Back in 2012 etc, Ozbargain had great links to bargains on Amazon Germany of TVs that were better than anything price wise you could get in Australia. I got a great TV out of it, and it's been perfect.
I'm now on the market for a second TV and just want to explore all avenues. Was there some tax implemented, or did they refuse further orders of TV's at a certain date that killed it all off?
Shipping was 12 Euros. Plus no tax.
Or crappy AUD?
I wouldn't do it,there are plenty bargain at Harvey Norman,JB Hi Fi,Dick Smith etc…it's not worth the hassle :)
The journey of the struggle is what separates the true OzBargainer to the amateurs.
Remember every cent counts. Stress and headaches be damned, if there's money to be saved they'll do it!
It seems that the change was that delivery costs were charged at a per kg basis rather than a fixed price.
From OzBargain 02/08/2012.
Amazon Germany ships to Australia again!
Also shows various deals at the time.
Comparison of Exchange rates Euro.
We got a REALLY good Bosch vacuum cleaner (which we couldn't find for less than 650 locally) from Amazon Germany for about 320 all up. That was back in early 2012, haven't tried since as the exchange rate has changed so much.
There are still deals to be found but (a) the person finding most of the deals has been banned from OB, and (b) as has been discussed here many times, a significant amount of people do not post deals here for various reasons, one of them being hostile atmosphere and aggression - that also includes Amazon deals (at least speaking for myself).
I still buy things in Europe and occasionally get great deals. Postage is still cheap if one knows how to go about it.
A couple of weeks I ordered an item for less than half the price it costs in Europe all up (instead of $650 in Oz it cost $320 including postage from Germany), despite the exchange rate. Imagine the deal it would have been had the exchange reason been as high as in 2012!
Good to read that so many people were happy with items they got from Gallifrey's deals - shows buying overseas is not as risky as some people make it out to be on OB. I am sure he or she would be happy if knowing about it.
Are there specific stores in Europe that deliver to Australia or do you use a forwarder? What store did you buy from?
There are stores that do. Also helps if you can negotiate, preferable in the local language as you can get stores that normally do not ship to OZ to do so.
I suppose you could use a freight forwarder too although I have never used one so far.
The fact of the matter is that postage in most European countries is cheap to Australia as opposed to the other way around.
Any tips on cheap lego deals? It is normally the postage that kills it.
None of my items I've shipped from Germany have had any problems in the years I've had them. Warranty never needed to come into play as the items survived any return period, and continue to do so.
No Risk, No Reward.
The TV I got: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/72870
Could find nothing like that at the time in Dick Smith or JB etc
I agree. Never had any problems with my items either.
Getting it from Germany is not really risky - China would be a different proposition due to much lower quality regulations, laws and safety guidelines in that country.
I'm not disputing your account of events but it's going to have to be a pretty special deal to make the shipping worth it. Then there's the added risk in case you need to do a return of some kind.