Messages

16

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 09, 2008, 07:22:56 am »

Great - I'd like to do that if I can. However, maybe we can all get everything. I've just been digging around the Customs webite (http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4273) and have just gotten off the phone with customs. Computer parts are 0% duty. Entertainment is 5%. So - if we successfully argue that the remotes are computer parts (and TV's can't have USB dongles plugged into them) then we don't pay any duty, even if it is over $1000. If we get some young Customs Inspector out to prove himself, and he says these are TV remotes, at worst we pay 5% duty.

The other thing is GST. Putting 5 remotes into a single package is going to result in the package being inspected no matter what we do. That means we will have to pay the GST even if the package is less than $1000.

I figure we ask Fiire (or Polywell) to ensure the invoice says "For use on Intel Computers" or some such, and just go for it.

What do you think?

Best Regards,
Richard.

Sorry I don't think that's right.. That's in direct contradiction of what I was told when I contacted them and also what is on their page here: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549

Purchases under $1000 (apart from tobacco and liquor) do not attract GST or taxes,   Every purchase over $1000 will attract Customs Duty and GST on the amount calculated after the freight charge.  Even if the customs duty is 0% (which I doubt but I can't find anything specific about the 0% or 5% you mentioned in relation to Computer Parts) and If we pay $100 more then we have to (for the GST component), we're back where we started so we may as well do another separate purchase

EDIT: Not to mention that we have to fill out a formal customs declaration, which is just plain annoying

17

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 09, 2008, 04:33:43 am »

Ok so 3 of us good to go!
RichardP: there's still provision for you to get 2 extra dongles if you like, so just waiting on Darren..

18

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 09, 2008, 02:04:01 am »

Ok, so after a quick call to our customs friends that want to make our life difficult, I've come to these conclusions to keep the receipted goods below $1000AU not inc Freight.

Here are the 5 people that have expressed interest for a remote: mortar, RichardP, colinjones, jo006, darrenmason.

We can order 5 Remotes + 4 Additional Dongles which is approx $983AU.
Meaning: Everyone interested gets 1 remote, and 1 person misses out on an additional dongle.
This will cost each person 233.50AU and $199.50 to the person that doesn't get the dongle.  This price includes roughly $30AU in freight, which saves around $50 per person which still makes this whole thing worth while (not including interstate freight if Justin charges for the bags).

OR

Going with our original order.

We can order 4 Remotes + Max of 9 Additional Dongles which is approx $984AU.
Which means that someone misses out on a remote. The price will vary slightly but won't be much different to what's above, depending on how many dongles everyone gets.

Darren, if you want to get in on the deal and you're happy with 1 remote and 1 additional dongle, i'm happy to cut down my order and just order one remote with no additional dongle.

Phheww.. What does everyone think?

19

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 09, 2008, 01:36:59 am »

Hi Mortar,

Count me in. 

I have emailed the Brisbane company to find out how much they can supply the units for if 5 or more are purchased and how long it will take for delivery.  Hopefully I will get a response on Monday.

If you do decide to get them direct from Fiire I can send you 3 or 4 express post bags to get them around the country.  That will save a few dollars.


Justin

Hi Justin, just wondering if you were after an additional dongle or not...

20

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 09, 2008, 01:32:08 am »

On that subject, shouldn't Fiire be quoting us ex tax?

According to the google checkout system it is exclusive of tax.

21

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 09, 2008, 01:31:37 am »

Hi,

I guess you will want to keep your order under $1000 AUD though because of customs duties.

Regards
Darren

Mmmm.. that puts an interesting dampener on the whole ordeal, I hadn't though of customs tax.

22

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 08, 2008, 12:27:15 am »

I'm happy to proceed ASAP, as i've just hooked LinuxMCE up to my projector and it looks sweet, although I don't seem to have a way to pause and play movies with a keyboard/mouse?

I asked Fiire for a re-quote to your address with 5 Remotes and 7 Additional Dongles total (I'm now after 2 remotes and 3 additional dongles) so I'll let you know as soon as I receive that!

23

Users / Re: How to get the image (jacket) for a dvd

« on: January 06, 2008, 04:26:37 am »

Using the manual method, the quality and size of the images seem to be significantly worse.  Has anyone found this?

24

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 06, 2008, 04:20:31 am »

That is a significant difference - It seems that on my quote an "Out of Delivery Area" charge appears, and the fuel amount is greater.  I'm still happy to organise the purchase if necessary but we may have to get it shipped to yourself or someone else?

25

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 04, 2008, 07:49:25 am »

Nice work Mortar!

