[Bernard L. Madoff]

Cycling. You should be able to buy from the USA (delivered) any bikes or componetry at about 40-60% of you local bike shop price (shipping included) but if you have the beast and want the ultimate training tool...

The Garmin 500 (with Heart Rate Monitor and Cadence/Speed) retails around $400 here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/...=item45f6afba01

[Max Carnage]

Don't forget GST, customs and quarantine costs.

My dear wife copped a total $359 of additional charges on a $1600 import last week. The quarantine bit was particularly surprising, costing an extra $90 - she'd ordered similar items dozens of times in the past. So, adding the $160 for insured shipping...

Smaller items under a thousand make a lot of sense though.

[Turkey]

Yep, as Max says under $1,000 = no import duty. I often find the overseas price is half or less the local price so I'm happy to take my chances with warranties.

I don't know why US shipping is so expensive, UPS is a killer. That's why I usually end up buying from a European or Asian website.

[Bernard L. Madoff]

Laptops are a bargain and the chargers are now 110v-240v so all you need is a plug adapter from Dick Smiths.

For shipping insist on USPS priority mail (or higher). http://www.usps.com/...mail-prices.htm

PS Stay away from UPS at all times, they over charge and deduct taxes.

PPS If you buy anything expensive that can separated get it sent in separate <$1000 shipments (eg bicycle).

[Charles Bukowski]

Bought 30 packs of Martin guitar strings. Even with shipping from US, still more than 1/4 of the price compared to a music shop around here.

[zaph]

Charles Bukowski, on 11 November 2010 - 06:44 AM, said:

Bought 30 packs of Martin guitar strings. Even with shipping from US, still more than 1/4 of the price compared to a music shop around here.

bought 30 packs of Winfield light. even with shipping still 30% more cancer.

[Bernard L. Madoff]

Charles Bukowski, on 11 November 2010 - 06:44 AM, said:

Bought 30 packs of Martin guitar strings. Even with shipping from US, still more than 1/4 of the price compared to a music shop around here.

A muso mate just bought himself a Gibson Les Paul from US ebay for a fraction of the local cost.

[Ruffian]

I have it on good authority that underwear (particularly ladies underwear... more particularly of the scenic variety) is about a third of the cost of what is available locally, is better quality, and takes about 10 days to get here. Well worth the investment.

Even bog-standard clothing is cheaper and better, and if you have any idea of brands you like the sizing isn't much of a challenge. ATM the family has an order of about $300 worth of Old Navy/Banana Republic/Gap clothes ready to go. That's about 22 garments, for four people, including shipping. You do the math.

[Mr Medved]

Bernard L. Madoff, on 11 November 2010 - 08:56 AM, said:

A muso mate just bought himself a Gibson Les Paul from US ebay for a fraction of the local cost.

How much for shipping though? That must cost a few hundred dollars... and I'd be nervous about it being sent in an adequate manner.

[Mr Medved]

Ruffian, on 11 November 2010 - 11:22 PM, said:

I have it on good authority that underwear (particularly ladies underwear... more particularly of the scenic variety) is about a third of the cost of what is available locally, is better quality, and takes about 10 days to get here. Well worth the investment.

What site do you buy clothing through?

[Bernard L. Madoff]

Mr Medved, on 12 November 2010 - 04:43 AM, said:

How much for shipping though? That must cost a few hundred dollars... and I'd be nervous about it being sent in an adequate manner.

$150

eg http://cgi.ebay.com/...=item51963ce550


I've bought jeans and recently a suit through ebay.com

[staringclown]

Ruffian, on 11 November 2010 - 11:22 PM, said:

I have it on good authority that underwear (particularly ladies underwear... more particularly of the scenic variety) is about a third of the cost of what is available locally, is better quality, and takes about 10 days to get here. Well worth the investment.

Even bog-standard clothing is cheaper and better, and if you have any idea of brands you like the sizing isn't much of a challenge. ATM the family has an order of about $300 worth of Old Navy/Banana Republic/Gap clothes ready to go. That's about 22 garments, for four people, including shipping. You do the math.

Is the quality better? Are those brands manufactured in the US? I didn't think they could compete with China. The price sounds right though. I made the mistake once of ordering a XXL US size shirt (from a company I used to work for in Kansas). It was a dress rather than a shirt. Them must grow them big over there. Maybe it's propaganda. Like when the yanks took giant condoms to Vietnam.

