Importing Electronics

[lutjanus]

Need a sounder/chartplotter.Thinking Furuno 10.4 navnet or Raymarine e80 system.Anyone give me hints on importing eg os dealer,paperwork required,freight costs Also any local dealer who will compete price wise Best so far E80-$5000.Think import price around$4000[all in AUD]

[Captain_Starli]

shoot these guys an email & ask about what model you want, if not listed doesn't mean they don't have it.
good to deal with..helpful, friendly & reliable.
http://www.threeriversmarine.com/
should add they send fully insured usually have in 5-7 days, & have always been a better price than most..

[DazSamFishing]

Send Grand Marlin a PM,

I am sure he will help!

Daz

[petnic]

I just bought the Furuno FCV620 off this guy http://onlinefishfinders.com/about_us_.html
He's very helpful and told me he sends everything marked as a gift...there is a sales tax on top of his price though which added $34 to my purchase but worth it if it sails through customs.
cheers
Pete

[Noelm]

why not just buy from your "local guy" it may be a bit dearer but, they can offer advice on installation, warranty after sales info a whole host of stuff "money can't buy" and you just may keep them in business, and save another Aussie from going on the dole!, aaarrr that feels good, been on holidays and just needed a little whinge.

[kleyny]

i'm with noelm buy local ;) no warranty dramas, yes it might be dearer but you keep local guys employed ;)
i always shop around and hagle or even wait for old stock its amazing how much you can get off ;D

fisherman isn't that alert moderator was for, if your not happy with something you see on the post???
but yes some kind of list or warning would be good so you accidently list/ attach a "banded" site

kleyny

[Fisherdan]

just a note on importing electronics.

Electronics that do not have an australian registered Ctick are not legal to be used in Australia.

Just because someone will sell you one and post it to you does not make it legal.

Any device that uses power or transmits a signal is subject to Australian Ctick certification rules and regulations governed by ACMA.

therefore if you ever have a problem. you do not have any legal recourse in Australia for a product that is not legal to use.

Also parralel importing affects family owned businesses that pay good money to make products available to you locally. If you want to support America and buy cheap.. MOVE THERE. Their minimum wage is low for a reason. Be Aussie.. buy Aussie sold and supported.

Hope this helps.

[Fisherdan]

Oh and on another note..

If customs do that one in 50 search on the item and deem it NOT to be a gift..

you lose... you will pay the GST and the import tax and maybe even a nice little FINE...

or maybe there is something wrong with paying tax and supporting our system..

Aussie Aussie Aussie.. OI OI OI..... :)

[Noelm]

woohoo at last some people who think like me (kinda spooky that thought) by all means buy over seas for "odds and ends" some stuff from the USA is just not available out here, BUT as a general rule try to always buy from your local guy, he/she is the one who you turn to when it all goes "belly up", just think back to the days when we went to a Butcher for your meat (not a Supermarket) or a baker for bread, who even delivered it to the door, all those "samll guys" have fallen victims to the multi national Supermarket chains.

[Vic1]

Sorry

But most of info written here is crap.

Why back up the "aussie dealer" when he is ripping you off. I bought a Garmin GPS from the states for less than half some stores were advertising it here.......for warranty I have the choise of sending it back to the states, or paying a nominal fee to have Garmin take care of it here. Im all for "buy Australian" but they have to be at least a bit compeditive, why give your hard earned dollars to dealerships / suppliers who are making a fortune for a product that they didn't have to do anymore with than have it freighted here.......

[lutjanus]

Thanks to all the helpful replies.I ll let you know the best OS supplier I come up with.On the duty side I will be paying duty Its only 5%at most [US made stuff is nil-]OS stuff comes in at half to 2/3 price.To all the Aussie Aussie Aussies-Have shopped hard here but prices just too far away.Think I have supported AUST over the years with the taxes paid and the 23yrs in the forces both here and OS so dont dare preach to me

[DR]

don't forget they can add gst as well... 8-)

[JasonT]

I'm all for Aussie made and owned, providing it's practical!

Some of the price differences defy any explanation other than mark-up.

Still, though have to admit to feeling more secure with a local purchase from a service point of view and it is this reason that usually convinces me to part with the extra dollars to buy local.