Wish there were more CANADIANS using linuxmce..  I had to byte the bullet on my own

Still wasn't near as bad as shipping to Australia..

Regards,

Dan

Tell me about it! We get screwed for freight over here

Just checked with DHL, theres an approx $13US saving to be made with them although we'd obviously have to organise the pickup specifically.

26

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 04, 2008, 07:35:08 am »

Just been playing around with the Fedex site and worked out these rough figures:

Code: [Select]

1  Remote  - $ 97US  ($97.00 Per Remote)
2  Remotes - $113US  ($56.50 Per Remote)
3  Remotes - $125US  ($41.66 Per Remote)
4  Remotes - $141US  ($35.25 Per Remote)
5  Remotes - $160US  ($32.00 Per Remote)
10 Remotes - $275US  ($27.50 Per Remote)
Or if you look at it a different way, with a base rate for every person that wants one unit then an additional per remote cost:

Code: [Select]

1 Person  - $ 97US  ($16.00 for additional Remotes)
2 People  - $ 56US  ($12.00 for additional Remotes)
3 People  - $ 41US  ($16.00 for additional Remotes)
4 People  - $ 35US  ($19.00 for additional Remotes)
etc etc.

So:
If 2 people buy 1 remote each plus you want an extra one, you'd pay $56+12=$68
If 4 people buy 1 remote each plus you want an extra one, you'd pay $35+19=$54

i.e. everyone shares the base cost one time, then pays more if they want more than one remote.

Using this premise, I can't imagine the extra dongles costing more than $3 US Extra.

So:

If just the 3 of us buy remotes so far it'd be

Code: [Select]

mortar     - Remote + Freight = $149 + 41 + 0 = $190US = $215.63AU + $10 Freight = $225.63 (saving of $53.34AU)
colinjones - Remote + Freight = $149 + 41 + 3 = $193US = $219.01AU + $10 Freight = $229.01
RichardP   - Remote + Freight = $149 + 41 + 6 = $196US = $222.43AU + $10 Freight = $232.43
Not a fantastic saving, but i'd say worth the effort.  If you can get it from Brisbane for $249 and the freight is around $15, then that method will cost you about $30-35 extra then direct from Fiire.

Obviously these aren't final figures, but they'll be pretty close to it, and allow anyone to work out their options and the cost differences in adding additional remotes or dongles that they'd like to purchase.  So the more the merrier, if we get more people, we chop down the cost further!

27

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 04, 2008, 06:09:07 am »

Hi Guys,

I am also interested in a Fiire Chief remote and I am located in Brisbane.  I have contacted Smart Security Pty Ltd located in Brisbane  (ww.smartsecurity.net.au) and they can supply the remotes for $249.00.  I have also contacted a few other Australian based company’s and I am  awaiting a reply.

Justin

Nice, at least we know someone locally does them at an OK price.

28

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 04, 2008, 03:52:52 am »

I'm Inquiring about a Bulk purchase post request with whirlpool.net.au now (Bulk buy topics are banned without permission), to generate some more interest and hopefully reduce costs further.  Alternatively if you guys are happy to proceed with just the three of us, let me know.

29

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 04, 2008, 03:31:10 am »

No problems Richard, depending on the interest, we'll see how long it takes until we proceed with the order and finalize the payment cut off date.  PM Coming through now

30

Users / Re: Fiire Chief

« on: January 04, 2008, 03:11:57 am »

I may as well do it, i've set up an account with Fiire already anyway so it's just a matter of placing the order, and I can't imagine the freight prices interstate would be that much different.

I recommend the process we use is:
1) Work out how many Fiire Chiefs and Additional Dongles you're after and PM me your postal address and I can provide you with either bank account details or paypal details to send the money through.
2) We wait a few more days to see if there is anymore interest and anyone else in AUS would like to order one.
3) I'll lodge the order with Fiire, confirm freight pricing, and give everyone their purchase price in $AU + roughly $10 to factor in interstate freight. (if there's any difference i'll refund it to each person with a money order)
4) I'll wait to receive the money in from everyone so we should agree on a cut-off date for payment.
5) I'll Pay for the order and give everyone a copy of the purchase invoice and relevant freight invoices, and hopefully get a tracking number so we can track the movements of the packages.
6) Wait for Remote Control Goodness.

I would also like to strongly clarify that this would strictly be a non-profit exercise and is only to save myself and some fellow MCErs some cash towards their equipment.  Hence I can't be held responsible for any Freight Holdups, DOA or warranty issues.  Sorry for the spiel, I just know how these things sometimes go down.