Edit Close barackets

This post has been edited by staringclown: 12 November 2010 - 08:50 AM

[Ruffian]

Mr Medved, on 12 November 2010 - 04:46 AM, said:

What site do you buy clothing through?

These guys provide an international shipping service for many US stores. The link will take you to reputable , reliable retailers.

http://www.ishop-america.com/


And this one takes you somewhere else.

http://www.exquisite...t.com/index.php

[Bernard L. Madoff]

Quality is the same for Asian manufactured stuff. Though my jeans were made in Mexico and the suit USA. We (Australia) just over charge for stuff (from houses to shoes) because the dumb arses are willing to pay.

I bought three pairs of kangaroo hide football boots (two sons and me) through ebay.co.uk they retail here for $150+ a pair and I got all three delivered by Royal Mail for $160 total. Now for $50 in Australia you get nylon synthetic rubbish that won't last a season.

I bought a Western Force rugby jersey for my son and a Queensland Reds one for me delivered from the UK for 3/4s of the price of the Queensland jumper here in QLD (?!!).

[Ruffian]

staringclown, on 12 November 2010 - 08:47 AM, said:

Is the quality better? Are those brands manufactured in the US? I didn't think they could compete with China. The price sounds right though. I made the mistake once of ordering a XXL US size shirt (from a company I used to work for in Kansas). It was a dress rather than a shirt. Them must grow them big over there. Maybe it's propaganda. Like when the yanks took giant condoms to Vietnam.

Edit Close barackets

Yes, the quality is better. Really.

US brands are made all over, from Bangladesh to the Dominican Republic, including China. But the stuff the Chinese send to the US is better quality than that which we get. Really.

The price is right. We think so anyway. And the choice is much, much better.

Yes, they make them big there. Really, really, big. Follow the recommended sizing charts. Even then there is the occasional problem, (about 15% we find - we give them away as returns are pretty much impossible.)

One day when I have more time I will tell you some big, big American anecdotes.

[staringclown]

OK. You guys are in my "circle of trust". I'm gonna buy some stuff. I want some pants at the moment. My lucky pair are wearing out fast. I've asked Ms clown to parse the "other" link but I'm not hopeful.

[Ruffian]

staringclown, on 12 November 2010 - 09:47 AM, said:

OK. You guys are in my "circle of trust". I'm gonna buy some stuff. I want some pants at the moment. My lucky pair are wearing out fast.

Only a brave man buys pants online.

They never seem to fit right (unless you are one of the few who are a 'perfect' size whatever).

What works best is if you can find the style number on an existing pair (often on the washing label) and can re-buy the exact same size and style as your favourite pants.
And jeans are worse, they sometimes vary even when the style number is right - because they are made in different factories/countries from one year to the next, I think.

I hate shopping for clothes so much it makes my ears pop, but buying on-line is slightly less worser...

[staringclown]

Ruffian, on 12 November 2010 - 10:24 AM, said:

Only a brave man buys pants online.

They never seem to fit right (unless you are one of the few who are a 'perfect' size whatever).

What works best is if you can find the style number on an existing pair (often on the washing label) and can re-buy the exact same size and style as your favourite pants.
And jeans are worse, they sometimes vary even when the style number is right - because they are made in different factories/countries from one year to the next, I think.

I hate shopping for clothes so much it makes my ears pop, but buying on-line is slightly less worser...

You know what I really hate about shopping for pants? It's getting naked in public. (Well behind a thin screen) You're out and about in public without armour. Vulnerable.

[Bernard L. Madoff]

staringclown, on 12 November 2010 - 10:43 AM, said:

You know what I really hate about shopping for pants? It's getting naked in public. (Well behind a thin screen) You're out and about in public without armour. Vulnerable.

You strut around Commando eh?

Try boxer shorts - they give you the commando feel without the skiddies on the bogarts.

[staringclown]

Bernard L. Madoff, on 12 November 2010 - 11:00 AM, said:

You strut around Commando eh?

Try boxer shorts - they give you the commando feel without the skiddies on the bogarts.

No I'm not so bold sir. But think about it in the same terms as looking down beyond your flippers into the deep blue when snorkelling. Who knows what denizens are below you? You can only see so far... A similar feeling comes over me when I'm undressed in a public place. It's when the only thing between you and humiliation is a thin curtain. The stuff of nightmares.