I've been browsing online retailers for a while, seeing quite similar prices. However, the poor exchange rate at the moment with the USD and the crazy shipping prices from USPS to Australia is making it difficult to actually purchase.
Is there any retailers you could recommend, either with the best model prices or shipping policies?
Aussie retailers are responding to the currency issues by hiking their model prices eventhough the interstate postage may be less. Therefore buying from within Australia isn't necessarily the answer.
Work with a good overseas retailer and see if they can assist.
Hint...try Nick - I'm still buying from him and it works a treat.
__________________
On the bench....or in the queue:
I've been browsing online retailers for a while, seeing quite similar prices. However, the poor exchange rate at the moment with the USD and the crazy shipping prices from USPS to Australia is making it difficult to actually purchase.
Is there any retailers you could recommend, either with the best model prices or shipping policies?
All help greatly appreciated!
Hi - I'm in NZ so its pretty much the same as Australia postage wise.
I have bought from Nick in the past too and his service was good. I usually buy from Michael at Waffle Collectibles. His site tells you the postage when you order. Postage usually runs from about USD18 for one model to USD37 for about 5 but it depends on the weight of the models. If the total weight goes over 4Ib then the postage skyrockets. A minor niggle is that his weights for models don't take into account multi-buys so each has the box and packing weight included. This does make it more expensive than it ought to be. On the other hand Waffle's prices for the models are usually excellent.
Waffle 99.81
Nick 103.3
EzToyz 104.93
DiecastAirplane 108.81
All are orders for two 1:400 Phoenix new release 777s with First Class International mail to Australia with any available discount codes to apply. With prices that close it's all down to personal choice.
As a fellow Aussie, I feel the pain. There are several Aussie retailers who do reasonable prices, in Sydney, hobbyco comes to mind. https://hobbyco.com.au/
If you're willing to pick up from them direct and avoid the postage (Which is really high in Australia) you should do well.
Also in Melbourne there is Aviation Centre Australia. They do lay-bys which allows you to pay off over several months (and why I buy from them alot!) Plus postage over 10 items usually works out at around $2 per model! Aviation Center Australia
Finally if you're after Airport GSE's, this mob is the best in the world and they're located in Sydney... You gotta check out their website: Ornamental Castings - Ground Service Equipment
I hope that's helpful.
Cheers Lou
__________________
"Your Welcome" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Just a sore point for all retailers overseas, the Aussie dollar is now trading around 70c US, so an american purchase of say 2 Phoenix 1:400 777s at US$100 (average) = AU130+ and that's not including the postage charges.
Also USPS First Class airmail does NOT have tracking, while in Australia ALL parcels sent now have tracking numbers.
Finally the Aussie dollar is currently being talked down with predictions that it could be as low as US 60c to the Aus Dollar by years end...
Ohhh the pain, the pain...
- Lou -
__________________
"Your Welcome" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang; Peoples Republic of China
Posts: 6,512
Re: Which online retailer for an Australian?
Quote:
Originally Posted by make.me.laugh
G'day,
As a fellow Aussie, I feel the pain. There are several Aussie retailers who do reasonable prices, in Sydney, hobbyco comes to mind. https://hobbyco.com.au/
If you're willing to pick up from them direct and avoid the postage (Which is really high in Australia) you should do well.
Also in Melbourne there is Aviation Centre Australia. They do lay-bys which allows you to pay off over several months (and why I buy from them alot!) Plus postage over 10 items usually works out at around $2 per model! Aviation Center Australia
Finally if you're after Airport GSE's, this mob is the best in the world and they're located in Sydney... You gotta check out their website: Ornamental Castings - Ground Service Equipment
I hope that's helpful.
Cheers Lou
Just an FYI, there's a new guy over at Collectors Aircraft Models Australia, Murray, and he's revamping the website to make it more user friendly!!
Considering CAM Australia is the only importer of AeroClassics downunder, I'd definitely put them on my speed dial!! (03) 9318-1276
If you're in the Melbourne, Braybrook area, they've got a great show room, with everything out on display!
