Purchase VersaLaser in Australia or USA?

[unstable]

Hi Everyone,

I am a new member and would really like some advice.

I am looking at purchasing a Versalaser vls3.50 with 50/w from our Australian supplier but the cost is $24,995 + tax, I contacted a supplier in USA and they can do the same machine delivered to Australia for $15,995 + Import Duties & Taxes(cant imagine this to be more than $3,000).
The question I ask is if both machines are configured at the factory for Australian Power requirements, would I be better in purchasing the machine & importing it from the USA or are there warranty issues i'm not aware of.

Any advice would be great


Regards,
Ryan

[Eclipze]

WOW... $25k + gst for a 50W laser with a working area of 406mm x 305mm.
Have you considered ones from China? No warranty expectation, however if it's for a business, sometimes being able/willing to repair yourself is a higher priority. More difficult to fix yourself if you have a warranty on an expensive machine.

[axeman]

Hi Ryan,

It is important to note that Versalaser has no international service agreements, so if you have an issue, the laser will have to go back to where you got it from. Also consider the extra amount you pay to buy it locally as insurance. The Aussie dealer is not trying to rip you off. It is to cover the cost of their inferstructure to support and service your machine (ie training, phone support, stocking of spareparts etc). I know that LST stocks a comprehensive range of parts for their machines, including service tubes, which they loan to ther customs during the 6-8 week turn around time to get replacements.

Local support means minimal downtime, and for a business that is crucial.

Cheers,

Axeman

[benz001]

Just my experience, we bought one locally, they pre-tested the unit at their workshop, came and installed it, tested it with us and helped us over a couple of days to tweak the settings extensively. Basically we were up and producing on day one and producing really well after day 2.

6 months later we had a problem with the laser tube, they came over that afternoon with a spare and the total downtime was less than a day. We held on to the spare for about 6 weeks until the replacement arrived from the US and they could swap it back - didn't cost us anything in parts or labour and we only lost a day's production.

At the same time 2 people I know bought larger units from China, one is still sitting on a pallet a year later and the other never worked properly and got sold off after about 6 months!

If I did it again I'd either buy 2 units from China, fully expecting to use one for spare parts or buy the same Versalaser from my local supplier.

Either way the cost would be basically the same but my stress levels are a lot lower going local!