Whistler vs. Sydney PRICING
Hey guys!
So im heading over to Vancouver & Whistler just after christmas for a few months and was wondering if i should buy board / bindings over there or buy here before i head over.
This is going to be my first board, so instead of posting an annoying “which board shall i get” thread i’ve already read previous threads and i’ve got a good idea of what i want.
Boardwise - Lib-tech Skate Banana / Arbor Westmark
Bindings - Flux DS30’s / Union Contact Pro
Buy yeah anyone with some insight on pricing over there or anyone able to name some specific stores to check whilst there would be sweet! :D
Cheers
I’m in Whistler at the moment, I can tell you your best bet by far and away is to get it on the way through to Whistler in Vancouver. I saved about $400 AUS just by buying it there, let alone the sales that are going on previous years gear. There is six shops on the corner of 4th and Burrard in Vancouver, they’ll have everything you need. However two of them (the more expensive shops) do have shops in Whistler, though I wouldn’t wait till here.
Edit: I dun engrish gud.
Thanks korver! That’s a massive help, because looking at the Vancouver websites the price was about the same, but i wasn’t too sure if there were cheap shops that just don’t have websites.
Cheers!
Welcome to Boardworld, blackbanana. 
Korver, what gear did you buy? 2011 or 2012? What discount did they give you? I’m just curious.
Anyway, I’ll give the other side of the argument. By Christmas time, most of the better gear on sale would have been sold, leaving your options for sale gear limited. There will be a nice selection of 2012 gear, however this will be at a premium price (you might be able to get up to 20% off).
The RRP prices in Canada and Australia are almost on par to begin with. Buying in Australia has it’s advantages. There’s a lot of good boards on sale at the moment (30% to 50% off), some of it the same 2012 gear which will be selling as current model stock in Canada. Plus you will get an additional 9.09% tax back at the airport (duty free). So, there’s a lot of money to save if you plan accordingly.
I guess it also means you won’t have to waste time and stress about buying a board when you get over there.
Also, make sure you pop into this thread: https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/3476/
See you over there! Let me know if you have any questions.
An example:
I just spoke to STM (Bondi Junction). They have a 2012 Arbor Westmark (156 or 159) on sale at 30% off. RRP $750 comes down to $525. I told them you were from Boardworld so they took off another $35. Comes down to $490, plus you will receive an addition $45 tax back at the airport. So yeah, you can get the 2012 model in Australia for $455 - that’s a really good price on a 2012 board. Add $20 shipping to anywhere in Australia if you can’t pick it up.
Prices are pretty similar between here and canada, the high taxes in BC might have you paying even more than what you will pay here.
I wonder though if you buy here and ride there how the warranty works if something goes wrong which is unlikely? If you do it the opposite way no one here will honor a warranty here usually.
The only other cost to factor in is the 2nd bag on the airlines, i think qantas still let you heave 2, but most of the others will slug you a extra $60 - $100 for the second bag each direction.
what about the usa, is it cheaper there. It seems that way with websites like (edited)?
Wow thanks a lot rider thats a pretty sweet deal.
Also whats the time period in which you are able to get that 9% back duty free? ‘cause if i was to buy it now, can i still get the $45 back all the way in late december?
I’m flying with Canadian Air i believe and i was thinking instead of paying for an additional bag (for the snowboard) i’m just going to take the snowboard bag and a carry on. Chuck all my clothes in my carry on, whatever doesn’t fit can go into the board bag :D
Korver, what gear did you buy? 2011 or 2012? What discount did they give you? I’m just curious.
Ride DH2 155 (2011) - RRP of $509, Sale to $409, Talked to the guy fora bit and he knocked it down to $350
Rome Jackson (2012) - RRP of $250
Ride Boss 390 (2012) - RRP of $250. Bought the Boots/Bindings at the same store, asked for a discount with it, knocked 50 off each.
Ripzone 2011 Jacket - 40% off so it was 170 instead of 280.
Ripzone 2012 Pants - 15% off so they were 180 i think.
there’s a picture of it all in the stoke thread 
The purchase needs to be made within 30 days of travelling. There are ways around that, i.e. putting the gear on layby. You secure your gear at the price, and pay the final payment within the 30 days.
redjames… Arbor, Lib Tech, Union, and many other brands can’t be shipped internationally from the USA. And for good reason.
