Help from our friends in the US

Ekka · 11th November 2007, 10:13 PM

Avenue of oaks in USA, down Louisiana way.

Stunning, apparently some 300 year old.

I figured us Aussies need some inspiration, the next best pic is Trev's cypress clean up but there's no house in it.

Ekka · 11th November 2007, 10:41 PM

OK

Have an answer back from customs. I have asked about Germany so see what happens, seems he missed that. But USA is piss easy.... ALL IN $AUD dont forget.

Cost of goods you pay 5% to customs.

Then there's a 10% GST on total which is cost of goods, the 5%, freight/insurance and some $50 to $70 customs paperwork.

So tell me, with the Aussie dollar the way it is and the new free trade agreement with USA why are USA made chippers still so expensive?

Quote:

Dear Eric

Thank you for your email.

Goods that originate in the United States of America (USA) are entitled to preferential rates of customs duty Under the Australia - United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). There are no equivalent preferential rates for goods originating in Germany. Wood chippers and chainsaws are generally classified under Chapter 84 of the customs tariff and attract duty rate of 5% (please note that unless indicated in Schedule 5 of the customs tariff, rates for US originating goods are 'Free'). For the specific tariff codes, please refer to the customs tariff at our website Customs home page by selecting [import export] [customs tariff]. Scroll down to Chapter 84 and click on the pdf icon opposite Goods.

Duty is levied on the purchase price of the goods and the GST is calculated on the purchase price plus any duty payable plus the overseas freight and insurance. Since second hand goods generally cost less than brand new goods, the duties/taxes would be less in general.

Cost recovery charges apply for processing of Import Declarations. The cost will depend on whether the declaration is lodged electronically or as a documentary (manual) declaration at a Customs office. As a guide these costs are approximately $50-70 and are payable in ADDITION to the assessed taxes for the consignment.

playfordtree · 12th November 2007, 12:06 AM

I was just reading that email customs sent you, in particular the line that states,
"There are no equivalent preferential rates for goods originating in Germany."

I wonder if that could be the key?

I went to that customs link and found chapter 84, it seems that chainsaws come under the same catergory as nuclear reactors? go figure

when i tried to open the pdf pertaining to rates of tarriff, my computer keeps giving me an error message and says it cant understand the text?

When i open the file the pages just contain grey lines?

Could this be an error at my end? or is there something wrong at their end?

Did you manage to open them Herr Frei?

(sorry cant help myself, im still pissing my pants over that one

)

A german accent on your next video would be a scream!

"Dis morning ve vill be cutting downz the palmz, after lunch ve vill be hunting for de "hacks" ven ve findz themz dey will be shot"

Ekka · 12th November 2007, 12:20 AM

Seems to me it's either 5% or free. But I have emailed them for clarification.

I can read all PDF's, problem is your end, there's a newer version out, perhaps visit Adobe website.

Ekka · 12th November 2007, 11:52 AM

Clarification arrived and I was right, a measly 5% for Germany.

Quote:

Eric

The duty rate would be 5% for Germany and for most other countries.

Regards

So now you can do the math and see who's getting ripped off.

Can we get prices from Germany and USA, real prices?

What's a brand new chipper cost in USA? Also are their state taxes negated like GST is here for overseas export? Could be.

a_lopa · 12th November 2007, 10:07 PM

Be worth a trip to germany...

Ekka · 12th November 2007, 11:11 PM

I was just in the Stihl shop today, spoke the the owner about this and asked why etc.

He answer was "it's the high taxes in Australia"

As you can see the spin doctors think we're all stupid. They've been singing that BS song for decades getting fat.

When I challenged the shop owner and brought up the facts they stuck their head in the sand and didn't want to know about it.

I asked how much a Kohler 25hp is, $3900, to which I said $1600 USD so WTF!
I asked what he pays wholesale for a ms200T, of course the answer was not forthcoming. And when I asked him to challenge Stihl he cringed. His answer was it's the same for all, whether it was Husky or Echo etc ... more spin.

