Buying headsets from US
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Buying headsets from US
I'm thinking of buying DC 13.4 headset from the US as they appear to be over $100 cheaper than AUS sellers. I thought i read in another post that you should be cautious buying headsets from US as connectors/adaptors may be different?
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Headsets can come with a variety of plugs, however they are all a standard.
You may get pinged with duty/gst or similar when they come through customs. Otherwise they may actually come straight to your door. Luck of the draw.
For $100, it might just be easier to pick one up in Aus locally. Less potential hassle, and peace of mind if you have any doubts.
You may get pinged with duty/gst or similar when they come through customs. Otherwise they may actually come straight to your door. Luck of the draw.
For $100, it might just be easier to pick one up in Aus locally. Less potential hassle, and peace of mind if you have any doubts.
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I purchased the same ones that you mentioned. I have had no problems and did not need an adaptor ...
They were at my doorstep eight days after I had put the order in. Easy.
They were at my doorstep eight days after I had put the order in. Easy.
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Having bought stuff from overseas before if it is over $1000 value you will get gst and duty etc charged. If below no dramas. Having said that I bought some items which come to $1500 Au a few years ago but as the invoice was about $800 us I did not get charged. luck of the draw maybe?
When you live....
I bought from the US - after shipping and freight and getting stung for GST, wasn't worth it.
Do it if you have someone there who can pick it up and get it sent over labelled as a present or bring it over for you.
UTR
Do it if you have someone there who can pick it up and get it sent over labelled as a present or bring it over for you.
UTR
Ask the place you order them from to send them USPS (not UPS). Having built an aircraft and getting everything from the US, I can assure you that it is not a problem for articles under $1000. The service is excellent from American companys (unlike Australian ) and you will get them in approx 8 days.
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Won't get hit with GST if under $1000 (for now) but watch out for shipping costs from some of those places over there... some might look cheap but then insist on FEDEX or something making a very large hole in your $100. I just had to pay $38 for a headset even by USPS. Aus suppliers often won't recognise warranty either so if anything goes wrong it has to go back to the US.
I have bought DCs from the US - never a problem.
I have had warrantee work done in Oz on DCs bought from the US - not a problem.
Australian companies need to learn that it is now a global marketplace and compete price-wise.
They can also learn a lot from our US cousins about customer service.
Dr
I have had warrantee work done in Oz on DCs bought from the US - not a problem.
Australian companies need to learn that it is now a global marketplace and compete price-wise.
They can also learn a lot from our US cousins about customer service.
Dr
Folks,
I second FTDK's comments and experience, and if you are buying David Clark headsets, the likelihood of a warranty problem is remote. I wouldn't use any other brand.
Tootle pip!
I second FTDK's comments and experience, and if you are buying David Clark headsets, the likelihood of a warranty problem is remote. I wouldn't use any other brand.
Tootle pip!
I bought a DC 20-10 headset (and have also bought ICOM transceivers) from Pilotmall without any hassles. The AUD was not as strong then as it is today.
Pilotmall quote for DC 13.4 USD 331.89 (including DHL Worldwide Express delivery). I note Pilotmall is currently out of stock but I expect that won't last long.
Have had no warranty or customs issues with any of these purchases. Delivery was less than a week.
Pilotmall quote for DC 13.4 USD 331.89 (including DHL Worldwide Express delivery). I note Pilotmall is currently out of stock but I expect that won't last long.
Have had no warranty or customs issues with any of these purchases. Delivery was less than a week.
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Wow. Did they charter a mail plane just for his headset?
As mentioned previously, if you have a choice always go for USPS. I've never had any customs or GST problems added as long as the declared value is <$1000. Buying online is the way to go.
As mentioned previously, if you have a choice always go for USPS. I've never had any customs or GST problems added as long as the declared value is <$1000. Buying online is the way to go.
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I bought a non-aviation Bose headset from the USA which developed a fault outside the warranty period and Bose Austraila replaced it free of charge with a newer model. Great customer service from them, and no issues with having purchased it o/s.
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FTDK, Clearly you have such a lack of understanding regarding this subject that it is almost not worth mentioning. However I cannot resist, do you not think if it was even remotely possible for Australian Dealers to match USA prices they would ?
And trust me I really do know what I am talking about. I am telling you now that David Clark headsets are almost not worth bothering with for an Australian based dealer at $400 inc GST, you might as well be giving the stupid things away for free.
And trust me I really do know what I am talking about. I am telling you now that David Clark headsets are almost not worth bothering with for an Australian based dealer at $400 inc GST, you might as well be giving the stupid things away for free.
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And just for the record it's not just GST that gets charged when you import from overseas, it is 10% GST then 5% Import Duty then an admin fee from whoever the customs handling agent/broker is which is usually $100-$150 per consignment.
The 5 &10% are charged on the total paid including shipping and then converted to AUD at the most uncompeteve exchange rate you can find anywhere, which usually leaves the importer with a rather larger hole in their wallet than they bargained for.
The 5 &10% are charged on the total paid including shipping and then converted to AUD at the most uncompeteve exchange rate you can find anywhere, which usually leaves the importer with a rather larger hole in their wallet than they bargained for.
If the Retail Traders Association get any traction with the government next year at the inquiry, cheap overseas shopping online or otherwise might just become a thing of the past.
Hear what you are saying Aviator1982. We are often faced with something of a dilemma as to whether we support Aussie businesses and expensive associated bureaucracy or send our dollars overseas?
Hear what you are saying Aviator1982. We are often faced with something of a dilemma as to whether we support Aussie businesses and expensive associated bureaucracy or send our dollars overseas?
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Aviator 1982, if you want to get technical....
The exchange rate comes from an average of five Australian sources and applied at the date the goods are shipped.
The $1000 is a combination of freight, insurance and the value of the goods, even gifts! Customs will assume that you have paid 0.25% insurance even if you haven't and add it to the total.
If the goods attract duty it gets added first then add the GST on that. Note that you are not paying tax on a tax as duty is not a tax.
You can clear your own goods through customs but some people find it tricky.
Just in case anyone thinks is it bad with the GST. Prior to the GST it was the value of the goods plus 20% plus duty plus sales tax, 22% up to 44% (from memory)
Also the $1000 limit is relatively new, for a long time it was $400.
The exchange rate comes from an average of five Australian sources and applied at the date the goods are shipped.
The $1000 is a combination of freight, insurance and the value of the goods, even gifts! Customs will assume that you have paid 0.25% insurance even if you haven't and add it to the total.
If the goods attract duty it gets added first then add the GST on that. Note that you are not paying tax on a tax as duty is not a tax.
You can clear your own goods through customs but some people find it tricky.
Just in case anyone thinks is it bad with the GST. Prior to the GST it was the value of the goods plus 20% plus duty plus sales tax, 22% up to 44% (from memory)
Also the $1000 limit is relatively new, for a long time it was $400.
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Australian companies need to learn that it is now a global marketplace and compete price-wise.
Borders Australia: $75
Amazon US: $29 (Including freight) no credit card charges or commissions if you have a ******* mastercard.
Yep, I think Australian retailers should do a little less whinging and a little more competing!
Yep, I think Australian retailers should do a little less whinging and a little more competing!
In order to compete, we need Australians to buy locally!
But being the tight-arsed, narrow-minded people we are, we just help prop up other economies instead!
We are slowly but surely out-sourcing all our industries and businesses for the sake of a few bucks.
Next we'll be importing bread and milk, because no one here can afford to produce it!
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Also the $1000 limit is relatively new, for a long time it was $400.