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Location:
Gold Coast
Registered:
October 2002
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buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Mon, 29 November 2004 02:13
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Hi
I am looking for the best price on a digital camera (canon 20d) and the best place seems to be overseas.
I know that if something goes wrong i have to send it to america under warranty, but are there any problems actually getting it here?
I have heard that I would be charged an import duty unless it was classified as a gift? does anyone know any details of this from either frineds or personal experience?
thanks in advance
Daniel.
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Location:
Wollongong
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Mon, 29 November 2004 03:24
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Even classifying it as a gift doesn't guarantee it'll get through customs untouched. Any item over AU$500 is eligible for GST, so be warned.
I'm looking at trading up to the 20D from my 300D shortly, and will be on a similar mission.
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Location:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Mon, 29 November 2004 05:45
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| Soarer wrote on Mon, 29 November 2004 11:24 |
Even classifying it as a gift doesn't guarantee it'll get through customs untouched. Any item over AU$500 is eligible for GST, so be warned.
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Its actually 300AUD IIRC.
And you pay lots.
You pay customs tax on product value AND postage costs.
AND you pay GST ON TOP of customs + value + postage.
Just get it from Aus.
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Mon, 29 November 2004 06:00
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Most electronic goods have 5% duty... Customs normally works it out as:
(cost of item + duty) x 1.1 for GST
and then usually they will add a clearance fee in the region of $50
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Toymods Social Secretary
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Mon, 29 November 2004 13:40
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next problem - almost ALL USA vendors will ONLY use FedEx or UPS to ship. This means $150 shipping charges for you buddy.
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
October 2004
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Mon, 29 November 2004 13:51
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To avoid the customs on electronics...ask the seller/shop to just break the seal on the item and write 'used' on the box.
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Location:
Gold Coast
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Wed, 01 December 2004 07:30
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thanks guys it sounds like a hastle but does changeing it to 'used' make it exempt from fees?
there is a 7-800 dollar saving on the puchase price. so it could be very worthwhile.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Wed, 01 December 2004 07:38
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| munki wrote on Wed, 01 December 2004 15:30 |
there is a 7-800 dollar saving on the puchase price. so it could be very worthwhile.
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Are they only 1200USD?
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Location:
Gold Coast
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Wed, 01 December 2004 11:37
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| CrUZsida wrote on Wed, 01 December 2004 17:38 |
| munki wrote on Wed, 01 December 2004 15:30 |
there is a 7-800 dollar saving on the puchase price. so it could be very worthwhile.
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Are they only 1200USD?
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the best price i found (quick search) was $1495 USD body only which was arround $1920 AUD when i checked it out ($1 was aprox 79us cents)
the cheapest local was 2650 body only (RRP 2699) but that was only if you oculd find one in the country (that popular) the other option was to get the 'enthusiast kit' which comes with a plain vanilla 18-55. these could actually be bought if you were lucky and then the lense could be sold off.
it sounds good on paper but there is a little more to it.
74 gt that idea sounds good but does it actually work? or will i get reamed anyway.
Daniel
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Thu, 02 December 2004 00:34
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Ebay has them for around $2300AUD 'Buy it now'
I didn't look into the auctions so I don't know the fineprint.
But you take that US price, add customs, add GST, and then the possibility of sending it back for repairs, and the aussie price is looking pretty good.
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Location:
Wollongong
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Thu, 02 December 2004 04:22
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Get it from Australia. I just had my Canon lens die this week(supplied with my 300D). Turnaround time for a new lens under warranty is 2-3 days, and only cost me $5.75 for registered post.
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
October 2004
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Thu, 02 December 2004 08:50
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Well when I have had electronic things like games and consoles come from overseas, it has always had either gift or used on it. The thing that customs want to stop is competition from overseas. Buying that camera in Australia will mean that the money stays here, whereas if you buy it over the net(overseas) or you're overseas and get it, the money is going into foreign hands...and this is basically what customs tries to stop too, as well as foreign animals/bugs etc. Its the advice I was given when I bought a PS2 in Japan, I was told to break the seal so that if my bags were checked going through customs in Sydney airport, I could claim that it was used and that an Australian business had not lost a sale.
So I think all that made sense...so basically if possible get them to write either used on the package or gift. Just as long as it doesn't look like a sale was 'stolen' from an Australian business.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: buying a product from america because it is cheaper any problems?
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Sat, 04 December 2004 10:30
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I've bought a number of bit & pieces for my MR2, shifter kits etc.. from the US because even with insured postage($25USD) it was still cheaper. The sender had the item listed as "sample product" and it was sent via USPS, got here in 4 days, no problems.
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