Mountain Biking - Australian prices

Anyone have a site that has australian prices for the Specialized brand?
:) thanks

http://www.freedommachine.com.au/frame_welcome.htm

I'm in Australia, some of our prices are OK, but most of the time the mark up is massive. Obviously be a bit hard getting a bike shipped overseas.... but for parts ;)

I just got some EggBeater SL's for $68.95US + $25US shipping, so around $125AUD. To get the same pedals in Australia would have been at least $200AUD...

But I suppose I am taking business off the local bike store :( Suppose you don't win either way huh?

Just looking at that freedom machine site there, which continues what I've found looking for stumpjumpers (hardtail) here in australia. They just aren't sold. I've been to a few places locally and in sydney who when I've enquired as to a stumpjumper, they've either tried to steer me to a dually, or an Avanti. Freedom machine seem to be the same. Just the low end Specialized hardtails. Anyone know what's up with that?

The mark up price is pathetic over here. Were paying $849 for the '05 HardRock Comp a few months ago.

Mountain Climber - another site...www.vicmtb.com.au

Specialized will not let their stuff be sold over the internet, so you're not likely to find too much advertised. From what I understand, they have this mentality about sales that forbids customers from making choices on their own - you have to go the the dealer and buy off the showroom, so they can explain how a seat or a pair of gloves works. As far as not being able to find their high-end bikes, maybe they're just too "Specialized" for most people? :D I just started some part time hours at the LBS mega store, and I can tell you that it's not worth it for the dealers to carry the expensive stuff. I can sell 6 bikes a day, in the $250-600 range, but nothing over that. We don't even get people asking about them - anything over $1000 is just wasted floor space.

Now, I won't even go into prices over here. Being a Yank, I wasn't entitled to any free cash from Centrelink when I first moved here. So while I supported myself and the family on my savings for a while, I discovered it was very profitable to import parts and sell them on ebay at a huge profit. I still do, but not as much, since I have a full time job and a part time job. When we move back to the states, I'll continue to ship stuff over here, not just for the money, but to help out fellow bikers. And I don't feel like I'm taking sales away from the local shops either. If they charge AU$300 for a rear XTR derailleur, you simply aren't going to buy one. But if I can sell you one for AU$150, maybe you'll open your wallet*.


*I'm only throwing these figures out for the sake of discussion, so the prices may not be accurate. Saccy, weren't you looking for V brakes? I paid US$7 for Avid levers, and then sold them used on ebay for AU$50. That's with a start price of 99 cents. I'm happy to go with what the market will bear, and people seem happy to buy from me. I can't imagine what shops must charge for them.

Hey Expatriate, what kind of stuff have you been shipping over?

*I'm only throwing these figures out for the sake of discussion, so the prices may not be accurate. Saccy, weren't you looking for V brakes? I paid US$7 for Avid levers, and then sold them used on ebay for AU$50. That's with a start price of 99 cents. I'm happy to go with what the market will bear, and people seem happy to buy from me. I can't imagine what shops must charge for them.

Gah! I would have paid you $10 for those levers!

Yeah still looking. I thought I broke my wrist last weekend in an adventure race flying downhills trying to brake while jumping drainage banks. Anything to stop me having to squeeze so hard. Either that or I'll come buy a stumpie off ya. ;)

I parted out one of my XC bikes - I think I had $300 in it, all up, less the wheelset. It sold in parts for about $800 on ebay. I had no idea people would pay that much for my used stuff. I've got a small box of road bike stuff on the way, but no plans for any MTB stuff anytime soon. I'll keep an eye out for some V brakes though, just in case. I thought you had sorted that out already?

Ebay + bikes = suckers. I don't even look anymore. I think the place is full of reformed pokie addicts who need to get their money burning rush from somewhere else.

Nah, I just make do with what I have. It kind of works, kinda...

badsac - if you can make the trip, look for Northside Cyclery in Chatswood NSW - they stock the high-end specialized and move 'em quick too. only thing i havent seen in there are spec hardtails and the demo.

i dont recommend them though, they're smarmy, smug and mostly sell to rich people with no idea about what they want. only problem is they're the only spec dealer in metro sydney, so buy from there only if you know what you want.

Ebay + bikes = suckers. I don't even look anymore. I think the place is full of reformed pokie addicts who need to get their money burning rush from somewhere else.

Nah, I just make do with what I have. It kind of works, kinda...

There is no rhyme or reason as to selling prices on ebay. I've practically given away new parts, and made a packet on used stuff. I like to think that since it's ebay, they're setting their own price.

badsac - if you can make the trip, look for Northside Cyclery in Chatswood NSW - they stock the high-end specialized and move 'em quick too. only thing i havent seen in there are spec hardtails and the demo.


Yeah, had a mate that bought a rockhopper form there and I had a talk to them. They said they don't sell stumpjumpers because it's not worth the money spending that much for a hardtail. Meh.

Expat, those new things you couldn't sell must have been pink handlebar streamers. Cause I've never seen anything worthwhile that's even remotely good value.

If I had pink handlebar streamers, the Princess would take them for her bikes. But I've had LX sell for more than XT. I've gotten less for new items than when I sold the identical item used. I got nearly $400 for a wheelset that I abused for at least 2 years. Likewise, the wheelset that I bought for my wife's bike last year, I paid $125. Sold them this year for $122.50. I'm sure the guy I bought them from is still selling them on ebay for the same price I paid. Maybe people like paying extra for MY used gear, but not new stuff?

Guess that's like Christie Turlingtons undies. I'd certainly pay more for those used than new. ;)