Hey Folks, I was just looking at purchasing 2 classic kits from a well known supplier and looks like the freight will be a deal breaker.
I have excellent service from these guys in the past, this post is by no means an attack on them and I'd certainly like to support them further.
Where I live in Australia, decent quality, lightweight balsa is becoming increasingly difficult (if not impossible) to come by, hence the desire to order a couple of kits from the U.S.
By the time I factor in the kit prices, exchange rate, freight and then 10% gst on top to my own thieving grubberment the entire cost comes to $742 Aud. Around $240 Aud of this is shipping.
Recently I purchased a front mudguard and new stainless engine pipes for an old BMW motorcycle from the U.K. It all came in a box around the same size that I have received c/l kits in in the past. Roughly 1' square by 3.5' long. The shipping came to less than $65 Aud all up.
I can't help think that the freight companies are making probably close to 80% of business for American cottage industry suppliers to the outside world unviable.
Does anyone know of any (legal) means to get stuff out of the U.S at reasonable prices?
Cheers, Rob.