Thread: Gear shopping - Local vs Offshore - I know...

Originally Posted by Sauer

One issue I have struck often here is that none of the shops keep higher value items in stock - they only get them in once you’ve paid for them. These retailers are nothing more than drop shippers and are just clipping the ticket for ordering it for you. If they want me to buy local then they need to have the stock in store, not expect me to buy sight unseen and charge me a premium for ordering it.

The only thing putting me off buying overseas at the moment is the low value of the NZ$ against the US$. I have been charged GST on items coming in, but they are still considerably cheaper, the available range of goods is huge, and the service generally streets ahead of the service here.

Used to be called “pocket booking” years ago.

Its a global market these days like it or not.

Personally I remember fondly the days when you could buy quality "everlasting" NZ made gear from either the Macpac or Fairydown factory stores in CHCH.

Oh how times have changed !!





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Originally Posted by kukuwai

Its a global market these days like it or not.

Personally I remember fondly the days when you could buy quality "everlasting" NZ made gear from either the Macpac or Fairydown factory stores in CHCH.

Oh how times have changed !!





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twin needle and K2 and swazi come to mind....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

twin needle and K2 and swazi come to mind....

Exactly, twin needle are putting a new zip on my sleeping bag Atm. Thank goodness for them. No one else was interested

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Originally Posted by kukuwai

Its a global market these days like it or not.

Personally I remember fondly the days when you could buy quality "everlasting" NZ made gear from either the Macpac or Fairydown factory stores in CHCH.

Oh how times have changed !!





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If you look at New Zealand, we really have a very limited group of large companies controlling our retail markets now. Doesn’t matter what mall you go to, all the shops are the same. They are mopping the big money away and paying poor wages back to the communities.
Bloody hard on the small local business.
The control of food is really bad and very bad for the producers

Imagine waiting for that box of rounds of 7.62x39mm to arrive via the internet (good luck with that) Vs a phone call to Stu Falconer and wifey pops in and picks it up for me....
convenience cost a little to provide.

I buy both locally and overseas. For overseas purchases I never trouble the local agent. For local purchases I pay more, and I expect the service and support that justifies the premium charged. Sometimes you find out the local agent is great - sometimes they are just unhelpful overpriced drop shippers. There are some big NZ retailers I prefer to avoid, especially when the same goods are significantly cheaper from overseas sellers - even more when they are on sale. Paid $200 for some boots that are north of $600 locally.

Originally Posted by Low box

I buy both locally and overseas. For overseas purchases I never trouble the local agent. For local purchases I pay more, and I expect the service and support that justifies the premium charged. Sometimes you find out the local agent is great - sometimes they are just unhelpful overpriced drop shippers. There are some big NZ retailers I prefer to avoid, especially when the same goods are significantly cheaper from overseas sellers - even more when they are on sale. Paid $200 for some boots that are north of $600 locally.

Yes agreed. If I get poor service from a local company I will never darken their doorway again.

Originally Posted by catharsis

So I know this will be always upset some people but I'd be interested to see what people have to say..
For 9.8 out of 10 things I purchase (no matter what it is) I always try to support local but every once in a while curiosity gets the best of me and I check offshore prices + shipping...
I was looking at a Leupold VX5 HD 3-15x44 CDS ZL2 Fire Dot Duplex today at my local shop and hmmm... $2400 cool, I can stretch to that, but I wonder... opticzone.com.. Oh man, $1850NZD to my door? That's when I start reading their warranty/returns policy reeeeeally closely as $550 is not nothing.. and if there's issues, just contact Leupy direct?
I'm new here so no idea if this has been done to death (mods feel free to delete) but I'm genuinely curious what you guys think about this kind of thing?

We are a very small market at the end of a long distribution chain in New Zealand, especially for optics.
I don’t think it’s fair to lay 100% blame with the local vendor, it’s more economy of scale and the distribution system clipping the ticket over and over to get that product in country.
You just have to do your homework and weigh the pros and cons, savings vs convenience and consumer protection shopping overseas.
2010 I managed to land two PMIIs out of Germany for the same price quoted for just one of them through the local distributor, admittedly got real lucky with GST. The purchase was worth the punt but certainly had risk.
There is no equal to handling and getting behind a product. This is especially true for optics as they can be so subjective to the individual. Online reviews are great and very helpful but aren’t as definitive as looking through one yourself. I knew all about the tunnelling on the 5-25, but still wonder whether I would have done something different had I been able to experience it prior to committing, a slight but lingering con for me from buying that one.
No way would I currently buy a Nightforce NZ retail.

You just have to look at the significantly lower price of NF scopes in Australia to see how much Hardy is fleecing everyone in NZ wanting one.

I like to buy local and don't mind paying a little more for it but as already mentioned, apart from apparel the small town local store has hardly anything in stock. Everything has to be ordered in, They often don't even have 308 or 223 ammo. It's easier to just go to one of the big shops in a larger centre and just get what you need

considering what you can buy local can also be bought online your essentially paying for good service. How many people want to pay for shit service?

Well I went local anyway as the guys at the local shop (H&F... don't have any smaller shops around here) offered a package deal discount for rifle, scope, rings, suppressor and bag. Plus they were super helpful and very pleasant so why not support 'em, right?

Originally Posted by catharsis

Well I went local anyway as the guys at the local shop (H&F... don't have any smaller shops around here) offered a package deal discount for rifle, scope, rings, suppressor and bag. Plus they were super helpful and very pleasant so why not support 'em, right?

Spend your money how you wish my friend and the best of luck to ya

H&F threw us shooters under the bus when the confiscation was afoot and I for one will not forget that

Originally Posted by 308

Spend your money how you wish my friend and the best of luck to ya

H&F threw us shooters under the bus when the confiscation was afoot and I for one will not forget that

nope you cannot say that anymore.....its not allowed.... moderators have said you CANNOT say bad things about any business on this site