That USD $500 is about right - I've been quoted more. The reason is that USPS (United States Postal Service) has size restrictions on packages they can send overseas. In that case, the seller would have to go with a more expensive courier.

Then there's the customs issue. Make sure you tell the seller NOT to include any eBay documentation inside the package. They will have to nominate a sales value on the package also. If you ask them to put a lower amount, you're in danger of not being able to claim the full amount on insurance.

If you put the right amount and it's above the customs threshold, be prepared to pay about 15% of the total amount to get it out - after you've lined up for a few hours of course. Ouch!!!

Martin

So all in all not worth it. I will aim for a f/f set and build it up when it gets here rather than take out a 2nd mortgage on my house

Thanks Martin for the info

Lewis,

What handlebars are on that Black diamond back?

I notice you have couple there!

nice collection lewis

New Aussie here. Names Warren, from Sydney raced from 1982 till 1988 full time and part time from then till 1992...then got hooked up with race cars. Now that adventures over I'm ridin my "modernized" '85 GHP again and restoring my '84 GHP along with an RL20II freestyle bike and about 5 x 1980-81 mongooses with friends. Didn't know all this even existed till about 3 months ago...was livin under a rock!

Hey GHP Aussie,

Good to see another Sydney sider here.

Keen to meet me and my old school buddy Bruce when I return to Sydney in May for a few days?

www.martin-bike.com

Martin

hey warren, i hope that when you modernise your GHP you stay with the proclass rims that you run on it. i'm amazed they have lasted this long and are still ridable.

craig

ps. i've got a NOS set of chrome GHP pads if your looking for some.

hey martin, i'd be less worried about the US$3000 in freight you have paid and more worried about the amount of time you must spend shopping!

craig

Hey Craig,

You're not wrong there . . . but all will be revealed over coming months on my new site. I have alot of projects people haven't seen and don't know about yet - supposed to be a surprise but just let the cat out of the bag.

Be sure to check back regularly - there will be alot of surprises on here . . .

www.martin-bike.com

Within the next week or so the home page will be finished. The graphic you see now will be perfected down to realistic chrome on the GT-like logo and surrounded by lots of old school action shots.

Wait till you see the builds . . . lots of unique and rare stuff in perfect or mint condition and historically accurate.

Stay tuned . . .

Martin

The bars are DB chromoly bars, on both the black and red DB also on the GT.

SHIPPING you cant beat getting the seller to pack the box themselves take down to the postoffice themselves get the actual price . That $500 price is way out probably because it was done online and notmany people know it but it is pumped up by a fuel surcharge and couriers
I had a complete skyway streetscene sent for US $179 the original price that the guy got on line was US $300. (economy air)
Welcome GHP Aussie.

Regarding Postage.

I've received 10+ Frames or Frame/forks from USA in the past 3 weeks.

Frames vary between $45-$60US (depends on weight of frame) and Frame/Forks vary between $60-$80US.
(The variations are between alloy/steel/mini/pro size frames etc)

Anything above $100 is way outta control, and you shouldn't be paying that ridiculous amount of money.

All my packages were 'frame boxes' (big'n'hefty), and delivered to me via USPS, arrival taking 3-5 days to arrive here in OZ.

If you're quoted in excess of $100US for AIRmail, then they're probably compensating for the low sale price of their frame.

Beware.
Mr.BMX

Same.

I get frame/forks airmailed here for around $60 - $80 US.

Takes 4-5 days.

Easy.

The NZ dollar is up to 75 cents US right now.

Makes things much easier.

GHP Aussie - what GHP stuff do you have?

You seen mine?

CUSTOMS INFO !!!

Anyone requiring assistance with Customs/duties in Australia may find this info handy.

I've had a few visits to the customs office to claim packages, it's not a pleasant way to spend a day, and i assure you, your first visit will be 3 hours MINIMUM, as you research thru the books and fill in the forms.
The staff there cannot guide you thru the form, you have to go it alone, and it's a C*NT of an excercise.
The staff are auditors, and can only correct your form upon completion.


Basically,
If your item has a value of $1000AUD or greater, you WILL be required to goto customs, fill in forms and pay at LEAST $250AUD to claim your package.

If your item value (plus postage) is greater than $500AUD (but NOT greater than $1000AUD) you will be summoned to your local post office, where you will still need to pay $100-$200 to collect.

IF you want to avoid these fees, make sure the TOTAL value of ITEM + POSTAGE is no more than $500AUD ($395US).......i'd keep it low at $350US to allow for foreign exchange variations.

Everything under $500AUD comes to you free of duties and tariff charges.

IF your item actually cost more than $350US+, you'd just need your seller to declare it lower, and hope you dont need to claim insurance. ;-)
Make sure there's no forms/invoices inside the box of the real price, because you'll get reamed bigtime !!!!

Anyone in Melbourne that needs to visit the customs office to claim a package, i offer my help, and can come along if we pick a day i'm free.....
As i said before it's a C*NT of an experience.

You can hire a customs-broker, for a fee of course....don't do it ;-)

Marty.

[ March 10, 2005, 05:59 PM: Message edited by: Mr.BMX ]

wow ,$3000- on shipping. Martin is it possible you have a bigger Australian BMX museum than Mr BMX???

I was quoted $475US (yes, US dollars) for shipping of a GT 24 complete to New Zealand, from California. Thats $633NZ! In the end, its being shipped here via a container shipment, that a friend of mine has coming here. It'll cost me probably $30NZ max. He said anytime I want something, I can get it put in one of his containers, which ship regularly. The shipping takes 3-4 weeks, which I can handle.

Hey welcome GHP Aussie - if you or any of your mates know the whereabout of a Quicksilver 26" i'm on the hunt! Hey Martin, let me know when you're back, and i'll try to make it down, but my band is touring throughout May, so i'll see!
Fatnold and Supermax Cromo - i think you guys have raced each other!
And yes, shipping sux.

Thanks for the legend adice "mrbmx" very useful as always. Even though it was too late for my old DX pedal!!! (im never going to get over it)

Anyway here my collection if anyone wants to see.
http://www.waza.net/bmx

Hey Aussie Floval,

No, I can't match over 100 bikes. That said, my builds are sick and yes, I spend ALOT of time hunting. I can't wait to put them up on my site but once you see my bikes, you'll understand what I mean by perfectionist. I won't sacrifice on quality - even if it does take longer to post. I'm going with professional photography all the way.

Hey Pete, would be great to catch up with you. I'll let you know my dates. Looks like I may be moving location again by year end.

www.martin-bike.com

Martin

wow 13 pages!!

and welcome ghp aussie,, and aussie floval i still gotta do the tuffs
cheers

OK who is coming on the 20th of march to the bike show???? and what bike are you taking??????

If its not really early then i'll go. Cant give away secrets on what im bringing, can I? What should i bring, Chris??

I'd go the Moose or 2/4 but it's up to you!!!!!!!!

Chris (prosight)

I'm taking a repco..........hehehehe

hmm i'll have to wait for the DVD, we dont have Jack over here

Hey Andy Diamond - i've got a set of bars here that i think are Star Bars, perhaps you knowing your GHP and related stuff might be able to identify ?