Hi all,

This is my first post. I am currently in the market for a new suit. Have been contemplating purchasing from UK or US. Anyway came across an australian site dextersurf.com.au selling e-bombs for around $300 mark. Wondering if anyone has had any experience with this site?

Cheers.

I purchased two Ripcurl ebomb wetsuits from Dextersurf. A 2mm for $269 and a 3/2 for $350. Both wetsuits are perfect and were delivered within 2 days. Saved an absolute bundle but be quick as a few mates tried to grab the same suits and were sold out.

I just purchased from the US 2011 3/2 Chest Zip. $340 incl shipping got it in XLS size. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to arrive. I suppose the benefit of buying locally is you have it now - I've almost conviced myself having it now is worth another $100.

Still cannot believe the price gouging though, 10-20% I can understand. But to almost double the RRP is just criminal.

I was actually looking at Buell - I thought I would do my bit to stick it up the big multinationals, but did not get any response on my emails querying sizes. So bit the bullet and bought Ripcurl. I'm sure I'll still be happy with it.

I was lucky to be in the states early this year and picked up a 3/2 ebomb pro+ for $200 in their end of winter specials. Best wetsuit i've ever had!

i definatly agree and would much prefer to buy local, but when you can buy a e-bomb for around 300 bucks compared to the 500 plus you would be paying in australia, and with the very good exchange rate at the moment, i'm definatley going to get my next steamer from the states in a couple of weeks cause i'm sure i can find something to do with an extra $200, also purchased a set of k2.1 thruster/quad fins from america for $105 and that included shipping, compared to the $200 it would've cost me from my local surf shop, they took 2 weeks to get to me, that was fine as i didn't need them straight away, i can understand spending maybe an extra 100 if you need it straight away to buy local, but i was willing to surfice with what i had for a couple of weeks, thats just what i think

Jarryd

Legion said...

Rip Curl suck.

Agree

Isn't that a bit of an over reaction? It's not like you need to have chip embedded in your eyeball to be able to find these 'rogue' RC stores. You type e bomb on ebay and any international seller pop up - not exactly a 'secret'. If they were that concerned about being found out by RC, they would not be doing it on ebay for starters. I think it is good for people to be aware that the prices we are quoted in stores in Oz are quite over inflated. It's a good suit, and if people realised they can get it and save some money, I don't think that is such a bad thing.

Until the government start applying import duties on personal imports under $1000. People will continue to search out bargains from international retailers. It's so easy now a days, transfering funds has never been easier, freight forwarding, so competive and efficient, why wouldn't you?

I really don't think they can 'stop' people selling anything. Just remember selling weed is also illegal. I'd hate for the RipCurl police to come knockin on my door!

I like knowing/feeling I got a good deal when I purchase something. A good salesman can rip you off, but make you feel like the extra you paid was justifiable. The only purchases I don't bargain on are groceries and fuel! It's only a matter of time, just praying one day I get a quiet line and a young Grocery Accountant/Packaging Engineer at my local woolys!!!

bought my e-bomb last winter online from ebay and paid 290 deliverd to my door and have since picked up 3 new boards in that time from my local shaper.for me, id prefer to spend my money on suporting a shaper than paying for an over priced wetsuit (but a good wetsuit though).

I agree Ripcurl suck ass, but their suit is pretty good!

I have no doubt Ripcurl, place guidelines in place with all retailers with regards to international deliveries. All I am saying is they will never be able to stop international deliveries, these guys selling on line aren't trying to hide it to start with. If ripcurl were scouring the net, a quick google search will find them. Even if the shops technically did not deliver internationally, there are freight forwarders in the US and the UK who can take local delivery before dispatching internationally. Then there are those with friends and family. At the end of the day there are a lot more suits than just Ripcurl. Just too many loop holes mate, I agree Ripcurl will try and enforce this on US retailers, but all I am saying is unless they stop supplying some stores, I can't see them completely putting an end to this.

Ripcurl are making a killing even if they had no retailers in Oz mate, we're small fish. You'll find majority of their revenue comes from low ticket items, stuff you buy at 'Trendy' Shopping Mall surf shops, low costs manufacturing with massive profit margins. i'm talking about clothing, merchandise, shoes, watches.

ffdisco2, sure there are deals out there and places that ship internationally. But if you name a specific deal and a specific shop, don't be surprised if Rip Curl flexes their muscle and shuts the deal down.

And if Rip Curl shuts down a particular retailer you can use freight forwarders, but that adds extra costs (sometimes significant) on top, which sucks.

Best way is to take it to PMs. What does it gain to put the info out there in public forums anyway? Any why would you argue against keeping deals quiet? I don't get it.

theWaterBoy said...

ffdisco2 said...
Until the government start applying import duties on personal imports under $1000. People will continue to search out bargains from international retailers. It's so easy now a days, transfering funds has never been easier, freight forwarding, so competive and efficient, why wouldn't you?

