I looked at that but what do you expect froma country where kiting is banned, and everything in Malaysia 2km away is half the price. SINGAPORE IS EXPENSIVE compared to malaysia.

There are only 3 or 4 guys selling out of their cars over at Johor Bahru essentially, no real kite industry

it's probably a good place for suckee suck at cheap prices!

but thailand is a good place to buy and bali too.

just make sure that they have stock before you go there.

usually the price can be 1/3 cheaper.

specially great if you go there for holidays during nov-march
because the wind is nice.

but again the warranty could be tricky...... but nothing to worry too much.

marc-a.

Buy local for support....but hey, if you like to shop, why not pick up a bargain. I friggen hate shopping.

quote:

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Originally posted by kiterdude

Maybe you should support your local shop, if everyone "saved a couple of bucks" buy buying offshore there would be no shops ie no service,no info, no good.Ive been kiting for over 6 years and have not seen anyone save big dollars from buying o.s. Support your local shop-most of the shops I know need all the support they can get.

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I would rather save my charity for people who actually need it e.g. starving kids in ethiopia.

what about hongkong is there a chance for bargains there?

hello,

of course i can see the point of all the shops in australia but guys, how many people will really buy outside ..... a few only !
well, it makes sense if i take lessons in thailand and they sell the kites i am looking for at 30 % discount that i will grab this bargain.
so, you can also say to people to stay in australia for holidays to save the economy ......
i don't think australia has a bad economy at the moment and it makes me tick a little when shops cry poor all the time.
Best kills the shops, buying outside kill the shops ..... always the same lyrics.
well, you cannot blame people to try to save some money sometimes.
and what about us european who spend more time kiting in australia than europe for example. where should we buy our kites ?
in europe to preserve the economy and then if we have a problem in oz,
what do we do ?
kites have a international warranty because people move around.

marc-a.

the way i see it is if you support your local bloke hel support you.
even if it means that few extra bucks for that you know what your gettin, warranty, and maybe evn a new mate...

and im sure that the local guys are more than willin to negotiate prices and payment plans if needed

quote:

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Originally posted by marc

hello,

of course i can see the point of all the shops in australia but guys, how many people will really buy outside ..... a few only !
well, it makes sense if i take lessons in thailand and they sell the kites i am looking for at 30 % discount that i will grab this bargain.
so, you can also say to people to stay in australia for holidays to save the economy ......
i don't think australia has a bad economy at the moment and it makes me tick a little when shops cry poor all the time.
Best kills the shops, buying outside kill the shops ..... always the same lyrics.
well, you cannot blame people to try to save some money sometimes.
and what about us european who spend more time kiting in australia than europe for example. where should we buy our kites ?
in europe to preserve the economy and then if we have a problem in oz,
what do we do ?
kites have a international warranty because people move around.

marc-a.

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I'm sorry Marc but that post just shows to me that you are totally out of touch with reality and no, kites do not come with an international warranty.

guys can we please try n stay on topic here, im a 17yr kid i really wouldnt care less about the keeping up the local economy im just trying to find out how much cheaper it would be to get kites in these places and keep in mind these kites aren't cheap and even more so its alot harder to get this sorta cash as someone my age so id be looking for the best deal possible

quote:

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im a 17yr kid i really wouldnt care less about the keeping up the local economy

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Unless the kites are 1/2 price...why bother, after you pay for postage/insurance/gst/handling fees and import duty....and then run the risk of it being a scam, and you loss all your money.... the local kite stores need to survive, where else would go to demo new gear, drop in a grab that spare part that you need on the way to the beach, get local info etc etc. Not giving a s--t about the local economy from someone who's, i expect, parents buy their kites for them...is just poor form...one day you might grow up, and want a job, but there aren't any because that job you really wanted at the call center is now done in India....
I'm all for saving a buck on gear, and have imported gear(not kiting...snowboarding/mtn biking) from overseas where it can be nearly 1/2 price..and/or not sold in OZ..I don't feel so bad about it, as those stores turn over a lot more of these products to a larger market than kitestores do to kiters..
Think about it....if no one buys kites here.....no kite stores.....no support....no demos.....and for that one store that does stay open.....prices increase to cover the fact that they don't sell many kites, and need to pay their bills.....
Each to there own...for sure.... just don't forget about the bigger picture.....

I totally agree with Kitejacker. I've been living in small coastal communities for a few years now. If you don't support your local infrastructure they go down the tube and then you have to buy from an unknown over the phone and hopefully its gonna be on a freight line.
Its a nice feeling when you can support a local business and get to know them. They might charge a bit more, thats because it costs more to get here and they also have mouths to feed and shelters to maintain.
Its also great as Kitejacker says, to drop in grab something from a store, etc, yell to them that you'll be thru tomorrow to fix up the bill and they trust you.
Having a sense of community spirit and trust is one of the great things in life.
Rember when you were a grommet and the local surf shop would let you hang out and you'd get 10% on what you bought, even though you put your skatey thru their window and stood out the back trying to bum beers from the older crew, all while being totally amped on the surf, chicks, etc.
Never forget that sense of community spirit, support the locals and they will support you. Its not just about the product, its the friendships that you forge and possibly that little secret spot they might show you.
To me that is priceless.
Buy local and keep it real.

quote:

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Originally posted by powersails

I'll keep that in mind when I'm trying to sell your crap windsurfing gear that you have on consignment in my shop here in Oz.

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well, i am a little speechless here..... what does that have to do with the conversation here.
Dear Tim, you will make 20 % on my crap equipment when the season starts again hopefully.
and remember, i came to your shop last year looking for a small kite.
you did not have stock so what i am supposed to do then ?
buy at your best friend who wants to ban kiting and does not have stock either .......
so, people buy were they want or where they find interesting equipment, it is a free world after all.
i just wonder if you guys shop at the small grocery store to save them or look after your money and go to woolies ????
if shops would have bargains, offer good deals and lots of second hand and so on maybe we could consider buying local but this is far from beeing the case and specially in Geraldton for example.

marc-a.

Oh, King of the Castle, you are right on, but unfortunately for some people the world runs on price only.

I had a nice little kite this arvo, not much wind but fun. Counting the days till Summer....only a month and a half till wind.

The best advice is to buy kites where you kite, and the closer to your home the better. I can walk to my local, and I'm so happy as he is stocked with everything..........heaven.

marc, if its such a bad situation here for you- go home. simple