Are digi cameras cheaper in New york

jon1981

hi,

i am heading to new york in March and i am also looking for a good digital camera. Are they cheaper over there? or would i be better to go online?

cheers

Fenster

Yes and no.

smartypants

i know a friend of a friend that picked up the Canon 5D for like a 800-1000 euro cheaper but he cant remember the store over there. Anyone know a good store?

Masada

you might have to get a different charger also when you bring it home, and might not have a warrenty, just a few things to think about.,:)

decob

smartypants wrote: »

i know a friend of a friend that picked up the Canon 5D for like a 800-1000 euro cheaper but he cant remember the store over there. Anyone know a good store?

B&H?

jon1981

decob wrote: »

B&H?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/520437-REG/Canon__Powershot_A720_IS_Digital.html

this one works out at about 232 euro

were as on pixmania its 288

http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/621112/art/canon/powershot-a720-is-pix-med.html?itag=9698

not a great saving but still a saving!

jon1981

smartypants wrote: »

i know a friend of a friend that picked up the Canon 5D for like a 800-1000 euro cheaper but he cant remember the store over there. Anyone know a good store?

wow the 5D is nearly half price on the b&h site

DotOrg

the US dollar is also at an all time low right now so savings are even bigger

all my camera gear comes from new york

mathias

Its worth the trip over just to see the place ( B & H ) , dont go on the weekend though , they are shut !

Stephen

Yep, they close for all Jewish holidays. They have a calendar of opening hours on their website. Bear in mind that about 8.5% will be added to the prices you see in NY sales tax.

sineadw

I thought you didn't pay sales tax if you're a tourist?

My family are just back yesterday. Be warned that customs are being extra vigorous with the dollar being so low. Or they were yesterday anyway... Or maybe my family all just look well dodgy.

jon1981

iif you take it out of the box and remove all labels they cant prove you bought it there

OnLooker

Stephen wrote: »

Yep, they close for all Jewish holidays. They have a calendar of opening hours on their website. Bear in mind that about 8.5% will be added to the prices you see in NY sales tax.

Its a local sales tax for NY. They took it off certain item last year but it still covers digital technology.

Best thing to do when buying is post the receipts & manuals home.

Stephen

I asked about getting away without the sales tax being a foreigner but apparently there's no way to avoid it short of ordering online and having your stuff shipped to a US address in a state with no sales tax. Its not like here where non-EU travellers can reclaim VAT paid before they leave.

Smokeyskelton

Everyone (including tourists) has to pay the state sales tax. It is not reclaimable like VAT.

With regard to posting home the packaging, the customs people do not have to prove that you bought it in the US, it is up to you to prove that you didn't! I'm not saying that they will enforce this, but that is the situation under the law. You might get away with it or you might not.

If the saving is big enough go for it, but be sure to have your price comparisons done here first. You have to factor in the following in my opinion:
NY state sales tax.
Different charger (though some are universal).
Cost of the exchange i.e. you do not get $1.42 to the euro that is only a headline price. Expect to get 3% less that this at best.
Lack of warranty - this can be a big one, so check it out. You can buy an international warranty by a third party, but I don't know how legit these are.
Cost of sending item for repair if necessary.
Cost of posting packaging home, if that is what you are doing.
VAT and duty if you get caught. Most people don't get caught in the airport, but some do.
Not supporting local business. Again, if the difference is huge fair enough, but for a small difference I would rather buy at home.

Don't mean to be a doom merchant, as sometimes it can make a big saving, but equally I know some people automatically assume that everything is practically free in New York. For example I bought my camera over here as the difference was not that large, but bought an expensive lens over there as the saving was worth it.

Enjoy your trip.:D

Smokey

OnLooker

Me too Smokey. Got my camera in Europe so I have the warranty buy buying my Canon 70-200mm f2.8 in NY cos of the saving & the international warranty on expensive len's.