Having explored the overseas options in the last week or so it seems very viable to import bigger ticket items like espresso machines. Sure there is risk with transit damage and no doubt people will jump on the "what about warranty" bandwagon but, warranty is either full parts only, all parts and labour through a thrid party or full refund. What that boils down to in reality who knows. I'm sure there are more than a few Australian Consumer Laws that offer protection as well. After all, as others have said, it's a global market and one can spend their money wherever one wishes. Looking at importing a popular machine into Australia from the UK. The machine has a RRP of $3500 here. I can have exactly the same machine landed on my door, with all duties and GST paid for $ 2500 ( $300 of which is shipping). A well known drop shipping company can do it to my door for the same price. This is without haggling. Now the thing that I want to know is how much is the true cost of these machines to the retailer. The UK retailer isn't giving the machines away and would be making good money on them. The same applies to the drop shipping company. So just how much of a mark up is there on the same machine from the Aussie retailer ? Obviously it's $1000 minimum ( the difference between self import and Aus retail) but I suspect its closer to $ 1800 as the "exclusive importer" of the brand into Australia would get some pretty damn hot wholesale pricing from the manufacturer. Further more, any retailer or representative of a brand should be happy to support that brand regardless of whether they sold the machine or not. After all, that is their job and commitment to the brand. Car dealers don't give a bugger where you bought the car from but any of them will happily do warranty repairs or sell you spare parts. It's all about the brand. Maybe if things were priced more realistically here, there would be no need to shop elsewhere. A little bit of profit on a large turn over is better than a lot of profit on a little turnover. After all, return service is king - draw them in with a very good price and they will return for parts, service and upgrades and maintain brand loyalty. Sting them and they will look for alternatives be they a different brand or a different source. I think having exclusive importers is just plain wrong and the fact that other Australian distributors are selling the same machine for less than the importer they distribute for just means the market is ripe for getting the best deal possible, where ever it is.
