Group Buy Feeler

[buckets]

Hey Guys,

With the change in the law regarding mobile phones in cars here in Victoria, I'm looking at getting myself a proclip mount.

One like this:http://www.dsldevelopments.com/brodi...en&Model=Jetta

I'm wondering if anybody else, might be looking into a 'proper' mount as defined by law. There are a few different types of mount and Brodit (the manufacturer) also make holders for the various handsets.

Golf/Jetta car mounts:http://www.dsldevelopments.com/brodi...ltsproclip.asp

I've sent off emails to a couple of suppliers in the UK (even after shipping cost it works out heaps cheaper to buy overseas than locally...go figure!) to find out what sort of discount is available for group buys and if the shipping would be any cheaper. Will post the results of return emails but in the meantime, anyone interested let me know.

Craig

[macad]

Good idea, my one was $180 which is pretty pricey but great quality. One thing that annoyed me is they wanted to resell the whole phone holder for my updated iPhone 4 rather than sell the arms that grip it, so I used some felt and it's perfect.

Anyway - good luck.

http://www.holdmyphone.com.au/

[morty]

yup count me in for a group buy. Those proclips look pretty svelte. I'm guessing many/most of us will also be needing an iphone holder (incl me) so what about a proclip+iphone holder bundle?

[morty]

wouldn't it be better to source from USA... given no VAT, cheaper freight and if enough people jump on board (unlikely) the free trade agreement also means no customs duties at this end regardless of bundle value (so long as the holder is made in the USA)?

[buckets]

Originally Posted by morty

wouldn't it be better to source from USA... given no VAT, cheaper freight and if enough people jump on board (unlikely) the free trade agreement also means no customs duties at this end regardless of bundle value (so long as the holder is made in the USA)?

The problem with sourcing from the States is the LHD vs RHD argument (based on model numbers). As these clips seem to be made by a company called Brodit who appear to be based in Sweden, could be a moot point about duty anyway. From memory we have to get a package worth over a grand to get stung don't we?

These are the guys who do these from the States (and prices are close enough to the same anyway): http://www.proclipusa.com/

[morty]

ah thanks. I think the UK one looks (a) better quality; (b) better designed; and (c) more user-friendly if you use a cigarette lighter charger (like I do). The three mounting positions for the USA one either leave the charging cord in front of my head unit touchscreen, or position the iphone too far away for any control. So I guess I vote for the UK one!

[buckets]

They all come from the same place Morty. It's just that they are mirror imaged to suit LHD/RHD. I personally prefer the lower mounting point over the others as I too use the charger. Hopefully will hear back from these guys tomorrow night or Tuesday.

[morty]

hehehe so aint I the sucker! Funny thing is they looked pretty different!

Anyway, gotta go and try on this new robe some emperor dude just sold me. :)

[Big Yellow]

hahahaha wtf cam? robe??

craig put me down for a clip/iphone holder bundle!

[buckets]

Originally Posted by Big Yellow

craig put me down for a clip/iphone holder bundle!

Can order whatever parts you guys want, just need the part numbers (for the mount and the specific holder) and we can place the order when we're ready.

Well, got a reply from one of the emails I've sent. As follows:

"Hi Craig,

Thanks for your email; ok, we could do something for sure, we have in the past offered a 10% discount when products are bulk purchased, usually minimum order qty is x20 per line,

If you need anything else do drop me a reply,

Thanks again Craig

Dave"

So it looks like we need to get let's see....seventeen more takers to get a 10% discount........hmmmm. I'll send this guy another mail asking about combined postage and then leave this open for say a week. After that, we'll get a total price for the orders we've got, gather the $$ and place the order.

Stay posted.

[morty]

yea the combined postage alone makes this worthwhile.

Weird thing is that the mounting position shown in the photos for linked Jetta mount doesn't appear as an option when you search for a Golf Mk5 mount, despite the Golf having exactly the same mounting position available. I'm assuming that Jetta mount (part #633690) is fine for a Golf, 'cause that's where I want to mount it.

And then I've got a belkin charger, not a Griffin, but has the same dimension plug as the griffin, so I'm going to assume #514103 iphone holder is ok with that.

Then again, maybe I'll just email them and check the above :)

[buckets]

Bump......

