Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
May 14th 2008, 9:13 am
#31
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Northern Ireland (norn iron)
Posts: 310
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
Living in Uk, don't think you can get the boots here. I am too sick to even look and see, I hope my OH appreciates them!!!!
May 15th 2008, 12:48 am
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 47
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
Can't believe I've stumbled on this asI've been gutted that many US online stores won't ship to Australia. Things are outrageously overpriced here compared with US, especially with the exchange rate at the moment. in addition I can't get clothes to fit me here - especially trousers and jeans, whereas in US can get all shapes and sizes so I shall have to have a foray!
Thanks for the post(s) and links!
Thanks for the post(s) and links!
May 15th 2008, 12:59 am
#33
NO ADDED SUGAR
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Center Parcs, WA
Posts: 1,322
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
Went shopping yesterday and bought myself a small appliance. Was all pleased with myself and I told DH when he got home. He asked if it was switched... I checked and no, it wasn't. 
So contacted the IShopUSA people and cancelled the order with no charges.
I intend to use them in the future though but won't be so gung-ho about ordering electricals.
So contacted the IShopUSA people and cancelled the order with no charges.I intend to use them in the future though but won't be so gung-ho about ordering electricals.
Aug 13th 2008, 9:48 am
#35
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 109
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
Just to let everyone know that sometimes these sites are a complete rip off!
I just went to order 2 small items of make up from the US using iShopUSA, 1 mascara and 1 tube of foundation. Total weight less than 100g and would fit into a small envelope. How much postage did they want for my $33.50 order?
$75.99 USD! Can you believe that?! Think I might just head back to the Clinique counter at Myer. Unfortunately all the usual suspects like StrawberryNet don't stock what I'm after.
Ho-hum............:curse:
I just went to order 2 small items of make up from the US using iShopUSA, 1 mascara and 1 tube of foundation. Total weight less than 100g and would fit into a small envelope. How much postage did they want for my $33.50 order?
$75.99 USD! Can you believe that?! Think I might just head back to the Clinique counter at Myer. Unfortunately all the usual suspects like StrawberryNet don't stock what I'm after.
Ho-hum............:curse:
Aug 13th 2008, 9:51 am
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,521
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
Just to let everyone know that sometimes these sites are a complete rip off!
I just went to order 2 small items of make up from the US using iShopUSA, 1 mascara and 1 tube of foundation. Total weight less than 100g and would fit into a small envelope. How much postage did they want for my $33.50 order?
$75.99 USD! Can you believe that?! Think I might just head back to the Clinique counter at Myer. Unfortunately all the usual suspects like StrawberryNet don't stock what I'm after.
Ho-hum............:curse:
I just went to order 2 small items of make up from the US using iShopUSA, 1 mascara and 1 tube of foundation. Total weight less than 100g and would fit into a small envelope. How much postage did they want for my $33.50 order?
$75.99 USD! Can you believe that?! Think I might just head back to the Clinique counter at Myer. Unfortunately all the usual suspects like StrawberryNet don't stock what I'm after.
Ho-hum............:curse:
Aug 13th 2008, 9:58 am
#37
A rather curious boy
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 5,917
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
I buy my Dr Hauschka from Strwaberry and also Ebay as I would not give Myer the cash.
I have vastly reduced my clothes shopping in Australia as I am sick of the crap quality and tremendously high prices. Ebay is now my friend.
I have vastly reduced my clothes shopping in Australia as I am sick of the crap quality and tremendously high prices. Ebay is now my friend.
Aug 13th 2008, 10:04 am
#38
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,521
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
I'm seriously considering setting up one of those American addresses because of the rip off factor here. I bought a Marc Jacobs wallet the other day in DJs - cost $350. To get the exact same thing from a department store website in US is US$100.
I took it back to DJs quick smart! 
Aug 13th 2008, 11:16 am
#39
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
Err...I do magic tricks
with the kids,and the magic shops in America are a third of the price for pretty much the same thing. I've been asked to do parties - but I draw the line there!
with the kids,and the magic shops in America are a third of the price for pretty much the same thing. I've been asked to do parties - but I draw the line there!
Aug 13th 2008, 5:50 pm
#40
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
It all seems to come from China now despite whos labels in it, whatever happened to made in Taiwan?