JT

[peterbo3]

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4376
Hi all,
Go to the above link to get the real story on both duty & GST. :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o To summarise,if the value of the item including postage/freight & insurance is more than A$1000, you will be up for some costs. :-? :-? :-? :-? :-?
But when the new rig is nearly ready ALL my electronics will be coming from the US. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[mikedel]

I do believe a lot of guys in the "Industry" are involved in the Fishing Party and helped take the fight up to Premier Pete with the pre election convoy. Sure they have a vested interest, but who gives a flying f### about them and their wives and kids. Not when I can save a few bucks.
Get real fokes, one of main resons we're fighting the east coast fishing closures is to protect local jobs but some of our loudest supporters buy from the US & Japan at the drop of a hat. I don't work for customs but I do work at the airport in Briz and I see imported electrics smashed every day. They can and do get squashed, dropped, run over, rained on and x-rayed. Yes you might have a warranty and MOST the time you're covered, but while your money is over there and you're holding a crushed sounder in one hand and a phone in the other I'm fishing. Are you really keen to send $4ooo to the US then have your electrics pass through 2 countries in 3 planes, 1 truck, 2 vans, be handled by 20 people earning the minimum wage and then hope they don't leave it on your doorstep while you're at work. If nobody is home the courier often leaves a card and drops it at the local Post Office then that's a whole other story. If you pay 25% (max) more you get it now with warranty and peace of mind. If we don't support our local fishing and chandlery industries who will?

[Captain_Starli]

thats why we have them insured, ;D & we still fish while we wait to save a lot of money :P

[frankj]

There are a few ways to get prople to buy Australian.
1. If an Australian company starts manufacturing marine electronics to equal the present range available, and they make their prices competitive with overseas markets.
2. If agents make their imports appear to be better value than is available over the internet.
3. Try to invoke some nationalistic shame and tell people they are un-australian for buying overseas.

The first solution seems an ideal one and before we cry it down, Navman in New Zealand managed to make an international name for themselves despite a smaller populatiion base.

The second solution doesn't seem to be popular with the import agents for some reason.

Well the third one isn't worth discussing.

In the absense of the Australian manufacturer, unless the agents start looking seriously at their markups, people will continue to test the available market and look for best prices.
May be sad for some, but it's a fact of life.

Remember with with competitive prices the local industry still retains the business, because most people will buy local if the deal is fair. It's only where the prices are uncompetitive that people shop further afield.

Cheers
Frank

[blaze]

I dont normally get into these argements cause mostly I like to pay a few extra dollars and buy locally but after searching for about 18months to buy a electronic meter (non fishing related) I also purchased from the US. The cheapest I could buy in Australia was over $1000au for an inferior product with less features than the one I got from the US for $486au. So its not only fishing related items where the problem lies, it seems to be across the board. Dont like the global ecomeny but I think I may have to get with, kicking and sreaming all the way though.
cheers
blaze

[Fish Guts]

when aussie chandleries get in line with everyone else they;l get business. what dick head would pay 500 or so more for a unit just because its from the shop down the road ? u can suck on ur billie tea and play john williamson all u want, but the bucks not stopping here unless they get into line !!!!

[bluefin59]

I recently bought a furuno unit from north side marine here in brissy i looked o.s for the little i would have saved it wasnt worth it when here i got some help and kept my money here and if there is a problem i know that glen will help me out .. The question i ask is a lot of items are cheaper out of the u.s but who is making all the extra cash the importers or the retailers ?????? :o :o :o :o

[roydsy]

I have just ordered my Eagle SeaCharter 642C DF iGPS delivered to my door for $890, the $1670 I was going to pay to my local guy would have left me feeling ripped off. I shopped around and most were over $1600.00 AUD here in Oz.

If it fails, the company will pay hal;f the postage back to the USA and I have a spare sounder combo anyway. I always support Aussie business where I can, but 190% markup is rediculous.

This experience has opened my eyes up and make me realise we are just too overpriced for marine/electronic products here in Oz.

