I'm in New Zealand. I'm after some cheap 1200's ... don't want to dish out big bucks for new ones. I'm hoping to spend about $1200 ($nz) for 2 technics 1200's. I'm not sure if any of you know any good Australian retailers or any suggestions on where I could get a bargain. In NZ 1200's are going new for $1300/1400 each.

Also if I do buy 2nd hand (which I most probably will), what should I look out for when checking them out? I've been told I should take someone along with me to check them out... but if I can't what are some things I should look for... what goes on a set of 1200's over time?

thanks kindly

- J

Maybe I should go "International", there certainly seems to be a shortage of DJ Equipment outlets in NZ - especially reasonably priced ones!.

I can't find any listing of Authorised Technics retailers in NZ in my "bible" or around the 'net, and the RRP of new turntables over there is enough to keep you in shock for a week.

All I can suggest is that you check out any dealer listings or classifieds in a Magazine called NZ Musician Magazine

I dont know if the later models have changed, but the Technics SL1200/1210 MKII's (love that centre click), had a 120/240 volt switch on them.

This means that you could also consider getting a pair whilst abroad.

I dont know what import taxes you would face, mind you. And also, your warranty might be void. But then, Technics dont normally have that many issues that need the warranty (except the total lack of thought that made the audio leads captive )

If you bring back Electrical Goods in person as part of a holiday - i.e bring them back as part of your luggage allowance then you don't need to pay any import tax or duty on them. However if you were to buy them from another country from a shop or ebay then you would risk a "fine" - which is usually your local VAT / TAX / SALES TAX rate. For instance if you bought in the UK from the US, you are likely to still have to pay the local VAT rate of 17.5%. Some people get around this by asking the vendor to supply it as a "Manufacturers Sample" or as a "Gift" although this is technically illegal and you would take a risk. By doing this you are also reducing the amount of insurance that the carrier is liable to pay if the package went "Walkabout"

There is nothing wrong with taking a holiday to anothe country and buying a pair, packing them, and carrying them back on the plane - although 2x Technics would count for a lot of your luggage allowance!. In fact looking at the freight charges from the UK to NZ by sea (The cheapest method) I would say that it would be cheaper for you to fly to the U.S, buy them, and fly back!.