Why brokers?

noise · January 31, 2005

I think we have to all realise that the Australian broker does absolutely nothing important in the import process apart from make a phone call asking the Japan buyer to buy a car. The Japan buyer is the one doing everything, and when the car gets here it’s YOU, not the broker who does all the ground work to get your car on the road. Someone mentioned that it’s good to have someone local to blame? The thing is blaming the broker does nothing because he can’t do anything anyway. I have just found this out recently The broker will just blame other people while he spends your fee on a new ivory backscratcher lols

That said I can imagine the task of doing it yourself to be a little daunting first go. If I ever import a third car myself, I will avoid using a broker for sure. How hard can it be?

**funkymonkey** · January 31, 2005

Just out of curiousity, who was the broker you used? Because if all a broker did was make one phone call, I wouldn't be doing all the development work that I do.

noise · January 31, 2005

You can source cars by joining auction mailing lists, that as far as i know have nothing to do with Australian brokers.

What else is a broker going to do for you apart from give you a standard procedure email?

LegnumVR4 · January 31, 2005

Just out of curiousity, who was the broker you used? Because if all a broker did was make one phone call, I wouldn't be doing all the development work that I do.

Sounds like your company is one of the few then that actually do more, which IM sure is the reason your co. is successful. Generally, though the brokers dont, I know as I am a buyer and I work with dealers, but the brokers are usually just trying to make money for nothing.... I see so many of the cars I bid on with huge margins attached to them being advertised by brokers, these guys claim they are only making $1000 or whatever their fee is, but they are loading the price of the car as well, above and beyond the FOB price. Peace of mind, screw that, when you are paying a broker fee, plus a nice fat hidden margin as well....

V.

SteveL · January 31, 2005

OK ylwgtr2, DRIFTT, LegnumVR4, et al opportunity knocks:

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/sh...ead.php?t=62838

That guy is talking about using a broker, so why don't you jump in and save him $1000?? Seeing as its all so easy, shouldn't take up much of your time. Better yet, why not make it an SAU donation exercise (ie instead of him paying $1K to the broker, he donates $100 to SAU after you guys help him get the car).

Go for it......

ylwgtr2 · January 31, 2005

Steve.....The botom line is if the guy wants to do it himself and save himself the money.....its easy....If he knows where the car is....The info is in the above post's.....Do you think we are telling untruths???I sure didnt pay a broker for my car....or any of the ones i have sent from japan.....EKW also used to do qauratine/customs clearance paperwork handling not sure if they still do it and what there fees are....they used to be quite cheap....oh and if you need a customs agent marshal and clements are good....i can dig out some paperwork if people need

**Duncan** · January 31, 2005

well just my 1.6yen, I have only imported one car myself but I was happy with the process.

Anyway....my point is $1,100 is bugger all compared to all the other costs of buying a car.......

SteveL · January 31, 2005

Steve.....The botom line is if the guy wants to do it himself and save himself the money.....its easy....If he knows where the car is....The info is in the above post's.....Do you think we are telling untruths???I sure didnt pay a broker for my car....or any of the ones i have sent from japan.....EKW also used to do qauratine/customs clearance paperwork handling not sure if they still do it and what there fees are....they used to be quite cheap....oh and if you need a customs agent marshal and clements are good....i can dig out some paperwork if people need

Don't tell me....tell him, that's my point. Nowhere did I say you were lying, but what I am saying is that if you (and others) are going to continue to 'bag' brokers - who, in my view, provide a legitimate service - then you are going to have to provide viable alternative(s) AND considerable detail about those alternative(s).

Yes you've provided some websites and that's a start, but now you need to explain the process as a whole in a substantial way. At the end of the day, you have the experience and the contacts, but many don't (as that link I posted clearly showed) - so you have to cater for the lowest common denominator.

meggala · January 31, 2005

yeah afb went belly up last year not long after the rules changed.

why use a broker simple the ones who last have made the process very easy for some one who doesnt have the time or the inclination or the knowledge to import a car for well below the dealers price re

1 phone call LOL I wish. show me how

it might be easy for you yellow and vr and for other but some people need their hand held through the process so my job is holding their hand and guiding them through.

meggala

regan · January 31, 2005

[seeing as its all so easy, shouldn't take up much of your time. Go for it......

Step 1.Using a computer with internet access, type in "used Japanese vehicles"

Step 2.Locate a supplier that you feel comfortable to do business with many will have pics and descriptions of vehicles or I am sure you could order by spec(Check the SEVS list before making any purchase)

Step 3. when your supplier has found a suitable vehicle get him to Fax/e-mail you an invoice this will probably be in Japanese Yen, your local news paper will have the current exchange rates.

Step 4. Go to your local bank and send a T/T (telegraphic transfer for the amount shown on the invoice) this will cost you @$25.00 and the bank will convert the Yen amount to Aust dollars.

Step 5. This is the trickey bit, wait for the supplier to send you the B/L(Bill of ladeing ) maritime lingo for shipping documents, this will advise what vessel/port/ and ETA(Estimated time of arrival)

Step6. Pick up your local phone book and look under C for customs brokers or F for freight forwarders, within a very short time you should have the phone number of a business that will now fully explain and guide you through the duty and customs clearance side of vehicle importing....

I will not go into the details regarding compliancing as most brokers dont either!!!

Sorry nearly forgot Step7. Call all your mates "BUTT MONKEYS for wasting $1000 by using a "Cut and Paste merchant" spend the $1000 on a fronty instead!!!!!

Even Steve L should be able to manage this............

ylwgtr2 · January 31, 2005

thankyou regan...i really couldnt be stuffed typing all that!Use commonwealth banks for transfer as the rates is ALWAYS the best and if your sending a considerable amount of money it really does make a diffrence...i think the fee is $28...

ylwgtr2 · January 31, 2005

if anyone wants to do it show me you mean business and get the ball rolling and i will provide assistance free of charge....

ylwgtr2 · January 31, 2005

oh and regan maybe your being a bit harsh...i used to feel that way aswell but i am a little over it...And step 3.5 apply for an import aproval...you really need to get this in as soon as you receive an invoice

SteveL · January 31, 2005

Step 1.....

Try a little comprehension, as well as practice at quoting.

'nuff said

BTW, it's 'SteveL'

ylwgtr2 · January 31, 2005

comon steve.....he has pretty much summed it up...thats about all there is to it....If you like insert MY trading in step 1 and i think you will be right....you seem dubious but beleive it or not....thats pretty much the jist of it

noise · January 31, 2005

Man I wish I started this thread before I imported my second skyline and not after being to far through it

The truth is I never thought about what the broker actually did until I had problems and guess what he couldnt do anything because .. he doesnt actually do anything except make a pretty website.

I guess if i ever import again I will know how to save $1k+.

noise · January 31, 2005

p.s. I haven’t named my broker because I have imported two cars through them and the first was fairly painless, It’s only the second one pissing me off. So I am giving them a break and not publicly dissing them

January 31, 2005