Tirerack.com why would buy anywhere else?

Another differentiator I have found in my experience is that the US companies also just seem to take the customer service side of things a bit more seriously than many local Aussie companies.

A few times I've ordered parts for cars or computers from local and O/S vendors on the same day and receive the O/S ordered items BEFORE the locally ordered ones. One time I received the O/S parts (Wheels From LA) in 5 days, which was just 1 day more than it took the local company to call me and say they didn't have the part I ordered from them and then they took another 4 days to send me a substitute part. that kind of thing doesn't help inspire people to do business with them in the future as the attitude is like "whatever", on top of the inflated price.



Cheers,

Snowy :)

All good thoughts lads.

The current import/distribution model is unsustainable, and retailers should try to do more to be competitive. But under current arrangements, where would being competitive leave retailers if their only source of product (through a 'preferred' importer/distributor) charges huge mark-ups, forcing them to recoup their costs by on-charging just as much again to the consumer? I believe the shopfront retail model is an unsustainable match for the way buying patterns are heading. So I can empathise, to a point.

@Peter Jones, I understood the ACCC was trying to minimise or remove the competitive impediments associated with parallel import restrictions? But doesn't that have more to do with licensing, IP and trademark (protectionism, by any other name) rather than pure price-sensitivity? You'd think if Item A is too expensive from Importer A, Mr Retailer will just go to Importer B and get it from them so costs are smaller > margins better > price more competitive? You'd therefore have to assume the AU market works primarily on margin, because the methods I've seen some places trying move stock (asking full price for stuff that's 5 years old!) it can't be working on volume?

As individuals, we can all make enquiries and receive what we're looking for in much quicker time and at quite a saving than local retailers because we cut out the (price-gouging) middle man. Unfortunately, being blacklisted by their distributors (for cutting out the middle-man) is exactly what restricts local retailers doing the same... I place an order, I put my money down, and the 'overnight' bag takes a week to arrive in BNE? And for this I not only have to wait longer, but also pay more than if I purchased the same item on-line, without any of the associated hassles?

For those who are interested, the recent case of removing parallel import restrictions for books could be substituted here:

“The Australian Government, through the Productivity Commission, is reviewing the restrictive laws that unnecessarily inflate the price of books. The current laws stop Australian Booksellers importing books other than through the Australian subsidiaries or agents of overseas publishers.

This may sound reasonable but it prevents copyright-protected books from being imported from the most competitive market, usually the United States or the UK, whichever is the cheapest when ordering.

The current law stops us buying books at the lowest price to put in our stores for you to buy. […]"

I checked the pricing of a new Audi S4 from www.audi.co.uk and with all the options boxes ticked, total rrp was around $72,000 (converted).

The same car would cost around $170k+ in australia.

Whislt I'm sure Audi Australia is making a tidy sum from imorting, there are also Import duties, GST, luxury car tax, stamp duty, registration.

The government arent really benefitting from this are they????

That difference is simply crazy to the point of being insulting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gareth_oau

total rrp was around $72,000 (converted).

The same car would cost around $170k+ in australia.

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Try a new 911... US$88,000.... AUS$250,000:eek:

That is all very disheartening.. US would be more fun to live as well most likely and everything is cheaper. Get stung too much for Euro cars here, especially ones with any kind of power. Can see why a lot of people get fast Jap imports for cheap!

I have bought brake rotors & rims from tire rack recently. While the price was very good they shipped the wrong rotors the first time and then didnt pack the hub-centric rings the 2nd time. Not very impressed.

With the rims I ended up bitching to Wheels World who are buddies of mine. They happen to be personal friends with the O.Z. australiasian distributor. After a bit of back and forth they can now get rims for the SAME PRICE as tire rack!

Interesting, eh?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gareth_oau

Whilst I'm sure Audi Australia is making a tidy sum from imorting, there are also Import duties, GST, luxury car tax, stamp duty, registration.

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Shipping from Europe to Australia isn't cheap, though they pay most of the same other costs (VAT, MOT, etc) in the UK. LCT hurts, we can't do the volumes here to drive profit through volume rather than margin.

Duties just dropped to 5%.

The size of the difference still isn't justified IMHO, but it's not a total cash-in-the-pocket job for the importer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MattyT

I have bought brake rotors & rims from tire rack recently. While the price was very good they shipped the wrong rotors the first time and then didnt pack the hub-centric rings the 2nd time. Not very impressed.

With the rims I ended up bitching to Wheels World who are buddies of mine. They happen to be personal friends with the O.Z. australiasian distributor. After a bit of back and forth they can now get rims for the SAME PRICE as tire rack!

Interesting, eh?

---

You did well there, how long ago was that? I go my O.Z. through a local tyre shop but weren't exactly cheap however that was about a year ago when there was no stock of the ultras (may still not be?) and was happy to get a set regardless. Also came with the hub centric rings, which most places should know about by now but always good to give them a heads up. Also got em within a week/few days.

does anyone know how much it will cost to ship a set of wheels ?
I am actually thinking of shipping a set of wheels and rubber all together.