Quintrex · 13th November 2007, 01:22 AM

I enquired about stihl prices in Germany about 15 years ago and was told retail prices there were about the same as here, yet prices in the US are about half. I never got a satisfactory explanation for this.
In 1990 I imported several 020AV's from the States. The exch rate then was about $1 US to A80 cents. RRP in US $450, cost me $600A. Aus RRP was $950 even then. Freight cost was minimal as I had a friend importing cars at the time and he didn't charge much. With our dollar currently flyin, it should really be worthwhile now.

shaggs · 13th November 2007, 01:38 AM

Maybe its time for stihls bubble to burst?

playfordtree · 14th November 2007, 11:42 PM

I got the chance to speak to my local bloke this afternoon, and ask him if he new what was going on with pricing.
I was apprehensive to ask him at first, but he was more than happy to talk about it!

Seems Eric is right, Stihl are "bending us over" in Australia.
He told me all about the markups and how they're "ripping us off!"

Plus, (hows this for bastardry), when Stihl have a sale or give a discount, or they give away a "freebie".
My bloke has to pay for the discount or "freebie" out of his end!

When i told him how much the 200t is going for in the US, he couldnt believe it!

He laughed at me and told me not to be stupid when i went all sentimental and mentioned how i still wanted to support his business.
He then told me,

"Don't worry about me, get as many cheap saws as you can."
"As a matter of fact, can you get me a few as well"

Now look, i can understand that a saw in Australia will always be dearer than a saw in the U.S.,
but this is outrageous!

Something needs to be done about this!

This is obviously blatant profiteering by Stihl!
Surely there must be some course of action we can all take.
Can we report them to the Consumer & Competition Council?
Petition a local member of Parliament maybe?

Has anyone got any ideas or suggestions?

Ekka · 14th November 2007, 11:48 PM

Yeah, email the Jews!

Therrin · 15th November 2007, 12:39 AM

I bought an MS200T off ebay, the guy lived in Ohio... sent it here to me in California. Cost $250 total, in used condition. Took it to the local Stihl shop... needed $100 worth to get it all purrin like a kitten again, but it was worth it. $350 total for it. Came with a new 16" bar and chain.

I was just in the shop today lookin at the 361 and the 441. The 361 was $625, and the 551 was $799, and there, the MS200T goes for $529

Ekka · 15th November 2007, 12:42 AM

Dont rub it in.

Therrin · 15th November 2007, 12:46 AM

what, you Aussies don't have Ebay? ;-)

wait, I can say "Aussie" right? or is it like calling you an...uhh... "n-word" <puzzled look>

Sean Freeman · 15th November 2007, 12:56 AM

"Aussie" is good mate!

JayD · 15th November 2007, 12:58 AM

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie,
Oi, Oi, Oi.

...........LOL............

11th November 2007, 10:13 PM	#51 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,847	Re: Help from our friends in the US Avenue of oaks in USA, down Louisiana way. Stunning, apparently some 300 year old. I figured us Aussies need some inspiration, the next best pic is Trev's cypress clean up but there's no house in it. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

12th November 2007, 12:06 AM	#53 (permalink)
playfordtree Mature tree Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Adelaide Australia Posts: 337	Re: Help from our friends in the US I was just reading that email customs sent you, in particular the line that states, "There are no equivalent preferential rates for goods originating in Germany." I wonder if that could be the key? I went to that customs link and found chapter 84, it seems that chainsaws come under the same catergory as nuclear reactors? go figure when i tried to open the pdf pertaining to rates of tarriff, my computer keeps giving me an error message and says it cant understand the text? When i open the file the pages just contain grey lines? Could this be an error at my end? or is there something wrong at their end? Did you manage to open them Herr Frei? (sorry cant help myself, im still pissing my pants over that one) A german accent on your next video would be a scream! "Dis morning ve vill be cutting downz the palmz, after lunch ve vill be hunting for de "hacks" ven ve findz themz dey will be shot" __________________ I Drink Therefore I am.

