Cheaper on Amazon than locally

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ponypony

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I'm trying to build a micro slider, and I saw an interesting contraption on Amazon for $93 (a horizontal rail and carriage). I noticed that it has a South African branch and thought, cool I'll skip on the shipping fee at least.

Sent through a quote request --- cough cough .... R4770 for the same item.

off to find me KY Jelly ...
 
Link to the product?

Link to the SA source?

Maybe we can find another source?
 
ponypony said:
I'm trying to build a micro slider, and I saw an interesting contraption on Amazon for $93 (a horizontal rail and carriage). I noticed that it has a South African branch and thought, cool I'll skip on the shipping fee at least.

Sent through a quote request --- cough cough .... R4770 for the same item.

off to find me KY Jelly ...
Click to expand...
Why the KY Jelly instead of just ordering it from Amazon?
 
Sherbang said:
Why the KY Jelly instead of just ordering it from Amazon?
Click to expand...

The aforementioned shipping which comes to R800
+ 40% customs
+ 14% VAT


Still cheaper than buying locally, but more than the item is worth. Any thoughts on where to get a linear guide system locally for less than R200 would be much appreciated.
 
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ponypony said:
The aforementioned shipping which comes to R800
+ 40% customs
+ 14% VAT


Still cheaper than buying locally, but more than the item is worth.
Click to expand...

So why not sure the company the Amazon posting and see what they say?
 
ponypony said:
The aforementioned shipping which comes to R800
+ 40% customs
+ 14% VAT


Still cheaper than buying locally, but more than the item is worth.
Click to expand...

It's worth whatever you're willing to pay for it...
 
ponypony said:
Right sorry - this is the product. The SA source is Igus (the people that manufacture it)

http://www.amazon.com/DryLin-W1040-...F8&qid=1425637375&sr=8-1&keywords=igus+slider
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have run into the local Igus distributors myself ...

You can rather buy from RS Components. I think (but it is your responsibility to confirm this) you want these two:
http://za.rs-online.com/web/p/linear-guides-guide-blocks-carriages/4885136/
and
http://za.rs-online.com/web/p/linear-guides-rails/4885243/

Do not worry about the product images they show on the RS website --- cross-check the listed manufacturer product code (WS-10-40-1000 for the rail, and WW-10-40-10 for the carriage block) with the Igus data sheets. Keep in mind that RS prices are ex-VAT, and you will pay R95 shipping, so total cost will be around R2520.

This may seem expensive, but you will probably spend $150 on couriers with Amazon, and maybe some import duty (not sure), and definitely VAT, which will work out around R3k total.
 
ponypony said:
Any thoughts on where to get a linear guide system locally for less than R200 would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Ouch. Less than R200 will hardly cover the cost of the Aluminium used to form the rail. Keep in mind that this is usually a named alloy (6063, or 6061), and it has been hard-anodized. I usually buy Aluminium from Non-Ferrous Metals in PTA west for R80 per kg for off-cuts; the WS-10-40-10 rail at 1 m length will weigh 1 kg according to the data sheet.

What do you plan on doing? How much travel do you need? How much weight do you want to slide?
 
ponypony said:
The aforementioned shipping which comes to R800
+ 40% customs
+ 14% VAT


Still cheaper than buying locally, but more than the item is worth. Any thoughts on where to get a linear guide system locally for less than R200 would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

your figures are way out, there are no duties and shipping is only R208
 
lived666 said:
your figures are way out, there are no duties and shipping is only R208
Click to expand...

we might be living in different countries - or I may be in a parallel universe but i've paid duties on everything ive imported via Amazon, B&H, Aliexpress and Adorama
 
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ponypony said:
we might be living in different countries - or I may be in a parallel universe but i've paid duties on everything ive imported
Click to expand...

Well then you've overpaid or imported wrong. Go to amazon checkout to South Africa as it is an item they ship here and it shows you full costs, but here is a summary of the grand total:
slider.png
 
ponypony said:
thanks fvdbergh, much appreciated.
Click to expand...

I also just remembered that I have seen a sample of the Igus camera slider over at Outdoor Photo in PTA. Not sure if they did (or still do) sell this, though --- maybe give them a call.
 
Hi lived666 - Thanks for the reply. How does one import correctly? I have an importers number and I usually use UPS which deliver to the door with the import duties and clearance fees and all that added in already in their bill.
A serious question, not being facetious, it will probably save me tons of cash in the future.
 
ponypony said:
Hi lived666 - Thanks for the reply. How does one import correctly? I have an importers number and I usually use UPS which deliver to the door with the import duties and clearance fees and all that added in already in their bill.
A serious question, not being facetious, it will probably save me tons of cash in the future.
Click to expand...

You just add to your cart, supply the delivery address and checkout what you want to purchase (normal online transaction).
Amazon calculates (estimate) courier fees and import duties already in the final price (as per lived666' post). Any duty fees that you/they overpay, they pocket and what you/they underpay they carry.

-G-
 
That doesn't really explain how lived666 doesn't pay import duties
 
hey Galiderher, possibly misread it but lived666 says "there are no duties and shipping is only R208" - I presume by that that he means that there are no import duties. Could be wrong, will wait to see what he replies.
 
ponypony said:
That doesn't really explain how lived666 doesn't pay import duties
Click to expand...

Most items I import are electronic items that don't have duties, only VAT. Re Amazon, they don't give you an estimate, it is a final price. If for whatever reason they miscalculated and the vat is higher or there are extra duties, they pay it and if they over calculated, unlike what Galderhan said, they don't pocket it, they refund you.

Regarding importing elsewhere, there are legal ways to declare the same item, so while one particular custom code may have say 20% duties, another will have 0 - for the same type item - anyhow with Amazon this doesn't come into play as they work it, the item you are looking at is around R1700 delivered to your door from amazon with courier and vat and clearing paid - so if the local agents wanted R4.5k then whats stopping you?
 
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