*whinge* I Want A Mesa Mark V *whinge*

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

But it's $6000 here with no cab, and it's more then 500kms away in Sydney and shipping would cost heaps.
:sad: :sad: :sad:

 

[mayfly]

There is no way in hell that a Mark V is worth $6000 AUS.  

You guys are just getting screwed down there!  Are there no Australian amp makers at all?

 

[swarfrat]

For that money it might be cheaper to take a vacation and bring it back. Criminal when its actually cheaper for and individual to get on a plane and fly halfway around the world to buy something.

 

[OzziePete]

HI Conor

I know I have gone over this a few times, and yes, Mayfly is correct, we Aussies are being screwed over......As good as a Mark V may be, that price is ridiculous. They are asking a price for when the Aussie dollar was worth 70 UScents. We are now near parity. Blame the distributor - a company in the ACT who have been distibuting Mesa gear for many years at a premium price. No doubt they have old stock that they bought on spec when the Mark V was released and now they are stuck with it as people with an internet connection and some knowledge of the currency will know it is an inflated price. Have you spoken to them, or done some research on the US street prices that this amp goes for over there, and put that to them. The retailer might have some leeway, might. More importantly, do you have the money to wave it in front of them to bring them to the table? At a guess I'd say a combo Mark V - in the USA - would sell for $4500 -5K.

Late Edit: I have linked some US retailers' sites, seems they retail less than I thought. Depressing  - as we can't get them shipped here & have to go to Authorised Retailers here!

http://www.musicpower.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=GAMBCT-MARK-V-C


http://www.mattsmusic.com/MESA-cat.html

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

I haven't talked to the retailer directly, but I have been told that there is little to no point. I was doing work experience at a music store last week (Allans Music+Billy hyde) and the employer there said that even at Billy Hyde, the amp is ridiculously inflated. Even with some haggling, he said that the amp would only come down about $400-$500, which is pretty much saying 'I'm not going to shoot you with a .50 cal, i'll just going to shoot you with a shotgun at medium range', that price is still ridiculous.

 

[mayfly]

Quick question - any transformer manufacturers down there with local safety approvals?

 

[swarfrat]

Mark V Combo - $2200US  /  Mark V Head  - $2100 US
Plane Ticket Sydney to Los Angeles (V Australia) $1373 US
Duty ($2 for bottle of beer to spill, $5 for pack of cigarettes to burn tolex with)
Mesa Mk V Export Transformer (tubeampdoctor) 229 euro (+ shipping & duty

Still sounds like its cheaper. I saw someone on the boogie forums claiming some dealer was asking $10k AUS.

 

[OzziePete]

Mark V Combo - $2200US  /  Mark V Head  - $2100 US
Plane Ticket Sydney to Los Angeles (V Australia) $1373 US
Duty ($2 for bottle of beer to spill, $5 for pack of cigarettes to burn tolex with)
Mesa Mk V Export Transformer (tubeampdoctor) 229 euro (+ shipping & duty

Still sounds like its cheaper. I saw someone on the boogie forums claiming some dealer was asking $10k AUS.

You forgot to add the extra luggage cost, and the 10% GST that would be attracted. Customs could demand to see the proof of purchase of an item like that, and if you tried to sneak it through by bluffing it is your property they will hold it til you prove it was bought earlier than your trip. That is why they prefer you to document your travel items with them that may incur inspection upon return. Best to say you bought it while on holidays and hope the GST and possibly other duties are not too expensive. They may also document the GST upon the retail value in this country... BTW a combo could easily weigh 20 - 30 kilos & it would have to go in the stowage of the aircraft, so good luck there unless you invest in a good road case.

Yes you can get transformers, I have seen them around.

Believe me I have thought of this years ago when I was working at the airport and could casually talk to Customs guys on quiet nights..It might be just as easy to buy from overseas and have the item fully insured and pray for the inmport duty and GST not to be too high. Mesa Eng. holds a tight rein on their retailers and distributors so getting one from outside of your territory is very hard, that is the problem.

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

Mark V Combo - $2200US  /  Mark V Head  - $2100 US
Plane Ticket Sydney to Los Angeles (V Australia) $1373 US
Duty ($2 for bottle of beer to spill, $5 for pack of cigarettes to burn tolex with)
Mesa Mk V Export Transformer (tubeampdoctor) 229 euro (+ shipping & duty

Still sounds like its cheaper. I saw someone on the boogie forums claiming some dealer was asking $10k AUS.

There is a $10k Special edition Mark V that there is only one of in Australia, supposedly. It was previously $12k

 

[mayfly]

Here you go - just buy one of these:

http://www.ozvalveamps.org/woogie.htm