Fluke and Australia - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Willem
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 03:39:36 pm
content: I am disappointed after looking forward to having my own Fluke 289 from the USA as they are just too overpriced in Australia. I have been back and forth the last couple of weeks between all major makes and models and in the end decided that the Fluke 289 is what I want. I have decided to purchase my Fluke from Tequipment.net (USA of course) but had the following reply from them today:Hello,Thank you for your interest and order, but please be advised that we will be unable to proceed.Please accept our No Bid and cancellation of your sales order. Fluke is not a brand of product that US-based dealers can offer for export sale/use.If you are open to alternatives from other leading brands, if any, please let me know. If you could, also include a few words about your intended application, so we choose the best model to suggest.We carry over 150 brands of test and measurement instruments. Please keep us in mind for any future projects or test equipment requirements you may have.Here is a link to our line card for your reference:http://www.tequipment.net/AllCompanies.htmlRegards,

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 04:32:28 pm
content: I heard Dave mention TrioSmartcal having decent Australian prices?http://www.triotest.com.au/shop/en/fluke/3461-fluke-289-trms-industrial-logging-digital-multimeter-with-trendcapture.html

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 06:36:39 pm
content: Quote from: Willem on August 01, 2014, 03:39:36 pmDo you have a friend or family member in the US that can receive it on your behalf and reship (or find one, perhaps a forum member you develop a good relationship with)?If not, you might want to look into a freight forwarding company (you buy it in the US, have it shipped to the forwarding co's receiving address, and they get it to you through your postal system).Couple of examples:MyUS.comShipItTo.comNo idea as to the quality of the links, as I've never done this myself. Other members have done this successfully, and indicated it saved them some money.Hope you can find a way to get it at a decent price.Quote from: retiredcaps on August 01, 2014, 04:32:28 pm881.50AUD = 821.12USD according to xe.com, so not that wonderful.And this is before GST gets tacked on.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 06:56:11 pm
content: I have usedhttp://www.comgateway.comnumerous times without issue. Their shipping is not the bargain it used to be, but it's on a par with everyone else I think. Often you can get 'free' ground shipping to your address in the US from Amazon. That helps. I don't use their 'buy for me' value add.If you tell Amazon the item is a gift, they won't include prices in the shipment. comgateway will require you to honestly declare the value for customs/insurance. Make of this what you will.This is how I got my 289 and 87vI'm in NZ, not Aus, but the same should apply.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 07:13:49 pm
content: Quote from: apelly on August 01, 2014, 06:56:11 pmDoes NZ have the something similar to the GST exception limit as Australia for imports (i.e. 1k AUD limit)?

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 07:28:47 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on August 01, 2014, 07:13:49 pmYes, but the limit is lower here. Sensibly, they only collect if it's worth the administrative overhead.Most things don't attract duty these days, but GST is always charged on the value of goods, plus shipping expenses. If the amount charged exceeds NZD 50 you are required to pay, and the courier companies typically charge you another 20 or 30 bucks for that privilege.At current exchange rates that means goods up to about USD250-260 should not be a problem.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 07:48:24 pm
content: Quote from: apelly on August 01, 2014, 07:28:47 pmSo if it remains under 50NZD in GST, you don't actually have to pay it?Or is it more complicated than this (i.e. will pay more frequently with private couriers such as UPS/DHL/FedEx <in order to exact their gouged processing fees>, but not with NZ post)?TIA.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 08:05:31 pm
content: You are correct nanofrog: (but I was wrong, and have been for years, I just looked it up and the limit is $60)If it's under $60 you do not have to pay anything.In my personal experience:If it's over $60 and not handled by a courier, it might slip through anyway. If it is stopped there is a processing fee, but I can't remember how much, maybe $20If it's over $60 and is handled by a courier company you will pay, and the courier company will gouge you and make you unhappy.This applies to the stuff we might typically talk about at eevblog, it is different for alcohol/tobacco, and a handful of other products.http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/internetshopping/privateimportsbypost/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.customs.govt.nz/features/charges/feetypes/Pages/default.aspx

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 08:39:19 pm
content: Quote from: apelly on August 01, 2014, 08:05:31 pmThanks.Sucks when the postal system charges a fee just to calculate the taxes (i.e. do their job). Gotta love government thinking....

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 08:42:56 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on August 01, 2014, 07:48:24 pmIn my experience NZ Customs fees apply for items imported with a total value including shipping over NZ$400.Then NZ GST of 15% and ~NZ$40 Customs charge.You need supplier documentation to accompany goods and to be able to provide similar documentation on request.

author: andrewwong2000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 09:10:39 pm
content: Just bought a 289 from USA. Noting we get zero warranty in Australia, I took the risk that it is 40% cheaper landed cost. Someone here recommended USA multimeters.com and they were cheapest.My unit has a dead super cap but I'll fix that myself.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 09:13:57 pm
content: Dead cap in a new meter? New old stock?

author: andrewwong2000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 10:12:08 pm
content: Most likely.. Was new in box with 2008 cal cert.

author: FairDinkum
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 11:45:31 pm
content: I've learned that anything electronics is super overpriced in Australia. Actually many things are super expensive here. :/

author: Willem
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 01:46:49 am
content: Some feedback on my first post. I got my Fluke from USA, but from another source. Before I start I want to mention that I believe you don't have to worry about Australian import tax providing the item is not exceeding $1000 in value. Everything below $1000 is classed as low value goods.Since my non bid deal with Tequipment.net I have found another deal at another great American company (usamultimeters.com). The no deal with Tequipment.net was probably a blessing in disguise as the other company had no problem shipping to Australia and I also got the Fluke 289 + FVF kit for a very similar price as the Fluke 289 meter only from Tequipment.net (perhaps cheaper for anyone in the states as you don't pay shipping)I still think Tequipment.net is great (for Rigol gear for instance) and have no grudges with them. I am just disappointed that they were unable to ship a Fluke meter to Australia, even allowing you to shop and pay... would have thought they screen it at point of sale. Still annoying as I believe it is probably Fluke themselves imposing these terms and conditions and not Tequipment.netAnyway, I am looking forward receiving my FlukeP.S. Thanks Apelly, great tip = comgateway.com | Looks like great option and will investigate

author: andrewwong2000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 03:17:37 am
content: You will really appreciate the FlukeView Forms.. It's awesome pairing the 289 with a laptop for live data logging !

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 04:04:50 pm
content: Quote from: Willem on August 02, 2014, 01:46:49 amnone of the fluke authorized sellers can ship out of their operating country. its a fluke corporate policy to protect the distribution network in different regions.

author: Willem
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 01:40:18 am
content: Thanks M.András | Hope you are not Fluke policeas I have already done that. I hear you...

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2014, 09:07:59 pm
content: Quote from: Willem on August 03, 2014, 01:40:18 amno i was told by 3 different fluke dealers 2 from the usa and 1 from locally

author: bigsky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2014, 09:12:06 pm
content: Quote from: M. András on August 02, 2014, 04:04:50 pmJust noticed this. For info, that policy may not apply in the European Union as I'm sure it would be illegal. It's a fundamental principle of the EU that there is an internal free market and no cross-border barriers to trade. I remember a car manufacturer got a huge fine for stopping dealers in one EU country selling cars to customers from another. Has anyone in the EU tried this with a Fluke?

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2014, 10:11:42 pm
content: Quote from: Willem on August 03, 2014, 01:40:18 amThere is no contradiction... usamultimeters.com does not claim to be a Fluke authorized dealer.