Online shopping....

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Hello...
I've compared some prices, and made a stunning conclusion.
Let's take fantom x8 for example:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ROLFANTOMX8

- Online store: keyboard for 2.995$, free shipment.

Then, I went to my local music instrument dealer, a huge superstore with "lowest prices" - the same fantom x8, but for 2.995 euro.

I'm a little bit confused. In fact, 2.995 euro is 3.864 US dollars!!! More than 850 dollar extra! I just don't get it... do you? 850 dollars is a huge amout of money!
Maybe it's easier to order thing from internet, and pay 50$ for 2 day delivery?
Maybe I could buy fantom x8 afterall, because I can get 2400 euro, but not 3000 euro, no way....

Or am I wrong?

[jeebustrain]

that's usually how it works, and it's generally for 2 reasons.

1. Online dealers generally have lower overhead than real stores. They can get away with having less employees, they can rent a small office just for handling orders (much cheaper than renting a storefront shop in a busy area). A lot of them also don't stock very much, a good portion is drop shipped directly from the mfg. That saves them (and you) shipping costs and they don't have to have a giant warehouse filled to capacity with things they think people might buy.

2. Competition is greater on the net. It's a lot easier for you to plug into a search engine (Froogle for example) to find the lowest price. Everyone's always trying to undercut everyone else. In a retail environment, most towns have a fairly limited amount of places where you can buy higher end music gear, so you're at one disadvantage there (less local competition). Plus, once you go in there, a slick salesman can keep you from leaving and have you walk out "thinking" you got a good deal, when it's probably nowhere near what you could have gotten it for. Plus, local stores are where inexperienced and impulse buyers go, usually not having done any research. How are they supposed to know they could save a lot more going someplace else? the stores know that so they price accordingly. That's also why most of those sales people are on commission. If they see you as a sucker, they'll let you pay sticker. But if they see that you're a savvy consumer that's done his homework, they have the leeway available to them to keep you from going someplace else.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

So, you say it's better to buy things online? If it's true, starting from now, I'll buy everything from net :biggrin:
Does anybody knows a good online store, who can deliever stuff to Europe (Belgium)?

And what about extra payments, like taxes?

[normthesamurai]

Something I was wondering, Say someone in Aus buys an american product (oh for example... a fusion) ok in US online prices are about $1500 US right? that works out to 1,941.23 AUD (According to XE.com) However a 8hd on the net in Australia is 3,699.00 which works out to be $2,858.25 US.

I don't know how much international shipping for a 20 something Kilogram thing would be but I would assume its less then $1758 AUS (or 1358 US) So are there any reasons why international buying over the net is a no - no (provided website businesses ship internationally I havent really checked)?

[-=AnatomiC=-]

And how about honesty of the online dealers?
Is there any chance they can rip you off???

[Omega Monkey]

Well, the other thing to take into consideration is that there will likely be tariffs if you buy online. So those combined with shipping make up a lot of the price difference.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

600-1400 US dollars? Ich don't think so...

[normthesamurai]

Well, the other thing to take into consideration is that there will likely be tariffs if you buy online. So those combined with shipping make up a lot of the price difference.


Actually good point I didn't think about tarriffs. One question, where and when would one find out that they have to pay a tariff? Does it get added onto the selling price (like GST) or is it handled when the item is about to get shipped internationally?

[T3E]

Actually good point I didn't think about tarriffs. One question, where and when would one find out that they have to pay a tariff? Does it get added onto the selling price (like GST) or is it handled when the item is about to get shipped internationally?

Hey man, I actually looked into it for exactly the same procedure as you're talking about (Alesis Fusion from US to Australia). There's a summary of the liabilities on the Australian customs site here (http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4376).

I also considered getting someone I trust in the USA to buy it for me, and then ship it to me as a "gift". some retailers will do this too I think... but it is technically customs fraud, and not fun to get caught!

In the end it looks like I've decided to go with a PC based setup anyway, so I didn't look too far into it. Hope that helps a little bit though...

[normthesamurai]

Hey man, I actually looked into it for exactly the same procedure as you're talking about (Alesis Fusion from US to Australia). There's a summary of the liabilities on the Australian customs site here (http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4376).

I also considered getting someone I trust in the USA to buy it for me, and then ship it to me as a "gift". some retailers will do this too I think... but it is technically customs fraud, and not fun to get caught!

In the end it looks like I've decided to go with a PC based setup anyway, so I didn't look too far into it. Hope that helps a little bit though...

Nice another Tasmanian! theres three of us now I think.

Anyway thanks for the link. So far it looks like buying an 8hd from america at $1900 Au would mean paying around another $350. $2250 vs $3600 seems like a hot deal! I'm probably wrong with my tarriff things so I'll investigate into that.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Does anyone know a good online store (no rip off, good prices, cheap/free and fast shipment)? A store that can deliver things in Europe (Belgium).
Lol - I saw the keyboard I want for 1865$ (1500 euro), and not 2000 euro.

[losmusicanos]

Hello...
I've compared some prices, and made a stunning conclusion.
Let's take fantom x8 for example:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ROLFANTOMX8

- Online store: keyboard for 2.995$, free shipment.

Free shipment from USA to Europe? :eek:


I'm a little bit confused. In fact, 2.995 euro is 3.864 US dollars!!! More than 850 dollar extra! I just don't get it... do you? 850 dollars is a huge amout of money!
Maybe it's easier to order thing from internet, and pay 50$ for 2 day delivery?
Maybe I could buy fantom x8 afterall, because I can get 2400 euro, but not 3000 euro, no way....

Or am I wrong?

For the moment, the euro is strong and dollar is weak. That's where the difference comes from.:wink:

[losmusicanos]

Does anyone know a good online store (no rip off, good prices, cheap/free and fast shipment)? A store that can deliver things in Europe (Belgium).
Lol - I saw the keyboard I want for 1865$ (1500 euro), and not 2000 euro.

www.thoman.de, I've ordered a Behringer microphone there. Quick delivery (if it's in their stock) and not too much to pay for shipping (I'm in Belgium too!)

[-=AnatomiC=-]

www.thoman.de, I've ordered a Behringer microphone there. Quick delivery (if it's in their stock) and not too much to pay for shipping (I'm in Belgium too!)

Actually, I ment a music store.... :tongue:

[T3E]

Nice another Tasmanian! theres three of us now I think.

Cool, I didn't notice the Tassie thing :biggrin:

Are you playing out anywhere? We just finished the CD and we're aboot to start looking for a couple of local gigs to get a bit of experience down. We've all played the *cough* covers *ahem* scene down here for years, but we're not sure how they're going to take the prog :smile:

Anyway thanks for the link. So far it looks like buying an 8hd from america at $1900 Au would mean paying around another $350. $2250 vs $3600 seems like a hot deal! I'm probably wrong with my tarriff things so I'll investigate into that.

No problem. I remember on my rough calculations that yes you would be better off, but I can't recall the exact details. Remember you'll have to factor in freight as well, and I don't even want to think about any warranty situation that might come up.

Oh, also worth checking into power supply issues too.... Aarrg!