Importing gear

[CaMo]

Anyone imported gear from the states or overseas somewhere. If so what website did you use.

I believe it will be quite a lot cheaper. For example this (http://www.motocrossgiant.com/2007_Fox_Racing_HC_Jersey_2008_180_Pant_Package_p/02019_04053-001.htm) set here will probably cost about $200 shipped to my door.

Where as here (http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=7107) you would only be able to get the pants for that price plus have to have them shipped or go pick them up.

Would like a new helmet and armour etc but its the shipping that makes the price way more expensive.

Post up any experiences and sites if you have any.

Cheers :)

PS does anyone here wear a shoulder brace to keep your shoulder tight? Gotta buy one of them too

[dammad1]

Theres a couple of sites in OZ that aren't to bad and the shipping is not that expensive either. I have used dirtriderimports.com with no problems and ballards look ok as well (http://www.ballards.cc/Home/home/Home)

[duckonin]

Be careful spending more than $100 at a time, I stand to be corrected but it used to be $100, or your will end up paying Customs duty, plus GST when your gear arrives, get it all figured out first, this was the way the system protected the retailers, buy your gear in NZ or pay the price....Cheers..

[dammad1]

I think its more like $500 before you get hit with GST isn't it?

And funny enough even if I had of got hit with gst it still would have worked alot cheaper than buying it here.

[notch]

I import most of my stuff for dirtbiking from the US. It ends up way cheaper for most items, except I've found KTM parts can be reasonable in nzl. Shit, I even imported a 40kg amplifier from the us via surface freight, took 2 months to arrive, but was half the price.

Ask for USPS postage - either Global Express or plain Airmail services. DHL or equivilent is very expensive and not worth bothering with.
If you import anything worth more than $400 NZL including postage, you will get stung with GST, and other import taxes. However, the items i have imported over $400, have still ended up cheaper than buying in NZL.

It really makes you wonder how much NZL companies are making - i guess they don't have the same volumes as the states, but shit, if you can import 1 off for much cheaper including postage, the markup must be significant.

[CaMo]

yea it def seems cheaper. What sites did you use notch?

[toebug]

The states does get the volume to help with the price, but you are also looking at buying from internet companies which have minimal overheads. If you go and buy from your local, they have to cover their store etc.

[Voltaire]

Got some gear from Rockymoto, came to about 200 US and 120 shipping.
The website gives you a total including shipping as you go.
Shirts,pants, armour and goggles are ok but boots would sting you on the post.
You need to download all the sizing too as it varies from country to country and company to company.
It works out a bit cheaper than TM but more variety. Was not hit for GST and it took 5 days.

[CaMo]

That rockymoto site aint too bad. Prices seem really good :)

[FlangMasterJ]

Sign up at ThumperTalk.com. Their prices are awesome and I think members get a discount. I bought an exhaust for my pitbike off them. Got it in less than two weeks.

[scracha]

blame the nz wholesalers mate. Your average bikeshop doesn't import from abroad. In fact, a lot of them aren't able to import due to wholesaler restrictions.

[jim.cox]

Be careful spending more than $100 at a time, I stand to be corrected but it used to be $100, or your will end up paying Customs duty, plus GST when your gear arrives, get it all figured out first, this was the way the system protected the retailers, buy your gear in NZ or pay the price....Cheers..

I bought in a couple of helmets last year direct from www.bell.com

No problems with customs at all - not even any GST

I understand that "Safety Equipment" is exempt from import duties (and maybe GST also ?)

[The Stranger]

I have bought a fair bit of gear from starcycle in the states. I have found them excellent to deal with and delivery is prompt. Even ordering stuff on the 23nd of December it was here before Jan.
Better than waiting 6 weeks for for a part or being told for example by a local distributor that you can't get a Yoshi TRC for your model bike, when starcycle have them in stock.

[crazybigal]

the gst amount has to be more than $50 before they sting you


Be careful spending more than $100 at a time, I stand to be corrected but it used to be $100, or your will end up paying Customs duty, plus GST when your gear arrives, get it all figured out first, this was the way the system protected the retailers, buy your gear in NZ or pay the price....Cheers..

[Katoomer]

I have used EBay and been happy with it .Bought a Leatt Brace from a San Diego Yamaha shop which cost me $NZ580 delivered as opposed to 900 -1000 here .Lots of US dealers export stuff all the time .Like trademe check their feedback to find a good trader.Some NZ trademe dealers are pretty competitive too.

