rayc
retroreprobate
My missus bought me an R16 for Xmas. The prices in OZ are twice & more that of the US. The lass knows how to do things so she searched for the best price IN Australia & then the best price to bring one in from OS - ie: to import one.
It arrived no prob. BUT the plug, as you'd expect, isn't directly AUS power supply compatible.
I rang/emailed several music stores to get a replacement. The response was uniform: The repondents said that if I would be so kind as to supply the serial number & invoice date so that their importer/supplier could verify that unit was bought LOCALLY they would be able to supply the power adaptor.
I was outraged & as a result investigated.
The good old Japanese engineers had built the adaptor to take most wattage levels around the globe, (100 - 250), & reduce it to the unique power requirment of the R16, (5v). All I needed was an adaptor to plug it into the wall - from 2 vertical parallel pins to 2 angled and one vertical for OZ power points.
Cost - Oh, around AUS$5!!! IMPORTED from HK with FREE postage.
I can understand an importer protecting their patch BUT when such a one charges double or more for a unit, (I know import, GST and associated costs have to be covered but with the AUS$=US$ within less than a cent the reasons for this price hike are less than transparent ), AND allow a little disinformation/disincentive to diseminate re essential "accessories" I was, & remain, less than pleased.
Importation of goods valued at <AUS$1000 is not subject to VAT/GST at present. The power supply issue is solved with a few dollars.
The credibility of some parties is less than it ought be.
The net result is simply WHY buy locally?
It arrived no prob. BUT the plug, as you'd expect, isn't directly AUS power supply compatible.
I rang/emailed several music stores to get a replacement. The response was uniform: The repondents said that if I would be so kind as to supply the serial number & invoice date so that their importer/supplier could verify that unit was bought LOCALLY they would be able to supply the power adaptor.
I was outraged & as a result investigated.
The good old Japanese engineers had built the adaptor to take most wattage levels around the globe, (100 - 250), & reduce it to the unique power requirment of the R16, (5v). All I needed was an adaptor to plug it into the wall - from 2 vertical parallel pins to 2 angled and one vertical for OZ power points.
Cost - Oh, around AUS$5!!! IMPORTED from HK with FREE postage.
I can understand an importer protecting their patch BUT when such a one charges double or more for a unit, (I know import, GST and associated costs have to be covered but with the AUS$=US$ within less than a cent the reasons for this price hike are less than transparent ), AND allow a little disinformation/disincentive to diseminate re essential "accessories" I was, & remain, less than pleased.
Importation of goods valued at <AUS$1000 is not subject to VAT/GST at present. The power supply issue is solved with a few dollars.
The credibility of some parties is less than it ought be.
The net result is simply WHY buy locally?
