Just curious, has anyone bought any parts from mini spares online and had it shipped to australia?

How long does it take?

Do you get charged import duties etc?

It appears to be cheaper but is it really is what I am trying to ask.

Regards
Smarty

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68 Mini
70 Moke

well im thinking of importing a carby that i want so ill let u know if it happens

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

it looks rather cheap... but if you're buying anything of considerable size or weight, then the shipping is 'spensive...

Received a quote on shipping and it is still a few hundred bucks cheaper than here?

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68 Mini
70 Moke

then gofrit..

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they have some stuff u cant get here

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Current Ride : Toyota Trueno AE86

mini parts for sale http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42247

Done it a couple of times. If the parts are in stock then cool. I waited 4 months for my quick rack. Mini Spares Centre UK kept saying they weren't in stock and couldn't tell me when they would be. I asked if it could be a year away and they said "possibly". That's when I said "who's your supplier? I'll give them a call and ask when they plan to deliver your next batch." They couldn't just call the supplier themselves. It is systematic of all customer service in the UK. They just don't give a crap. Finally, they delivered the thing to my place without so much a "sorry for butt reaming you".

If buying from USA beware shipping costs. Many places just use UPS and you end up paying crap LOADS!!! If they'll do alternate shippers or US Postal Service then go that route. If you get UPS you would be better off buying local.

About 10 to 14 days for most, keep it under 1000 dollars and customs leave you alone, I keep mine under 400 to be careful.

Think about size and weight, if they don't get you on one they will get you on another.
Insist on Royal Mail. Couriers are bloody expensive for no reason at all.

Some spares guys will quote you freight then and there at checkout, others won't. My experience is that they will then come back in a week with an email showing a freight cost of double the going rate.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I had heaps of issues with MiniSpares UK charging my card and posting stuff via UPS without me authorising the shipping quote and despite me asking specificaly for post. (Thay have done the same thing to quite a few people back then apparently as they were changing ordering systems and weren't coping). So I had a big yell at them a couple of times and got them to refund the shipping. But then wouldnt deal with them for a couple of years.

Recently their systems seem to have improved significantly. The still dont answer emails but the shipping has gone down in price and they can quote you an exact cost on checkout. UPS delivered my parcel in 3 days and thankfuly thay now leave them at Caltex servos so you dont have to deal with UPS and their "be home all day as we will come around, but cant tell you what time and often not even what day" delivery policy. Though do make sure you find out exactly what servo as they gave me 3 wrong ones till I probed them for the correct one (I've got a few next to my place).

Oh and customs now have new, more lenient policies towards parcels with couriers so up to $1000 should be ok (checkout the customs website - importing rules).

If you look on customs website it will give you the limits on what you can spend before import duty, it depends on who does the freight. If you use a postal service (royal mail out of the UK, USPS out of the US) I think the limit is $1500AUS, for couriers about a third of that but don't quote me on exact amounts.

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Noli Illegitimi Carborundum

Over here there is a growing feeling of mis-trust in Minispares. If you are going to buy ANYTHING on line do it through Minisport www.minisport.com , great service and top quality stuff! Or www.dsnclassics.co.uk, www.ocoop.co.uk, Or we have a network of peeps in the know through our club network on www.minidirectory.co.uk. You can do a lot worse than joining the forum on there and get to know a few of us, we are always willing to get stuff shipped to us and forward it on to you guys (works out cheaper)

Nige

depends on what parts you want I bought a few thing aesthetically for my LS and it took on average 3-6 days and once ordered friday night arrived Monday morning. But I'd imagine for engine parts and alike it'd take up to 2 weeks.

Huh. I've used MSpares a lot and never had a single issue. Price always as stated and very very fast. Minispeed customer service SUCKS. I'll probably regret saying that because I'm partway through an order....

I totally agree Mspares is the best for delivery being quick. Like I jsut mention friday night (9 or 10 pm) then arrived at my place at 9:20 on Monday.

Okay so a bit of a mixed opinion.....


Where would you guys buy suspension components from?

ie shocks, hi los etc, from aus or the uk?

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68 Mini
70 Moke