I don't think everyone is reading the same article. While I understand the view that the article wasn't specific enough about where the items were purchased (it's probably better that the local eCommerce shop remain nameless and just be qualified as "local," though) and that it doesn't really showcase how cheaply you can get certain items via eBay or Amazon+MyUS, the article implores the buyer to dig a little deeper than exchange rates and shipping and insurance costs. I also reckon that rather than providing comparitive pricing for purchasing locally (which isn't there, but is suggested by posters on the forum), the specs of the two items would've more been useful for us to draw our own comparisons.
It is clearly advisable for consumers to familiarize themselves with all costs associated with importing equipment before looking at an attractive USD price for a desired item and thinking they will essentially pay that price in Rands when ordering it from the US.
This was the lesson from the article. Not, "Don't import it's not cheaper," but "
Caveat emptor: The hidden (or unconsidered) costs, e.g. duties, VAT."
Oops, it seems RPM have to again wipe the egg yolk off his face. That comes from writing articles with input from your advertisers to please and support them, when your true customers are actually MyBB members.
This is exactly why I love this forum. Here the truth comes out and expose those market participants that wants to rip their customers off.
Wipe the egg yolk off his face (if RPM was the Staff Writer in this instance)? For what? Taking the time to write up his experience with importing tech from the US and trying to inform those who might not know that there are other costs to consider before jumping on the importing bandwagon?
We do agree on the love for this forum, though. Oddly we don't come to the same conclusion about the truth that comes out. The truth I'm getting between the article and the posts here is that there are many instances where you can import something for far cheaper than it sells for locally but that there are gotchas one should consider before doing so. Some of the stuff I picked up from the thread are: Don't use airmail - packages are liable to get "lost" in the SA postal system there; Don't buy direct from a manufacturer's online store (e.g. Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba) as this could cause you to pay US State Tax you wouldn't have to pay if you went through eBay or Amazon. I got a lesson from the article as well, as I wrote above the quote from your post.
I've got a question about those that suggest that we ask sellers to state that our imports are gifts when they are not: Isn't that illegal? Is it what it seems like: Stealing money from SARS?
To the folks suggesting we fly over to the 'States and come back with our swag: What about visas? Aren't they difficult (and costly) to obtain?
The above two questions aren't intended to be snarky or rhetorical... They're genuine questions, so try to answer with facts, please (though I
would enjoy waxing philosophical about the first one)
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FULL DISCLOSURE (so this doesn't come back to bite me a month down the line): I'll be working for MyBroadband from the beginning of June. However, when I post as The Extremist I post purely in my personal capacity (unless otherwise stated). That is, "my views don't necessarily represent those of MB" (time to add a disclaimer in my sig, I guess).
P.S. Sorry for the bracket abuse.
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