Ordering a helmet internationally?

[nzspokes]

While I totally agree with this and would not be against it if they do add GST to ALL imports (apart from a general objection to all GST*), the fact remains that even with GST and customs charges often buying from an overseas web site still works out significantly cheaper.





*Any tax over and above income and company tax just increases the administration cost; the only affect is that the true tax level is well hidden.

As IRD have said many times this will cost more to administer than the income return. So pointless. And will cost the average punter.


Guess they will probably do it then..

[Digitdion]

While I totally agree with this and would not be against it if they do add GST to ALL imports (apart from a general objection to all GST*), the fact remains that even with GST and customs charges often buying from an overseas web site still works out significantly cheaper.

Here hear!



*Any tax over and above income and company tax just increases the administration cost; the only affect is that the true tax level is well hidden.

Totally agree. What's the point of collecting Gst on items under the current threshold and it ending upo costing the govt more. Retailers have to stop moaning about Internet shopping and actually realize its there friend. There are opportunities for the savvy retailer out there.

[Ocean1]

How can it be fair and equitable that private purchases offshore very often attract no clearance and gst charges?

It's been said before, though Robert, nobody's worried about 15%, or even 30%.

It's the 100% and more differences between local and offshore supply that's killing the locals. And the only explanation that's ever been advanced is the size of our market. I don't buy that as an adequate explanation for the price differences we see, but I must admit I don't have a better one.

[Robert Taylor]

It's been said before, though Robert, nobody's worried about 15%, or even 30%.

It's the 100% and more differences between local and offshore supply that's killing the locals. And the only explanation that's ever been advanced is the size of our market. I don't buy that as an adequate explanation for the price differences we see, but I must admit I don't have a better one.

Absolutely yes , but it would be one small step. There are many of us that have adjusted to the reality, in any event. But we also have to remember that a weak $US is distorting the whole picture, allied with so many US companies eager to do business from their basket case economy that they are prepared to prostitute themselves to incredibly low nutcase margins. In some case 2-3%, and that I can substaniate. From that standpoint the uninformed amongst us ( and those that don't want to see ) think that everyone here are making huge margins. Largely this is not so.

[Robert Taylor]

As IRD have said many times this will cost more to administer than the income return. So pointless. And will cost the average punter.


Guess they will probably do it then..

I don't accept that argument, from an empire that like many Government departments wont accept getting out of its comfort zone and finds the most expensive ways of dealing with problems. Its a matter of looking at it from a different angle and finding a low cost streamlined means of collecting it.

The current failure to do so is costing ''the average punter'' their job security and conspiring to keep real wage rates low.

[Dodgy]

Hi Robert.

Of course, weak US dollar (or rather, our strong dollar against the US dollar) should be helping the NZ importer/distributor as well as the private importer.

One challenge we have in the current distribution network is the distributor. If they are rapacious, then that will not be helping the NZ retail scene. If that is the case, then the retailer should really be looking into establishing a relationship with a non NZ or AUS based distributor instead. Or, even look to a collapse of the retail network and become an importer/distributor/retailer and specialise.

[Robert Taylor]

Hi Robert.

Of course, weak US dollar (or rather, our strong dollar against the US dollar) should be helping the NZ importer/distributor as well as the private importer.

One challenge we have in the current distribution network is the distributor. If they are rapacious, then that will not be helping the NZ retail scene. If that is the case, then the retailer should really be looking into establishing a relationship with a non NZ or AUS based distributor instead. Or, even look to a collapse of the retail network and become an importer/distributor/retailer and specialise.

How it often works is that say the US distributor of a European made product can get bulk buy discounts because of huge volume, that they will then sell at VERY low margin around the world, aided and abetted by their weak dollar. If the US dollars shifts against the European currency and ours remains much the same then all of a sudden buying out of ''North Mexico'' doesnt look so attractive.
The suspicion that distributors are making huge margins is in fact a very thin argument.

[Digitdion]

How it often works is that say the US distributor of a European made product can get bulk buy discounts because of huge volume, that they will then sell at VERY low margin around the world, aided and abetted by their weak dollar. If the US dollars shifts against the European currency and ours remains much the same then all of a sudden buying out of ''North Mexico'' doesnt look so attractive.
The suspicion that distributors are making huge margins is in fact a very thin argument.

