Importing speakers from the US?
El Bastardo
Has anyone had experience with importing speakers from the US? I might
be heading over there, and was wondering if I should pick up a pair of
speakers for the trip home.
For example, I'm after a pair of B&W 805's, which retail here for
AUD$4500. These are listed at US$2000 in the US, or about AUD$2800 at
today's exchange rate. Haggling with the dealer may bring the price down
a couple of hundred bucks, then add shipping and insurance costs, 5%
import duty, and 10% GST on top of all that, and I reckon on a landed
cost of around AUD$3500 or so.
I'd be interested in hearing tales of woe (or joy) from others who have
tried this, as well as any pro's/con's, etc.
-- Geoff
Silent Bob.
didnt get stung with a cent of duty although budget 10% and youll be fine,
go for it!
"El Bastardo" <ew...@dogwater.org> wrote in message
news:Q_FYc.13492$D7....@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
Eric
problems? The US is a long trip back for faulty speakers.
Silent Bob.
speakers are very rarely faulty. Id go with the 1/2 price offer.
"Eric" <eric...@mac.com> wrote in message
news:2004083107144416807%erichood@maccom...
Eric
any other component in your system.
And if there is a problem the local dealer will not be too sympathetic
especially if you audition the speakers in their listening room first
then go elsewhere. They would probably still help you but it would not
be a priority.
Problems need not be based on manufacture either, they could be related
to transport damage.
If you are in this country it can be very difficult getting any kind of
decent service from an overseas supplier when you are a private
individual with a single purchase not a company placing regular orders.
I have found that when you support your dealers they will often help
you when you have a problem.
These are things you have to consider.
Just remember there is always a cost to be paid. It just may not be
upfront.
Matt
speaker and not per pair!
"Eric" <eric...@mac.com> wrote in message
news:2004083109232375249%erichood@maccom...
Matt
made most of their prices the same all around the world so that it's not
cheaper for people to buy overseas. These seem to be an exception to the
rule. Some people on audioreview have payed more tho. Wonder if there has
been a price change. I looked at buying the 703's from overseas and it's
wasnt worth it. :-(
Does anyone know the markup on the B&W's in australia?
"Matt" <kabo...@hotremovemail.com> wrote in message
news:4133ba0f$0$22855$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au...
Trevor Wilson
> Just checked the price. Wow. Your right. It's odd. B&W have purposly
> made most of their prices the same all around the world so that it's not
> cheaper for people to buy overseas. These seem to be an exception to the
> rule. Some people on audioreview have payed more tho. Wonder if there
has
> been a price change. I looked at buying the 703's from overseas and it's
> wasnt worth it. :-(
**I doubt that. The costs of distributing a UK manufactured speaker to
Australia, or to the US, will be very similar. If you REALLY want to save
money, then look at US manufactured speakers (when purcahsing inside the
US). They will likely represent far better value for money. For the best
bargains, you should look at Aussie manufactured speakers.
>
> Does anyone know the markup on the B&W's in australia?
**About the same as everyone else (except 'house' brand speakers and 'White
Van' specials, which are marked uo far more). ALL imported speakers go
through similar distribution systems, where the product is shipped from
wherever and freight is paid. The product then incurs clearance costs and is
shipped (incurring further costs) to the distributor. The distributor marks
up the products to cover his costs and, of course, he has to feed his kids
too. Then the product is shipped to the retailer, who marks it up, so he can
feed his kids.
When you buy an Aussie speaker, it is shipped directly from the manufacturer
to the retailer (in most cases), thus there is potential for significant
savings to be had.
--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au
Matt
"Trevor Wilson" <tre...@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message
news:4133...@news.comindico.com.au...
>
> "Matt" <kabo...@hotremovemail.com> wrote in message
> news:4133e715$0$5449$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au...
> > Just checked the price. Wow. Your right. It's odd. B&W have purposly
> > made most of their prices the same all around the world so that it's not
> > cheaper for people to buy overseas. These seem to be an exception to
the
> > rule. Some people on audioreview have payed more tho. Wonder if there
> has
> > been a price change. I looked at buying the 703's from overseas and
it's
> > wasnt worth it. :-(
>
> **I doubt that. The costs of distributing a UK manufactured speaker to
> Australia, or to the US, will be very similar. If you REALLY want to save
> money, then look at US manufactured speakers (when purcahsing inside the
> US). They will likely represent far better value for money. For the best
> bargains, you should look at Aussie manufactured speakers.
Just something i read. Also talked about not selling products online.
Maybe the article had it wrong. When i was looking at buying from overseas,
the centre was slightly cheaper to buy in australia than overseas but the
mains were slightly cheaper overseas. Going on what this article said i
looked at a number of their products and didnt find one that was cheaper
overseas. The company my wife works for is danish and she spoke to some
people she knows overseas and found that it still wasnt really worth buying
from Denmark. :-(
John Smith
<snip>
> The distributor marks
> up the products to cover his costs and, of course, he has to feed his kids
> too. Then the product is shipped to the retailer, who marks it up, so he can
> feed his kids.
Reads like you should find a dealer with no kids - might find a cheaper price ;-)
Trevor Wilson
"John Smith" <us...@example.net> wrote in message
news:41344c5b$1...@news.iprimus.com.au...
**ROTFLMAO!
--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au
El Bastardo
Matt wrote:
> Just checked the price. Wow. Your right. It's odd. B&W have purposly
> made most of their prices the same all around the world so that it's not
> cheaper for people to buy overseas. These seem to be an exception to the
> rule. Some people on audioreview have payed more tho. Wonder if there has
> been a price change. I looked at buying the 703's from overseas and it's
> wasnt worth it. :-(
It seems that the 805's have the biggest difference between US prices
and Australian prices. The Australian prices and the UK prices are
roughly equivalent, but the US prices are generally about 25% cheaper
after converting to local currency.
For example:
Model AUD$ US$ US$->AUS$ Diff:
(List) (List) $ %
--------------------------------------------
602 s3 1200 600 850 350 29
703 5700 3000 4300 1400 24
704 4000 2200 3150 850 21
705 2500 1500 2150 350 14
803 10000 5000 7200 2800 28
804 7500 3500 5000 2500 33
805 4500 2000 2900 1600 35
So it seems that the 804's and 805's have a 33% price differential,
which can easily cover the cost of importing. The 803's only have a 28%
difference, but that's still a whopping $2800 saving. I assume this
means that local dealers can offer substantial discounts on these models.
Interestingly, in the US the 805's are around US$500 (about AUD$720)
more than the 705's, but in Australia, the difference is AUD$2000. Ouch.
Note that the table above is back-of-envelope, and costs of shipping,
insuring, and customs/GST must be factored in. So you wouldn't import
the 602 s3's, or the 705's, for example.
Note also the issue of after-sales support which was raised in another post.
But, interesting figures regardless.
-- Geoff
Matt
be worth it. You can save heaps by bringing them back yourself. I looked
at sending them by UPS to australia and because of their weight and size it
wasnt going to be pretty. I do have a contact over here and have my fingers
crossed they will be able to get them cheaper, If you do go thru with
buying them, let us know how you go. ;-)
"El Bastardo" <ew...@dogwater.org> wrote in message
news:coYYc.14462$D7....@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
Gerhard Beulke
ew...@dogwater.org says...
Go for.
I purchased mine in Germany, had twice the sub chassis faulty and got
twice a replacement sent over.
That's service!
Doesn't matter if it is purchased from a local dealer who charges
$6000.00 more or from another overseas. As long it is from a reputable
company who is into quality, you wont have any problems (providing you
will deal directly with them in case of a fault).
I don't know anything about B&W though...
--
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