Advice for a bemused Aussie...

[rar85]

Hi!

I am in the process of choosing a diamond for my upcoming proposal!

I am seriosuly considering this diamond:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.274-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104061539015#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/5/

Product ID: AGS-104061539015

I had looked at a 1.27Ct G diamond on BGD database but lesley said there were no significant differences in colour/cut etc and this would save me around $1800... I must say she seems to live up to all the very positive reviews that have been given here previously...

I am keen to choose either BGD signature or Whiteflash ACA as this takes some of the pain out of trying to decipher all the jargon around the cut.... My maximum budget is 12K and I will be importing to Australia.

Does anyone see any glaring issues with this diamond? I am trying got put my churning belly at ease and remain as objective as possible (easier said than done!)

Thanks in advance for the advice and support...

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

Hi rar85

Fellow Aussie here

I don't have any opinions on the stone, although I am sure it is lovely if it is a BGD signature, but I just wanted to come by and reassure you about the whole buying from OS / online business.

I have dealt with BGD for several purchases now and I know they have a lot of experience when it comes to us Aussie customers. They know what to do with the AUSFTA paperwork so you don't have to pay duty, only GST and If I have had any problems (it's always FedEx and customs that create the problems) BGD has always been there to help in any way they can.

I know that making such a big purchase, online from overseas is a bit daunting so I just wanted to let you know that it has been tried and tested by many of us here in OZ before you so have confidence that this work out for you and you will come out with a diamond ring so much better than what you could have purchased here, and for less money.

 

[rar85]

Mate,

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply - it is certainly a daunting task - we are currently in the throws of buying the first home and in many respects this is far easier... I suppose because I have spent 30 years living in houses and have some innate appreciation for what I am or am not buying... Diamonds on the other hand are far more foreign territory...

Excited to hear that your experiences with BGD and importing stones to Aus were largely hassle free... I had a yarn to the customs guys this morning who assured me that there won't be any difficulty although I have stood for too many hours at stagnant immigration counters to feel particular trust in the stories they are spinning on any given day....

Thanks again for the advice and kind words!

 

[LaraOnline]

This is a very interesting topic for me, because I have never bought from overseas.
I too am worried about complex paperwork, hidden costs etc etc.

HOT, are you in the mood to explain what exactly happens when you import such an important / expensive item?
Is it simply a matter of a customs bill arriving a few months after the ring is delivered?

Does it arrive nicely in the mail, days after it is posted, or or does the package sit in customs for months on end? Are you expected to go to the docks to pick the darn thing up from a dusty office?

and what kind of add-on can you expect from customs, generally?
???

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

No worries.

In regards to Customs and FedEx, it really does depend on the day and who deals with your package as to whether or not the transaction will run smoothly! Some people are great, some people have absolutely no idea what they are doing, ESP when it comes to the AUSFTA paperwork. My advice is to read through some of the customs / AUSFTA threads that are here in RT and you will get a good idea of what can go wrong and how best to react. Personally, I like to be proactive and when I know the item has shipped, I contact FedEx to let them know the AUSFTA paper work will be attached and once it arrives I call back and offer to get the customs payments sorted to help the process along.

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

This is a very interesting topic for me, because I have never bought from overseas.
I too am worried about complex paperwork, hidden costs etc etc.

HOT, are you in the mood to explain what exactly happens when you import such an important / expensive item?
Is it simply a matter of a customs bill arriving a few months after the ring is delivered?

Does it arrive nicely in the mail, days after it is posted, or or does the package sit in customs for months on end? Are you expected to go to the docks to pick the darn thing up from a dusty office?

and what kind of add-on can you expect from customs, generally?
???

Sorry Lara, we were posting at the same time.

Ok, this is the short version

Firstly, it depends on how much you are spending. Under $1k and it is fairly straight forward because there is no duty or gst but we will say that we are spending $5k.

When the item is ready to be shipped, you remind the vendor to include the AUSFTA paperwork. Most vendors know how to deal with this now. When the package ships with FedEx, I like to call them up with my tracking number and get them to make a note that the package will have AUSFTA paperwork attached. When the package arrives a FedEx / customs guy calculates the GST and adds on a process fee. Someone will call and say there is a package that is ready to be released from customs when payment is made. You can pay over the phone using a credit card and the cost will be $550 (10% Duty plus $50 processing fee).
Once the package is released FedEx will deliver it the next day, or, if you are impatient like me, I usually put a hold on delivery and race up to the Belmont station to collect it.



Typically, items made in the US are eligible for AUSFTA so you don't have to pay duty (5%,)just GST (10%).
If you were to purchase from another country where the AUSFTA is not applicable you have to pay the full 15%.