Roydsy

[Sniper]

Have been told by a very reliable source that for importers to get the Australian Ctick approval costs a lot of money. Not just a few thousand, but a lot more than that. And thats per model. So when you think of say Humminbird, how many models they have, such as their Matrix range, 300series, 500series and so on, that does run into millions of dollars. Unfortunately, the end user pays for this. Hense why buying Australian electronics is more expensive. The importers also have to allow for a certain percentage for warranty claims too, plus they carry most spare parts on the shelf to get you back on the water as soon as possible too. This again all costs money. These companies aren't charities, unfortunately. Be nice for a hand out from them. lol.. So if anyone wants to blame anyone for prices here in oz being inflated, blame the government with all their taxs and regulations. I for one will be looking at buying my next sounder and gps from a local dealer.
But if you want to know a good website for cheap gear from the US, PM me and I'll give you one. He's an ex aussie anyway.
Billyboy

[roydsy]

I wish I had the money to support the local guys but unfortunately money talks and I hate going to work. The more i spend on toys the longer I have to work and the less fishing i can do, simplistic but true.

While I don't want to end up living in a country as populous and capitalistic as the USA, it would be nice if some progress could be made to get the cost of goods down here in Oz.

190% price difference is unbearable.

[jez and suze]

i just purchased the new eagle seacharter for $890 including postage and insurance..this unit is valued in aus at 1600...we ARE being ripped off.....get it from bonzaimports.

[whiteman]

but 190% markup is rediculous.
Roydsy
88% actually. Great price.

[roydsy]

88% actually. Great price.

Fair enough, an exaggeration, but at "almost" twice the price you would have to be one stubbie short of a six pack to buy locally.

[krazyfisher]

ok I have read this and can see both side.
1. I believe I spend abit of money on fishing
2. when I can I buy local most of the time

now tell me this are we not on the net have we not heard on the word global. what is the differance between buying from another town and overseas? what is the local bloke?
I have purchased 5 boats in the last six years none of which from my own town mostly from brisbane and have saved between $1000 to $5000 on each boat. so am I not looking after the local bloke or is he not looking after me!!!!!

as for overseas I just got a navman fuel meter from USA and this is why
local $350
NZ $280
USA $175
thats half price if it stops working I can buy another and i am still not out of pocket. I can understand it being cheaper in NZ but....

[solaris]

Has anyone had to return a unit they purchased from the US for a warranty repair?

I purchesed a new GPS unit nine months ago local and have to send in back to Lowarance three times over the nine months. It is a pain because each time you are without your unit for two to three weeks. I know I paid a considerable amount more than what I could have if I purchased from the US. I am glad that in my case I only have to drop the unit off 2kms from my home to the dealer I purchased from and not go through the Hassel of overseas shipping.

[Stumpy-USA]

I'm not much for arguing about national pride, that's a subject we Americans get hammered for all the time. We all seem to take the blame for what our leaders do or don't do just because we live here.

As far as buying products from over-seas merchants. We do it all the time. I buy probably 40% of my fishing gear from Japan. Guess why ! Its better stuff cheaper than we can get it here at home. Lucky Craft, Jackall, Evergreen, Megabass, etc...., can cost as much as $30-$40 or more per bait at the local shops. If I buy the same baits direct from Japan I can usually get them for around $15-$25. There are some specialty shops where the prices are more competitive but for the most part we deal with the same issues you guys do. I've even just recently bought some Aussie lures over the net. Our major retailers here like Bass Pro Shop and Cabelas dictate the prices they will sell lures for to the man who makes them. This has driven the majority of them out of business the ones who remain have to have very unique products or have to sell at cut rates just to survive. I agree with all of you in that I try to buy local when I can but if its something I can get elsewhere cheaper that's where my money goes. I don't see paying an extra $10 per lure just so I can walk in and buy it if I can make an order to Japan and get it in a week or two. And warranties are warranties, for the most part nobody wants to honor them anymore. Its the same story where ever you go. The big man runs the little man out of business and then jacks up the profit margin and we all pay for it. You just have to do what you think is right with your money. I choose to spend mine wisely on the things I want.

One other thing........Untill recently we didn't have to pay any taxes on internet purchases. A few years ago the government stepped in on behalf of the big businesses. Now we pay sales tax plus in some cases an out of state internet purchase tax and our prices are steadily going up.

