Ordering a helmet internationally?

**Robert Taylor** · 14th August 2013, 18:06

Originally Posted by yod

so what was the conclusion?

should we be buying helmets internationally or not?

Absolutely ( and this is also sarcasm ) Buy EVERYTHING internationally including milk and foodstuffs. That way no-one will have a job in NZ

**Morcs** · 14th August 2013, 18:50

Buying helmets internationally doesnt mean you get the same helmet.

Arai for instance have 3 shapes they manufacture for different markets - namely Japan, Europe and America.
We tend to get european helmets here, as our heads tend to be shaped like europeans.
American helmets might not differ much but they are usually heavier to comply with DOT.

I would love to see regulation such as they have in australia where you have to have a specific australian sticker on the helmet, and its the first thing cops check - you cant even buy a helmet in NZ and use it in australia.

Warranty also probably goes out the window. Warranty claims most of the time are at the importers expense - its built into the pricing that the purchase the helmets from, they wouldnt send back faulty helmets to japan or wherever to get a credit, therefore if its not purchased in NZ, you might not find anyone too helpful should you have a problem (though helmets seldom do)

I dont have many qualms if its something that doesnt get brought into NZ. Stuff can be indented depending on the brand/supplier, but you usually have to wait weeks for it (which if its something you really want and no-one else is likely to be seen with one in nz then its usually worth the wait) - I sell Arai and my partner has just imported one as the importer here could not obtain one due to it being discontinued.

NZ isnt too bad price wise. Probably the best all round road helmet on the market is the Shoei GT Air at current, and a plain black one of these can be had for as little as 699 rrp.

**nzspokes** · 14th August 2013, 18:54

Originally Posted by yod

so what was the conclusion?

should we be buying helmets internationally or not?

Yes cause they dont bring in the cool colours.

**Erelyes** · 14th August 2013, 19:29

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Absolutely ( and this is also sarcasm ) Buy EVERYTHING internationally including milk and foodstuffs. That way no-one will have a job in NZ

I know.

Noone is allowed to import anything. We must make EVERYTHING locally.

I'm going to buy up on colanders (made locally ofc) and that EPS foam shit that's inefficent to recycle (produced locally ofc). NZ helmet manufacture returns!

**Robert Taylor** · 14th August 2013, 19:54

Originally Posted by Erelyes

I know.

Noone is allowed to import anything. We must make EVERYTHING locally.

I'm going to buy up on colanders (made locally ofc) and that EPS foam shit that's inefficent to recycle (produced locally ofc). NZ helmet manufacture returns!

No not that far, NZ helmets were quite terrible. There just has to be a balance somewhere, without inviting further scathing comment about how evil and useless NZ businesses are

**Digitdion** · 15th August 2013, 21:43

Originally Posted by Morcs

Warranty also probably goes out the window. Warranty claims most of the time are at the importers expense - its built into the pricing that the purchase the helmets from, they wouldnt send back faulty helmets to japan or wherever to get a credit, therefore if its not purchased in NZ, you might not find anyone too helpful should you have a problem (though helmets seldom do)
.

A lot of people talk about the fact that if you buy overseas that no warranty will apply. Lets set the facts straight. Yes, if you buys goods from off shore and you have a warranty issue you can not expect the local wholesaler to help you out. Gotta take the good with the bad.

But the good far out ways the bad.

By the way if you buy goods from overseas there is still a warranty. You just have too stump up and ship the item back offshore whe it came from. Yes it's a hassle but even if you have bad luck and have to send stuff back you are still way better off. In my experience here in New Zealand the dealers run you around in circles trying to find any excuse to not honor a warranty claim. The yanks for example will give you the benefit of the doubt and look after you.

**haydes55** · 15th August 2013, 22:05

I'm in aussie at the moment. A local mag here is advertising a beginner pack. $499 gets you gloves ($80 at least in nz), a helmet ($299 at least in nz) a $200 textile jacket boots ($150ish in NZ) and kevlar jeans (mine cost close to $300).

