PCs, laptops can cost 30pc more

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sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek

#87819 8-Aug-2011 10:31

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/5404455/PCs-laptops-can-cost-30pc-more

Has anyone tried buying a laptop on a US website and having it shipped here?

Waranty and consumer guarantees aside - has it seen you save 30%?

JimmyC

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#503249 8-Aug-2011 11:15

sxz: Waranty and consumer guarantees aside - has it seen you save 30%?

Short answer: definitely.

Longer answer: depends on the make and model.

In the past, Alienware models have been insanely overpriced here compared to the US market, could easily have saved 30% buying from the US. Because of this historical fact I had lined up an Alienware M18X prior to its launch for purchase via a US reseller who ships internationally. However three things transpired to make me stay local... firstly, an NZ Dell rep offered me a student discount despite my having left Uni some 18 years ago. Secondly the initial price wasn't nearly as daft as I'd imagined it would be, which was probably due to (thirdly) the current exchange rate.

I could still have saved around $300-400 buying from the US, but to me it wasn't worth the hassle. In the past however, I've calculated savings well in excess of 30%, including freight and GST.

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#503825 9-Aug-2011 13:25

I have bought two laptops overseas and the Asus Transformer Tab, plus two phones:

Acer 1420TG, including GST and all taxes cost me landed through Amazon/Shipito $1350(cheapest in NZ at the time was $1799 with a different/worse graphics card)
Acer 1830TZ 11.6" including GST and taxes, $700 landed. Cheapest price for the lesser model 1830T still on pricespy @ 900.
Galaxy S i9000 - cost me 1050 landed/gst from Clove, no problems with it, got it 4 months before release in NZ and they released it for a higher amount...
Galaxy S i9100 - Cost me $950 landed from Clove + $100 to send it back and then here, due to warranty issue. so $1050. Still cheaper than what Vodafone are scalping for it
Asus Transformer - $590 all up, from Amazon, cheapest price here is $699 incl shipping

Wouldn't quite say 30% on most items. The Stuff article is very misleading also. They take the exchange rate into account, but don't take the GST or shipping to account on those conversions. Which is a bit wrong?

The 17R dell pricing would be closer to:
A Dell Inspiron 17R laptop that would cost $2367 locally was just US$1419 (NZ$1641) in the US.
1641 + 15% + 38 ITF + 14 MAF + 40(cheap container shipping)
= $1979NZD which is only a saving of around 16.2%

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

Ragnor

8222 posts

Uber Geek

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#504090 9-Aug-2011 22:08

What % would you pay for the protection of the CGA + the ability when you buy locally to deal with faults easier.

merve0o0

492 posts

Ultimate Geek

#504103 9-Aug-2011 22:19

I just bought a headunit online cost nz$299 rrp is nz$450.

Was worth the risk for me but I am an electronics tech so if it breaks I can probably fix it.

JimmyC

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#504420 10-Aug-2011 14:39

Ragnor: What % would you pay for the protection of the CGA + the ability when you buy locally to deal with faults easier.

Dell\Alienware warranties are transferable internationally.

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#504450 10-Aug-2011 15:17

Ragnor: What % would you pay for the protection of the CGA + the ability when you buy locally to deal with faults easier.

Don't assume that it will be easier to deal with faults locally.

The Wife has some bluetooth headphones that broke down just after their warranty expired. She contacted the supplier in the US who gave her a return number. She posted them back and they couriered a new pair.

I bought a laptop battery from deal extreme (yes that dodgy Hong Kong website), it self-destructed after a few months. Expecting to get nowhere I contacted them and they issued a return number. When they got the faulty battery back they sent me a replacement and gave a store credit for the postage I paid. I could have had the postage repaid by Paypal if I wanted to.

vinnieg

2260 posts

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#504457 10-Aug-2011 15:29

JimmyC:
Ragnor: What % would you pay for the protection of the CGA + the ability when you buy locally to deal with faults easier.

Dell\Alienware warranties are transferable internationally.

Asus and Acer have worldwide warranties too

Samsung don't though..not yet anyway

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

JimmyC

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#504811 11-Aug-2011 09:13

vinnieg:
JimmyC:
Ragnor: What % would you pay for the protection of the CGA + the ability when you buy locally to deal with faults easier.

Dell\Alienware warranties are transferable internationally.

Asus and Acer have worldwide warranties too

Samsung don't though..not yet anyway

Do they offer warranty extensions and in home repairs? I'm just curious 'cos that's what keeps me coming back to Dell\Alienware. Their warranties and service has been incredible the past 5 years for me.

vinnieg

2260 posts

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#504821 11-Aug-2011 09:31

JimmyC:

Do they offer warranty extensions and in home repairs? I'm just curious 'cos that's what keeps me coming back to Dell\Alienware. Their warranties and service has been incredible the past 5 years for me.

They might do, but then again I'm an ex laptop/desktop tech and can rip apart most laptops and desktops within 5 minutes and diagnose a fault pretty fast too.

So I've never felt the need for that service :)

I usually void my laptop warranty within the first few months anyway, by either adding more powerful speakers, or a backlit keyboard from an overseas model

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.