Like I said, do what you think is best with your money and you'll feel better about it in the end.

Stumpy

[Heath]

Has anyone had to return a unit they purchased from the US for a warranty repair?

I purchesed a new GPS unit nine months ago local and have to send in back to Lowarance three times over the nine months. It is a pain because each time you are without your unit for two to three weeks. I know I paid a considerable amount more than what I could have if I purchased from the US. I am glad that in my case I only have to drop the unit off 2kms from my home to the dealer I purchased from and not go through the hassel of overseas shipping.

Not myself, however my Lowrance unit that I got from the states did have the transducer go bung(temp stopped working). I checked it on another head unit to confirm & then emailed Lowrance Customer support in the USA. To cut the story short, I had a new Transducer on my door step in 5 days:D

And when I lent the old one to to FrankJ, the bloody thing was working again! :D8-)

[Mindi]

Oh and on another note..

If customs do that one in 50 search on the item and deem it NOT to be a gift..

you lose... you will pay the GST and the import tax and maybe even a nice little FINE...

or maybe there is something wrong with paying tax and supporting our system..

Aussie Aussie Aussie.. OI OI OI..... :)


This is wrong..the whole "gift" thing is wrong. Look up the Customs Regs. You can mail order anything from overseas which costs less than $1000 including postage. There is no paperwork. A friend ordered a Furuno 620CV from Fishon Marine for about $860 aud including transducer and it arrived at his door in 5 days to rural SA.
This is called globalisation....why should he pay $1350 to J N Taylor or Furuno Australia or some small retailer who is only making $50 on it anyway.

I have no connection to Fishonmarine (who advertise on this forum) but if you go to their site there is a page on Australian orders specifically including links to the customs site, postage explanations, and packages including Australian Maps...........like an Eagle 642C with Navionics X32 delivered for about $870 aud.
Its a competitive world.

[John Buoy]

Mindi i think Fisherdans post was in relation to the original 1st post made
wher the item in question is valued at $5000! Which if declared will incur duty and taxes.
Some retailers will place a lesser than $1000 on the item invoice to get thru customs
but remember if insurance is claimed due to a loss it will only cover the
postal invoice total.;)

Regards Frank

[John Martin]

This was discussed / debated / argued in great detail here:
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=130464&page=6&highlight=fcv620

[John Martin]

I just bought the Furuno FCV620 off this guy http://onlinefishfinders.com/about_us_.html
He's very helpful and told me he sends everything marked as a gift...there is a sales tax on top of his price though which added $34 to my purchase but worth it if it sails through customs.
cheers
Pete

If one is prepared to be dishonest in their dealing and scheme of ways to cheat the system then there's lots of ways to save a buck! It's just sad when that person brags about it on a public forum!

You can save taxi fare by driving your car when you're well over the booze limit! :-X

or you can encourage a young bloke who works at a dealer to steal the gear and then you pay him cash :o does this make it right or something to brag about?

By undervaluing (fraudulently altering the customs value) and then comparing the shonky deal with the price of a legitimate local dealer who has to charge the 10% GST is no basis for an argument or discussion on "being ripped off" but rather just showing your character and nievity :'(

[Nautek]

OK guys, I've read all the posts regarding importing etc etc. For me its quite simple and you guys, if you have a real good hard think about it may agree, on the other hand you may not.....but here's my 5 cents worth anyway.

We spend in excess of $50 to $100K, sometimes more, sometimes less, on a vessel to enjoy our hobby....fishing. We purchased this vessel to spend time on the water doing what we love.

Some will then buy a plotter from U.S to save.....what a thousand dollars??
If...and I say if...the unit plays up you send it back to the U.S (as stated that you have to by the suppliers in the U.S), then the vessel you spent $50 to $100K on, will sit in the shed.....not on the water. All because we wanted to save approx 1% of the purchase price of the boat. Are you serious??

If you cant afford the sounder, that will keep you fishing, then buy a cheaper boat. Most of us cant find enough time as it is to fish......why waste the time we do find.

