Plenty of critical posts around, think you are reading too much into it - is common for new accounts to be limited, it’s discourse after all.
We don’t actually know the reasons. People are assuming it’s because the resellers wanted regional exclusivity, but those resellers are not new (aside from PBT). We have had to buy (some things) locally for a while, I mean Bambu is a company that couldn’t even account for their own printers size when they released it and intended to ship it from AU (this is all info they gave me in the pre-order mess). Their original intention was never to ship stuff from further away, it just ended up being the case because of the crappy logistics from AU.
I honestly suspect it’s a combo of GST/Tax (they should have been registered, but could never provide me a GST number) and logistics costs. Is fine if I’m proven wrong but knowing they struggled with the logistics and understanding of our GST rules right at the start…
The forum software flagged your post as spam because you and the original poster have the same IP address but are different users. This happens as the use of VPN’s is common place now. Nothing to be concerned about.
The other major concern I have about no direct shipping is parts availability, i just ordered a hardened extruder a week or so ago (should be delivered today) but having to go through a reseller for any replacement parts just makes me feel its going to be a long wait, and also even more expensive.
This is pretty frustrating. I just redeemed some gift cards yesterday for the global store. Now they’re useless. I also have nothing I can do with any points accrued. And why upload models to makerworld in future? There’s no longer a benefit to me.
Email was just sent out; below for those that didn’t get it (I’ve removed the link it included):
Dear Customers,
We regret to inform you that our official store will no longer provide direct shipping services to New Zealand. This decision was made due to the lack of a local warehouse in New Zealand, which results in higher shipping costs and longer delivery times when orders are shipped from our domestic warehouse.
To better serve our New Zealand customers, we have transitioned sales to authorized local distributors. These distributors are well-equipped to provide localized services, after-sales support, and convenient, region-specific solutions. Rest assured, we will collaborate closely with them to ensure competitive pricing and enhanced service quality.
Exclusive Access for Unused Gift Cards and Discount Codes
If you still have unused gift cards/discount codes, we’ve created exclusive access for you.
Step-by-Step guide for New Zealand Exclusive Access (link removed)
Redemption Deadline
Please make sure to redeem and use your gift cards/discount codes by February 28th, 2025. After this date, exclusive access will no longer be available.
Important Note
Gift cards and discount codes cannot be used for printer purchases. Please purchase other products, excluding printers.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. We appreciate your understanding and are actively working to expand our authorized partners in New Zealand to offer you even more choices in the future. For any questions, please reach out to customer support.
Sincerely,
MakerWorld Team
I have to say the “longer delivery times” amused me. My last order got delivered faster than an item shipped from the South Island and both shipped on the same day… sigh.
I guess now it’s a case of highlighting how much of a ride we are being taken for, and seeing if they stand by the “Rest assured, we will collaborate closely with them to ensure competitive pricing and enhanced service quality.” at all.
It’s just a matter of profitability. Even charging us$300 wasn’t enough of a deterrent for printers being purchased, and warranty service and returns were probably costing a fortune so they’ve arranged for pb tech to do the warranty and service and cutting us off for good. The question is, what happens with gift cards and makerworld points after Feb 28th?
The “bypass” used is quite interesting. Hopefully this doesn’t add weeks to processing times…
Yeah, direct conversion USD to NZD plus GST of list price prior (US$19.99) should mean it’s no more than about $41 and it’s not like they won’t be making margin if they sold it at the list price, they’ll be getting decent rates from Bambu no doubt. I also just outright can’t get some parts now, not to mention the needless spool versions irking me.
And realistically, how many of us were doing “single spool” orders, so we go from USD$12.99 way way up now. Sigh.
Pretty disappointing. They could quite easily have gotten their own warehouse in nz. I guess the only thing which which would still work would be the exclusive model’s points for Redeeming in cash? Or are they going to stop that too and say “shipping Too expensive”
Oh 100% agree with you, I moved here from the UK in 2013 and boy did I have to get used to shipping speeds (and costs!) fast
Back in 2022 when they dropped the X1 etc. they clearly “assumed” that NZ was exactly the same as AU and would be no issues with providing service here, which if you were on that first batch of orders you’d remember fondly (heh!) the lack of communication, shipping costs, delays etc.