Support Australian stores.
Korver, what gear did you buy? 2011 or 2012? What discount did they give you? I’m just curious.
Ride DH2 155 (2011) - RRP of $509, Sale to $409, Talked to the guy fora bit and he knocked it down to $350
Rome Jackson (2012) - RRP of $250
Ride Boss 390 (2012) - RRP of $250. Bought the Boots/Bindings at the same store, asked for a discount with it, knocked 50 off each.
Ripzone 2011 Jacket - 40% off so it was 170 instead of 280.
Ripzone 2012 Pants - 15% off so they were 180 i think.there’s a picture of it all in the stoke thread
Nice one, I’ll check it out now.
The purchase needs to be made within 30 days of travelling. There are ways around that, i.e. putting the gear on layby. You secure your gear at the price, and pay the final payment within the 30 days.
redjames… Arbor, Lib Tech, Union, and many other brands can’t be shipped internationally from the USA. And for good reason.
Support Australian stores.
TRS scheme
If those goods are oversized, for example a case of wine, they must be sighted prior to check-in at the Customs Client Services counter.
ensure you check-in and pass customs with plenty of time to spare.
Claims at airports are available up to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.
anyway the details here
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4646.asp
Copy and paste from this thread: https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/256/
Tax back at the airport:
Every country is different in terms of proceedure for tax back, but the following applies to taking goods out of Australia…
Any purchase over $300 on a single receipt (you can have 10 items totalling $301, doesn’t matter as long at the receipt total is over $300) is elegible for tax back at the airport. Tax is calculated at 9.09% of the total amount. The receipt needs to be within 30 days prior to travel (you can even use the goods until you leave).
There is a lot of money to be saved if you are buying boards etc… It doesn’t matter if the board was purchased at half price, you still get your tax back.
This applies to ANY goods bought in Australia.
What you need:- A normal tax receipt with goods listed, totalling $300 or more on the one receipt. The date on the receipt must be 30 days or less to the date of departure. You need your name and address on the receipt.
- The goods.
- Your passport.
That’s it.
How to claim it:It is very easy and doesn’t take more than a few minutes.
- If the goods are small and being carried in your hand luggage (carry on), you go through security and immigration as normal. As you pass immigration just follow the signs to the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). It is usually right there on the way to your departure gate. Pop in, show the receipt and the goods, and they will credit the tax straight onto your credit card or into your bank account (if you want it into your bank account you need your account number and BSB handy).
- If the goods are large and in your checked luggage (boards, boots etc…), you need to have the good sighted by Customs prior to checking in your luggage. As you get to the airport, go straight to Customs Client Services and show them the goods and receipt. They do a very quick inspection to make sure you have the goods and they stamp the receipt that it’s been checked. Check your bags in as usual. As you pass immigration just follow the signs to the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). It is usually right there on the way to your departure gate. Pop in, show the receipt and they will credit the tax straight onto your credit card or into your bank account (if you want it into your bank account you need your account number and BSB handy).
Problems, and ways around it:Just say it’s end of season in Australia, there are good sales and you want to buy a sale board for overseas travel in a few months. You want to buy it now because sale boards are selling quickly. How do you purchase the board now and still get your tax back?
Easy… put your gear on layby. That way you have secured all your equipment at the sale price, you have a few months pay it all off, and you get your tax back. As long as the final payment is made within 30 days of travel, the final receipt will have the date of final payment, meaning you’re all good! This way as well, you can keep adding on little items to your layby and pay it all off at the final payment, so you get your tax back on everything.
I know it sounds complicated, but it’s not. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to do everything. If you have any questions just let me know.
The purchase needs to be made within 30 days of travelling. There are ways around that, i.e. putting the gear on layby. You secure your gear at the price, and pay the final payment within the 30 days.
redjames… Arbor, Lib Tech, Union, and many other brands can’t be shipped internationally from the USA. And for good reason.
Support Australian stores.
No dude I meant if he was stopping in the USA, but it seems he isnt . . .