I've been there a half dozen times me self, and highly recommend them!
__________________
Enjoying aviation from a "TSA-free Zone"!!
Take the money-grab & deceit out of our hobby, and bring back ethics and quality!!
Just say NO to Apollo400/Black Box/Panda Models/Junk-X/First Choice/C&C/IF400/AV400/Witty400/Magic/AV200/AK200/Flightline/Flightline200/Flightline400/Pegasus/Blue Angle/5stars & any BigBirds (real or fake)
I recommend buying as many items as you can at one time then you will save on shipping costs. In the last 10 years international shipping has got crazy expensive and USPS removed the sea option a few years back, making it all by air. FedEx and UPS forget about it, costs $150+.
Has anyone bought from Australian Aviation Centre recently and received their order ? Website seems to be down ?
G'day,
I rang them today and their web-server crashed and is being rebuilt. I will post more info tomorrow after I've chatted with their IT guy. The phone is still working thankfully!
--Lou--
__________________
"Your Welcome" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I agree with you Andrew, Collectors Aircraft Models Australia, and Murray along with Rob are finally pulling the website into the 21st Century. Still a long way to go, but their emails have improved 110% and thankfully Murray really knows his airplanes! One of my favourate stores. Where else would I find Aeroclassics..?
Cheers Lou
__________________
"Your Welcome" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I haven't had a huge amount of luck so far with Murray. I've been trying to get an AC Australian 727-200 via the old email ordering 'system' that Terry used. Hopefully the website will soon render this mode of ordering obsolete.
The old email has been changed. The current email is: [email protected]
I do know that CAM Aus got the bulk of the Australian B722 (around 100 units).
Good Luck
__________________
"Your Welcome" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Hi Ukrainian_Falcons.
In my experience, I bought from Aviation Center Australia once, (it was last March) and my order arrived on time and in perfect condition. I recommend them.
Many people wouldn't think so, but Hobbyco seems to have the largest pumping out volume in terms of sales. A sales rep from Sydney based wholesaler mentioned it in passing conversation. They have 3 retail stores, a import division and a significant walk in customer base off the street in their flagship CBD store. I have to agree some of their prices are steep, but they seem to charge what the market can bear. Although some here buy from the above mentioned suburban retail shops operating in areas where rents are low (industrial parks etc) and cater for the enthusiast who frequent this type of forum. I would think a majority of Hobbyco's customers would never have even heard of this forum, about 12 months ago while in their CBD store there was asian guy who had the total attention of the upstairs counter staff, purchasing in one hit around $1500 worth of 1/400 models over the counter.
It's also worth noting you can find a few bargain's in their store if you know what you are looking for (compared to the low volume guys) as they might have overstocked from the import side.
Last edited by Diogenes the Cynic; 09-03-2015 at 05:08 AM.
Interesting post, I was familiar with most of those retailers, good to hear they are all legit.
You can find some gems in Hobbyco if you know what you are looking for.
Some of their older stock was purchased back when 1AUD = 1.10USD. Look for the faded price stickers on some of their 1/200 and 1/400 stock.
As a fellow Aussie, I feel the pain. There are several Aussie retailers who do reasonable prices, in Sydney, hobbyco comes to mind. https://hobbyco.com.au/
If you're willing to pick up from them direct and avoid the postage (Which is really high in Australia) you should do well.
Also in Melbourne there is Aviation Centre Australia. They do lay-bys which allows you to pay off over several months (and why I buy from them alot!) Plus postage over 10 items usually works out at around $2 per model! Aviation Center Australia
Finally if you're after Airport GSE's, this mob is the best in the world and they're located in Sydney... You gotta check out their website: Ornamental Castings - Ground Service Equipment
I hope that's helpful.
Cheers Lou
I purchased a 1/200 boeing C97 (Boeing 377) from a online retailer from Western Australia, forgotten who it was, but he had faster postage to Sydney than the Eastern state mail order operators. Anyone know this retailer?
Which online retailer for an Australian?
