Purchasing from Overseas

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

I've been looking at air compressors and noticed Australian prices are around twice US prices.

For instance, the VIAIR 400H is US$190 from Tellico 4x4 online site. Meanwhile, the best Australian price I've found is AU$395 from Bushranger.

Similarly, the 200H is US$110 compared with AU$270

With favourable conversion rates and reasonable shipping costs, it still costs $100 - $150 less.

Has anyone dealt with Tellico or can you recommend other competitive dealers, even if they are OS.

Thanks,
LFaR.
PS: I realise there is no or little warranty when purchasing OS.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Long way to go back if you have an warranty issue, their are cheaper alternatives than the Bushranger at $395, their is a thread on this do a search.

[sclater85 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sclater85]

you must also remember a few things one is that thier is a difference between the us and au dollar, next problem is freight, and next problem is an import tax, then after that like every one says if you need spares or replacement alot of friggin around . i used to import parts for racing and when you spend say $15000 us, by the time all the above prices kick in it would mean i might save $1000-2000, great on huge orders but something small like an air compressor id probly give importing a miss.

if your on an extremely tight budget maybe you can consider a couple of the following options

1. purchase a cheapy just to get by short term
2.travel in convoy with some one who has one
3.either buy a tank or make one with a fire extinquisher and a pressure release valve (pump tank up at servo, carry it around with inflation hose good for a couple of refils )
4.if you want something reliable id deffinately be following a brand name and spending the extra dollars then you can keep your other option above as a backup

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Thanks all.

Hey sclater85, that's a terrific novel use of a fire extinguisher. Interesting idea! :idea:

My main gripe is the margin that is seemingly being made on this imported gear! :evil: I prefer to buy quality, and like anyone, hate being overcharged. It would seem that Aussie distributors ought to be able to be considerably more competitive.

>if you want something reliable id deffinately be following a brand name

I was under the impression, (and far from being expert), that the VIAIR rated amongst the best of them.

Cheers,
LFaR.

[dhr29 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhr29]

If you import an item by post under $200 or there abouts the customs people are very nice and will usually grant an exemption and it will go through to you with no clearance to do or tax/duty to pay.
The US post is fantastic realiable fast and cheap give it a go I think you will be pleased with the results I am speaking from experiance believe me.

[Justo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Justo]

I have also bought bits and pieces from the US and never had an issue. If you shop around you can get some better deals too. I think I paid about $170 for my TJM compressor. Does the job just as good as the $400 units so far.
8)

[yetiboy01 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close yetiboy01]

There was a change in the customs duty a couple of years ago, now customs wont you charge import duty on non comercial quantites up to $1000 sent via post, if it is sent by fedex or UPS they will deem it as comercial product & charge you the customs import duty automaticly, in over 200 transaction with the USA using USPS (united states parcel post) I have never had to pay customs duty even though they have inspected my parcels many times(they leave a sticker on your parcel telling you that they have opened & inspected your parcel) Most I my purchases are from the US now. my last couple of purchases from the US are 30m of 7/16th Amsteelblue winch rope, $270aus delivered, a saving of over $350 on local prices, Alloy Haswe fairlead, $56 delivered, $125 here in Aussie

Something not right with the priceing of products in Australia, whether its the Govs taxing structure or the local importers just wanting to make a huge profit.

All the parts I buy from the US are retail prices, so if you take off 50-60% for mark up at the least you get to to the real price of the products

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

There was a change in the customs duty a couple of years ago, now customs wont you charge import duty on non comercial quantites up to $1000 sent via post, if it is sent by fedex or UPS they will deem it as comercial product & charge you the customs import duty automaticly, in over 200 transaction with the USA using USPS (united states parcel post) I have never had to pay customs duty even though they have inspected my parcels many times(they leave a sticker on your parcel telling you that they have opened & inspected your parcel) Most I my purchases are from the US now. my last couple of purchases from the US are 30m of 7/16th Amsteelblue winch rope, $270aus delivered, a saving of over $350 on local prices, Alloy Haswe fairlead, $56 delivered, $125 here in Aussie

Something not right with the priceing of products in Australia, whether its the Govs taxing structure or the local importers just wanting to make a huge profit.

All the parts I buy from the US are retail prices, so if you take off 50-60% for mark up at the least you get to to the real price of the products

Thanks Yetiboy. That's a great tip on postage too.

I also agree Aussie importers charge exhorbitantly. It's not just limited to 4x4 equipment either. Lucky for us consumers, we live in a global market today and access to the global products is becoming so much easier with each year that passes.

Which stores do you purchase your 4x4 accessories from?

Cheers,
LFaR.

[yetiboy01 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close yetiboy01]

Mostly I use ebay, these are a couple I use, they also sell straight from their websites but at a higher price, still great value when compared to what you pay here, as for warranty issues I have had only one claim & the item was replaced without question with no charge for freight. here are a few I use for 4WD gear: I use retro-solutions for HID digital light kits, cseoffroad, enets & badkod for synthetic winch rops etc, Auto lamps online for high intensity halegen headlight globes, they sell the Phillips extreme plus 80, great globe at a third of the price of the IPF fat boy globes their link is: http://www.autolamps-online.com/product ... centre.htm

[Chiefy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Chiefy]

As long as the value does not exceed A$1000 then you will pay no import duty or gst regardless of how its sent (air/sea/post or courier).

This applies to all goods. Being commercial or non-commercial makes no difference at all.

Regards
Dan