Hi,
Has anyone purchased sails from overseas via internet? Ezzy,NP,North? Seems with the Aust $ gaining on the US$ that this could worth looking into? How does the GST and sales tax work in this case?

Ken,
Yep, have to agree with supporting the local shops however to what point? $850 Aust for a top mark wave sail verses $US 400 to 500 plus postage (2010 gear). I love the sport however you can understand the unwashed masses going over to the dark side because windsurfing gear is just too expensive. A good example is the price of entry level kids gear. If these were more affordable more of the younger generation would get taste of our wonderful sport and support the industry into the future.. They should be almost be giving the learners rigs away as a cunning marketing ploy.

The cost of shipping them internationally will negate the saving you make.

And yes I beleive in supporting the the local industry otherwise we won't end up having one. In fact I won't even buy gear interstate now, I've had an experience where the vendor didn't want to know me after the sale was made, I'd prefer to deal with someone I have relationship with,

I think it comes down to just how much you save.
With music gear, I would buy overseas to save a lot of money, but locally if the difference was marginal. The INterwebzzzz have certainly made it easier to shop around, and I was able to get a heap of stuff that would never have come my way otherwise.
When I renewed my sailing gear last year, I bought most of my sails as end of season run-outs for more like $600, so I did OK, and shifted some stock for the dealer in the process.
Less choice that way, of course.
I find it hard to be critical of the shops here in Oz, as I've run a business and know that the overheads are brutal. At least some of them only do sailing gear for the love of it and would certainly not survive if that was their only product line. It's easy to look at a single product and think that it is over-priced, but there is a lot of stuff that needs to be paid for.
I think service is an individual thing with each shop and customer, and I don't think that generalisations about local vs interstate hold up under scrutiny.
That said, it's your money to spend where and when you like, and I support that right too.
I have done OK buying stuff from the USA. Just pick your seller and do your homework, especially on shipping. I have had items delivered quicker here for less post than the same item in Australia. One pedal I ordered on a Friday arrived the next Monday from Ohio or Chicago or somewhere.
USPS (United States Postal Service) has the cheapest rates, but has limits on parcel size and weight, which can be a problem. UPS and Fedex are both OK, especially for a robust item like a sail, but will cost more. If your parcel exceeds the USPS limits, they become your only option however.

Dungbeetle said...



Ken,
Yep, have to agree with supporting the local shops however to what point? $850 Aust for a top mark wave sail verses $US 400 to 500 plus postage (2010 gear). I love the sport however you can understand the unwashed masses going over to the dark side because windsurfing gear is just too expensive. A good example is the price of entry level kids gear. If these were more affordable more of the younger generation would get taste of our wonderful sport and support the industry into the future.. They should be almost be giving the learners rigs away as a cunning marketing ploy.

I think Neil Pryde Maui are set up to do it...

To be honest though, flights are $900 return. Why not just do an annual trip and stock up?

Windsurfing is nearly dead. Another nail in the coffin. Support Aussie retailers

If you are buying of the Net because your local dosn't sell your brand sail and/or board- whats the difference if its a OZ or O/S net sale? Other than supporting someone else's local shop?

It depends on the pricing...

Here in Slovenia a new NP 2011 model is currently aout AUD $ 550...this time next year it will be 350, as an old model closeup...same for North, Ezzy, Gaastra, Vandal is even cheaper, etc.
Masts are from AUD $ 250 to 500... Boards from AUD $800-2000... depends on the shop... for example new 2010 model FA skate is now for $980...

I have been struggling to find some items online cheaper than that, but I simply can't...

This is a tough topic. The reality is that unless shops and distributers take heed of what is having to bike shops and bike purchases then it may go the same way. Online trading is getting easier and this cuts out one mainly the distributer. It's not usually the shops whether actual or online that more or less it's usually the middle man. Many bike shops are going backwards and they sell more bikes than cars. Online buying is rife in the bike game. I bought $2000 wheels from us $50 postage for less than $1000. Go figure. Couldn't have posted them here to next suburb for the same postage rate.

So yes I. Good faith we may stick with our hearts and buy from those that have supported us and the owners we have sailed with for years. But experience shows us that this may not be sustainable purchase model because human nature is that we love a deal. With postage getting cheaper and the dollar getting better. I think the distributers owe it to the shops and the consumers to look after us all. Or look out .come and FedEx.