Using Amazon in Australia [Australian input please]

[Jeranon]

You can import using standard postal mail up to AU$1000 without customs wanting to tax you GST. Amazon's cheapest S&H is standard.
You can import using courier up to AU$300 (at least, I thought it was...) without customs wanting to tax you GST.
Customs may subject your delivery to a standard check for drugs, organics, bombs, etc if you get unlucky, but they typically only do this for "unknown" senders. Anything branded Amazon usually passes straight through.

Amazon's usual 30% discount is usually wiped out by their shipping cost, but you'll still save money, especially if you bulk buy. Ask your friends if they want anything. In fact, try hard to find 3 or 4 or maybe more things to buy. Maybe preorder. If you want it now, you'll have to pay the price. I find the higher the cost of the book, the more you'll save. I've a feeling Ace uses Amazon in bulk mainly because last I looked, there were two main distributors in Australia who are the cause of the somewhat inflated prices. Of course, a greater Amazon discount does wonders - watch for the 60% ones! Never buy without discount.

The only time I've seen some retailer in Australia come close to matching Amazon (without shipping) is when MilSims does a Crazy Special.

 

[Ruavel]

as someone pointed out to you already my friend, Customs can be a little weird...

However, the good news is if the duty (taxes, etc) of the item in question total less that $50 (see below) they let it through nice and easy...

and I'm sure you're well aware of the amount of fencing gear I've imported into the country, so you know I have a vague idea what I'm talking about...

Customs would not collect duty and/or GST where:

*the value of the goods does not exceed $1000 for goods imported by post or $250 for goods imported air/sea cargo, other than by post; and
*the Customs duty and/or GST liability of the goods does not exceed $50.

 

[Rassilon]

Thank everyone for your input . . .

Except Hong, who was to lazy to show up.

Ru - shouldn't you be at work ?

I've done the math on currecy conversions etc, and ordering a single new release through Amazon, and paying P&H in USD, is about half the cost of my nearest and dearest store. Possibly not half the cost of searching the city and haggling, but who genuinely trying to meet their quota of PC kills has time for that ?

Rassilon.

 

[1upus]

Eremite,
Thanks for the tip. Didn't realise they actually had moved. So, they on the ground floor now? Or do I still need to look around for a stair well or something like that. I know its not far, but this new location is heaps better as I usually hang round the mall and buy my stuff either through Milsims or Daily Planet, which does cost an arm and a leg!!

Lupus

 

[maransreth]

The are up the stairs, actually 2 flights of stairs - the flight landing has the chiro, the second landing has Ace.

Shining South and Libris Mortis for 39.95 is better than the 59.95 that Dailys is charging. The only problem with Ace is that they get most things 2 to 3 weeks later than Dailys.

As to Milsims I ALWAYS buy during their crazy specials, like now I bought Advanced Players Guide (S&S) for $15! And it still had the $70 price tag on it.

Also if you are looking Atlas Games stuff, look in their 2ndhand section to the right as soon as you walk in the door. Also a number of Dark Sun 2ndhand and some other boxed sets. I finally picked up Menzoberranzen boxed set when I saw it there.

 

[Ruavel]

but I am at work... still...

*sigh*

 

[Eremite]

Lupus,

Adding to maransreth's description, if you're facing it there is a shoe shop on your left and Hungry Jack's to the left of that (with a jewellery shop in between). On your right is a Bank of Queensland branch and in the basement of the building that Ace Comics is in there is a souvenir shop (the basement shop was once a computer games store and, before that, a Christian book store).

Another option is Online Games Centre at Ashgrove on Waterworks Road. Sometimes their prices can be pretty good. There is also Wicked Games across from the Hypermart at Aspley although they are best for miniatures as they tend to get books fairly late.

 

[hong]

Thank everyone for your input . . .

Except Hong, who was to lazy to show up.

Hey, I gotta sleep some time, you know.

Anyway, I've bought tons of stuff through Amazon, and never had a problem. Haven't bought D&D stuff though.

 

[iblis]

No problems with Amazon for me so far, and I've only ordered D&D/d20 stuff from them.

Basically, I've saved lots of money, and I don't really have a better option. Maybe I've been lucky by the sounds of things, because they've always been stocked up at the time, and they've always sent things fairly quickly (well, say 2 weeks for arrival on average - sounds bad I know, but I can be patient...if I have to be ).

 

[Rassilon]

Given that Hong has turned up, I will take the chance to say nice page (well, I like it), particularly the old Roy & HG stuff.

I've been sending it to some ex-pats and fellow RPG / This sporting life fans. They loved it.

Decision made, I'm going Amazon for a punt.

Rassilon.