Will be looking at placing the order later this week (most likely on Friday night as I'm on nightshift). Those who want to a mount or mount/holder bundle, send me the part number(s) and I'll send the order off.

Remember, need part numbers by Friday midnight otherwise you've missed the boat.

[morty]

buckets - where are you ordering it from? Probably best to link them here because the UK site listed above was down this eve and I suspect the part numbers may not be the same for each retailer.... need to double check the numbers I sent you...

[buckets]

Yeah, dsldevelopments is who I've been talking to. Don't know what is wrong with the site but will try to email David and see what's happening. Have just checked your numbers Cam. Do you want the mount that goes on the passenger side of the centre console? Have a look at this link and tell me if your console looks the same as mine. Don't know why but the console out here seems to be the same as the Jetta, unlike Europe.

Also which holder are you after? I'm assuming from our convrsations it's a passive one but there are a couple for the iPhone 3G/3GS. This style and this style. The second style comes in both padded and unpadded.

[morty]

righteo... working off the brodit site and your links....

1. Mount: yup, that's the mount I'm after;

2. Holder: not the first link. Don't need the ability to turn it 90 degrees as I have in-dash GPS. It's the second link- type of holder I'm after, but one that has the standard charging cable pass-through. From the brodit website it's model no.915246, here's the link:

http://www.brodit.com/images/915246.jpg

Thanks again!

[aussiegti]

Originally Posted by buckets

Can order whatever parts you guys want, just need the part numbers (for the mount and the specific holder) and we can place the order when we're ready.

Well, got a reply from one of the emails I've sent. As follows:

"Hi Craig,

Thanks for your email; ok, we could do something for sure, we have in the past offered a 10% discount when products are bulk purchased, usually minimum order qty is x20 per line,

If you need anything else do drop me a reply,

Thanks again Craig

Dave"

So it looks like we need to get let's see....seventeen more takers to get a 10% discount........hmmmm. I'll send this guy another mail asking about combined postage and then leave this open for say a week. After that, we'll get a total price for the orders we've got, gather the $$ and place the order.

Stay posted.

FWIW, if you're still sourcing it from this UK company, then you should ask them to waive the 17.5% VAT. Similar to Australia's GST, there is no VAT charged on exports (sales to non-residents), but it's not a "given". Most businesses are often too lazy to fill in the extra paper work or tweak their systems to not charge it. But they will oblige if they know what you're talking about.

Having said that ... make sure you mention it after they've given you a quote for shipping and after locking in the promised 10% discount. Otherwise you may see the lost VAT made up in the postage cost.

[buckets]

Originally Posted by aussiegti

FWIW, if you're still sourcing it from this UK company, then you should ask them to waive the 17.5% VAT. Similar to Australia's GST, there is no VAT charged on exports (sales to non-residents), but it's not a "given". Most businesses are often too lazy to fill in the extra paper work or tweak their systems to not charge it. But they will oblige if they know what you're talking about.

Having said that ... make sure you mention it after they've given you a quote for shipping and after locking in the promised 10% discount. Otherwise you may see the lost VAT made up in the postage cost.

Thanks for the heads up, was about to place the order. Will email and ask for the waiving of said VAT.

[buckets]

Trigger has been pulled. To those who missed out, sorry. My experience so far with dsldevelopments has been positive so I'm not expecting any dramas. Will confirm this when the deal is complete.

**EDIT**: thanks again aussiegti, you saved us paying the VAT unnecessarily

[aussiegti]

Originally Posted by buckets

**EDIT**: thanks again aussiegti, you saved us paying the VAT unnecessarily

No worries mate!

Theoretically, the VAT exemption is a very good discount! However shipping charges from the UK are ridiculous (even when compared to US).

But usually you'll come out in front for small light weight items.


I occasionally pick up genuine VW parts from the UK, when the GBP goes down the toilet.

With that mind, if anyone else is interested this VW dealership has an online store and will ship to Australia: http://www.shop4volkswagen.co.uk/

Again VAT free, if you ask!

[morty]

Thanks for organising all this - this is a seriously good quality piece of equipment!!! Glad I jumped on board for this.

Brodit = highly recommended to others. Money very well spent.