You really think this has anything to do with 5% import duty and 10% GST? Thats an absolute furphy - we are talking 50%!

You have taken this out of context mate. I was referring to the this tax exemption as being an incentive for people to import goods from overseas - strong dollar, cheaper RRP and reasonable freight cost. The Australian retail community want this 'loophole' shut to save their asses. THey're wondering why people would rather buy from overseas and save money?

When you are importing goods valued at $1000 that 15% is a decent saving on top of the RRP difference. I never implied this 15% is where the difference in Ripcurl's RRP comes from. In some international stores you fill find the tags actually list the RRP in several currencies, it's clear from their who's getting the wrong end of the stick. For some items the savings are that good that even paying the 15% doesn't matter, for example driveline parts for 4wds.

theWaterBoy said...

ffdisco2 said...
I really don't think they can 'stop' people selling anything. Just remember selling weed is also illegal. I'd hate for the RipCurl police to come knockin on my door!

Don't count on it - why do you thnk all surf shops in Australia sell for almost the same price?

Same price as what? Ripcurl's RRP? Of course they would, that's no different to any other commodity, the manufacturer set a retail price and the retailer makes a certain margin. I never argued this point. Their extortionate AU pricing is the reason I bought it overseas.

theWaterBoy said...
It goes something like, store opens goods, some goods go on backorder, store refuses to paid for undelivered backorder, Surf Brand puts store on stop credit!

Sorry mate I don't quite understand the point you are trying to get across?
Anyone who doesn't pay their accounts get put on stop credit? What does this have to do with buying a wetsuit from overseas?

I love Rip Curl wetties, but doesn't mean they can give me a pineapple up the a#$s

Completely agree with you there, that's why I didn't pay what they told me I should be paying here in Oz.

Seems like I've set myself up for a flaming here, don't quite understand why? Ripcurl might be planning to shut the internet down, so people can't freely 'google' cheap wetsuits.

I'll take your advice Legion and not post specific store details when disclosing bargains from now on. This should save ruffling a few feathers.

Enough on this then, I'll stick to reading the posts from now on.

I paid $260 shipped to my door for an E-bomb chest zip earlier this year. A few other people did too. Then Rip Curl contacted that shop and forbid them to ship internationally and a few other people missed out. The shop was apologetic but they had to ensure their supply stream. It wasn't the only shop where this happened.

I'm not pissed off that almost every shop in Australia sells at full RRP. Let them make their profit off people less informed to know where to find deals or happy to pay the full price. I'm pissed off that international shipping is shut down to protect the Australian margins.

So you reckon my $260 (ignoring shipping) suit cost the shop $130 wholesale? And shops pay $275 wholesale over here? Then Rip Curl Australia are making a tidy profit for the same suit from the same Chinese factory.



ffdisco2, no need to leave or go into lurk mode. I'm not flaming you, I'm flaming Rip Curl. Their policies/trade practices aren't your fault.

CMC said...

I'd like to Argue in defense of Rip Curl here.

Why is it extortionate for a Rip Curl suit to be a different price in Australia than any other country???

Is it not logical that there would be different costs to running a business here than other places? Wages, rents, etc etc. Australia is one of the most expensive countries on the planet for everything.

Billabong, Oneill etc are all the same price for their top end suits, it's just that Rip Curl are better suits and the ones you really want that there is a problem?

If you can find a way to get it cheaper from overseas that's great, do it and be happy but to think you are being ripped off here is a little misguided.

If a suit is $500 in an Aussie shop the retailer makes $250 of that. (Oh and how many shops have closed lately??) Wholesale $250 from the company. If a US shop is selling it for $350 Rip Curl sold it to them for $175. So Rip Curl charge an extra $75 here in Oz wholesale. Given freight, import costs, GST's, much higher wages for staff etc etc you'd find Rip Curl are far from ripping you off. Get over it.

Top post CMC, I believe in the wheel of fortune,keep the money here in OZ so others will spend it at your local and on and on it goes!

I hear you regarding the fashion surf stores with one is named after a beach in WA,nothing gets up my goat more than the young kids that try and sell you stuff they know nothing about,but over here there are still some quality stores owned and operated by surfers for surfers.

Any one want to start a Co-op? Stock things we need

Bulk wetsuits, wax, leashes, mud tyres, diff locker, coronas?

Not for profit! Just need some rich dude to bank role it...

claps at the above post so true,my fav' longboard store of 12 years closed two weeks ago
I have people ringing me daily asking if I can match online store prices.

No I cant I pay huge rent and wages not like the little home office set up who have a website and don't carry stock.