Mate, I lived in Albany and seriously, I am not sure where you're getting your half prices from? Granted Taiwan does not have the best deals, you can get most bike parts for better prices in the states - that is where I do my mess shopping of bike parts.
Anyway, that's off the topic, so back in Albany, where abouts did you get your half priced bikes from? I'd really like to get my parents to ship me one. Even with shipping, half of the retail price is still seriously worth it.