Thread: Gear shopping - Local vs Offshore - I know...

So I know this will be always upset some people but I'd be interested to see what people have to say..
For 9.8 out of 10 things I purchase (no matter what it is) I always try to support local but every once in a while curiosity gets the best of me and I check offshore prices + shipping...
I was looking at a Leupold VX5 HD 3-15x44 CDS ZL2 Fire Dot Duplex today at my local shop and hmmm... $2400 cool, I can stretch to that, but I wonder... opticzone.com.. Oh man, $1850NZD to my door? That's when I start reading their warranty/returns policy reeeeeally closely as $550 is not nothing.. and if there's issues, just contact Leupy direct?
I'm new here so no idea if this has been done to death (mods feel free to delete) but I'm genuinely curious what you guys think about this kind of thing?

Does that factor in GST at the border? Charged on imports over $1000 (shipping cost is part of that $1000 threshold).

I try and support local but in recent years the service at a lot of places has turned to shit if there even is service. If I encounter that they loose a customer for good and Ill buy offshore if that's my only option...

Anyone that goes into a retail shop to look at stuff then buys online is a pillock in my opinion. If you want to buy online all be it but don’t go try things for size first only makes things more expensive in the long run for the rest of us.

Originally Posted by Kimber 7mm-08

Does that factor in GST at the border? Charged on imports over $1000 (shipping cost is part of that $1000 threshold).

I purchase some things from overseas for my other hobbies (and only because they're not available here in NZ unless purchased straight from the producer) and I have to say that over the last 20ish years of doing this periodically I have been charged gst exactly once.
Do you have experience of being charged gst/duties etc on expensive items from overseas? I've purchased music related gear and other various items unavailable at retail here, all well over $1k, over a dozen times and have only been charged once.

Ring taihape sports for a price.
Giles.
06 3881762.
You could be surprised!

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Originally Posted by catharsis

Do you have experience of being charged gst/duties etc on expensive items from overseas? I've purchased music related gear and other various items unavailable at retail here, all well over $1k, over a dozen times and have only been charged once.

No, I've not ordered anything past that threshold, but just wanted to make sure your figure factored it in as it is a possibility, especially with firearm things going through the border in this day and age attracting more attention.

Originally Posted by Mr300WSM

Anyone that goes into a retail shop to look at stuff then buys online is a pillock in my opinion. If you want to buy online all be it but don’t go try things for size first only makes things more expensive in the long run for the rest of us.

I was there to buy something else and happened to see the scope and read the specs. I then went online to look at reviews and information about it (it's a $2,400 purchase... I'm going to do my homework). The shop I was at offers a price match, so I looked to see if there were cheaper prices locally and some US sites came up as well. I don't really think that makes me a "pillock" but that's 100% fine if you think it does.
Also, the local market gouging you for higher profit margin is what makes things expensive here. I have worked in retail/wholesale sales for a long time and I know exactly the kind of GP% NZ retail stores fleece us for on stuff like this. Have you had a look at what kind of cars the retail business owners drive/where their holiday homes are? Sorry man but they're not your mates and they're not worrying about how they can give you a good deal on the gear you love.

Originally Posted by andyanimal31

Ring taihape sports for a price.
Giles.
06 3881762.
You could be surprised!

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

Thanks mate, will do!

Originally Posted by Kimber 7mm-08

Does that factor in GST at the border? Charged on imports over $1000 (shipping cost is part of that $1000 threshold).

No charges at the border for scopes in my experience. Have just bought in a 1,800NZD 'scope (last week) from the US and no charges delivered to my door. That has always been my experience with scopes.

Originally Posted by andyanimal31

Ring taihape sports for a price.
Giles.
06 3881762.
You could be surprised!

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

he had them for 2k a few weeks ago

I tried the stoney creek gear, hunters element and everything else kiwi made. As much as I’d like to buy local I’ve gotten rid of it all and now use Kuiu gear, I hunt every weekend in some of the harshest mountainous areas I’ve found (keeps other hunters out, multitudes of animals) and tis gear just straight up performs and has outlasted the other gear I had. That said, people were buying this gear off the American website and avoiding duties and import tax, now you cannot pay through any other portal but the nz one which makes things more expensive as the duties and tax and what ever else are factored into price

Originally Posted by Jus

I tried the stoney creek gear, hunters element and everything else kiwi made. As much as I’d like to buy local I’ve gotten rid of it all and now use Kuiu gear, I hunt every weekend in some of the harshest mountainous areas I’ve found (keeps other hunters out, multitudes of animals) and tis gear just straight up performs and has outlasted the other gear I had. That said, people were buying this gear off the American website and avoiding duties and import tax, now you cannot pay through any other portal but the nz one which makes things more expensive as the duties and tax and what ever else are factored into price

You still can buy & pay by American dollars, I just tried it then and it still works. This is how I buy all my Kuiu gear.

I was interested ina Karrimore pack listed on here and out of interest looked at the price new. Identical model was selling for $1300 on one website (shipped from the US). If I bought directly from the US I'd pay USD$350 +shipping.

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Karrimor is a UK brand so try their pricing