[jimmy 2006]

just before you buy,........ think about who you are screwing.
the more everyone buys overseas the smaller our local market becomes, therefore increasing prices.

also what about the fact that spending your money locally is helping a fellow kiwi and their family (our country) instead of boosting the profits of a huge US based company........ :niceone:

[Katoomer]

Fair comment and I do buy bikes and most of my gear in NZ ,however when you are paying nearly double here for some items who is screwing is screwing who.:innocent:

[Coyote]

blame the nz wholesalers mate. Your average bikeshop doesn't import from abroad. In fact, a lot of them aren't able to import due to wholesaler restrictions.
There's a law protecting the middleman?

[Voltaire]

Years ago ( early 80's).....before Visa and when you could not easily get overseas funds the motor industry had it soooooo good. I used to look at the mags from overseas and cry at the prices and what was available.
I went to Aussie and bought a Ducati 900 for about 1/2 what they were here, and the wages were higher.(...no change there then.)
Its great now having the choice.
I own my own business and some of the suppliers still try to milk me, but they only get to do it once. I am an electrician and use lots of cable, but I can get it cheaper at Bunnings and Mitre 10 than my Electrical Wholesalers ....I now get it on Trade Me, and its the same quality.
I bought 'kiwi made' the other day and had that all afternoon robbed feeling, made worse when I found it for 1/3 less a day later. Needless to say I will only go there if I have too. ( it was not motor related).
So if you offer indifferent service, charge too much and treat your customers like they owe you a living....sorry tough.
Rant over.

[jimmy 2006]

fair comment, but i have never been treated poorly at a motorbike store here. the service that i get is usually very good. and i value the relationship i have with my dealer. they look after me and i spend most of my cash there.

[Rupe]

So if you offer indifferent service, charge too much and treat your customers like they owe you a living....sorry tough.
Rant over.


Couldn't agree more.

[dammad1]

The market has changed, the world has effectively become smaller and goods from overseas are now very easy to access. If local business wants to survive then they need to adapt their approach and look for ways to add value to their customers. Jimmy if you get good service from your dealer then thats great and thats obviously something you value, but I personally have found most dealers to be pretty hopeless so I dont really have a lot of loyalties to any of them.
I dont really blame the bike shops for the high prices though, that really lies with the importers, they generally set the RRP's, so if they set the prices to high compared to what you can get it for overseas and then they lose sales they've only got their selves to blame.

[gordons]

Try www.btosports.com, great service! No problem with refunds etc. real good prices. Thumpertalk OEM store is the cheapest I have come across so far for OEM parts, I know there is a min. charge for registering but man the prices are good! If you want to compare prices without registering you can price for free at www.servicehonda.com, bit more expensive but very close to Thumpertalks OEM store.

[charles23]

[QUOTE=jimmy 2006;1405722]just before you buy,........ think about who you are screwing.
the more everyone buys overseas the smaller our local market becomes, therefore increasing prices.

get real, do you like being screwed or do you have so much money you can throw it away? why don't you just make a donation to your local bike shop? I work too hard for my money just piss it into the wind, your a dreamer!!!!

[takitimu]

The market has changed, the world has effectively become smaller and goods from overseas are now very easy to access. If local business wants to survive then they need to adapt their approach and look for ways to add value to their customers. Jimmy if you get good service from your dealer then thats great and thats obviously something you value, but I personally have found most dealers to be pretty hopeless so I dont really have a lot of loyalties to any of them.
I dont really blame the bike shops for the high prices though, that really lies with the importers, they generally set the RRP's, so if they set the prices to high compared to what you can get it for overseas and then they lose sales they've only got their selves to blame.

Well my only bad experience with online trading has been F2 Racing ( US ), the online traders in NZ in my experience are great, whether trademe or shop & for alot of things ( eg. Knee Pads ) it's cheaper in NZ.

I think there's a difference between the shops who have a genuine online presence & work to keep prices down ( dirtbike.co.nz, mrmotorcycles.co.nz being my two picks ) and deliver next day & the shops who are charging a margin that's not sustainable or warranted by extra service/range.

It's things like boots, helmets, bars where I buy US ( I travel there for work so cheap delivery ) & the differences in price can be huge, Twinwall Renthall / Leatt being two classic examples, but even so the real bargains are the US close out sales, their RRP is often not that cheap in my experience anyway.

P.S. I'd add denniskirk.com as a site worth checking, got my helmet from them.

[jimmy 2006]

[QUOTE=jimmy 2006;1405722]just before you buy,........ think about who you are screwing.
the more everyone buys overseas the smaller our local market becomes, therefore increasing prices.

get real, do you like being screwed or do you have so much money you can throw it away? why don't you just make a donation to your local bike shop? I work too hard for my money just piss it into the wind, your a dreamer!!!!

:Pokey::Pokey:
thanks. i am a dreamer. i dream of a stong local economy and bringing money into this country, not letting it go offshore.

I run my own business and work dam hard for my money also. But i get looked after well with good discounts at the LBS that i shop at. they provide value that i can not get elsewhere, are also dam hard working people that have to spend their money somewhere also. hopefully with it in some way returning back to my business. if i shop overseas, there is no way that the cash i spent is going to come full circle back into my pocket.......

[takitimu]

:Pokey::Pokey:
thanks. i am a dreamer. i dream of a stong local economy and bringing money into this country, not letting it go offshore.

I run my own business and work dam hard for my money also. But i get looked after well with good discounts at the LBS that i shop at. they provide value that i can not get elsewhere, are also dam hard working people that have to spend their money somewhere also. hopefully with it in some way returning back to my business. if i shop overseas, there is no way that the cash i spent is going to come full circle back into my pocket.......

Maybe, the counter to the full circle arguement is that you buy locally what makes sense & if you save money with other stuff from buying overseas & you then have money left over to buy more stuff locally, so you encourage locally competitive business's which are sustainable & those local businesses are able to compete globally ( from memory mrmotorcycles sell a fair bit of stuff into oz ).

My read is it's the distributors that need to sort things out, if you look at the Computer parts model, alot of the NZ online shops pass on sales to the distributor who then ships the goods to the customer, which keeps the costs down & from the outside anyway looks very efficient.

[Voltaire]

Takitimu, I agree with your line of reasoning.
The world has changed, look at Radiohead offering their album for whatever you think its worth....
My kids would never think to go into a shop and buy music...
I have found the defining point here is now service and not the cheapest price.

I generally google what I am interested in and go from there. I buy lots on Trade Me, bought a new HJC helmet, boots, armour and even the bike.
Bought riding gear on Ebay and Rockymoto close out sales.
Sold lots to the states on Ebay prior to Trade Me when the dollar was way lower ( 40 cents).
Have even imported BMW engines, frames and stuff from the US. The shipping is cheapish its just all the charges and run around you have to deal with at this end that makes it a hassle and costly.

In fact I do most of my buying and selling on line unless I need it now like inner tubes and the like.
Can't wait until Pac n Save do on line shopping and delivery..
less time shopping..more time riding.

[CaMo]

well i just ordered a 08 FOX V3 Striper helmet and a pair of thor goggles.

The helmet retails for $500 here (http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=7053)

All up it has come to $205US without the shipping. Even with the shipping added on (not sure what it is yet) it will still be a damn good buy :clap:

[Danger]

