09:15 PM

Thanks Fahim

el_draco (Rom) · #40 22-10-2009, 12:37 PM

I've recently picked up a G11 with Gemini after an EQ6. The difference in quality is huge. Polar alignment used to be a pain in the proverbial but I can set up my G11 from scratch in 20 minutes, aligned 5 mins later.

Build is strong and all machined.... very slick. You can add Gemini down the track with minimal fuss...

If $ allow, get the folding tripod. I was a bit dubious when I first saw it, but its as solid as rock....

Bottom line, buy quality if you can afford it, add quality to it. Good price here: http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com....escopes062.htm 3 month wait from order and they lay-by with 10% down. Good service.