Buying Cymbals Overseas??

[Pleasure_Paulie]

As many of my fellow Australian's may know, all drum cymbals etc are stupidly expensive over here.

I was on music123.com the other day and was suprised that I could get say a simple AAX hi-hat for $219 USD and $52USD delivery. Even after a conversation to Australian dollars, that converts to about $370. That same cymbals are at the very least $500-600 in Australia.

Has anybody done this before, or have any companies they recommend which ship internationally?

All help is always appreciated! :p

[Stubbsy]

I dont think music123.com actually ship to Australia though.

Sorry just checked and they do..but you can just go on ebay shops and do the same thing for cheaper. Talk to The Flame about that.

[Pleasure_Paulie]

I dont think music123.com actually ship to Australia though.

Sorry just checked and they do..but you can just go on ebay shops and do the same thing for cheaper. Talk to The Flame about that.

I assume "the flame" is a user on these boards?

[Pauly]

One thing you have to take into account is customs charges.

From memory, its 10% GST, 5% for something else (musical instruments tax) and about $50 for a customs release form.

It only applies for goods over $250 in value. However, if you get it off eBay and the person sends it by USPS (united states postal service) you can get the item tax free up to $1000. Unfortunately, music123 sends by FedEx, which doesn't qualify for the $1000 tax-free bracket. So anything under $250 from music123 will be fine.

[ValeOfShadows]

Yeah i've noticed that to but whenever i think its a good deal they dont ship to Australia.

[Pleasure_Paulie]

I think massmusic.net ship to Australia as well :eek: They are so cheap!!

According to here: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549 you will not be charged customs in Australia on anything below $1000. Can anybody confirm this?

[blackwidow222]

yeah, why cant we have cymbals cheap! its not fair! though i have seen cheap bosphorus ones, but dont know how good they are.

[Drum Phil]

Bosphorous are incredible.

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Bosphorous are incredible.

That they are! Their hi-hat's sound devine. However, they probably aren't the best to buy online as each of their cymbals is slighty different I've found. Not mass made like Sabian, Zildjian etc..

[SkaRabbit]

Sabian and zildjian are all different as tthe better cymbals are hand hammered

[zfzgg]

yeah, why cant we have cymbals cheap! its not fair! though i have seen cheap bosphorus ones, but dont know how good they are.

we get Bosphorus cheap?:eek:

//visits drumming store\\ (2 hour drive, screw that)

[theflame85]

SIMPLY MUSIC!!!

Email : ebaysales@iinet.net.au, and he'll be able to import your cymbals for you, no customs charge, and the most you'll probably pay is about $420. I got my A Custom 20" Ride for $375. Tell him Brendan_wray85 sent you. :)

[Damo]

There are numerous issues when dealing with importing products. As some people have mentioned, taxes in Australia, coupled with freight charges, insurance charges and dollar conversion pushes the prices way up.

Possibly the biggest factor affecting the price though, is that Australian retailers usually have to buy from distributors, rather than direct from the manufacturer, as most do in the US. Unfortunately, when a distributor has to make his/her margin ontop of what the retailers need, youll find the prices go up even further.

Consider also what would happen if you cracked the cymbal. You need to return it to the place of manufacture, which is near-on impossible when buying overseas.