Why so much cheaper to import than buy local?

[JarrardB]

Originally Posted by Maz

I always love this debate....

how does that work? Why shouldn't the local suppliers pass on any savings that the higher australian dollar brings?

One of the reasons I would not buy locally any more is due to the fact that when the dollar went down to 60c the local guys were pretty quick to up their prices but as soon as it went up to 80c then 90c it seemed like an eternity before they adjusted anhything.

I'm not here to defend them, but they are running a business after all. I always wondered why Jeeeparts in Hervey Bay was so expensive, and when I sat back and had a look at their business model it dawned on me. They've been around for a loooong time, riden through plenty of financial ups & downs yet their prices remain relatively stable. The only reason they have been around for such a long time is because their business model is sound.

How that works out for us the consumer is a different story.

The only way local prices will drop is if demand decreases. Obviously there is enough business locally to not have to drop prices whenever the dollar gains strength.

Like I said, shop wherever you feel comfortable and get the best price you can. It's often cheaper to import, I've done it tons of times.

[Wooders]

Originally Posted by Maz

I wouldn't waste my time with local guys that keep stringing you along saying yeah it will be here next week and it doesn't come and who dont follow up orders you place with them. Just unorganised.

And yet sometimes the parts are genuinely not available and also why in some cases you wouldn't have paid for the items until they were available

[bigredtj]

From my experience the landed price ends up being within a dollar or two of the prices i get from my local vendor maybe you just need to shop around more locally.

[Richo]

Originally Posted by Maz

I always love this debate....



how does that work? Why shouldn't the local suppliers pass on any savings that the higher australian dollar brings?



One of the reasons I would not buy locally any more is due to the fact that when the dollar went down to 60c the local guys were pretty quick to up their prices but as soon as it went up to 80c then 90c it seemed like an eternity before they adjusted anhything.

Quadratrec and 4wd hardware are your best friends. Its so easy to purchase something from the states and have it freighted here and the savings are huge.

I wouldn't waste my time with local guys that keep stringing you along saying yeah it will be here next week and it doesn't come and who dont follow up orders you place with them. Just unorganised.

Wouldnt also have anything to do with local vendors withy sh!t eating attitudes and piss poor approaches to customer service Maz? LOL

[thor]

I recently got a brand new aftermarket soft top including door panels for my 2001 TJ delivered to my door for $500 from the US. It even had tinted windows and the stitching and build quality was as good if not better than the original. I couldn't even get one door top for that price here! Pick up your act Aussie retailers!

[OIIIO]

Originally Posted by thor

I recently got a brand new aftermarket soft top including door panels for my 2001 TJ delivered to my door for $500 from the US. It even had tinted windows and the stitching and build quality was as good if not better than the original. I couldn't even get one door top for that price here! Pick up your act Aussie retailers!

5 years and that's it? your only post, and it's crap.....

"pick up your act Aussie retailers"..

I'll dumb it up for you, ok?

US = Millions of Jeep owners
Aust. = thousands of Jeep owners

It's like buying meat, the more you buy the cheaper it is..
Aussie Retailers have to deal with freight/customs/currency fluctuations, and have a right to make a living by providing this service to the customer.

Sick of the whinging Jeep owner syndrome.

[BradleyFutter]

Ok so if we look at absolute worst case, currency bounces by 10c, and 5% for currency exchange, that increases the price by 15%, still means its 35% cheaper incl. shipping charges

I'm no mathematician but what i dont get is that its costs US$550 is for parts, so about AU$600, but to buy here is about AU$1800, so thats 3 times the price... 300%

now if currency fluctuates between 60c and 95c, thats only 50% price difference, not 300% ?? So are we saying there is 250% fluctuation in economy of scale or buying power?

oh and sorry, stupid me didnt realise that this sydney jeep club and ausjeepoffroad seem to have the same user base, so sorry if your reading the same posts :P