Mini split costs?

[Negen]

What do you guys pay for a mini split system? In Vietnam we pay 400$ Mitsubishi or 300$ for Fujitsu 10$(ten) dollars for complete install and delivery. I am shocked when I see the same systems cost over 1200$ in America is shipping really that costly for you guys? I normally ship through an air cargo to USA costs about 50$/100lbs depending on size and shape of box. My bed is about 200lbs and cost 700$ in shipping but my wife wanted it in about 4 days.

Back to mini splits. Is the cost USA high because of the coolant? In Vietnam we use r410. Are other regulations effecting the cost or is the high cost just due to labor? In Vietnam we order directly from Japan. I am mainly just curious about the cost. I see threads about mini splits pop up all the time and was just curious and surprised to finally start seeing these things used in the states.

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[walrus]

They get higher amounts here because they can. Any electrical or refrigeration codes in Viet Nam ?

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[raco232]

Sounds like you need to set up a side business.

 

[MrSurly]

Some exchange rate strangeness at work here?
Are you speaking USD?

(1 VND = 0.0000429714 USD)
400USD= 9.3 million Vietnamese Dong.

 

[yeldogt]

What do you guys pay for a mini split system? In Vietnam we pay 400$ Mitsubishi or 300$ for Fujitsu 10$(ten) dollars for complete install and delivery. I am shocked when I see the same systems cost over 1200$ in America is shipping really that costly for you guys? I normally ship through an air cargo to USA costs about 50$/100lbs depending on size and shape of box. My bed is about 200lbs and cost 700$ in shipping but my wife wanted it in about 4 days.

Back to mini splits. Is the cost USA high because of the coolant? In Vietnam we use r410. Are other regulations effecting the cost or is the high cost just due to labor? In Vietnam we order directly from Japan. I am mainly just curious about the cost. I see threads about mini splits pop up all the time and was just curious and surprised to finally start seeing these things used in the states.

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They charge because they can. First .. world problems. Look at pharmaceuticals -- USA pays for it all the rest of the world pays the marginal costs .. and we don;t even get the factories.

The systems are the same -- except the voltages. What's your installation procedure ..... In Africa -- they just connect them up and flip the switch.

 

[Negen]

Some exchange rate strangeness at work here?
Are you speaking USD?

(1 VND = 0.0000429714 USD)
400USD= 9.3 million Vietnamese Dong.

Yes speaking USD. USD or gold are the main forms of payment in Vietnam due anything over 100$ USD.

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[pgray007]

It’s a combination of market tolerance, legal/compliance costs, marketing, distribution, and R&D.

Unit burns down a house in Vietnam because the installer messed up and everyone probably says “Oh well.” Same happens in the US and there’s a $5M lawsuit. Furthermore the US has elaborate dealer networks, marketing, etc.

Not sure one is superior to the other, just different. I’d imagine an amazing rendition of a Vietnamese meal is also 1/100th of the cost of an inferior equivalent in the US.


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[Negen]

The only houses that are made of flammable materials in Vietnam are out in the farming area sometimes you can find wood in houses. Most houses are cinder blocks and concrete. But I see your point. I didn't know mini splits are flammable.

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[SALIV8]

Not just Vietnam, although those prices are amazing low. Im jealous.

Many second/third world countries have ridiculously low prices on many goods and even skilled labor.

I am in no way disrespecting Vietnam, just stating that prices are no where near the U.S.'s in many areas.

You can have a beautiful beach house built from the ground up for something like $40,000 USD in the Philippines.

Different countries and their economies can be worlds apart. Pun intended.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Most min-splits sold in the US are heat pumps and need to provide heat, many times down to as low as 0F ! Also, the US market demands high SEER. Both of these add to the cost.

 

[Negen]

Oh I see I will call my supply warehouse in Japan and compare model numbers to ones I can find in USA. I have seen once or twice a brand called lenox I believe are american brand made in China with Japanese controllers but I could be wrong as I have never worked with that brand.

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[eddieK]

They get higher amounts here because they can. Any electrical or refrigeration codes in Viet Nam ?

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Because they can?

Seriously? Wages, matching fees, insurance and regulations /code enforcement, protection from frivolous law suits...Tell me what those are in Vietnam?

 

[Negen]

Because they can?