12th November 2007, 12:20 AM	#54 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,847	Re: Help from our friends in the US Seems to me it's either 5% or free. But I have emailed them for clarification. I can read all PDF's, problem is your end, there's a newer version out, perhaps visit Adobe website. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

12th November 2007, 10:07 PM	#56 (permalink)
a_lopa Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 866	Re: Help from our friends in the US Be worth a trip to germany... __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

12th November 2007, 11:11 PM	#57 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,847	Re: Help from our friends in the US I was just in the Stihl shop today, spoke the the owner about this and asked why etc. He answer was "it's the high taxes in Australia" As you can see the spin doctors think we're all stupid. They've been singing that BS song for decades getting fat. When I challenged the shop owner and brought up the facts they stuck their head in the sand and didn't want to know about it. I asked how much a Kohler 25hp is, $3900, to which I said $1600 USD so WTF! I asked what he pays wholesale for a ms200T, of course the answer was not forthcoming. And when I asked him to challenge Stihl he cringed. His answer was it's the same for all, whether it was Husky or Echo etc ... more spin. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

13th November 2007, 01:22 AM	#58 (permalink)
Quintrex Mature tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 439	Re: Help from our friends in the US I enquired about stihl prices in Germany about 15 years ago and was told retail prices there were about the same as here, yet prices in the US are about half. I never got a satisfactory explanation for this. In 1990 I imported several 020AV's from the States. The exch rate then was about $1 US to A80 cents. RRP in US $450, cost me $600A. Aus RRP was $950 even then. Freight cost was minimal as I had a friend importing cars at the time and he didn't charge much. With our dollar currently flyin, it should really be worthwhile now.

13th November 2007, 01:38 AM	#59 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 461	Re: Help from our friends in the US Maybe its time for stihls bubble to burst?

14th November 2007, 11:42 PM	#60 (permalink)
playfordtree Mature tree Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Adelaide Australia Posts: 337	Re: Help from our friends in the US I got the chance to speak to my local bloke this afternoon, and ask him if he new what was going on with pricing. I was apprehensive to ask him at first, but he was more than happy to talk about it! Seems Eric is right, Stihl are "bending us over" in Australia. He told me all about the markups and how they're "ripping us off!" Plus, (hows this for bastardry), when Stihl have a sale or give a discount, or they give away a "freebie". My bloke has to pay for the discount or "freebie" out of his end! When i told him how much the 200t is going for in the US, he couldnt believe it! He laughed at me and told me not to be stupid when i went all sentimental and mentioned how i still wanted to support his business. He then told me, "Don't worry about me, get as many cheap saws as you can." "As a matter of fact, can you get me a few as well" Now look, i can understand that a saw in Australia will always be dearer than a saw in the U.S., but this is outrageous! Something needs to be done about this! This is obviously blatant profiteering by Stihl! Surely there must be some course of action we can all take. Can we report them to the Consumer & Competition Council? Petition a local member of Parliament maybe? Has anyone got any ideas or suggestions? __________________ I Drink Therefore I am.

14th November 2007, 11:48 PM	#61 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,847	Re: Help from our friends in the US Yeah, email the Jews! __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

15th November 2007, 12:39 AM	#62 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,254	Re: Help from our friends in the US I bought an MS200T off ebay, the guy lived in Ohio... sent it here to me in California. Cost $250 total, in used condition. Took it to the local Stihl shop... needed $100 worth to get it all purrin like a kitten again, but it was worth it. $350 total for it. Came with a new 16" bar and chain. I was just in the shop today lookin at the 361 and the 441. The 361 was $625, and the 551 was $799, and there, the MS200T goes for $529 __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

15th November 2007, 12:42 AM	#63 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,847	Re: Help from our friends in the US Dont rub it in. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

15th November 2007, 12:46 AM	#64 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,254	Re: Help from our friends in the US what, you Aussies don't have Ebay? ;-) wait, I can say "Aussie" right? or is it like calling you an...uhh... "n-word" <puzzled look> __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

15th November 2007, 12:56 AM	#65 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,643	Re: Help from our friends in the US "Aussie" is good mate! __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

15th November 2007, 12:58 AM	#66 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 886	Re: Help from our friends in the US Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi. ...........LOL............ __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory