Customs, too stupid to be idiots

**FROSTY:Me** · 28th May 2013, 10:17

Originally Posted by Arronduke

I buy from the USA ... generally that parts are 50% cheaper.
I also tell the bike shop what I can get the bits for and they have the opportunity to match the price.

Most of the time they don't, yea yea yea tell me all the shit about trying to run a business etc, don't wash with me.

Don't get me wrong I will support the local shop but if they are ripping me blind then no thanks.

example.. Kick stand for a dirt bike.. in NZ $94, landed from USA $48.. don't know about you but when I look in the shitter there is not heaps of used $100 notes
Sorry but that's the way life is now.

How many of you buy NZ made tee shirts?

You don't run a bike shop in NZ do you.?
$48 from the us so you were under the value for the 15% gst to be applied. The LBS even if they could source the part for you for the $48 would be forced to charge you 15% gst on that -pushing the price up to $55.
NZ supply chains are based on volume.
Ohh look I could go on all day to explain it to you.
But think about this -why are so many NZ bike dealers going bankrupt? Do you think its because they are robbing their customers blind?
NOW the NZ$ is just flying against the US -Crikey its not far off dollar for dollar. Wait and see how things look when the Us bounces back

**Robert Taylor** · 28th May 2013, 21:55

Originally Posted by FROSTY

You don't run a bike shop in NZ do you.?
$48 from the us so you were under the value for the 15% gst to be applied. The LBS even if they could source the part for you for the $48 would be forced to charge you 15% gst on that -pushing the price up to $55.
NZ supply chains are based on volume.
Ohh look I could go on all day to explain it to you.
But think about this -why are so many NZ bike dealers going bankrupt? Do you think its because they are robbing their customers blind?
NOW the NZ$ is just flying against the US -Crikey its not far off dollar for dollar. Wait and see how things look when the Us bounces back

Frosty if this guy (and others who loosely use that tired and simplistic old ''rip off '' cliche ) loses his job because the industry he is in gets severely undercut by US resellers ( and all the other factors he doesnt want to hear about ) then he really will have something to grizzle about. This is not only a motorcycle industry problem, unless I came down in the last shower?

**Digitdion** · 28th May 2013, 22:08

Robert Taylor has a valid point. The question I have for Robert is with the super strong Nz dollar is why here in New Zealand we have not seen a reduction in price of imported Motorcycles and parts and accessories. Is this an example of the importer lining his pockets. High NZ exchange rate, Equals cheap imports does it not? That's how it should work ah?

**pzkpfw** · 28th May 2013, 22:21

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Matters not if they're motorcycle parts or sex toys. Still have to pay if the value of 'em is over $400.00.

Yeah, but even under $400 (yes, the belly pan and hugger were) you do get charged duty for clothes, which is what customs thought the items were.

http://www.whatsmyduty.org.nz/

(Technically it was GST+duty; but I wouldn't have been charged either if the Duty hadn't bumped the GST+Duty total over the minimum.)

**Crasherfromwayback** · 28th May 2013, 22:28

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Yeah, but even under $400 (yes, the belly pan and hugger were) you do get charged duty for clothes, which is what customs thought the items were.

http://www.whatsmyduty.org.nz/

(Technically it was GST+duty; but I wouldn't have been charged either if the Duty hadn't bumped the GST+Duty total over the minimum.)

Aye. Agreed 100%.

**FROSTY:Me** · 29th May 2013, 12:35

Originally Posted by Digitdion

Robert Taylor has a valid point. The question I have for Robert is with the super strong Nz dollar is why here in New Zealand we have not seen a reduction in price of imported Motorcycles and parts and accessories. Is this an example of the importer lining his pockets. High NZ exchange rate, Equals cheap imports does it not? That's how it should work ah?

The dollar is strong NOW.But that kick stand used as the example I bet wasn't purchased in the last few months.
"New" bikes were purchased months ago. Wait a few months and see what happens with the new model releases.

**imdying** · 29th May 2013, 12:43

Originally Posted by FROSTY

The dollar is strong NOW.But that kick stand used as the example I bet wasn't purchased in the last few months.
"New" bikes were purchased months ago. Wait a few months and see what happens with the new model releases.

This is the NZD vs USD history.

**Robert Taylor** · 29th May 2013, 19:00

Originally Posted by Digitdion

Robert Taylor has a valid point. The question I have for Robert is with the super strong Nz dollar is why here in New Zealand we have not seen a reduction in price of imported Motorcycles and parts and accessories. Is this an example of the importer lining his pockets. High NZ exchange rate, Equals cheap imports does it not? That's how it should work ah?

Frosty has answered one small part of the equation. The reality is many or most prices have come down. What we must all remember is that not everything is based against North Mexico dollars. If you go dredging through countless posts I have done on this subject you will find answers.
Im an importer and I can assure you its no walk in the park, working longer hours for smaller returns. Certainly I am not lining my pockets.