I'm with Jimmy on this one, probably because I'm in the motorcycle industry and like Jimmy run my own business and I know its not easy to make money. Start buying all your gear over seas and see more motorcycle shops offering less service or value. Yes they make a margin on the stuff you buy from overseas. They need to earn a living like you do. Do you want to HAVE to send overseas whenever you want to buy something? No more whipping down to the bike shop on Saturday morning for that urgent part. How about you Rupert with that urgent bush for your fork. I bet you no other bike shop had that part in stock. (not trying to single you out, but as a recent example). But you got to ride that weekend, normally you would have to wait for that part at least until next week if it was in the country. Often you would be waiting a month or more if it was not.
For instance I just counted my spring selection for my suspension business. I have over 50 springs in stock. These springs do not come cheap to me and yes I make a margin on them. I could have that money sitting in the bank earning me interest! I have paid a large bill for my stock (and springs are just a small part of my stock). I could stock no springs, but then when a job comes in the customer is going to have to wait a couple of months for the right springs to come in. Yes you can buy them overseas cheaper, but you need to know what springs to get (and usually you have no idea and find out from me) and when you buy springs of me you not only get the correct springs but you also get free fitting and sag setup. I like to think I offer good service and good value for money, but I need to make something on parts because the labour charge on my suspension work sure isn't going to pay for all my food and electricity, insurance and living costs.
Then I get the odd customer that calls me up, chats for 1/2 an hour or often more (and I'm talking people from this site) and on more than one occasion, or I spend ages replying to emails or pm's giving out info (both situations where I make no money) picks my brain for info then buys their springs from over seas. Or I get springs in for their bike only to never see their bike come in to have them fitted (again even people from this site) and I have their springs sitting here with me hoping that someone else will buy them one day.
The customer thats buys springs from me gets free fitting and sometimes this takes a couple of hours of my time (taking me away from work where I can earn money) and sag setup plus the benefit of my knowledge and assistance in setting their bike up. So I need to make a margin on springs. Often the customer that has brought the springs from overseas has also benefited from my knowledge so he wins, I loose. So yeah I agree with Jimmy and I buy locally and support our motorcycle industry.
Just think about whatever industry your in and what it would be like if you could not afford to stock any product for your customers because no one buys it off you. Everyone thinks everyone else is making heaps of money. I can assure you no one that I know in the motorcycle industry is.
In the past I have brought from overseas and been stung with Customs and GST and I decided it just was not worth it for me. Also I have had issues with parts from overseas that I could not claim a warranty on. Now I buy local where possible.
So free market yeah buy where you like but think of the consequences. Rant over.

[jimmy 2006]

:2thumbsup

[Buddy L]

I remember when i came out and brought the "race tech clicker adjuster" off you Greg, your walls were stocked with parts.
Its easy to get side tracked, we ended up talking about 1/2 hour on srings and damping clickers etc etc... im came out knowing more and you proberly ended up repeating your self for like the 20th time, too another customer.
All this for a 5 dollar part.

I ended up having to buy all new gear at the start of this year as most of it was cut off me.
Ended up costing me a fair amount, but i had all my new gear the same day no waiting.
Even managed ot get my name on the back of my shirt as well :) :) :)

[telliman]

[QUOTE=Buddy L;1407303]I remember when i came out

is that right buddy!

[telliman]

haha, 'srings 'bro, and 'im came out', buddys on the piss!!!!

[Danger]

Ha ha wish I was too, but I'm all outa beer and can't afford anymore being a poor little motorcycle business owner :(

[Buddy L]

haha, 'srings 'bro, and 'im came out', buddys on the piss!!!!


Not yet im not, maybe just the thought of drinking tonight is having an effect on me:2thumbsup
im far too white and light too handle my drinks

[telliman]

Ha ha wish I was too, but I'm all outa beer and can't afford anymore being a poor little motorcycle business owner :(

i been waiting for all you industry guys to fire up over this thread, but so far now one;s takin the carrot!

[Danger]

Anyway who's coming to Harrisville tomorrow to part with another hard earned $20.00?

[dammad1]

Danger, as a business owner you have just made a valid argument to the overall value of your service and therefore if your customers truly value this then you can justify charging more for the raw materials(i.e springs etc) than someone may pay for them overseas, however this is not the case for alot of local businesses.

It is not the punters responsibility to spend his money down the road just beacause the guys a local, that business needs to add " real value" to the transaction and then people wont mind paying a bit more.

I respect what Jimmy is saying he gets good service and is looked after by his local dealer, this is real value for him so he doesn't mind that the prices aren't the cheapest on the planet. But that is the key to a successful business, making everyone feel the way Jimmy does, not whinning about customers buying stuff elsewhere.

It is a buyers market and businesses need to adapt their strategy accordingly.

[scott411]

Anyway who's coming to Harrisville tomorrow to part with another hard earned $20.00?


join the club, only cost you $25 until may, then $50 a year,


as for this tread,

i see the points made .......... but

you want to be able to ride harrisville, it is supported by the local industry

you want to go on the mr motorcycles trail ride on sunday, same as above,

when was the last time btosports helped a motorcycle club , or ride here in nz,

you want a deal on a fox helmet, give me a call, rrp's are just that ......... recomended,

as to takaimu, thanks for the mention, we do try, i will never be able to match the shops in america for price, but i will always try to beat them on service,


Scott

[dammad1]

join the club, only cost you $25 until may, then $50 a year,


as for this tread,

i see the points made .......... but

you want to be able to ride harrisville, it is supported by the local industry

you want to go on the mr motorcycles trail ride on sunday, same as above,

when was the last time btosports helped a motorcycle club , or ride here in nz,

you want a deal on a fox helmet, give me a call, rrp's are just that ......... recomended,

as to takaimu, thanks for the mention, we do try, i will never be able to match the shops in america for price, but i will always try to beat them on service,


Scott

Thats the attitude.

