Anyone had any luck ordering through JB AU?

old3eyes:

 

I don't really expect Google to sell phones here in NZ in my lifetime.

 

Never say never. Back in my Voda days Google met with us about the then-current Nexus 5x and 6P (which was incidentally where I discovered the never-officially-published critical tidbit that the 5x did not support VF's half of B28), they are aware there's a market and demand here. They will of course also have activation data and know exactly how many Pixels have been imported. To my mind it's twofold: Google will firstly need to have the appetite to spend the million+ $$ needed for a large-scale premium brand launch, and secondly have a willing telco partner. Anything is possible.

NikT:

 

old3eyes:

 

I don't really expect Google to sell phones here in NZ in my lifetime.

 

 

Never say never. Back in my Voda days Google met with us about the then-current Nexus 5x and 6P (which was incidentally where I discovered the never-officially-published critical tidbit that the 5x did not support VF's half of B28), they are aware there's a market and demand here. They will of course also have activation data and know exactly how many Pixels have been imported. To my mind it's twofold: Google will firstly need to have the appetite to spend the million+ $$ needed for a large-scale premium brand launch, and secondly have a willing telco partner. Anything is possible.

 

One other question Nik.  Is PB Tech going to stock the Motorola G 8 Power ??  I know you have a the Power Lite  but it only has a 720 screen where as  the Power has a 1080 x 2300 pixels .

old3eyes:

 

One other question Nik.  Is PB Tech going to stock the Motorola G 8 Power ??  I know you have a the Power Lite  but it only has a 720 screen where as  the Power has a 1080 x 2300 pixels .

 

Moto have only ranged the G8 Power Lite in ANZ rather than the full-fat G8 Power, but keep an eye out for new releases before the year's up.

G8 Power Lite has turned out to be super-popular, backordered until the end of the month. Midrange phones are where the demand's at right now, all the more reason we could've done with Pixel 4a in NZ, but so it goes - NZ has an enormous variety of phone brands available.

NzBeagle:

 

Anyone had any luck ordering through JB AU?

 

I've ordered one to my friends address and will ask him to forward it to me when he receives it.

Will update here as to my general experience including any GST I have to pay at the border.

So for people who are considering buying it despite 'official' importers, what's your preferred method?

From what I can see the options are:

• Order from Amazon/Google to a freight forwarder in the US
• Order from an Australian retailer (like JB HiFi) to a freight forwarder
• Buy through Dick Smith / Kogan direct to NZ
• Buy through a company which forwards overseas such as bigapplebuddy.com

As far as I understand it, the tradeoff is the possibility of returning it for repair/replacement if purchased through e.g. Dick Smith, vs cheaper when bought direct from the US.

I haven't bought any new technology in several years - what's the best option these days?

Milts:

 

So for people who are considering buying it despite 'official' importers, what's your preferred method?

 

 

 

From what I can see the options are:

 

• Order from Amazon/Google to a freight forwarder in the US
• Order from an Australian retailer (like JB HiFi) to a freight forwarder
• Buy through Dick Smith / Kogan direct to NZ
• Buy through a company which forwards overseas such as bigapplebuddy.com

I haven't bought any new technology in several years - what's the best option these days?

 

I'm quite tempted by these...  but mine would probably be wait until a (semi)reputable on-shore parallel importer brings it in.  I think that's the most realistic way to get actual CGA protection? 

Amazon.com ships Pixel 4 directly to NZ, I expect they'll ship the 4a here as well. If not then I tend to use youshop, but yousendit might be a better bet at the moment. You're right though, buying from closer might make it cheaper to ship a faulty product back.

Returning devices with a Lithium battery to the USA is expensive - cost $110 to return a Kindle Paperwhite by express courier with proper documentation. Fortunately Amazon paid. Not declaring the lithium battery isn't a great option.

I've bought two Moto G8 plus from the UK no problems, haven't had to return them.

timmmay:

 

Returning devices with a Lithium battery to the USA is expensive - cost $110 to return a Kindle Paperwhite by express courier with proper documentation. Fortunately Amazon paid. Not declaring the lithium battery isn't a great option.

 

Jeepers. There's something I didn't know.

While I'm typically on board with waiting until a local importer has them (as you say sidefx, much easier to return) - my phone is reaaallly showing it's age. Given my lack of patience maybe Amazon is the way to go. 

Sidenote - looking at the currency rates, it's about $100NZ cheaper from the US than from Australia (not counting tax/shipping).

Yeah, I'd go Amazon then. Can be a bit of a pain if you end up needing to return something, but they're usually pretty good even if you do (did not know they shipped the pixel 4 without needing a freight forwarder... interesting) 

Amazon were showing the 4a available for pre-order last week but it's disappeared now. But I just reconfirmed the Pixel 4 will be shipped directly.

timmmay:

 

Amazon were showing the 4a available for pre-order last week but it's disappeared now. But I just reconfirmed the Pixel 4 will be shipped directly.

 

Very interesting...  I mean if they offer it without needing a freight-forwarder again I'd probably jump on that.   But if you have to go through a freight-forwarder I'd be nervous if anything went wrong with it. 

sidefx:

 

I'm quite tempted by these...  but mine would probably be wait until a (semi)reputable on-shore parallel importer brings it in.  I think that's the most realistic way to get actual CGA protection? 

 

I prefer not to do it this way because you most likely won't get the AUS/NZ charger and will need to use an adapter or third party one.

Many phones ship without a charger these days anyone. Not sure if the 4a has a charger in the box. I have plenty of USB power anyway, and I prefer slower chargers as it's better for your battery to charge slowly. I use a good quality moderate speed charger, and stop my phone at about 80 - 85% to help ensure the battery lasts. I only charge it full if I'm not going to be near a charge for half a day.

Before Amazon ran out of stock I had tried to add one to cart and go through till payment and was able to. It added on GST automatically too!

I didn't actually order it though so can't be sure.