Travelling - Do You Buy before You Leave or Whilst You're There? (USA)

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  cypher67 on 22/04/2015 - 12:37

  Find what you want to buy here and minus the 10% GST you can get back and compare it to what it would cost on amazon taking into account the interest rate difference. If there is a saving from buying in the US, great do that. If there is a saving from buying local, is it worth the luggage weight. Take into account the power adapters and voltage. If I were buying a camera with the primary use being whilst in the US, id buy over there.

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  Randxyz123 on 22/04/2015 - 12:47

  In my opinion you'd be better off buying the camera and any other tech you might want before you go. Firstly you can get the GST off at the airport through the TRS.
  Also for warranty. You'll be covered through Australian consumer law.

  Keep an eye on JB deals for a deal on the RX100 M3 I got one for $740 at the end of last year. Best camera ever!! Make sure you pick up a protective case for it as well.

  My tip with the TRS… Leave at least an hour to get through the line. It took me 45 minutes and at that point my flight was on final call and I was very close to bailing out of the line to get my flight instead of collecting the $75 GST back. Also make sure you get your name and address on your receipt for purchases over $1000

  Grab the Intel NUC when you get there unless you can find a retailer here.

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    tebbybabes on 22/04/2015 - 13:30

    May I just add that the TRS now has an online claiming option. I have no idea how it works as I've never used it before but I read about it somewhere. Might be something worth checking out. I do remember the line at the TRS counter was terrible. Good thing I was very early for my flight.

    • 

      Randxyz123 on 22/04/2015 - 15:05

      I did the "online claiming option" just lets you enter the details for what you purchased in advance… The issue is everyone does it so it makes pretty much 0 difference.

      The basic problem with the TRS in Australia is unlike everywhere else in the world there is no automated option so someone manually has to do everything - check your passport, check your boarding pass check the item etc

      • 

        tebbybabes on 22/04/2015 - 22:49

        Ahhh, that's a shame. Still, thanks for the heads up. Maybe someday, they'll get something set up that will actually speed up the process significantly.

  • 

    JT2 on 07/06/2015 - 17:55

    SO we can actually buy the camera here and then when we go to the airport , we can get GST back ? sorry I just have no experience at all ! wanting to buy a camera for my USA trip as well. Thanks

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      Randxyz123 on 08/06/2015 - 19:21

      +1

      If the camera is under $1000 then yes. Make sure you keep your receipt and make a photocopy as you'll need to take the original to the TRS desk.

      As I said before the line took me almost 45 minutes and I only moved forward quicker because I was about to miss my flight. I'd recommend leaving an extra 1.5 hours

      If your camera is over $1000 then you'll need to declare it on your way back in.

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  watts on 22/04/2015 - 14:51

  buy over there I reckon.

  More than likely things will be cheaper, and if something goes wrong with an item like I camera I think it's prob. going to happen sooner rather than later. ie. while you're in the states.

  • 

    Randxyz123 on 22/04/2015 - 15:09

    Not going to be much cheaper with state tax and the exchange rate….

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  datty on 22/04/2015 - 15:02

  I bought my GoPro and QC20i earphones locally to claim the GST back through the TRS.

  You are able to submit your claim by filling out a form and including your receipts. Place the form and receipts into the envelope provided and put it in the marked box.

  They mail the receipts back to you after your claim is processed and from memory I received the refund in 2 weeks. Definitely glad I took this option instead of waiting in line for hours.

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    Randxyz123 on 22/04/2015 - 15:09

    HUH? Since when could you do that? That was not an option in Melbourne at the start of the year and I cannot find anything about it on the TRS website.

    • 

      datty on 22/04/2015 - 15:47

      This was at Sydney Airport last November. They had a staff member handing out forms at the end of the line since it was at least 50 deep.

      Just had a quick look at the TRS website and I couldn't find anything either about the way I claimed my GST back. Very odd.

      • 

        Randxyz123 on 22/04/2015 - 16:06

        Wow that is really weird. Maybe the line was crazy big and people were going to miss their flights haha. The reason they can't usually do it like that is because the customs officers have to sight the goods…

        I told the officer that the way TRS was done was an embarrassment to Australia… The European way is so much better…

      • 

        aim54x on 25/05/2015 - 14:14

        I had the same thing in December last year…I am heading off again so i am hoping to be able to do the same again.

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  anna10 on 22/04/2015 - 18:24

  If you lodge your original receipt in a box, never to be found again, it's gonna be hard to claim if any thing goes wrong, or to prove purchase for warranty.

  • 

    Randxyz123 on 22/04/2015 - 21:00

    Why? Scan / photo copy your receipts or ask for another copy at the counter

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  anna10 on 23/04/2015 - 19:21

  I thought the whole point was that you don't need to queue up and that's why they offered to put it in a box.