53-11_alltheway

I keep seeing links to places like 11 speed and probikekit.com a lot now. Is there something going on with the exchange rate now that makes this a better way to buy stuff?

smoke

i don't know how probikekit gets their prices down so much, but i don't have a problem with them. i bought the keo cleats when they were new for about 60% of what they are in the states, and there was no problem with them. as soon as they get my size in, i'm gonna buy a new pair of shoes at $120 less than here, and they have free shipping to the states. hard to beat 'em

smoke

thewalrus

the Euro is even higher against the US dollar than it was a year ago... so I don't think that's it.

here's a couple of "stores" selling via ebay buy-it-now from Hong Kong and Singapore:

https://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZhongkongQ5fbikeshop

https://stores.ebay.com/THE-FLEX-ABC-...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

the second guy is really weird, he sells new bike components, and guitars. I guess all guitars are made in asia now too?

steve_wmn

I have no idea how exchange rates are going but I just bought tires from overseas and paid about $15 less for each than the best US prices, with shipping and handling no higher than US prices. They arrived at my door 10 or so days later (via US Mail). I'd do it again.

bikindan

From what I have been told the biggest factor in the price difference is that the federal guvmint taxes the hell out of most everything that is imported into the country through an importer. If you bring it in then the taxes are non-existent or very small compared to what the importers pay (3% vs 50+%). At least that is what someone familiar with customs told me.

That is why many people head to the US Virgin Islands for jewelry shopping, etc. My wife got a beautiful pair of diamond earrings for easily half of what we would pay in the states. Oh, and I am getting a new bike out of that deal.

Patriot

My guess, is that some of the overseas sellers have less hands changed when getting the inventory.

For example, most of the good buys are on components that are specifically made in Europe, like Look pedals, Campy components, and Vittoria and Conti tires, etc.

However, their prices on other stuff, like FSA components, or even Shimano components are just as, or even more expensive than what I can find them for here in the U.S. It all just depends on what you're purchasing.

daytonian

I just recieved 2 Vittoria Rubinos yesterday that I bought from probikekit for $16ea., free shipping, no tax.

53-11_alltheway

I found some good deals on veloce 10s @11 speed. Now I'm a little tempted to make a campy bike.

Shifters $98
Rear derailleur $56
Brake calipers $55
Cassette $48
Record 10s chain $28 (doesn't seem like that great of a deal but maybe I'm wrong)

Obviously the 2005 Eurus wheelset for $500 is nice.

CanuckNewbie

Just recieved my order from probikekit.com, a real team CSC jersey and bibs, for $118 canadian, with no tax, or duty, or shipping costs or anything when it arrived, and it only took about 7 business days to come from the UK to Kamloops, BC Canada. my LBS sells similar jerseys, for about 150, and I think they are replicas not real like the one I got, so I will be shopping there again for sure. Alot of thier prices are as low or lower than Canadain "cost" prices though Lambert or OGC. pretty good deal if you ask me.

operator

You should just change overseas to probikekit in your thread title ...

DocRay

How did you avoid duty and GST/PST? This is technically smuggling.

fmw

The reason is pretty simple. The U.S. distributors and manufacturers ride herd on the dealers to keep prices up. In Europe it doesn't work that way. The U.S. dealers could do the same thing if the manufacturers would get off their backs about it. The "world economy" sure changes things doesn't it. The manufacturers struggle to keep prices up in the U.S. so that dealers from other countries can come in and undercut them. I get a kick out of it.

thewalrus

They ship by the UK royal mail, which is handed off to canada post... My guess is the package was small enough (folded clothing) that it went in with a batch of letters and small book-sized packages. I guess Canada Post forgot to run it through the taxation process!

thewalrus

When I had a job that involved shipping computers, we used to import a ton of stuff from Taiwan and mainland China. One time I got into a discussion with our FedEx sales rep about how much it costs to send stuff BACK to china. Turns out the airplanes return almost 90% empty. It's insanely cheap... About 1/10th the cost of bringing stuff from Asia to the USA.

Now if we just had something bulky to send to China

domestique

If the item is under 200 USD, customs usually waves the duties fee. It also depends on the item and the rate at which duties may be added. I however had an order of pedals, and shoes that was over 200 USD (223.98), and was customs free!, however this order took 27 days, compared to my other orders that normally take only 6-8 days.

Here is a link to a chart that totalcycling has on their website. :
https://www.totalcycling.com/article/...0-75ac6e078ec1

I really like probikekit, I have ordered shoes, pedals, tires, and other misc. stuff..... especially right now with the free shipping!

baxtefer

actually it's anything under $20 CAD that is tax and duty-free
$60 if it's a "gift"

you got lucky with your shipment.

operator

Still waiting on my shipment. Placed it 7 days ago.

53-11_alltheway

That's terrible for us. US has to be at the forefront of High Tech development because we sure aren't winning in production.

domestique

I live in the U.S and it is $200.... sorry you're Canadian

.... and like I said, it all depends on what the merchandise is

wangster

We definitely aren't winning at HighTech Dev either... sorry to burst your bubble...

rjtokyo

I predict that the times we're in will soon be referred to as the "Google Age." From your browser window you can shop not only qbike.com, but shops all over the world for the best deals. Information is power. For tweaking my race bike I was looking for a number of parts including a Mavic SSC brakeset and a KMC X10SL chain. Not the kinds of parts you're likely to just run across at your LBS, but not only found them but got the best prices from www.totalcycling.com in the UK. Much better than fairwheelbikes, Glory Cycles, etc. The world of shopping is changing...

Cheers! - RJ

giantcfr1

RJ How's your Nihongo? Have you priced Koseki here in Kyoto?
If interested give me a PM and I'll give you their phone number. BTW they aren't online.
Steve.

rjtokyo

Hey Steve- Kon ban wa. I sent you a PM.

Cheers! - RJ

bellweatherman

Yeah, but a good portion of the diamond sales in the Virgin Islands are fake. Buyer beware.

bellweatherman

What do you mean? Herd? Sorry, but there's too much slang in this post for me to understand what you are talking about. Can you rephrase?