I'd certainly give importing a try, if I were you. I'm in Canada, face a similar--though not quite as bad-- price differential situation on things photographic Oly, and have, over the years, I've bought select other from as far away as Japan, Britain, Germany, and yes, Austrailia (JAL Digital, whose service was fantastic!) because I they were difficult or impossible to get here. I've seldom had a problem, though I did find that high volume operations focussed on merchandising rather than the hobby, sport or occupation they cater to--like Adorama-- can be unpleasant, even if you get what you want
On things Oly, I haven't bought from Cameta, but have from ePhotocraft, 17th Street, B&H, Adorama (I'd rate them in that order, in terms of combined value, reliability and service and have almost bought from and been happy with my experinece with Cameta, KEH and Arlington Camera.
Cameta sounds like a good bet because they seem to be an experienced exporter (Camera Store centered operations with good internet/MO servicese like ePhotocraft and Arlington Camera are that are top notch, and can organize shipments to Canada, but would likely have problems with overseas" you'd need to wire money, etc.) US exporters have become rather difficult with international credit cards ever since 9/11, so you may have to fax a copy of the card and your signature. Based on experience, I prefer to give credit card information by telephone, followed by a personailzed fax, if absolutely necessary, over sending such information by computer.
I aslo prefer insured, trackable postal service over most courier services, both to save money and because courier delivery can be a hassle (you have to be there to receive it, or pick it up at an inconvenient location within a few days of arrival, while the post office will simply hold the item for you, often at a much more convenient location.) UPS, especially are also notorious for gouging ridiculous "brokerage" charges, even in cases where little or no documentation is involved. Fedex and DHL are better in this regard. Also, if the item is worth more than a cetain amount (in Canada, $500...don't know about Australia) you may need to make up a "Commercial Invoice". Not really hard to do, but a hassle if not attended to beforehand.
You will, of course, have to pay any applicable duties, which will likely be based on the "class of product" (be careful here: whether it is "and optical device", "an image making device" or "consumer electronics" and whether it is for personal or commercial use can make a big difference here) and the "country of origin" (ditto: Japan, China or the US). In my experience in Canada, the US and Germany, many items are exempt, and the rate for many others is in the 5-15% range...but I don't know about Australia. Some retailers wise will do you the "favour" of declaring a lower value, but its wise to decline any such offer: you save a few dollars, but then can't insure the item for its full value, either for initial receipt or in case of return or service. (Some retailers havesurprised me this way--and so far I've been lucky).
Batteries and chargers should be no problem. The chargers that come with Olympus camera outfits are rated for any voltage from 100 and 250 volts of alternating current (AC) with a frequency of at least 50 and no more than 60 Hertz. (The current produced in any electrified country that I know of falls within these parameters.)
You would likely need to make arrangements with them re the Warranty, which, on Oly E products, is good for the U.S, and Canada. Getting warranty service shouldn't be a problem, if you're willing to ship it back. Export-savvy outfits oftenl either set up their own service arrangements or front for you with manufacturers. However, shipping back and forth will be expensive, and the re-export/re-import paperwork is also a hassle. So it an opened box or demonstrator item can actually be advantageous, because, while failures and defects are rare, they often occur on first, and most retailers are reluctant to open a new product to test it for you...
It's propably worth the trouble. In importing probably over a hundred items, and exporting a couple of dozen over three+ decades, I've seldom had a serious problem. It's really only worth the extra trouble if there's a saving of at least 15%-20%, and if you are easy-going enough to enjoy the occasional minor adventure. Most items have arrived on time, but I once had one take many weeks because it went from the US via England (apparently the postal codes looked the same...and they neglected to write CANADA). Then there was the private buy, floppy disk drive that the silly bugger simply fropped into a box wrapped in a single thicknss of newspapers....
If other Ausssies have successfully bought from Cameta, you should have no problem...just make absolutely sure they address it right and put a proper customs declaration on it!
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erichK
saskatoon, canada
P.S.
