Opinion sought on selling Nikon D300 in Sydney

[cocco]

Hi All. I'm new to DPS and I'd like some feedback. I'm preparing for a trip to Australia, and I'd like a new digital body, but should probably stick with just a few lens. I just listed a lens and flash on craigslist nyc and got 10 responses in <24hrs. Everything sold quickly, for cash.

This gave me the idea to buy a new lens and body, a D300 and lens, and sell the D300 in Sydney at the end of my trip. Camera equipment is much cheaper in New York than most other places, so I could probably sell it for what I get it for. I'm just wondering if this will be as easy to do in Sydney (online) as it is in NYC.

Thanks so much! ~Cocco

[OsmosisStudios]

Why would you sell it? it'd be the only gear you have left...?

[Free]

Mate, the way your dollar is at the moment you might want to think about waiting until you get her to buy anything

Seriously though, it depends on what you're getting it for, I can get a new D300S for AU$2700 here straight retail, I'm pretty good at getting a good price, so if I was really in the market I could screw that down a bit more or get some goodies thrown in the deal.

So you'd have to account for exchange and see how you go, I personally wouldn't want to try while on holidays though, bit of a bugger running around a city you don't know meeting potential buyers.

[Woody]

You can buy on Ebay in Australia for $Au2200.00 and with the dollar at $0.93 its almost on par.
Its the same freight to Australia from Japan as it is to US, so I agree, you may as well buy it here. Gerry Harvey needs your money.

Make sure you have a great time in Aus. Let us know where you're travelling and we should be able to give some good gen on where to get some great photo opportunities.

Cheers,

John W

[CaptainNH]

I know you're suggesting buying in NY before you travel, but I agree with John, you should be able to pick one up here for an equivalent amount as you'd pay in the US.

If you then take it out of the country (and have a proper tax receipt for it - which means buying retail not privately) - under the Tourist Refund Scheme - you're able to get the tax (1/11th - ie about $200) back as you leave Sydney.

If you factor this into your calcs - you might find it better to buy here in Australia, and sell when you're back in the US?

[cocco]

Thanks, All. I'd sell because I do have a camera body that's a bit dated, and this would let me upgrade for the trip.

Re: the strong oz dollar, it then makes more sense to buy in the US and sell for a strong aussie dollar, than to buy a more expensive camera with a weak us dollar, no? I don't pay tax if I order it on the internet or buy from a friend. I think you guys are trying to boost the aussie economy . My word, a lonely planet book, allegedly an aussie product, is $20 here and $50 there!

A new D300s is $1750 here (USA, not grey market), which is $1887AUD. A friend of mine, who buys cameras like kleenex, has upgraded and will sell me his barely used body for $1250USD ($1157 aus), a pretty good deal. Lest he sell it to someone else while I decide. & I am very good to cameras. I'm the type that prefers to read a paperback w/o cracking the cover.

My partner is from Perth and Sydney (has lived in both), so I'm not a total stranger there. I have a native guide.

We are driving from Perth along the south coast to M River, Esperance, Adelaide, Melb, Sydney, so great places to shoot are appreciated.

Just checked craigslist nyc and there are 2 D300's selling for $1200.

Oh dear, the aussie dollar has fallen int he time it's taken me to write this.

Ta,
Cocco

[sk66]

Personally, I would buy for myself and not resell...
IME you could sell for "more" in AUS, mostly due to the import taxes, but it's not worth the hassles...How much time are you going to spend trying to sell the camera? Additionally, a D300body and "a couple lenses" may not be the best fit for what you want to photograph, but I have no idea.... IME, A DSLR and a couple lenses generally falls short in man circumstances...That's the problem with this hoby..it takes a lot of equipment and a lot of money to cover the bases.....That said, a D300 with a 10-20mm, 18-200mm and a 50-500mm will cover most situations with few (low light) compromises.