Tips to make Amazon purchases cheaper?

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SpartanX

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Hi Guys

There are stuff that I would like to buy from Amazon, I'm just worried about over the top shipping charges and some fees I might have to pay when the package reaches the South African shores.

Any tips on how to go about this? Tips to make the experience not as expensive?

I've had about some US address thing, it works like this:
You buy something (i.e from Amazon), you then use a USA address that they give you, Amazon will ship to that address and they will ship to you. I'm not sure about the fees?

What are tips to avoid or minimize these costs?

Thanks!
 
I've ordered three things through Raru's US imports section - prices were very favourable (at the time), and there was no hassle as they handle all of it. There was a delay with one of my items at about the 12th day in the 10-15 working day window, so they let me know about the delay and asked if I would prefer my other items (which had already arrived) to be delivered immediately, or with the delayed item, which would take up to another 3 weeks.

I chose to have my other items delivered (arrived the next morning), and a week and a half later I got my delayed item. Got a couple more things in my wishlist that I'm watching closely as prices fluctuate daily.
 
SpartanX said:
Hi Guys

There are stuff that I would like to buy from Amazon, I'm just worried about over the top shipping charges and some fees I might have to pay when the package reaches the South African shores.

Any tips on how to go about this? Tips to make the experience not as expensive?

I've had about some US address thing, it works like this:
You buy something (i.e from Amazon), you then use a USA address that they give you, Amazon will ship to that address and they will ship to you. I'm not sure about the fees?

What are tips to avoid or minimize these costs?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

MyUS and similar services work well, they are reasonably priced and their service is good. They then ship your stuff on to you via DHL (great) or Fedex (would not recommend). The killer is the SA government though, they want their piece of the pie.

It all depends on what you want to buy. For something relatively small and valuable like say a laptop it works well, for heavy or big items like a TV, forget it. Also some items have ridiculous duties that you have to pay as well.

For me, buying a gaming laptop from the US worked out well last year, the shipping, insurance and VAT cost around R6 000, but I still saved R8k on the South African ultragreed price. But, this was back when it was "only" R11/$.
 
Ok, thanks guys. So using these US address services is the way to go. I just looked at Raru, I'll learn more about it, seems interesting.
 
SpartanX said:
Ok, thanks guys. So using these US address services is the way to go. I just looked at Raru, I'll learn more about it, seems interesting.
Click to expand...

Raru price includes all fees. Also some items on Amazon ship through Amazon Global shipping and allow you to prepay all tax and duties.
So you pay nothing. If you overpaid they refund you.

Ebay has something similar.
 
Space_Chief said:
Raru price includes all fees. Also some items on Amazon ship through Amazon Global shipping and allow you to prepay all tax and duties.
So you pay nothing. If you overpaid they refund you.

Ebay has something similar.
Click to expand...

Oh, thanks man. Thing is, I did not see what I was looking for on Raru. It's great to know everything is included!
 
Space_Chief said:
On the Imports section?
Click to expand...


LOL when I saw that question, you seemed sure that I could find what I was looking for on the US Imports section. Sure enough I did. I've checked before, but I didnt. I'm sure it's because I did not use the "search field" on top.

What I'm looking for is $60 (+- R720) on Amazon. It goes for R1350 on Raru. Is it a great price considering everything is included?
 
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Space_Chief said:
Also some items on Amazon ship through Amazon Global shipping and allow you to prepay all tax and duties.
So you pay nothing. If you overpaid they refund you.
Click to expand...

Where do you prepay taxes with Amazon? I don't see that as an option my side, on checkout?

Edit: Yup on checkout, tested out an example

Order Summary
Items: ZAR 9,239.33
Shipping & handling: ZAR 1,067.78
Total before tax: ZAR 10,307.11
Estimated tax to be collected: ZAR 0.00
Import Fees Deposit ZAR 4,793.42
Order total: ZAR 15,100.53
 
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Lately seems like shipping is bloated to RSA. Was going to buy few goods but every little thing added just added $30 to shipping.

I can buy the good here for little less. Last year when bought a bunch of stuff all together shipping was $30. Best it to check when dollar is at a low and check shipping as well.

btw: use amazon international shipping. makes life easier.
 
One word of warning, pay more for the courier. Shipping via USPS will use the local post office for the SA leg (at least that's what happened when I used them a few years back). I'm still waiting on something that was ordered several years ago :D
 
I just checked my invoice from amazon vs raru.

Benq w1070 + 2 x 3d Glasses was R11k all in from amazon delivered to my door in under 8 working days. Raru wants R14k for just the projector and 10-15 days delivery.

All the items I have purchased from Amazon if they where available through the global shipping then it was always cheaper and delivery time with Amazon has been crazy good.

Maybe it's just the items I am buying...
 
ajv said:
One word of warning, pay more for the courier. Shipping via USPS will use the local post office for the SA leg (at least that's what happened when I used them a few years back). I'm still waiting on something that was ordered several years ago :D
Click to expand...

They only use couriers now :)

Aramex is used for the slow shipping options ,UPS for the fastest shipping option.
 
TheGrove said:
I just checked my invoice from amazon vs raru.

Benq w1070 + 2 x 3d Glasses was R11k all in from amazon delivered to my door in under 8 working days. Raru wants R14k for just the projector and 10-15 days delivery.

All the items I have purchased from Amazon if they where available through the global shipping then it was always cheaper and delivery time with Amazon has been crazy good.

Maybe it's just the items I am buying...
Click to expand...
Nah it's not just you. Amazon global shipping is fantastic and the cheapest option, but lately there are very few items where it's an option.
 
SpartanX said:
LOL when I saw that question, you seemed sure that I could find what I was looking for on the US Imports section. Sure enough I did. I've checked before, but I didnt. I'm sure it's because I did not use the "search field" on top.

What I'm looking for is $60 (+- R720) on Amazon. It goes for R1350 on Raru. Is it a great price considering everything is included?
Click to expand...

Raru has one advantage and that's they could handle warranty issues and returns. Otherwise I think you have to ship the item back to the States yourself.

Ebay has something similar BTW for US based shoppers. Items ship via FedEx Economy and tax is prepaid.
 
So how do you program this for cheap amazon prices?
 
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