Aug 13th 2008, 10:14 pm
#41
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 83
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
Ishopusa has a bad reputation. But priceusa.com is excellent & would highly recommend them.
BTW I have even found some things cheaper buying from the UK & shipping here to Aus.
BTW I have even found some things cheaper buying from the UK & shipping here to Aus.
Aug 13th 2008, 10:45 pm
#42
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Canberra
Posts: 899
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
OK,
For a few days now I've been researching and after a decent tent to take me outback in a couple of months time, to do a hiking trip in Sept in Europe and the Simpson Desert next year.
I had narrowed it down to a few particular higher end tents with lifetime guarantees and so on since its for some serious travel and I'd rather entrust my wellbeing to them than some $30 effort of a tent from Anaconda/kmart.
So - could I manage to get them here ? Could I buggery. Every dealer said not in stock and we could order it, for about 4 times the price that they sell stateside. Naturally this being Australia the idea of actually ordering stuff online I threw out some years ago and spent days running around trying to get this sorted.
Why not order things from the US directly thinks I. Top plan, apart from the fact that the brands I want all lock the dealers regionally and we're stuck with a she'll be right distributors who dont actually want to import or sell anything.
In the end I stumbled upon this site http://www.ishop-america.com and have ordered the stuff from the USA from exactly the same shop that would not ship to me directly because of the regional issue.
In fact the shipping was a lot cheaper than the shop would have charged me directly if they were able to send it. Best part about it you simply set up an account and can order from ANY USA online retailer. They ship it to ishop in the US who then ship it to you.
Now seeing the Aus Dollar is doing so well I can't see myself getting too bored of ordering stuff at half the price as here that quickly
For a few days now I've been researching and after a decent tent to take me outback in a couple of months time, to do a hiking trip in Sept in Europe and the Simpson Desert next year.
I had narrowed it down to a few particular higher end tents with lifetime guarantees and so on since its for some serious travel and I'd rather entrust my wellbeing to them than some $30 effort of a tent from Anaconda/kmart.
So - could I manage to get them here ? Could I buggery. Every dealer said not in stock and we could order it, for about 4 times the price that they sell stateside. Naturally this being Australia the idea of actually ordering stuff online I threw out some years ago and spent days running around trying to get this sorted.
Why not order things from the US directly thinks I. Top plan, apart from the fact that the brands I want all lock the dealers regionally and we're stuck with a she'll be right distributors who dont actually want to import or sell anything.
In the end I stumbled upon this site http://www.ishop-america.com and have ordered the stuff from the USA from exactly the same shop that would not ship to me directly because of the regional issue.
In fact the shipping was a lot cheaper than the shop would have charged me directly if they were able to send it. Best part about it you simply set up an account and can order from ANY USA online retailer. They ship it to ishop in the US who then ship it to you.
Now seeing the Aus Dollar is doing so well I can't see myself getting too bored of ordering stuff at half the price as here that quickly
I just bought a nice little shellite stove and a GPS from the US. Ordered on Saturday and it turned up on my doorstep the following Friday. No GST charged which was a bit lucky I guess.
Some outdoor equipment is ok to buy here, other stuff definately isn't. I think the issue is that Australian consumers aren't very demanding and don't shop around.
What really gets up my goat is that there are some brands like MSR and North Face which BAN their US retailers from selling to Australians. They are obviously passing on much higher margins to retailers here so it's not just the Aus retailers which are to blame. This disgusts me but luckily there's plenty of other brands to choose from. I bought an Swedish Optimus stove instead - a bit dearer but supposed to be better.
Aug 13th 2008, 11:35 pm
#43
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Westernport Mornington Peninsula
Posts: 1,761
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
For other retailers in the US http://www.usabox.com/# is a good site you get a street address, have packages sent to them and then they either forward them to you when you have a few to save postage or just one, whatever you like. However there is a fee to join.
Aug 14th 2008, 3:54 am
#44
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Joined: Sep 2006
Location: Pine Rivers
Posts: 845
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
Aug 14th 2008, 4:41 am
#45
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: Why I've been forced to shop in the US rather than Australia
I also buy very little in Australia now as well. Even though the AUD has been really strong recently, prices have not come down in the shops here. You watch though, now that the AUD is getting weaker, prices will start to go up because of the 'poor exchage rate'.