Buying Hydro Equipment from International Sellers on Ebay?

[daemos]

Well i have been shopping around for some equipment for my future grow room...

Although i can get my stuff from my local hydro shop ive been comparing our prices with our US freinds. With the current exchange rates it looks like if i order what i want from an international seller i come out about $800 on top than if go to my local store. Now thats a bit of a saving if you ask me but i suspect it would cost me more for shipping etc but with the $800 saving it wont really matter and will pay for the shipping not a problem...

My dilemma is whats the deal with buying hydro equipment from an overseas ebay seller and bringing the goods into Australia?

Will I encounter any problems with bringing these goods in with customs?

Would i have to provide and supply all the necessary documentation?

Has anybody else bought equipment from a international seller on Ebay?

Basically is there anyone here with any info regarding purchasing hydro goods from overseas sellers on Ebay and what are the steps if any to buying the goods from overseas sellers.

Thanks PEEPS!

Ez...Mos

P.s I have looked on the Australian imports/exports website and cant find a thing or the page that i need is down that is why i have come on here and asked about the following subject.

 

[mrwags]

I have some special friends down under and have upon occasion sent them some special gifts for x-mas. Long story short them blokes at the postal system in Australia better have a pretty damn good field by now because what worked 100% in the US for x-mas worked 20% down south. Equipment might be different but thats my experience with them.


Sorry To Say
My Penny
Mr.Wags

 

[djam]

I would only buy equipment from the country I lived in . I don't want my ballasts other equipment being thrown around from another country .I ordered a led light from overseas , showed up broken and not working .

 

[cornflake]

don't know what you're buying but watch out if it's a tent, be aware of out-gassing issues!!!

Linky?

 

[daemos]

don't know what you're buying but watch out if it's a tent, be aware of out-gassing issues!!!

Linky?

Ok heres what i want to buy:

2 x 1000w lumatek ballasts

2 x 1000w MH retro to HPS bulbs

2 x 1000w HPS bulbs

2 x air cooled hoods

Local Hydro Shop Quote (price rounded off in ozzie $) -

2 x 1000w lumatek ballasts $1300

2 x 1000w MH to HPS bulbs $320

2 x 1000w HPS bulbs $330

2 x air cooled hoods Ablite large $400

Total - $2350 aus

EBAY SELLER in the US - THE HYDRO SOURCE http://stores.ebay.com/The-Hydro-Source

They have packages for $470 usd that include: 1000w lumatek digital ballast, a sunsytem II 6" air cooled hood and a 1000w hps bulb.

Now if i got 2 of those packages thats $940 usd which is roughly $1030 aus

I also want to purchase some USHIO bulbs too from thier store.

2 x 1000w USHIO MH bulbs - $230 usd
2 x 1000w USHIO HPS bulbs - $220 usd

Total - $450 usd >> Roughly - $494 aus

Overall TOTAL = $1390 usd which is Roughly >> $1524 aus

Take the total my local shop gave me here in OZ - $2350 aus and take away the Australian total for the package from America $1524 aus.

$2350 - $1524 = $826

Thats a big saving plus i get 2 extra 1000w hps bulbs from the package on top of the USHIOS i am buying. So six bulbs in total, 2 lumateks 1000w ballasts and 2 air cooled hoods... all for $1524 ozzie dollers with Xtra cash to burn on the room.

Just dont know what the deal is with importing Horticultural goods such as ballasts, hoods, bulbs etc... into australia through Ebay. I mean as far as they know (ozzie customs) i could be growing Orchids or hyrdoponically grown vegetables or something.

 

[daemos]

^^^ Oh I also forgot to say that the Ebay store Hydro Source is offering free shipping with those packages and the USHIO bulbs too! Im sure it complies with international purchases aswell which is a another great saving which is making me more and more inclined to buy my equipment from these guys.

 

[Joe Hawkins]

I wouldnt simply because of the different power supply voltages for the electronics, there are plug in converters but they are cumbersome and tend to fall out of the socket quite easily, (I own a video camera from USA, it works fine though) this can be overcome with gaffer tape, but I dunno, all those lights plus being 1000 watters I would go and buy Aussie personally. but then again I know nothing about electricity apart from stay the fuck away from it.(been shocked on several occasions changing my mums light globes)
Plus if something goes wrong with anything, its gonna be a long wait for warrantee claims.
I also used to work at a bond store yrs ago on w/e and know that everything a package contains is on the manifest, you might have to pay duties. Customs would come in regularly to do random searches or had something specifically targeted. this was about ten yrs ago.

 

[daemos]

Joe your input is always welcomed brother!

You have some valid points going on there...

Yes I didnt think of the whole electricity andplug converter sito maybe a sparky can chime in???

I see what your saying with the warrenty sito it could be a hassel like you have said.

I suspect that i would have to pay duties and that the items of the package would be on a list of sorts but that wouldnt be a worry.

I wouldnt have the package sent to my grow address and if possible i would pick it up.

 

[cornflake]

^^ nice share joe and good point too - never even considered voltages when I read 1st post

as to your question daemos, I'm unsure I bet someone will chime in soon

 

[ilegalalien]

wow thats quite a list, i can see how you could save some bucks!
but i would shop around here first . prices vary and deals can be done when your parting with that kind of dosh.
and you get it in your hot little hands straight away

 

[Herbasaurus]

Couple of thoughts.

1. I seriously doubt that you will get free international shipping but do check

2. is this your first grow? If so check out some research on digital ballasts - have heard of some problems.

3. for a first grow you might want to pick up some inexpensive gear. some Hydro stores and cash convertors have used stuff. Ballasts and fixtures are generally okay and just buy new bulbs

4.An electronic ballast will probably be able to handle US or Aus electricity but check the specs. You can buy convertor plugs but most of them are cheaply made and NOT made to handle 1000W, especially the initial surge. The last thing you need is a room fire. At least have a local elecrician wire in a proper plug - but then that is one more person who knows.

5. Yes you could be growing orchids or tomatoes but the delivery guys and customs aren't stupid.

6. then there are the already mentioned warranty problems. and also as already mentioned if you shop around you should definitely be able to get a deal on such a large purchase

IMHO this could be one of those "penny wise, pound foolish" situations and I would suggest buying locally.