Is it cheaper to buy online?

**tanto de korosu** · 11-10-2011, 22:12

Is it cheaper to buy online from overseas and is it safe, I mean I don't want my stuff to get lost etc?

Regards,

T.

**Bundu Ric** · 12-10-2011, 07:52

Maybe a bit cheaper, some places wont ship to SA.

But i would be intrested to know why on knives you would not want to support your local dealers.

**domenic** · 12-10-2011, 09:13

Very much cheaper from overseas, if they ship to SA, we get screwed in SA with the prices. In August I bought 3 Cold Steel knives from overseas, and I am planning to buy some more soon. I have bought a lot of bike spares from overseas as well and so far have not been screwed. Buy form Ebay and you are protected as well.

Cold Steel Counter Tac 1 $56.95
Cold Steel Kobun boot knife $29.95
Cold Steel OSS $66.50
Shipping $45.00
TOTAL $198.40 exchange rate was 6.8 = R1349.12
I had to pay in R202.36 tax and duity = R1551.48
There was an ad in the Magnum for a Cold Steel Counter Tac 1 for R1150.00 deside if you want to pay that or R643.95 inc shipping and tax.

Coution though buying one small item might not be so fesable as the shipping might be more than what the item costs. If you can get a few people that want the same thing buy it together and you save a bundle.

**Yousuf** · 12-10-2011, 14:16

Originally Posted by domenic

Very much cheaper from overseas, if they ship to SA, we get screwed in SA with the prices.

+100

I have also bought overseas items that were 50% cheaper than advertised is SA and this including shipping and taxes, for items that were not even bulk discounted. I am all for supporting our local dealers but not if I am getting screwed the way we are being currently screwed in SA.

I mean surely our SA dealers can be competitive with the overseas market as far as bulk buying is concerned even after covering overheads, operating costs, etc......

**marthinus** · 12-10-2011, 14:33

It depends on a few factors, SA's policies on importing can change quickly and it can depend HEAVILY on what postal or express mail is used as well as the person handling your package, the items price, the item itself and from where the item is bought.

Are some of the knives worth the price to pay? Not in my opinion.

Paying R2300 for a knife in SA worth R700 at a dealer in the USA or even with lets say worst case scenario import duties etc that are based on the MANUFACTURING Price can be close to R2000....I would rather contact a local maker and have them make something for me.

Yes it is cheaper, but depends on a few factors and you are taking a gamble as it can just as well be confiscated by the person handling your package.

Lately even DVD's from outside SA are being nailed by customs and they were not really bothered about that in the past.

**308FN** · 12-10-2011, 14:47

Ive ordered lots of things form overseas. It is usually safe, Iv'e never had any problems but make sure they do deliver to sa otherwise you'll just have to start over on another site. When/If you order alsow wait for the rand to strengthen vs the dollar because you could have a couple of hundred rands difference here even if it only fluctuates slightly.

Ive ordered reloading equipment from the US a couple of times and i usually save about R1000 on a R3000 order including shipping and tax. but it means spending a lot of money. i for instance wouldn't order sorting under $100 because it just isn't worth the shipping and tax. and you should also be aware of the tings you are not allowed to order through the postal service like live ammunition or gun powder, they will just confiscate it.

**tanto de korosu** · 12-10-2011, 21:12

Originally Posted by Bundu Ric

Maybe a bit cheaper, some places wont ship to SA.

Originally Posted by Bundu Ric

But i would be intrested to know why on knives you would not want to support your local dealers.

I feel that SharpEdge is taxing the sh!t out of me and I don’t know who our other local dealers are and where they are situated.

Here’s an example: A blade that I’m really interested in “The Spyderco: Warrior - FB25PSBK- Black Handle - $279.97 on a site that I’m not gonna mention AND @ Sharp Edge, it goes for R3 795.00 + total TAX = R466.05.

All I actually need is the CAS Hanwei Practical Katana (as a gift to my uncle in the military for his show room at his house. I don’t want a wall-hanger thank you) and for myself, a Ka-bar USMC.

Anyway guys,
Thank you for your input.
God bless,

T.

**Krokodil** · 12-10-2011, 22:06

I prefer getting everything from overseas these days. Prices are usually about 30-50% cheaper and those sellers actually care about their customers. Many times I have mailed local suppliers, waited a week and then ordered the stuff from the US. The local people then reply 3 weeks later to your emails without knowing their product lines or just plain arrogant with the attitude of: "how else are you going to get it here?". Well, there are ways of getting anything here. Lots of US restricted stuff for example can be had from Canada, etc. I'm done with local (except locally manufactured). Overseas everything is always in stock and sellers know their products.

**prepare2win** · 12-10-2011, 22:22

I've recently started bowie knife training and have been looking at possibly buying a Cold Steel Laredo Bowie. Local prices seem to all be around the R 2800 mark. I found a highly rated eBay supplier, works out to about R 1700 including shipping- thats 40% off!

suddenly thats a lot closer to being within my budget. I'd love to support local guys but thats a lot of practise ammo in the difference there...

**domenic** · 13-10-2011, 06:08

There are a few items I would rather stay without than buy it local. Like the new Grip Force adapter for the GLOCK its a nice to have and I would definitely buy one if I was not being screwed, locally they want R400, overseas $20 thats R160 at an exchange rate of R8 to $1. +/- 150% markup.

Buy what you can form overseas now before the dangerous weapons act is put in place. I am not sure how this is going to effect the import of knives, my guess it will.