I did suspect for a while they might be losing $ on selling to us from the Global store but that doesn’t make me any less irritated by it.
I tried to work out why Bambu and a few other companies/sellers suddenly pull out of NZ and provide insane price hikes.
First thing I noticed that NZ (import) prices seem totally outrageous.
Hawaii can be but in NZ even most common things, including over the counter meds are prices as if NZ is located on the moon.
Won’t bother you with the examples I tried but it seems there is price hikes anywhere from at least 25% all the way to charging well over 100% extra.
The worst I found was a common numbing spray, used for tattoos and such - $26AU if ordered in the UK, $19AU if ordered in the USA, $69 for AU but a whopping $114 for the exact same product in NZ…
I understand shipping costs, I understand the extra logistics and taxes in some cases but can any Kiwi here please chip to explain how these prices are made for NZ consumers?
All I know regular services like AU post can’t be used - for a 50x50x50 parcel with 15kg from Melbourne to Perth it is $148.
To go to Auckland instead AU Post charges $155.
Other companies offer much cheaper options, especially for volume customers like Bambu and the price difference between sending to AU or NZ is minimal.
NZ and China have a trade agreement allowing most things to get to NZ import duty free or at reduced fees, cheaper than for EU companies for example.
Just an assumption here but I am starting to thing NZ business are adding way more than what they should to the sale prices.
Having said that:
A relatively small market where a big company is DUMB enough to provide exclusive resellers is customer killer if the prices are not on par with direct orders.
It is also quite questionable in terms of consumer laws.
By making it impossible for Kiwies to order directly from Bambu we could or should day say that this unfair marketing tactics.
What I really fail to understand is the cowardly silence from Bambu on this matter - shameful…
It’s actually not terrible to import here by sea freight. Air, yes that’s terrible but sea freight is very economical really. We also don’t have insane tariffs, import duty etc. on this sort of stuff either. It’s purely greed from the in-country sellers.
Compare for example, Marvle3D being able to do 10 x Bambu refills for $269 but you wait a bit (100% they’ll be containing over by sea the bulk order once people have them in), inclusive of GST and shipping to your door. They’ll also be making margin on that to stay in biz. so we know Bambu are selling below these costs to them also…
PLA Refills
$26.90 per refill
(269/10)*.85=22.865 exc. GST
22.86 NZD to USD is approx. $12.79 (currently) which is basically on the money with the bulk discount rate that Bambu was offering ($12.99)
PLA with Spool
$32.90 per spool
(329/10)*.85=27.965 ext. GST
$27.97 NZD to USD is approx. $15.64 (currently) which is also basically the bulk price on the store ($15.99).
When comparing to Bambu’s store pricing I’ve compared without GST because Bambu wasn’t charging us GST (and probably should have been).
I’ll note I have no overarching fondness towards Marvle3D, but they are at least treating people fairly with the filament pricing (and a lot of people talk nice about them). PBTech ($40, no refills) and Mindkit’s ($34.99 currently, $47.50 normally for a refill!) on the other hand are trying to take us for a ride. The fact that Marvle3D is willing to do it at pricing like that with the expectation of delivery lead times is fair I think, but you’d expect the much larger company like PBTech to be able to at be level with that pricing, instead they just are creaming the margin.
I think this is kinda bonkers pricing tbh but maybe I’m missing something with Mindkits;
Anyway, I rambled a lot to say “we are getting taken advantage of”.
Maybe a dumb idea but…
If there is a good amount of printing people in NZ, couldn’t they get together in like a FB group ?
Everyone needs filament…
Wouldn’t it be possible to get together, make a list of the materials and colours everyone needs to place a BIG bulk order that comes by boat from overseas ?
Siddament here in AU isn’t bad in terms of quality and range but the difference for the shipping isn’t that big, so any country would do…
Sure, still needs someone to sort the last mile but that should be possible as well.
Just saying…