[marco]

This was discussed / debated / argued in great detail here:
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=130464&page=6&highlight=fcv620

and won by me ;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D


sorry john , couldnt resist

[marco]

OK guys, I've read all the posts regarding importing etc etc. For me its quite simple and you guys, if you have a real good hard think about it may agree, on the other hand you may not.....but here's my 5 cents worth anyway.

We spend in excess of $50 to $100K, sometimes more, sometimes less, on a vessel to enjoy our hobby....fishing. We purchased this vessel to spend time on the water doing what we love.

Some will then buy a plotter from U.S to save.....what a thousand dollars??
If...and I say if...the unit plays up you send it back to the U.S (as stated that you have to by the suppliers in the U.S), then the vessel you spent $50 to $100K on, will sit in the shed.....not on the water. All because we wanted to save approx 1% of the purchase price of the boat. Are you serious??

If you cant afford the sounder, that will keep you fishing, then buy a cheaper boat. Most of us cant find enough time as it is to fish......why waste the time we do find.


two week turn around including shipping time to fix a furuno , small price to pay for what was a 900 dollar saving at the time .

furuno has come down to a difference of 100 dollars for the same model now so that does not make it worth while buying from the states .

at the end of the day aussie importers were taking us all for a ride , but because of the amount of sales lost to the usa market the importers are reducing thier prices to what is a fair margine .

[marco]

OK guys, I've read all the posts regarding importing etc etc. For me its quite simple and you guys, if you have a real good hard think about it may agree, on the other hand you may not.....but here's my 5 cents worth anyway.

We spend in excess of $50 to $100K, sometimes more, sometimes less, on a vessel to enjoy our hobby....fishing. We purchased this vessel to spend time on the water doing what we love.

Some will then buy a plotter from U.S to save.....what a thousand dollars??
If...and I say if...the unit plays up you send it back to the U.S (as stated that you have to by the suppliers in the U.S), then the vessel you spent $50 to $100K on, will sit in the shed.....not on the water. All because we wanted to save approx 1% of the purchase price of the boat. Are you serious??

If you cant afford the sounder, that will keep you fishing, then buy a cheaper boat. Most of us cant find enough time as it is to fish......why waste the time we do find.

actually read your post again and i cannot help but think you are a industry related person , is this correct ? and if so you should announce your position when making comment

[bluefin59]

Have you ever tried to get lowrance or navman to fix your problem ? It normally takes 2 weeks minimum to have the problem fixed and yes i speak from experience from both these people when they were seperate companies ,so to get stuff fixed in the states is no big deal as there turn around is usually quicker . This is from personal experience ...matt

[Steve B]

Have you ever tried to get lowrance or navman to fix your problem ? It normally takes 2 weeks minimum to have the problem fixed and yes i speak from experience from both these people when they were seperate companies ,so to get stuff fixed in the states is no big deal as there turn around is usually quicker . This is from personal experience ...matt

Have to agree with you matt, I had to send my eagle back to the states, 2 weeks turnaround, they paid postage back, cost me about $30......not bad in my eyes. Saved about $600 on the orginal purchase. I also had a locally bought sounder a few years back, had all sorts of trouble getting warranty for a genuine claims and the process went on for over a month.!


Nautek, Those 50 to 100k boats you refered to, alot of blokes now are importing them too for a fraction of the price....it doesnt stop at electronics and tackle anymore. but I certainly do see your point.

cheers steve

[cyclone8888]

Hi Fellas,

Just for everyones info, Lowrance and Bias are running a special to counter overseas grey imports at the moment.

I just bought a Globalmap 5300 for $699 and a LMS 527 DF IGPS for $899, now I only really looked on Ebay and yes it was cheaper, but only about $40 cheaper once postage was taken into account. Maybe there are other online retailers that I haven't seen that are cheaper again but I am pretty happy with what I paid.

I was pretty worried about buying stuff from the States and really didn't give it a huge amount of thought but by the sounds of things very few people have horror stories??

[Nautek]

Marco, Sorry mate. I own and operate Nautek Marine Services in Melbourne. We have 4 techs doing installs, upgrades and rectifications on everything from trailer boats to 200ft luxury cruises (floating hotels).
We see frustrated customers all the time......boat in shed.....sounder in for warranty in the U.S.

