z-240

Fair enough, but it is not about profit for a work shop or just one vehicle to a customer- it is about sustainability of a system, with the work required actually being done! Not mentioned in the thread has been the enormous costs associated with each vehicle approval a RAW adds to its compliance schedule (and the time). We require volume to cover the out lays before profit can even be thought of. This is rarely met by any shop. On a side note I have arranged sea freight from Brisbane to Fremantle @ $900 ro/ro.

Guys - My two cents worth, I have been complying Japanese imports since 1997 in now two different Government systems. Like the first system the RAWS system has headed in exactly the same direction. Which it was introduced not to do. There is cut price compliance, no standards across all workshops & the industry is struggling to survive. I do not win business over the phone as every one who calls wants the best deal. I do the job correctly & do it well. I also itemise to clients the work carried out, which all are supposed to do. I have the attitude that it is worth doing correctly or not at all. The RAW is deemed to be the manufacturer of the vehicle once imported & responsible for it to meet ADR's & our approved evidence. We are responsible for ADR recall/changes for the next 10 years if they arise at our own expense. This happened with Soarer seat belts a few years back. Lets remember this is a specialist & enthusiasts scheme not a used car alternative. Some thing different that you can not buy here to sum it up. This option will disappear if shops like mine & others that do it right can not financially survive. The costs to be government licensed & ISO certified plus ongoing equipment requirements with calibration, (ask the shop if theirs are up to date) while giving compliance away at next to nothing is not smart economics. Would you work for nothing or going broke in your own business? I believe a lot of people think compliance shops are a Gold Mine in essence they are not, but we carry alot of responsibility to the end consumer, given we do our job correctly. With out compliance shops you can not bring in your import - food for thought. This is just a brief over view there is so much more. In conclusion it is up to the consumer to vote with your decision to use reputable RAWS shops (there are many)- we are like you trying to do the best we can. Craig

Thank you Kristian - Yes a 2005 6 speed is exceptional value under $35,000. I have not counted too many in Australia. As Sydney is not far away I will cover the freight as well or the air fares up to Brissy, what a drive home if you have the time! If we are comparing Auto's I have a rare red example which Chris has Ipod feature upgrade done for under $29K it has only 21,750 kms & I purchased it in person in Japan. Remember we are the RAW workshop also 12+ years of Japan Imports. Check our website Cheers Craig

Hi there Simon, We have a vehicle that meets just about everything that you will wish for. A Premium 2005 model 6 speed manual 43,000 kms, 4.5 original grade in Japan (one owner) 19 inch alloys , new tyres + all the gear, it is here, just complied last month & asking $34,990 (I can get it to Sydney no dramas). Great value for a 2005, we are the purchaser,the importer,the compliancer (RAWS). Any way just helping put things together for us both, I do not normally post for sales but I matched your request with an exceptional value vehicle. Please email me at CarMen Import Centre or check our website for pictures. Cheers Craig

Steven, I have had several people contact me over your posts & they have all encouraged me to post a reply. I am publicly airing my response as you have aired your strong opinion about me. We are a long term Compliance shop & as you all know or should by now, we have to deal with the tedious and rigid Federal Government requirements for our beloved imports. I regret that you took my comments in the light that you have. Please understand though, your phone call to me on the Thursday to tell me that your car was ready as you had seen it on the Government website, ticked me off a little too much. After many long-hour days and prioritising the compliance of your vehicle, we were very close to completion. As with every job, there is a process we were following - and at the time of your phone call your plate was already on order. It was not well received at that point for you to question why we weren't doing our job, asking why you couldn't have your car when your investigations had shown that it was approved. Prior to this point we had explained the final stages of waiting for the plate to release. We do our job as efficiently and effectively as possible, and the more interruptions to our day with time consuming phone calls and emails; the less likely we are to work at a maximum capacity. Carmen was only responsible for your vehicle once it arrived with us - a total of 19 working days, not 2 months that you mentioned in your first post. Yes I do get upset, yes I sometimes say things in haste, yes - I work in a stressful industry. I did give my apology in the same call you made to me. I did explain again the processes & the fact we cannot give definite ETA's. Please put yourself in our position for a moment. We have worked long and hard to build an impeccable reputation in the industry. We never suggested for one moment that you were not polite and yes, you try to be nice to people. What you failed to mention in your post was that in addition to the phone calls, there were numerous positive emails, and a touchy feely experience for the majority of the time, including when you called into the workshop on arrival of your car - so overall, the treatment you had as a customer was exceptional - hindered by you telling us how to do our job after you had visited the Government website. Your price was quoted up front for compliance and this was adhered too. Any additional work carried out was to improve the vehicle or to enable it to pass its Australian requirements. We are a business & yes we do seek a return for our investment in this industry & we believe it to be fair & equitable to all. I do read the forums & I have seen some very positive comments and some not so positive, but there is always two sides to every story. Over our 12 years I believe we have provided another competent alternative in the Import Industry. It is our hope that you would stop airing your thoughts on a public forum, so that we can continue to get on with providing exceptionally fast, efficient and thorough compliance to all our other happy customers. Craig & the Team at Carmen Import Centre

I guess when you purchase a performance Skyline for cheap that has had the life sucked out of it, its going to be the Australian workshop fault not yours for buying a well used third or fouth hand GTR with issues and worn out parts and then expect a compliance shop to warrant it fit for road use and allow it on the road. Seams real fair? I understand most shops have to wait for seat belts as they make them to order. Your choice cut corners and do it on the cheap or get it done right?