Robert, at the end of the day whatever the profits that are being made by the distributors or retailers or, who ever, is not the issue for those of us who buy about of stuff from overseas.
We are concerned with the price we are being asked to pay for stuff here! Yes when there is another option to buy cheaper, for the average working class person the most commen choice will be price. That's weather we get charged for Gst or not.so we buy stuff from overseas.
No doubt in a perfect world we would all buy stuff from NZ at the higher price, but we all know the world ain't perfect.
In regard to the currency change. Yes a weaker nz dollar will mean less stuff being bought from oversea's. it would take quite a change to make it more expensive than buying here. Also when (or if) goods were dearer from the U.S than here. That does not necessary people like me would automatically buy those goods here. I suspect a lot of us would just not buy that upgraded part for the bike at all. So the local retailer has no gain either.
You also talk about North Mexico. Yes buying from the states is attractive.
"North Africa" or Europe is also quite attract.
We all realize that it's not all roses for retailers in the bike industry. But it ain't all roses for the average Joe Blow.

[Robert Taylor]

Robert, at the end of the day whatever the profits that are being made by the distributors or retailers or, who ever, is not the issue for those of us who buy about of stuff from overseas.
We are concerned with the price we are being asked to pay for stuff here! Yes when there is another option to buy cheaper, for the average working class person the most commen choice will be price. That's weather we get charged for Gst or not.so we buy stuff from overseas.
No doubt in a perfect world we would all buy stuff from NZ at the higher price, but we all know the world ain't perfect.
In regard to the currency change. Yes a weaker nz dollar will mean less stuff being bought from oversea's. it would take quite a change to make it more expensive than buying here. Also when (or if) goods were dearer from the U.S than here. That does not necessary people like me would automatically buy those goods here. I suspect a lot of us would just not buy that upgraded part for the bike at all. So the local retailer has no gain either.
You also talk about North Mexico. Yes buying from the states is attractive.
"North Africa" or Europe is also quite attract.
We all realize that it's not all roses for retailers in the bike industry. But it ain't all roses for the average Joe Blow.

Yes and I can totally see that side of the story. The problem is this whole situation just self perpetuates. If distributors / retailers here sell less ( and Im not only talking about the motorcycle industry, this is a HUGE issue ) then there is little ability for them to pay higher wages to the same people that will in turn buy more from overseas.

[T.W.R]

And when an overseas purchase goes belly up where does the purchaser usually head...off to the local distributor to try and remedy the screw-up

[mossy1200]

The OP still hasn't got back from his world tour to try on helmets from the four corners yet. His thread continues on without him.

[AllanB]

Weak, strong US NZ dollar - our dollar is and has been for some time on the international markets, it is what it is. It another life I was dealing with printed product from Hong Kong companies - the dollar was up and down but I tell you hand on heart either way we were doing very well thank you and when the dollar was to our advantage we were absolutely creaming the profit on product we proclaimed to be NZ made (all bar the printing was ....) by a NZ company.

And as soon as the dollar dipped a bit the GM would be wanking on to me to put the NZ wholesale and retail pricing up.

[TLDV8]

It's been said before, though Robert, nobody's worried about 15%, or even 30%.

The prices I quoted on the previous page were conveniently ignored which is little surprise.

How does it go,denial not just a river in Egypt.
Perhaps someone would like to phone Colemans and get a price on part # 09262-22028 which is a transmission bearing for a Suzuki DR650SE say a 2013 model (even though it should be the same part since 1996)
It should cost little more than NZ$65.

[Ocean1]

Perhaps someone would like to phone Colemans and get a price on part # 09262-22028 which is a transmission bearing for a Suzuki DR650SE say a 2013 model (even though it should be the same part since 1996)
It should cost little more than NZ$65.

I'd be prepared to bet that it's actually something very close to a 6206C3, which can be had from SKF or Saeco for about $24. I don't know why bike dealers even bother to stock most ex factory bearings, other than weird little end or linkage needle rollers or starter clutches. Even then I'd be checking the local supply...

[TLDV8]

I'd be prepared to bet that it's actually something very close to a 6206C3, which can be had from SKF or Saeco for about $24. I don't know why bike dealers even bother to stock most ex factory bearings, other than weird little end or linkage needle rollers or starter clutches. Even then I'd be checking the local supply...

This particular ball bearing has a roll pin in the side of it,similar to what might be found in some two stokes to stop it rotating.
That is the added expense but yes could have used a off the shelf (no pin) bearing.
Maybe RT could have got it for me trade cost 40% off.
To late I payed the $94 local price so the dealer can eat steak.

Edit.
I see you have a Buell,I priced a new Lightning in 2008,AU$19500 on the road in Darwin,looking on Trade Me showed the same bike on the road in New Zealand was some AU$3000 less,whats a little mark up,you have to eat.