Any suggestions for buying pickups from the U.S/Canada?

[Cletus]

I'm looking for SD Phat Cats, but they're basically double the price here (Australia) compared to there. Anyone know a place that is reasonable and ships reasonably cheap?

Cheers in advance.

 

[Cagey]

Between the difference in currency and the high cost of shipping, I'm not sure you're going to get as good a break as you'd think. Plus, the shipping is not only expensive, but requires personal intervention to fill out export papers. Because of that, it's unlikely you'd get a major distributor to get involved with such a thing. But, there's a smaller place called ProGuitarShop.com who publishes a phone number and email address, so you could contact them and see if you can talk somebody into doing it. They have those pickups for $80 ea., or $150 for a pair.

We have a similar problem getting Kinman pickups here, which are manufactured in Oz. Makes 'em pretty expensive. As you probably know, shipping in Oz is expensive because outside the major cities, every destination is one of those "you can't get there from here" propositions. UPS (or whoever) doesn't want to drive 290 miles to deliver a single package for $12.

 

[Cletus]

I'm in Sydney, but I've seen some absolutely ludicrous prices for shipping small packages, much smaller than pickups for example. All this hassle for two lousy pickups!

 

[Cletus]

Bit the bullet and paid the shipping, luckily the US dollar sucks really bad right now so exchange made no difference. I was basically buying in US dollars.

 

[OzziePete]

Bit the bullet and paid the shipping, luckily the US dollar sucks really bad right now so exchange made no difference. I was basically buying in US dollars.

+1.

As someone who has bought a lot of stuff from overseas retailers over the years, can I tell you to check the exchange rates you are getting and the shipping costs.

Those two factors make you double check whether getting the item locally is worth the hassle vs. the wait from os. For larger more expensive items you have the worry about whether it will be assessed by Aust. Customs when it comes in and whether there's a tax to be paid. BTW, Aust. Customs are very good in answering your questions about bringing in stuff from overseas. Basically if the item is valued at more than Aus$1000 and it comes by post there is a need to get it Customs Cleared and appropriate taxes paid. Under Aus$1000 and sent by post, it doesn't attract their attention. If the item is valued at Aus$500 or more and it comes via aCourier system like UPS or Fedex, then the fun starts with Customs Declarations. Usually your courier system will offer to do that as a brokerage service for you and yes they will charge for it.

Many items sold in Australia for music are expensive compared to what they retail for in say Europe or the USA. Speak to Australian Wholsalers and they'll try and covince you it's because of the shipping cost and the administration cost of carrying an Australian warranty and, of course, the retailers up charge for their slice of profit. But there are some items you simply can't find in Australian stores, period. And of course, there are some items you cannot get sent from an overseas retailer because the manufacturer and/or their local distributor prohibit them from sending outside of the country they are domiciled in. I'd also add some caution about things like amps and even stomp boxes that rely upon mains powering. You really have to get the correct info that the item is OK to use on Australian mains power (the IEC universal plug is a godsend as you don't need to find an adaptor plug, but the unit's power transformer really has to be up to handle the voltage).

Hope this info helps if you are new buyer from overseas sources and bringing gear into Australia.

 

[Cletus]

Pete, thanks very much for that. As you say, I'd be wary of buyignm mains powered equipment, but pickups speak the language of brotherly love (without being gay you know).