Seriously? Wages, matching fees, insurance and regulations /code enforcement, protection from frivolous law suits...Tell me what those are in Vietnam?

Well I mentioned that installation is only 10$ usd but most those things not apply to retail outlets from what I understand. I can understand Mitsubishi or Fujitsu not wanting to sell to a dyi guy who lives in USA since USA court system is a bit screwy. But those points do not seem to make a reason why a product is 400-600% higher for parts only. I am sure that Japan has some regulations more so than Vietnam when it comes to installs and safety and what not but cost for parts is probably the same since we buy direct from the Japanese agent.

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[rlitman]

Not all mini-splits are that expensive here. I bought one for $500. You pay more for better and more efficient ones.

 

[Negen]

Not all mini-splits are that expensive here. I bought one for $500. You pay more for better and more efficient ones.

Oh I see what brand and model ?

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[rlitman]

Oh I see what brand and model ?

I don't recall now. I'll have to check. It isn't one of the super cheap Chinese ones, but it also isn't a heat pump or inverter drive either.

OTOH, I also just paid over $2600 for an LG dual head heat pump mini-split (this includes the cost of linesets, tray cable, and all of the necessary accessories, which add up to a significant fraction of the price).

 

[Negen]

I don't recall now. I'll have to check. It isn't one of the super cheap Chinese ones, but it also isn't a heat pump or inverter drive either.

OTOH, I also just paid over $2600 for an LG dual head heat pump mini-split (this includes the cost of linesets, tray cable, and all of the necessary accessories, which add up to a significant fraction of the price).

Thank you your answers seem to be more clear and accurate. Yes I never seen a heat pump mini split and can see how options can add up fast.



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[Falcon67]

Well, from what I know if you put in more "work" you can import things at way lower cost. Problem is likely same as us hot rodders wanting to buy performance parts from Australia. Single part shipping is way big bucks so the only economical way to get stuff here is ocean freight full container. Or piggy back in someone else's container. Then import, dock fees and moving from the port to you. I'm sure you could sell the units state side for a good price if you had the capital to bring them in by the container load. For one offs, you need a connection in the source location. Alibaba same-same, you can get some machine pretty cheap but you may have to buy 20. Or pay big shipping on the one and maybe still end up saving a few $.

The intake on my dragster - $600 USD. Used a broker to move the money to the AUS seller and change the USD to AUS. Then waiting for the right container. Delivery to the Port of LA, offload by state side contact of manufacturer, then shipped to me in Texas. It's a process. And every hand gets a bite of the cracker.

 

[Negen]

When I ship ninja bikes to Philippines strip them down fit them in four boxes and ship the boxes on a boat for 50$ each box. But our kymdan bed cost 700$ shipping via plane. I and not looking to sell things or start a company. Just curious.

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[yeldogt]

Products are built and priced for markets ...In most of Africa and much of Asia ... if you priced a product as they are in the USA .. you would sell two of them.

Yes -- the same product can be sold at 100's of time the price of the exact same product in another market.

It's relative wealth

 

[yeldogt]

I don't recall now. I'll have to check. It isn't one of the super cheap Chinese ones, but it also isn't a heat pump or inverter drive either.

OTOH, I also just paid over $2600 for an LG dual head heat pump mini-split (this includes the cost of linesets, tray cable, and all of the necessary accessories, which add up to a significant fraction of the price).

A non inverter unit today .. is a very cheap unit. Even in Africa ..I don't see them.

 

[rlitman]

A non inverter unit today .. is a very cheap unit. Even in Africa ..I don't see them.

It was a couple of years ago, but yeah, non-inverter is very cheap. I just looked, and it is a Frigidaire.

 

[eddieK]

Products are built and priced for markets ...In most of Africa and much of Asia ... if you priced a product as they are in the USA .. you would sell two of them.

Yes -- the same product can be sold at 100's of time the price of the exact same product in another market.

It's relative wealth

...and a regulated environment.

 

[yeldogt]

...and a regulated environment.

i'm not sure how much that adds to the cost of the equipment -- we don't have domestic suppliers .. so the duty/quota cost should be low or zero. It does cost more to ship items to the USA vs some areas (not Europe)

The installation situation is another matter ...

I have mentioned previously -- in many areas .. they don't do pumps downs. They just hook them up