So I ordered a 105 5800 group from Merlin on Monday night and....
02-04-15, 03:31 PM
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So I ordered a 105 5800 group from Merlin on Monday night and....
UPS is showing it will be delivered tomorrow!
No special shipping was requested.
Blows me away!
Shipping was free and there was no sales Tax.
https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-...oem-78036.html
No special shipping was requested.
Blows me away!
Shipping was free and there was no sales Tax.
https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-...oem-78036.html
02-04-15, 03:45 PM
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UPS is showing it will be delivered tomorrow!
No special shipping was requested.
Blows me away!
Shipping was free and there was no sales Tax.
Shimano 105 5800 11 Speed Groupset Black OEM | Merlin Cycles
No special shipping was requested.
Blows me away!
Shipping was free and there was no sales Tax.
Shimano 105 5800 11 Speed Groupset Black OEM | Merlin Cycles
02-04-15, 04:03 PM
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02-04-15, 04:48 PM
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I see. I have never been hit with any additional fees but I have heard of plenty of people who had to pay customs fees to get their packages released. Seems like luck of the draw. So far I'm 5 for 5
02-04-15, 04:50 PM
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That pricing is crazy....and still something of a secret (outside these forums). Next time order two groups and sell one at a profit. 
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Last edited by dtrain; 02-04-15 at 04:53 PM.
02-04-15, 05:31 PM
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No, it isn't a secret at all - people from over here have been buying from the UK for a looong time...
We pay more for EVERYTHING over here - the value of the AUD seems irrelevant, our local distributors simply gouge us.
cheers
02-04-15, 06:09 PM
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Of course, there is a difference between OEM and full retail packaging (especially if the group isn't for immediate personal use)...but still.
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"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
Last edited by dtrain; 02-04-15 at 06:20 PM.
02-04-15, 07:31 PM
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We get most of our stuff from the UK ... and some of our stuff from NZ.
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02-04-15, 07:49 PM
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Yeah I think that's about it. Who cares if you are going it use it? But if you might store it awhile and then sell, or want to sell the brakes or crankset right away, then that retail packaging can make a little difference.
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02-04-15, 11:55 PM
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OEM packed, exactly the same as our other 5800 groupset but from bulk boxes that we have for bike builds
02-05-15, 01:08 AM
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Anyone tried Shinybikes.com?
SRAM Rival 22 groupset for US$487 and 2015 Athena for $620. Tempting. Too tempting?
SRAM Rival 22 groupset for US$487 and 2015 Athena for $620. Tempting. Too tempting?
02-05-15, 01:15 AM
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02-05-15, 01:24 AM
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https://www.totalcycling.com/en/Compo...ghts/cc-8.aspx
Last edited by Leinster; 02-05-15 at 01:29 AM.
02-05-15, 10:51 PM
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No to Athena? If you're wanting the sweet spot in terms of Campy value, Athena is it. Comes both in silver and black versions. I have 3 bikes with Athena, one with Centaur. Would buy Athena any time over Centaur. Also have 105, Ultegra and DuraAce on other bikes. Athena is as good as and better from a functional point of view. IMO
02-06-15, 06:56 PM
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02-06-15, 07:02 PM
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interesting.
IIRC, i read on a recent thread that the low pricing can be a result of special retailers that can get enormous discounts on component parts from the OEM if they qualify. they are supposed to sell these at their stores at agreed upon prices, but some are taking advantage of buying excess to be sold at great discounts. don't remember the thread, or all the details. but i think it was something like that.
IIRC, i read on a recent thread that the low pricing can be a result of special retailers that can get enormous discounts on component parts from the OEM if they qualify. they are supposed to sell these at their stores at agreed upon prices, but some are taking advantage of buying excess to be sold at great discounts. don't remember the thread, or all the details. but i think it was something like that.