It would be cheaper for a new rider in NZ to fly to aussie, buy new gear then fly back.... what sort of stupid mark up are NZ dealers making?

**Gremlin** · 15th August 2013, 23:14

Originally Posted by haydes55

.... what sort of stupid mark up are NZ dealers making?

Actually, I doubt the dealers are making much at all.

To reverse the trend, I've landed a Nolan N104 from Europe earlier this week. RRP is $599 here I believe, some models at 'Treads (handy for online comparison) are around $550. My cost was $515.35. If it had been picked up for GST, that alone would have equalled the price here, and customs also charges processing fees, so would have been more expensive by a decent margin.

I would have preferred to purchase my helmet here, as I've done with all my others, however, the colour wasn't available here, and I had a dealer speak to the distributor to double check, and no, it wasn't going to be brought in.

**Berries** · 15th August 2013, 23:19

Originally Posted by Gremlin

I would have preferred to purchase my helmet here, as I've done with all my others, however, the colour wasn't available here, and I had a dealer speak to the distributor to double check, and no, it wasn't going to be brought in.

Yes, there is not much call for matt pink.

**Gremlin** · 15th August 2013, 23:24

Originally Posted by Berries

Yes, there is not much call for matt pink.

Most would put fluro yellow in the same category, but I wanted it... (it is fricken bright in gloomy light)

**haydes55** · 15th August 2013, 23:42

I cant get a helmet in NZ for $499 let alone helmet, boots, gloves, kevlar jeans and jacket. Next time I buy gear I'm getting a free holiday to aussie for cheaper. NZ is screwing its self out of sales. My helmet was over $600 alone. I can buy the exact helmet ex usa for $170 landed ... in my opinion fuck the NZ importers. I'm not made of money. I can't afford your salary on top of my living expenses.

**Robert Taylor** · 16th August 2013, 08:10

Originally Posted by haydes55

I cant get a helmet in NZ for $499 let alone helmet, boots, gloves, kevlar jeans and jacket. Next time I buy gear I'm getting a free holiday to aussie for cheaper. NZ is screwing its self out of sales. My helmet was over $600 alone. I can buy the exact helmet ex usa for $170 landed ... in my opinion fuck the NZ importers. I'm not made of money. I can't afford your salary on top of my living expenses.

Thanks for the generalised comment. Im one of those importers and I can assure you my prices are mostly competitive and we back the product up to the hilt. Incidentally Im not becoming wealthy out of it either. A couple of ordinary everyday kiwis ( just like you ) depend on the ongoing viability of my business so that they can put food on their tables. And the money that I do make gets recirculated back into the local economy, where it will do the most good.

When the US dollar strengthens somewhat in the future ( and remember not everything is purchased in greenbacks ) you may like to spread your vile at them.

**haydes55** · 16th August 2013, 08:34

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Thanks for the generalised comment. Im one of those importers and I can assure you my prices are mostly competitive and we back the product up to the hilt. Incidentally Im not becoming wealthy out of it either. A couple of ordinary everyday kiwis ( just like you ) depend on the ongoing viability of my business so that they can put food on their tables. And the money that I do make gets recirculated back into the local economy, where it will do the most good.

When the US dollar strengthens somewhat in the future ( and remember not everything is purchased in greenbacks ) you may like to spread your vile at them.

Why don't our importers fly over to aussie, buy gear there and fly back with the gear as carry on luggage? They could sell it for the same prices they are now and get a free trip to aussie. My kevlar jeans and boots cost me over $499 (would be about 400aussie$) alone.

**Robert Taylor** · 16th August 2013, 09:11

Originally Posted by haydes55

Why don't our importers fly over to aussie, buy gear there and fly back with the gear as carry on luggage? They could sell it for the same prices they are now and get a free trip to aussie. My kevlar jeans and boots cost me over $499 (would be about 400aussie$) alone.

That is not even worthy of comment