Buying guitar from overseas is cheaper than buying from local

[Elias]

You can use the postage calculator on the Vpost website to do a rough estimation of the shipping cost. You will need to have the dimensions of the package and also the weight. Be sure to add the GST as well.

 

[edder]

musician friend double box their guitars. so take your guitar and imagine a box over it and then imagine the box is bigger by 2 inches or so. Rectangular box. Calculate the volume.

 

[mrekoj]

anyone has issue of the guitar is damaged due to the shipment from oversea to singapore ?
or will it be safer to get one inside a hardshell case ?

 

[KDY]

You know musician's friend offers the installments thing, I think it would be good if we have the same thing in SG..

 

[Amazing]

Hiya people, I bought a japanese telecaster few days back. It's a TL52-TX, I paid 1.8k for it, which cost a bomb I've googled it up and it was like 1.2k or somewhere around there. Does the shipping cost and GST really add up that much to 1.8k?

 

[glblues]

Hiya people, I bought a japanese telecaster few days back. It's a TL52-TX, I paid 1.8k for it, which cost a bomb I've googled it up and it was like 1.2k or somewhere around there. Does the shipping cost and GST really add up that much to 1.8k?

depends on where you bought it from and what shipping method, but $600 for gst and shipping is a bit on the high side

 

[adly]

sounds damn confusing to calculate =/ how do you know whats the dimensions and whatnots? and how do you pay is it through our own credit card? i thought if use vpost then when shipping you put your foreign address right then have to use the domestic credit card is it?

 

[Elias]

Edder is right about the double-boxing. Some companies use 2 boxes to protect the guitar they're shipping, so yup...add around 2 more inches to the original dimension. One way to find out the dimension is to email the shop/online store and enquire. They should be able to tell you the dimensions and also the weight. Of course, if you can afford a hardcase, it's recommended but I've had my fenders shipped over from Japan in their soft gigbags and they're perfectly fine

Payment to Vpost is via credit card. Any credit card will do since this is local transaction. Whether you need to use the US-based credit card or not during the initial purchase with the online retailer/shop depends entirely on them. How it goes is that, you purchase the guitar, put Vpost US address as the shipping address. Then send Vpost an email with your receipt. And when the package arrives at the Vpost address, Vpost will notify you and match the item with your receipt. Then when it's ready to ship it over to you, they will notify you of the charges (inclusive of GST, etc). You make the payment via credit card. Then they'll ship over the item and you'll receive it within X number of days (check the Vpost FAQ)

 

[Elias]

depends on where you bought it from and what shipping method, but $600 for gst and shipping is a bit on the high side

Yeah, I kinda agree on that. GST + shipping shouldn't be that expensive unless your guitar costs above S$3.5K or something. Cos when I shipped my Gibson over, GST + shipping was around S$400+. Shipping itself for my guitar, which is double-boxed, is around S$200+ while GST was around S$200+.

 

[adly]

hey elias so when you first purchase from the store right, if they require a us-based credit card then how? means must find shop that accept all sorts of credit cards ah?

 

[Elias]

I guess so. Either that or you can check if they accept other forms of payment, like Paypal, Western Union, etc.

 

[adly]

i see. and if the website states that the guitar comes with a hardcase right, i assume they'll place the guitar in the hardcase? then will they still put everything into the two boxes thingy?

 

[superpotato_30]

my came with the guitar within the hard case in a white box in the brown standard postage box

 

[bedokkids]

Speaking about buying yourself, that might actually prove to be the best method. My buddy went on a trip to Hong Kong, enjoyed himself for a week there, and lovingly hand-carried back to Singapore one beautiful John Mayer signature Strat, at a very very good price!

You do away with all the hassle, can even try the guitar out.

you know, when we visit the airport, we will see cluster of forgeiner checking in Plasma TV, pot and pans.. what got you.

so for a guitar should be much problem?
i would suggest bring along your empt guitar hardcase to store the guitar and bring back?:mrgreen:

 

[nosepicker]

U know, some folks can argue all day to justify local retail prices. Like rental, shipping rates, contracts, wadeva. But hor...

Reality check: Is it the consumer's business?

The risk u take when u buy online is that you dun get a hands on experience before purchasing. Can't really send back a defective item. And possible damage while shipping. If you can live with that, feel free.

Also I won't even bother much bout warranty. Cos most folks should know how great the post sales customer support our local stores have >D

As far as I'm concerned, if I can get it locally at a similar price, I'll buy it here. But if the Lwee Sees here cost 50% more than the prices overseas, I'll just buy online.

 

[superpotato_30]

speaking of buy online.. what webbies you guys use to bring in your gear.. I know gearhounds, ebay, now since ishibashi doesnt allow epis to be shipped out... ?

 

[adly]

yea! i'm interested in knowing what websites you guys bring in your gears from as well. and how do you guys bring it in? (eg through vpost or something)

 

[superpotato_30]

My came through v post..

 

[bedokkids]

some experiences to share purchasing online.
1. Vpost Conciege or Vpost USA
Vpost Conciege - give them the item description, they will source for you, and quote you on the products + shipping Charges.
Vpost USA - buy the item online and indicate to the dealer VPOST USA address( in this case is at portsland,oreagon)

2. Credit Cards- most dealer don accpet local issued Credit cards, thus you have to do a wire transfer or money draft etc. however acouple of them accept loca issued ones.

Here's some webby i purchased before:
1. http//:www.wwbw.com
Fast and reliable
2. http//:www.Samash.com
alot of nice item at good prices, but don accept local credit cards

 

[steel]

i always i wanna try buy something frm overseas but my dad don allow me...he kept saying that its unsafe..haizz..