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

Originally Posted by Eat Meater

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.

https://nz.sportsdirect.com/karrimor...5EBack%20Packs

When importing items over the $1000 dollar mark the risk is that customs will require you to clear it through a broker. I know it doesn't always happen, but it can. Clearance will cost you around $150. It is also worth considering what happens if things go wrong with the courier and the package is lost. Insurance on lost packages is a long and often fruitless process. Then there's product support and what happens if you have an issue with the item. Most reputable local companies will happily go above and beyond what is strictly required of them under the terms of a warranty it you have a problem. Personally I will happily support a local company unless what I want is not available in NZ.

Karrimor is a UK brand so try their pricing

If I want to have a bakery in my area then I need to stump up and buy their bread
I can make bread at home but theirs tastes better

If I want a basic selection of firearm related goods then I will patronise my local gunshop

Yeah the prices are worse than importing but I'm happy to pay more and have a gunshop in my neighbourhood



It cracks me up how many NZ shooters own big dollar rifles then bitch about the cost of minor components



I don't want to live in a country which is only supplied by Gun City and Humping and Fisting and will happily pay to keep local gunshops in funds

Originally Posted by 308

If I want to have a bakery in my area then I need to stump up and buy their bread
I can make bread at home but theirs tastes better

If I want a basic selection of firearm related goods then I will patronise my local gunshop

Yeah the prices are worse than importing but I'm happy to pay more and have a gunshop in my neighbourhood



It cracks me up how many NZ shooters own big dollar rifles then bitch about the cost of minor components



I don't want to live in a country which is only supplied by Gun City and Humping and Fisting and will happily pay to keep local gunshops in funds

So that justifies Hardy’s prices for NF scopes ?

I work too hard for my money to be gouged by the likes of him.

B

Originally Posted by shift14

So that justifies Hardy’s prices for NF scopes ?

I work too hard for my money to be gouged by the likes of him.

B

Sure, if you don't like a shop by all means don't shop there, I'm not stopping you

What I'm saying is your spending money is like a vote every time you put some dosh down and I will happily spend extra if it helps keep a local shop going that I like

My phone rings most weeks with someone wanting a part for gear they have either purchased offshore or in NZ from some no name, fly by night importer. I try and help where I can. Buy locally from a reputable company and the problem goes away.

Originally Posted by zeropak

My phone rings most weeks with someone wanting a part for gear they have either purchased offshore or in NZ from some no name, fly by night importer. I try and help where I can. Buy locally from a reputable company and the problem goes away.

Unfortunately no it doesn't. Had several items I've had over the last few years where the retailer failed dismally and I've had to order the parts myself. If I'm getting sterling 'no questions asked' gold plated and FAST service I definitely do not mind paying for the backup. But when it's costing me in some cases over twice the price to wait twice as long to get the goods, and then have more of a farkaround just dealing with the store why would you?

Yes, support your local but if they are taking longer, charging more, and are more hassle than DIY there is just no point to it. It's not just hunting gear, it's everything nowadays to be honest - electronic components, hardware, mechanical parts, construction materials, household goods etc etc. Nothing that we used to hold in stock in NZ seems to be held here now, it's all bloody order in. And that's hugely risky when speed and service quality are what keeps your customers coming back - if you're slower at supplying than direct ordering (either locally in other parts of NZ or from overseas), a huge amount more expensive or just plain way more hassle (noting here council is making it an utter arse simply getting to some suppliers and then you have to find a park...) you're not going to stay in business.

Agreed. But when it's a 80% + mark up then those businesses are pricing themselves out of my patronage

Wait till you check out Lowa boots. Tibet's for $375-400 landed versus $780 in NZ, or even basic camping equipment like tents. Bought a tent for $700 from the US and the same model costs $1300. You've gotta be a real masochist to shop local these days.

Originally Posted by Daniel Kwon

Wait till you check out Lowa boots. Tibet's for $375-400 landed versus $780 in NZ, or even basic camping equipment like tents. Bought a tent for $700 from the US and the same model costs $1300. You've gotta be a real masochist to shop local these days.

I just payed the $780 for the Tibet's

A big component of the discount is the fact that you don’t pay VAT tax on these imported items. Then don’t have to pay GST here. For example I buy a bit of kit from Finland and the VAT is 24%.

We have a great wee shop locally in Rivers to Ranges and majority comes from here but the odd thing I have a real preference on are not easily attainable here or I would have to order online out of my region.

now heres a thought out of left field.....let local shop know what price you can get it in from overseas for....and say to them poke a..say$50-100 on top of that and I will buy it off you..... this has always been a "thing" genuine VS aftermarket car parts are a classic for it. chainsaw bits are even more so. but @308 is right if we dont support local little guy.. he wont stay in business and then when you need that pack of primers/couple boxes of .22lr for surprise spotlight mission/etc in a hurry you will be shit out of luck...
30 years ago when I shifted to Timaru we has Falconers field n stream in south end of town,great salmon gear,few reasonable priced guns and good ammunition selection,tiny bit of camping stuff
Buckleys in middle of town...bought by Gary Dix later..lots of good priced guns good ammunition,good fishing stuff and great folks to deal with @Muz257 LOL Bagos was on cnr grey road and elizabeth street...small selection of 2nd hand camping and fishing stuff
then we got a hunting n fishing,Thai n Rita had a TINY shop...no more than 6meters wide and the yhad GREAT prices..... they got bought out and the big store was built...we got another store in washdyke.Davos...Falconers closed when owner passed..Dixs closed not long afterwards,they were in washdyke for a bit so now..we have big Hunting n Fishing and little davos and thats it.... smiths city also USED to have great wee sports section,thats gone now. so we didnt look after little guys and they folded up....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

now heres a thought out of left field.....let local shop know what price you can get it in from overseas for....and say to them poke a..say$50-100 on top of that and I will buy it off you..... this has always been a "thing" genuine VS aftermarket car parts are a classic for it. chainsaw bits are even more so. but @308 is right if we dont support local little guy.. he wont stay in business and then when you need that pack of primers/couple boxes of .22lr for surprise spotlight mission/etc in a hurry you will be shit out of luck...
30 years ago when I shifted to Timaru we has Falconers field n stream in south end of town,great salmon gear,few reasonable priced guns and good ammunition selection,tiny bit of camping stuff
Buckleys in middle of town...bought by Gary Dix later..lots of good priced guns good ammunition,good fishing stuff and great folks to deal with @Muz257 LOL Bagos was on cnr grey road and elizabeth street...small selection of 2nd hand camping and fishing stuff
then we got a hunting n fishing,Thai n Rita had a TINY shop...no more than 6meters wide and the yhad GREAT prices..... they got bought out and the big store was built...we got another store in washdyke.Davos...Falconers closed when owner passed..Dixs closed not long afterwards,they were in washdyke for a bit so now..we have big Hunting n Fishing and little davos and thats it.... smiths city also USED to have great wee sports section,thats gone now. so we didnt look after little guys and they folded up....

Imagine if you had internet 30 years ago and could check how much those small guys with “great” deals were fleecing you 😂

One issue I have struck often here is that none of the shops keep higher value items in stock - they only get them in once you’ve paid for them. These retailers are nothing more than drop shippers and are just clipping the ticket for ordering it for you. If they want me to buy local then they need to have the stock in store, not expect me to buy sight unseen and charge me a premium for ordering it.

The only thing putting me off buying overseas at the moment is the low value of the NZ$ against the US$. I have been charged GST on items coming in, but they are still considerably cheaper, the available range of goods is huge, and the service generally streets ahead of the service here.