Buying Camera gear in the US

TempestSabre

Thinking of buying a DSLR+ lenses in the states. Any thoughts, or experience of doing same?

masteroftherealm

Watch oit, check chargers are universal or youll be stung having to buy one over here.

Ruu_Old

Watch out for customs coming back in with something that expensive though you should be ok.

mikeanywhere

Also ensure you get an International Warranty.

Ponster

Can anyone tell me how much you'd save by buying in the USA?

Are we talking about more than 15% ?

antifuse

When I was looking at prices, at least with reputable places like BH Photo, you could get much better deals at ny-camera.com (including shipping). Be very wary that you are buying from official resellers for the brand you're looking at buying from, as I've had issues in the past with refused warranty service because of buying from "grey market" (ie non-official) sellers. I wouldn't worry too much about customs at the Dublin airport, at any rate, (unless you're very rich-looking, a hot girl, or arab-looking) as I've gone through there about 10 times in the last year, and never been stopped once. Of course, if you want to be crafty about it (and you don't care about keeping it), you can just throw out the packaging in the states and customs would be none the wiser about it.

Roen

You're talking a lot more than 15% Ponster, from what I've worked out when you factor in conversion rates etc it can be as high as 35%. That's being in the States not ordering online. If you order out of state, i.e. order from NY and get it sent to say North Carolina you can avoid the 8% sales tax.

Consider Conn's camera's price for a 5D, €3299, now look at B&H in NY, €2254, a saving of over €1000. Ok so that's with the sales tax taken off too, but nevertheless it will still work out at a massive saving. About 32% if my ailing brain serves me right

TempestSabre

I'd be thinking of BH Photo myself. Probably a D50 or a 350D and a couple of lenses, haven't decided what I'm going to get yet. Of course it will depend on what they have in stock on the day.

But for example, on the BH site. D50 Digital Camera Kit with 18-55mm DX Lens and 55-200 DX Lens $750 = €587 (not incl tax'es).

Ponster

Cheers Roen. I'm thinking of getting a new camera this summer and I'll be in CA this September so who knows.

BTW, in France I can geta 5D for $2700.

obewan

Ponster wrote:

Cheers Roen. I'm thinking of getting a new camera this summer and I'll be in CA this September so who knows.

BTW, in France I can geta 5D for $2700.

Any Links to websites in France?


Mick.

rymus

the guy I buy from on ebay has similar prices. Around 2200 for a 5D and 3 day shipping to Ireland available on everything.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Kea-Photo

Well worth a look if youre in the market for a dslr or lens.

Ponster

None in English though...


For computer gear mostly but you'll find the odd camera :

http://www.rue-montgallet.com/prix/75012/acheter/27319/Canon-EOS-5D-Nu/

Price compare sites :

http://www26.monsieurprix.com/listing/gen/J000112316.html
http://shopping.kelkoo.fr/ctl/do/search?siteSearchQuery=CANON+5D&catId=100164013&fromform=true&x=0&y=0


Though I can't find that €2,100 price I mentioned earlier..Hmmmmm...

Best I can find is €2,500

http://www.rebelio.com/fr/app/catalog.do?action=ShowProductDetail&ref=ruehardware&productId=22833

Fenster

I was in the US very recently (I only came back yesterday). I picked up two lenses, assorted filters, a remote and a battery for my 350D, and in my travels I was in various stores in Las Vegas and San Diego. I found the service in them excellent and the prices were great. The only annoying thing was that taxes are never listed in prices, so you need to add on whatever the state's tax rate is when you purchase anything - and this can add up if you budgeted precisely.

All of the stores seem more aimed at high-end photography than Irish and English stores I've used - I guess you have Fry's, Target and Walmart for the low-end stuff, so I had no problem when I was looking for esoteric accessories.

Some things are much cheaper than Ireland, some are more expensive. You also need to shop around, I guess.

PaulieC

Rymus, do you ever get stung for VAT/Duty when buying from Kea in Hong Kong?