[AllanB]

Danger - don't order springs and shit for people unless they leave a deposit - if they are for real this will not be an issue and if they don't turn up to collect after a reasonable period - put them 'on sale' (ie less the already paid deposit).
I have been happy to pay deposits on goods I am ordering that are not standard stock (out of stock in this case ;) ).


Back to subject I've got alot over the last few years from
www.denniskirk.com

[jimmy 2006]

join the club, only cost you $25 until may, then $50 a year,


as for this tread,

i see the points made .......... but

you want to be able to ride harrisville, it is supported by the local industry

you want to go on the mr motorcycles trail ride on sunday, same as above,

when was the last time btosports helped a motorcycle club , or ride here in nz,

you want a deal on a fox helmet, give me a call, rrp's are just that ......... recomended,

as to takaimu, thanks for the mention, we do try, i will never be able to match the shops in america for price, but i will always try to beat them on service,


Scott


Scott is one of the people that i am talking about that offers me really good service. when i bought my RMZ250 off him it was so simple, all done and was so stoked as i walked out the door.
but to name names, redbaron when i bought my kx125 before the RM was such an ordeal. they were useless and made it a real pain in the arse. i wish i had spent my money elsewhere.

So service is the key, i guess DAMMAD is right. support those locally that are going the extra distance to help you out.

[dmoney]

Ive always had excellent service from scott and the guys at mr motorcycles and wouldnt go anywhere else for parts/accessories and servicing.
Ok it may cost more but support the local market cause with guys like scott and others organising the trail rides and places for us to ride etc in such a PC world then we all win i say

[scracha]

I'm with Jimmy on this one, probably because I'm in the motorcycle industry and like Jimmy run my own business and I know its

Kinda similar with Computers except the mark-up is far less (often just into double figures). Customers often expect free labour when they purchase stuff and they don't realise that the $1500 bucks they've just spent with you (after spending half an hour helping them make their choice) has maybe only put $75 in your own pocket.

Regards to importing. As you say, because of warranty issues etc it's only worth importing goods if they're significantly cheaper. Customs, import duty etc is pretty straightforward in New Zealand once you've done it a couple of times and are setup for it. With the way the courier charges here are going it's often way cheaper to get stuff drop shipped from across the pond directly to customers.

Basically the wholesalers are making too much markup over here and the end resellers get the $haft as a result. I had one bitching about me importing stuff from Australia instead of them and amazingly they were suddenly able to drop my purchase price by another 20%. So they're obviously still making a profit so it seems a bit crap that the end resellers make about 12% whilst the wholesalers make over 30%.

[Danger]

you want to be able to ride harrisville, it is supported by the local industry
you want to go on the mr motorcycles trail ride on sunday, same as above,
when was the last time btosports helped a motorcycle club , or ride here in nz,
Scott

Good points.
And Xtreme Wholesale is sponsoring Ken Fells MX race this weekend for those that are riding there and the extra money provided by this sponsorship must go some way towards providing Ken with the funds for the 3 x water trucks to water the track that he will have there. I've raced there when there have been no water trucks and it was enough to turn me away from racing there again in a hurry. But with the water trucks it should be a good day for you guys that are racing. Thank industry sponsorship for that. Without sales, less sponsorship and dusty dangerous tracks.

[telliman]

i would say though that without the water trucks he would have been copping some flack from surrounding propertys,you could hardly see the road at the last round,it go's to show though that wat started as a small club day on a guys farm has now turned into a fairly big series that gets advertised on the radio even!they must generate some coin up there dude.

[notch]

Do you guys think $50 is a bit steep for a Heavy duty innertube?
I was a little flabbergasted when the local shop charged me $100 for two...

[Danger]

Yeah I can do them for about $20.00 each.

[charles23]

Yeah I can do them for about $20.00 each.

and there you go another prime example, $50 vs $20.................

