Buying a laptop from amazon

ocallagh

I'm very confused. Looking at getting the T61p, I need 1920X1200 and I don't want a big bulky 17"

Anyway, 2k with laptopsdirect.ie, but only $1,714 with Amazon.com which works out at €1200. I've entered shipping and billing and it updated to 1254 for my address in Dublin. I have been hovering over the "Place Order" button for a few minutes now wondering what the catch is. I understand DVDs will be US format, I'll need to buy an adaptor for the plug and I'll have no support, but for €800 I can live with all that.

Also, strange thing is - I checked Amazon.co.uk and it's £1,700 (nearly twice the price of.com)

So what gives? Am I just about to make some horrible "online laptop consumer" rookie mistake or what?

GBX

You sure they ship to Ireland? Before they charge your card ... make sure. I dont think they do.

Alanstrainor

You'll have customs on top of that price too, if they sell to Ireland. But as said, i'm not so sure they do.

Tom Dunne

A couple of things:

I've had trouble ordering from Amazon.com before while I lived in the US, using an Irish issued credit card. The worst that can happen is that Amazon.com's own software will decline to accept it.

While I have ordered cd's and DVD's off them before, I know Amazon.co.uk won't ship electronics to Ireland, so I doubt Amazon.com will.

You will most likely be stopped by customs. I've read a few newspaper articles on Customs stopping things on their way in. I believe you pay both VAT and duty (open to correction on this), so it may work out the same price in the end.

There was a time where it was actually worthwhile to take a trip to the US and buy the laptop over there, but with fuel surcharges and the like, it's hardly worth it.

ocallagh

Well I clicked it...!


I'm buying it through a re-seller on Amazon called XP Passport who delivers worldwide, who has like 92% positive feedback on over 15,000 orders. The sale went through and estimated delivery date is between 24th August and 1st September which is a bit of a pain. VAT on top will be a further 240 but I can deal with that myself. I'll keep you all updated on how this goes, a bit of an experiment

ocallagh

Money came off CC Monday and got confirmation email just now saying it has been shipped to my address in Ireland :) - No additional charges have been made to my CC, and so far nothing has been mentioned about import duty

Alanstrainor

ocallagh wrote: »

Money came off CC Monday and got confirmation email just now saying it has been shipped to my address in Ireland :) - No additional charges have been made to my CC, and so far nothing has been mentioned about import duty

You'll most likely be smacked with customs when it arrives in Ireland.

ocallagh

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You'll most likely be smacked with customs when it arrives in Ireland.

Well I'll keep you updated, I'm expecting at least 21% on top of 1200 which takes it up to 1440, still a monkey better off though

ocallagh

yep, got smacked with customs when it arrived. They sent me a letter asking me to fill out a SAD entry form which you can do at dublin port or dublin airport. I went the lazy route and paid a clearance agent 50 to do this for me:)

Total cost from amazon: 1190
Delivery: 56
Clearance agent (totally avoidable): 50
VAT: 239

So total cost was €1,535 and took abut 2 weeks to get to my door. Saved about 500. Warranty is valid etc and the only pain is the extra 7.45 i had to give my local rip off hardware store for a converter:)

ytareh

Interesting thread to floow thanks OP!!!Now Im shocked to hear that they actually expect you to physically go to the airport or docks to pay a customs bill!!!They really like to give you the runaround huh?!So is the 'agent' advertised on the bill /invoice for VAT or what ?And usednt there be an actual IMPORT tax as well as VAT???!!!Didnt those plug adapters overheat badly at least years ago...?No issues with them nowadays?Looks like you did very well OP!!!

ocallagh

ytareh wrote: »

Interesting thread to floow thanks OP!!!Now Im shocked to hear that they actually expect you to physically go to the airport or docks to pay a customs bill!!!They really like to give you the runaround huh?!So is the 'agent' advertised on the bill /invoice for VAT or what ?And usednt there be an actual IMPORT tax as well as VAT???!!!Didnt those plug adapters overheat badly at least years ago...?No issues with them nowadays?Looks like you did very well OP!!!

yep, the parcel dept in laois (an post) said you had to get the SAD form done in a customs house, and the only two in dublin were at the airport or the port. He advised me to use an agent because the form is apparently very difficult to fill out. He said revenue.ie had a pdf to help but when i looked it was useless. There are loads of clearance agents, and that 50 was the easiest money they ever earned. I walked in, gave the guy my forms, a bank draft for 240 and €50, and 5 mins later an post had a fax containing the clearance authorisation.

Laptops are only charged VAT, no import duties apparently

No idea about the plugs although i just copped the charger comprises of two leads. One from lapop to adapter (which is fixed), and a detachable on from adaptor to wall, so should be able to pick up an irish version of the detachable lead

The form from an post specifically mentioned clearance agents could be found in the telephone book. IMO (especially with online purchases) import VAT should be something you pay in the post office.