I have been facing that dilemma a few times now but resorted to buying all my gear from overseas. Of course, I would like to support local kiteshops, but seriously, I cannot justify being ripped off.
I have a good source in the States, and a quick google search should do it, and the gear generally arrives within 7 days. I now get the gear a whopping 30-50% cheaper than what the shops charge here, and yes that includes shipping.
wanted to put it out there, because we are getting ripped Off in OZ
I agree that prices are inflated here a bit, but what happens if you have a problem under warranty? I know a lot of kites claim a "Global" warranty but good luck to you taking your US bought kite back to your local retailer. Not to mention if we send all the local shops out of business obtaining that spare part for your bar ends up being a real trial.
Many of the kite shops here will offer a 5-10% discount for regular customers anyway.
Plus, when you purchased your gear from the States, did the total cost come to over $1000? Because if it did, you'll have to pay import duty, customs clearance fee and GST (which gets calculated on the US price plus duty) on top of what you paid. Suddenly your cheap US gear doesn't seem so cheap any more.
I'm not saying you shouldn't purchase anything from overseas - I have bought a new bar and lines from the states when I lost one at the beach - but on the whole I source most of my gear locally.
People here get a little upset when they hear things like this...
It's not the kites shops here "ripping you off". It's just a hyper inflated insular economy, the same one that pays you perhaps 40-50% more salary than someone doing the same job in the US, for example.
So, although its understandable that you want to spend your money elsewhere because you get more bang for your buck, it's perceived as very unpatriotic by the locals.
I don't subscribe to this argument myself, btw, but I'm not an Australian citizen.
Prices will correlate according to the sum of imputs plus a predetermined markup.
No ones getting ripped off. It's simply the price you pay for products and services in this country.
I pitty the manufacturing workers in this country.
Buying overseas is the future guys and gals. Until the local shops figure it out and offer competitive prices, I'm not turning back.
I havent purchased a single piece of equipment in Australia for years for the very reason that you are paying 30-50% more here.
With the kite I ride shops in Perth charge anywhere between $2100 and $2400, online from the USA you can get them delivered to your door for $1500. HUGE saving. its a no brainer.
Bar and Kite each priced separately come in under $1000 so no GST issues or import tax.
Lostinlondon, the warranty issue is a non-concern. I have had great responsiveness from the states with them sending me a spare part (on the one occasion i needed it).
Warranties are generally a joke, I had a mate who purchased a North Whip board here in Perth and after 6 months it snapped for no apparent reason. The Shop didnt want to know about it and wouldn't even assist him with his appeal to North for a replacement under warranty.
That board cost him $1200 here, i got the same one from the states for $700. If I snap mine I'm still $500 up!
Local shops may bitch and moan, but they need to realise they are in a global economy. If they cant compete they should shut their shops buy their kites online and go kiting.
jeez just do some research, decide how you are going to buy and do it.. omg such a dilemma isnt it!!
troll post
First of all, if you don't like the topic, don't read it and reply to it. It just got me angry a few days ago after I went into the shop again, that's why I am posting it YOU TROLL!!
I like the bargain comment, but I tried to make an offer to a shop owner and got the reply "We are not in Bali, here".
Warranties???? The only ever thing I bought in OZ, was the one which broke. The strap on my board broke, so I went to the shop. They didn't want to give me a new one, they wanted to send it back to North. So, what should I do? Wait three weeks for a strap? In the middle of the season?
Ripped off? Let me give you an example: 2013 Nort Rebel 10m, I paid US$1,600, retails here upwards from A$2,200. North Board are around A$300 cheaper. So, if I can get a kite for $1,600, how much would a shop pay, ordering 10 or so?
How can you justify a 50% mark up?
why are you so upset about it? you already bought your gear from the US.. just sit back happy knowing you didnt get "ripped off" lol
everyone has thought about this at one stage or another, and choose to buy how they like.. its not that big a deal. You choose how you want to buy stuff and do it.. It really not that complicated.
I buy some things from the internet, some things from local shops. I have the choice just like everyone else
Its the same with a pair of jeans, a computer, a pair of nikes. We pay more here, its pretty simple
Maybe you should move to the US
And like I said, it's been done to death here many times.
Use the search tool and you will find many more of these topics.
You're just filling up the forum with SPAM.
what use is it starting your first ever post here with a winge? No "Hi guy's"
Also, what is your intent? We'll assume that everyone on this forum has had some exposure to the Internet, and hence, can use a search engine or type URL's into their browser to check prices of gear all round the planet. If they decide to purchase equipment overseas, then good luck to them.
Complaining that Aussie stores charge too much when you have only ever bought one thing from them is a bit rich. You have voted with your $$$ and that's fair enough.
For those who do buy locally, the service, support and other bonuses they receive (demoing new kit, dropping in for a chat/beer and so on) more than justify their decision too.
So, back to your first post. It was an inflammatory troll and designed to get a response, which it did.
Welcome to Seabreeze.
to the muppet op , do you think the stores are making 50% profit ?
Yes i have bought some stuff from O/S and also support local when i can . It isn't the guy who owns the shop who's raking in the cash . There are so many other factors as to why **** is soo expensive over here before you look at the store owner .
i bought a board locally . Wasn't that much more expensive than O/S but when it broke guess who sorted out a new board for me and even offered a loan board which i refused ?
Wasn't some overseas shop thats for sure
^^ Blueroom, as has been said before this topic done to death elsewhere ends in the same debacle every time (I'd bet maybe 40% of the locked topics from the last couple of years are on this very thing). Fact is everyone has a PERSONAL decision to make when they buy, some go OS exclusively, some go local exclusively and other will pick and choose (myself included), value is in the eye of the beholder and sometimes ones opinion counts for nothing to another. Buy what you want, enjoy it and live with the tradeoff that come with it.
There are some great local retailers around that will do you a good deal (though most likely won't necessarily advertise it) and similarly there are some great overseas retailers/manufacturers that'll do you a good deal but like everything for every one you find there will be 1 or maybe two that don't. Look around find the gear you want and a shop that'll look after you (in person or via net), move on with your life.
2c
This topic has been done so many times with the same tune, it's even got it's own FAQ:
www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Help/ForumRules.aspx#h40b
Overseas Purchasing / Why are we so ripped off / Buying Deals
In this case the poster has discovered he can buy an item overseas cheaper than in a shop here in Australia. Now they want to share this with everybody, and also want to infer that because the price is different that "Australian businesses are ripping us all off".
Posts of this nature will be locked/or removed as they always stir up bad vibes and arguments. Like clockwork, pro-shop crew come out versus the anti-shop crew, and it's on, and has never ended well. Ends up being just a bunch of angry people arguing over a $100 difference. It's not been worth it, and everybody goes home unhappy, so we nip it in the bud before it starts.
Topic Locked. 
p.s. Welcome to Seabreeze BlueRoom - hope you hang around, and get stuck into talking about the great sport that is Kitesurfing.
p.p.s. Don't miss the irony that this (Australian) site wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the support of Australian industry & local crew.
