buying equipment from b+h, tax??

minnie_mouse

Hi,

Im thinking of buying some camera equipment from b and h, probarly about $700 worth. Whats the story with tax will i have to pay alot? Also international customers must fax their credit card front and back to them wh ich i find abit strange.Has anyone here ever bought anything from them?

bucks

At this stage id say we have bought 50% of our camera equipment from them. Have never ordered over the web but instead got stuff when visiting New York city.

They are a very good company and you will have no probs with them. If you order something from them and its getting posted to you then you will get charged customs and tax. Not sure how much it will be. The faxing of your credit card back and front seems to be getting more popular with customers who have international customers.

Alternatively if you know someone who is heading over to new york and you know exactly what you want then get them to buy it and bring it back with them, wont have to pay customs as long as you dont declare it at the airport.

All and all they are a very good company and would highly reccomend them.

Djddd1

That also seems abit strange to me.

NordicDiver

Bucks

Do you know if you get the prices that are on the website when visiting the shop in NY and do you need to pay the state of new york taxes ?

Thx Jan

DotOrg

i've bought twice from them
paid customs and VAT both times

it's about 5% of the total including postage then 21% VAT on top of everything

they do ask for your credit card the first time you order, it's common practise for many US and even European shops to do to avoid fraud

Your bank will say don't do it but B&H are very reputible so I'll leave it up to you to decide if it's worth it

I've saved thousands buying from there over Irish prices

FX Meister

DotOrg wrote:

i've bought twice from them
paid customs and VAT both times

it's about 5% of the total including postage then 21% VAT on top of everything

they do ask for your credit card the first time you order, it's common practise for many US and even European shops to do to avoid fraud

Your bank will say don't do it but B&H are very reputible so I'll leave it up to you to decide if it's worth it

I've saved thousands buying from there over Irish prices

I had no problem faxing them my CC when I ordered off them. I've been to their store as well and know they are not just a cowboy outfit. When you buy in the store you pay the Ney York sales tax. I ordered equipment from computeruniverse.net recently when the morons that work the phones at B&H fúcked up my ordered and it worked out roughly the same. But I did get the VAT taken off from computeruniverse.

dublinguy05

I have spent the guts of 8000 in bh over the last year and have'nt had a single problem so far. In relation to shipping get it shipped via global express or standard airmail(no tracking reference with this) as this will link up with sds in Ireland, used to link up with GLS via germany. Since changing to sds I have'nt paid any custom charges...if you get it delivered via ups or fedx they collect the duties and customs charges and declare it to the revenue. Its pot luck getting away with the duty and customs charges but you will have a better chance if you stay clear of courier companies. At the end of the day if you get caught its still cheaper than Ireland.

Beats

Just a query. If the equipment you buy is from the States, does this mean that the manufacturers warranty will not be accepted in Europe ?

I'd be interested in getting some lenses this way, but not really tempted with regard to a body if no warranty for Europe.

Ponster

Only ever bought from them in NY but will affirm that you have nothing to fear from them.