I cant really comment on the other brands warranty except Furuno and Raymarine, they are the only 2 we really deal with as they carry onboard warranty. If its installed or commisioned by an authorised tech, they will foot the bill and send a tech to you for warranty.......no need to remove it and send it back.

Give us a call for prices......maybe cheaper than you think. Currently got Furuno FCV620's for $1000's after cash back from Furuno and Raymarine A65's for $1500 with GPS antenna, DSM and 600W transom mount transducer.

Nautek Marine
03 9645 4420

[flybloke]

Does that Furuno price include the 600w trany?
What extra cost to send to SEQ?

[John Martin]

Nautek, that would be including 10% GST so it's a VERY good price!!

[Nautek]

600W transom mount tranny is $110 incl GST or $190 if you want water speed as well.

[DR]

OK guys, I've read all the posts regarding importing etc etc. For me its quite simple and you guys, if you have a real good hard think about it may agree, on the other hand you may not.....but here's my 5 cents worth anyway.

We spend in excess of $50 to $100K, sometimes more, sometimes less, on a vessel to enjoy our hobby....fishing. We purchased this vessel to spend time on the water doing what we love.

Some will then buy a plotter from U.S to save.....what a thousand dollars??
If...and I say if...the unit plays up you send it back to the U.S (as stated that you have to by the suppliers in the U.S), then the vessel you spent $50 to $100K on, will sit in the shed.....not on the water. All because we wanted to save approx 1% of the purchase price of the boat. Are you serious??

If you cant afford the sounder, that will keep you fishing, then buy a cheaper boat. Most of us cant find enough time as it is to fish......why waste the time we do find.

Firstly i would like to know how many members here actually own $50 - $100k boats? & they must be complete knobs if they leave their boat in the shed because the plotter isn't working, can't they use the old fashioned way & look where they are going..
I know if i could afford a $100k for a boat i probably would not worry about a couple of hundred dollars as well, but i don't & i am careful with what i spend..
The average fisho works hard for his $s & if a bit can be saved, good luck to them..

[Fatenhappy]

Hey Lutjanus ...

I believe the original question was ....

Need a sounder/chartplotter.Thinking Furuno 10.4 navnet or Raymarine e80 system.Anyone give me hints on importing eg os dealer,paperwork required,freight costs Also any local dealer who will compete price wise Best so far E80-$5000.Think import price around$4000[all in AUD]

Amazing the road its travelled through its evolution in this thread ...

And so back to the original question without all the doom and gloom ....

And to pre-empt my reply ..... beside the dollars saved, in quite a few instances my reason for importing was the product was not available here at the time, and nor would it be for a year or more afterwards (from personal experience) as Australia is such a small market compared to others ...

Sorry, I can't help you with the Furuno ... but I can with personal experience of importing ....

Any item over $1000 attracts GST when imported from the US ... BUT ..... and there's a big but there .... all depends how it is imported.

At no stage did I set out to decieve anyone but, I have found out from personal experience more recently that it all depends on who the forwarding agents are ... i.e UPS, Fedex and the like as to how things are treated at this end ..... sounds strange but its true .....

I have imported all manner of electronics from the States ... sounder combos, Radars, Search lights etc etc, but the moment it came in via large world wide forwarding agent that starts with F - - - X everything went to a can of worms with both customs duties and GST.

Maybe I have been lucky in the past, I really don't know. But I do know, once things had to be sorted via customs it was a whole different game plan!

As far as which ever way of importation was involved, everything was easy enough either way ....

[disorderly]

Firstly i would like to know how many members here actually own $50 - $100k boats? & they must be complete knobs if they leave their boat in the shed because the plotter isn't working, can't they use the old fashioned way & look where they are going..
I know if i could afford a $100k for a boat i probably would not worry about a couple of hundred dollars as well, but i don't & i am careful with what i spend..
The average fisho works hard for his $s & if a bit can be saved, good luck to them..

Well said DR....
I have 2 boats(a tinny and a bigger tinny/reef boat ...cost me a combined total of 15 grand) and am currently finding that to keep them going I am having to look into every avenue to save money.....eg everything from making my own sinkers...catching my own bait ...and of course looking for the best deals on electronics and all my fishing gear...
Whatever it takes I will do to keep my fishing passion alive...and currently that includes importing a lot of my gear as the local guys are just way too expensive in comparison...(I also live in an isolated country area which makes this disparity even worse).

