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Buying a US laptop?

  • 17-06-2005 11:42am
    #1
    Cianos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,850 ✭✭✭


    Hi,
    Thinking of buying a US laptop from ebay.
    What, if any, are the problems that may arise with buying a far-din (foreign) unit?

    Cheerz


Comments

  • #2
    Clinical Waste
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,574 ✭✭✭Clinical Waste


    -different keyboard layout.
    -make sure it can take 240v power (most can but not all)

    -high shipping costs and potential customs/vat (especially if coming by courier )
    -Insurance in case damaged on route?

    -lack of warranty. Friend bought Sony in the states. (3 month warranty in Nth America on most goods) Anyway had a prob and Sony Europe refuse to even discuss it. Has to go back to Sony US


  • #3
    snakeater
    Closed Accounts Posts: 190 ✭✭snakeater


    I bought a laptop from ebay in january. I got it from Arizona. The problems I faced was the delivery charge; this increases the quicker you want the delvery. I also had to pay customs on delivery. I think this was a percentage of the overall value of the laptop. I had to pay the delivery guy around €40 when it arrived. Also other little things like the charger plug was american so I had to buy my own. Including delievery and customs add about €100 on what you are paying for the laptop.


  • #4
    galwaydude18
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,695 ✭✭✭galwaydude18


    Well if it gets caught in customs you will have to pay them 21% of the value that is wrote on the package!


  • #5
    Darwin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,695 ✭✭✭Darwin


    sorry double post!


  • #6
    Darwin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,695 ✭✭✭Darwin


    I got a laptop recently from the US via ebay. I don't think there is much difference at all between the US and UK keyboard layouts, e.g. there is no euro symbol printed on the number 4 key. Perhaps there are other very minor differences. Dealing with the power cord was simple, cut off the end and put on an Irish plug - most if not all AC adaptors are multi-voltage.
    Regarding customs duty, it comes to 21% of (the stated value + shipping cost) as I found out the other day :mad:


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  • #7
    Cianos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,850 ✭✭✭Cianos


    But you can get around the customs charge by asking the seller to put "gift" on the packaging, correct?


  • #8
    Raiser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,929 ✭✭✭Raiser


    Think the " and the are swapped also.


  • #9
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,243 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    The keyboard thing isn’t a real problem. Just switch the keyboard configuration from US to Europe. The symbols don’t match the characters but I've had a US laptop for 2 years and has never been a problem


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