[Danger]

Thats not really an example of the pro's and cons of sourcing your product from overseas. Thats just shopping around locally and I can't believe the difference is just in price for the same tubes. I know Continental tubes are more expensive than IRC. Some tubes are thicker ie heavier than others. I would find out why the tubes he has brought are so expensive? What brand are they and then call another shop for a price for the same tubes. Same as the difference in helmets, shirts and pants, different prices for different products. It is hard to imagine $50.00 per tube but who knows?
The example would be if he can save a few dollars by buying them from overseas and wait for a week or more for them to arrive. Possibly worth it for 2 x $50.00 tubes, probably not for $20.00 tubes.

[notch]

Yeah, it's not an example of overseas being cheaper, just the local shop charging like a wounded bull. I won't be going back!

Danger, your prices are always very compeditive - I don't think you have to give a crap about the purchase of items from overseas, especially since you give such good service in addition to great prices...

[Taz]

That's just it..... A very few NZ bike shops offer reasonable service. The rest think service is not really a word in the english language. Auckland I think has the highest proportion of shops that are owned by or employ people that just don't care. Luckily hamilton is only a stones throw away.

[warewolf]

Tubes... Continental CHC ultra heavy duty, try around $70 each, not! Got a pair of Vee Rubber for less than that (both items at LBS). Yes I expect the Contis are better quality, but not that much better. But I'm not surprised at their pricing, I refuse to buy Conti TKC80s as they are way over-priced and under-perfoming.

Importing; whilst I understand and agree with the reasons to support the local business, you have to wonder who is getting all that extra cash you have to part with: wholesalers, distributors, the government? It certainly isn't the poor retailer, rarely is, just like petrol. We aren't talking minor differences, I would pay a small premium to buy locally but at times we are talking more than twice the price. I support my LBS's but I hear from lots of people that don't at all. Worse, I know people that get their advice from the LBS then buy the recommended item offshore... that stinks.

Stock is a problem as much as price. Many a time the LBS won't have stock, can't get it promptly, then has to charge like a wounded bull for stuff when it finally does arrive weeks to months later. Ordering on-line gets it here within a week and a helluva lot cheaper. Yes holding stock costs money but it needs to be readily accessible up the chain.

Additionally, customers can research and know more about the specific products than the retailer. So the LBS loses the advantages of cost, availability and knowledge, ie the value-add.

Governments are notoriously slow to change. A lot of the pricing difference is due to government constraints that a private importer does not cop.

[wildcat_lgf]

:Pokey::Pokey:
thanks. i am a dreamer. i dream of a stong local economy and bringing money into this country, not letting it go offshore.

I run my own business and work dam hard for my money also. But i get looked after well with good discounts at the LBS that i shop at. they provide value that i can not get elsewhere, are also dam hard working people that have to spend their money somewhere also. hopefully with it in some way returning back to my business. if i shop overseas, there is no way that the cash i spent is going to come full circle back into my pocket.......

I realise I'm a bit late to join in the conversation, and I hate to flame you, but was interested to note the posts about supporting local economy, especially seeing as you are looking at importing a number of bikes from Japan. (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=70638)

Surely if you believed what you are posting you would buy your bikes from a local dealer even if it cost you more and not try and undercut the market by buying them cheaper overseas?

You say you are willing to support local markets for bike gear because of the service, return to local economy, blah blah blah...and now you are going into importing of bikes...

There's nothing worse than a wolf dressed in lambs clothing...1 word comes to mind: :whistle:

[jimmy 2006]

huh??

so i look to make money through the off season of MY business (ice cream manufacture is only busy in summer) by possibly importing motorcycles for some friends? i will even be working closely with a local bike shop to do this (where do you think i even got the lists from duh......)

get your facts straight before you think you know what is going on..... i am an avid supporter of the industry here, as many can vouch for.

also your comment "not try and undercut the market by buying them cheaper overseas?" do you support the local market with your bel leathers that you import?

[takitimu]

The worm has turned, heading back to the states for work next month & was looking at some new boots, thing is SG10's are 10% more expensive here now & Sidi Crossfires are just as close in price, I might try & get some more life out of my boots seeing as no real advantage in getting them stateside ( NZ support being easily worth 10% in my opinion + if you get caught by customs & pay GST there's 12.5% ), some stuff is cheaper but the differences have shrunk dramatically.