Scott

[2manylures]

Has anyone had to return a unit they purchased from the US for a warranty repair?

I purchesed a new GPS unit nine months ago local and have to send in back to Lowarance three times over the nine months. It is a pain because each time you are without your unit for two to three weeks. I know I paid a considerable amount more than what I could have if I purchased from the US. I am glad that in my case I only have to drop the unit off 2kms from my home to the dealer I purchased from and not go through the Hassel of overseas shipping.

I just purchased a Lowrance LCX 38 C HD DF from the US as this was the model I wanted. Lowrance have no intention of bringing this sounder to Aus. I am still covered by local Australian warranty. If in case you disbelieve ring Lowrance & ask which is what I did.

As for import duties etc. Being sent as a gift means nothing. Customs go on $$$Value being $1000.00 for "private importers" I didn't get busted on my sounder but I have been busted on 400 plus Rapalas. A mate just got busted on a sounder of $1800.00 value & had to pay an extra $260.00. STILL cheaper than buying here plus we still get full Lowrance warranty.

These are cold hard facts from actual experiences within the last 8 months. No guess work or 2nd hand hearsay.

[CB77]

I have ordered from the USA! and will continue to whilst I can save hard earned $$ & when you contact these overseas suppliers they are quick to return emails etc and give good service.

I will be stuffed if I am giving this country one $ more in tax than I have to.

We get taxed on our income, then the same money we have already paid tax on is taxed again when we buy with GST.
Then you save to buy a home and you get stamp duty tax. you work hard and invest what little money you have to spare and you get capital gains tax, you work harder get a promotion and a company car and you get fringe benefits tax.

Tax on your fuel, tax on the toll roads, tax on your smokes. rates,rego etc =tax,

We just go to work to pay TAX TAX TAX.

The other comments that i noticed where support the local guy, well i go into the local guy and when the staff finally come over to help you, they know stuff all about the products and have an attitude to go with it, then you say ok Ill take that one and guess what there out of stock of that model. There are quite a few businesses that I wont even go to anymore because of poor product knowledge & customer service.

I went to a major boat dealer to buy my latest boat, i waited 15mins for the 5 office staff having a chit chat & laugh about a birthday party and when one finally asked are you being looked after I asked him the price of a boat on the lot and he told me to get the ID number off it and he would tell me the price, well they can shove that boat up their XYZ & I just walked out. I bought a $43k boat the next day elsewhere.

If I can save some of my hard earned $$ and if that means buying offshore from someone willing to take less profit for the sale then I will, when aussie businesses get real I will support them.

[marco]

I have ordered from the USA! and will continue to whilst I can save hard earned $$ & when you contact these overseas suppliers they are quick to return emails etc and give good service.

I will be stuffed if I am giving this country one $ more in tax than I have to.

We get taxed on our income, then the same money we have already paid tax on is taxed again when we buy with GST.
Then you save to buy a home and you get stamp duty tax. you work hard and invest what little money you have to spare and you get capital gains tax, you work harder get a promotion and a company car and you get fringe benefits tax.

Tax on your fuel, tax on the toll roads, tax on your smokes. rates,rego etc =tax,

We just go to work to pay TAX TAX TAX.

The other comments that i noticed where support the local guy, well i go into the local guy and when the staff finally come over to help you, they know stuff all about the products and have an attitude to go with it, then you say ok Ill take that one and guess what there out of stock of that model. There are quite a few businesses that I wont even go to anymore because of poor product knowledge & customer service.

I went to a major boat dealer to buy my latest boat, i waited 15mins for the 5 office staff having a chit chat & laugh about a birthday party and when one finally asked are you being looked after I asked him the price of a boat on the lot and he told me to get the ID number off it and he would tell me the price, well they can shove that boat up their XYZ & I just walked out. I bought a $43k boat the next day elsewhere.

If I can save some of my hard earned $$ and if that means buying offshore from someone willing to take less profit for the sale then I will, when aussie businesses get real I will support them.

fair comment , well said .