Importing software

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Kerrrang!

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Does anyone know of a (preferably) US site to import PC software from and that will ship to SA?
When comparing prices for Photoshop CS4 and Corel Painter X, one thing became abundantly clear....we're paying through our noses for software here in SA.
For example: Painter X can be bought for +- R3000 in the US, here it costs anything from R5500 - R6000.

Thanks!
 
Just be aware that while the software will work, the licenses may not be valid in South African since many companies like Microsoft and Adobe have regional license agreements. Software distributed and sold in the USA may not be licensed for use in South Africa. This is to protect theirs and their distributors revenue streams. If that is the case, and I strongly suspect it will be, then you are no better off than downloading CS4 from the internet and installing it that way....

I tried it once with MS boxed retail versions... the first time I called Tech Support they refused because the license keys were shown to be intended for the US market.
 
Garyvdh said:
Just be aware that while the software will work, the licenses may not be valid in South African since many companies like Microsoft and Adobe have regional license agreements. Software distributed and sold in the USA may not be licensed for use in South Africa. This is to protect theirs and their distributors revenue streams. If that is the case, and I strongly suspect it will be, then you are no better off than downloading CS4 from the internet and installing it that way....

I tried it once with MS boxed retail versions... the first time I called Tech Support they refused because the license keys were shown to be intended for the US market.
Click to expand...

You could call the us customer service or email them.

But why do you want to import it?? You can usually buy software directly from the publisher, the exception being microsoft for some reason.
 
Kerrrang! said:
Does anyone know of a (preferably) US site to import PC software from and that will ship to SA?
When comparing prices for Photoshop CS4 and Corel Painter X, one thing became abundantly clear....we're paying through our noses for software here in SA.
For example: Painter X can be bought for +- R3000 in the US, here it costs anything from R5500 - R6000.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

www.toolfarm.com is an authorised reseller and they sell around the world.
www.cdromshop.com also sells software to SA.

The Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Final Cut Studio 2 I purchased from ToolFarm both installed and registered locally.
 
Garyvdh said:
Just be aware that while the software will work, the licenses may not be valid in South African since many companies like Microsoft and Adobe have regional license agreements. Software distributed and sold in the USA may not be licensed for use in South Africa. This is to protect theirs and their distributors revenue streams. If that is the case, and I strongly suspect it will be, then you are no better off than downloading CS4 from the internet and installing it that way....

I tried it once with MS boxed retail versions... the first time I called Tech Support they refused because the license keys were shown to be intended for the US market.
Click to expand...
I know that Office 2007 Home (SA) needs to be registered in SA (because it's cheaper here?). Maybe you could try a US based proxy?
 
Garyvdh said:
Just be aware that while the software will work, the licenses may not be valid in South African since many companies like Microsoft and Adobe have regional license agreements. Software distributed and sold in the USA may not be licensed for use in South Africa. This is to protect theirs and their distributors revenue streams. If that is the case, and I strongly suspect it will be, then you are no better off than downloading CS4 from the internet and installing it that way....

I tried it once with MS boxed retail versions... the first time I called Tech Support they refused because the license keys were shown to be intended for the US market.
Click to expand...

The software is valid in the country of purchase. That's why it's important to buy from an authorised reseller - eg ToolFarm. You keep their receipt and you install the software. If there are authorisation issues you have the receipt as proof of purchase. It's no different to going to a store in NYC, buying a package and taking it back home to install.

The point you raise is valid and is meant to protect the local dealers from
parallel imports - eg. import cheaper US software and resell in SA.

If there are issues you say you installed the software while in the US.
Now you're in South Africa but the laptop is still the same one. They have to honour the license. Proof of purchase is important here.
 
Sackboy said:
I know that Office 2007 Home (SA) needs to be registered in SA (because it's cheaper here?). Maybe you could try a US based proxy?
Click to expand...

I found Office 2007 Home in Europe for the equivalent of R400, ok that was in 2007 but it was in ordinary CNA like shops.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Toolfarm looks like the best option, so i'll give them a go. There's just no way in hell i'm paying 11 grand for CS4.
 
I wonder if Corel (US) will ship to SA?
They have a fantastic deal for Corel Painter X + a Wacom Intuos3 A5 Wide 6x11 Tablet, all for $599. Shipping should'nt be more than $100, so at most it'll be around R7000.00.

If i purchase locally, it'll be Painter X for around R5000, + the tablet for R6399 = R11400.

For those too lazy to do the math, that's a saving of more than 4 grand! Will e-mail them tonight since their customer support page is blocked at work :(
 
Kerrrang! said:
I wonder if Corel (US) will ship to SA?
They have a fantastic deal for Corel Painter X + a Wacom Intuos3 A5 Wide 6x11 Tablet, all for $599. Shipping should'nt be more than $100, so at most it'll be around R7000.00.

If i purchase locally, it'll be Painter X for around R5000, + the tablet for R6399 = R11400.

For those too lazy to do the math, that's a saving of more than 4 grand! Will e-mail them tonight since their customer support page is blocked at work :(
Click to expand...

Can't you just use the download version?? Do you really need the box version??
 
stefan9 said:
Can't you just use the download version?? Do you really need the box version??
Click to expand...


I'll go for the download version ( in fact, on the UK site it's about 145 pounds), but i specifically would have liked the one bundled with the tablet, since Painter with a mouse is really not the ideal solution, and at the price they're offering, it's a very good deal.

Worst case scenario, i'll get the DL version and will have to fork out for a decent tablet.
 
Kerrrang! said:
Thanks for the info guys. Toolfarm looks like the best option, so i'll give them a go. There's just no way in hell i'm paying 11 grand for CS4.
Click to expand...

They ship by FedEx Priority (so 3 business days) only but the good news is that it's Flat Rate,
although PS CS4 is a light box (no manuals), unlike Apple software.

Just a point, FedEx no longer do cash on delivery, you will no doubt
have customs charges to pay - I had about R400 when I bought CS4
in December. They will ask you to do an EFT, so call
them ahead of time once you get the FedEx traffic number from Toolfarm.

I had another look on my Photoshop CS4 for Mac box. It does say
"For Distribution in the US only." but not, "For USE in the USA only."
So a retailer can't resell outside of the USA but the software should be fully covered outside of the USA.
 
Last edited:
PeterCH said:
They ship by FedEx Priority (so 3 business days) only but the good news is that it's Flat Rate,
although PS CS4 is a light box (no manuals), unlike Apple software.

Just a point, FedEx no longer do cash on delivery, you will no doubt
have customs charges to pay - I had about R400 when I bought CS4
in December. They will ask you to do an EFT, so call
them ahead of time once you get the FedEx traffic number from Toolfarm.

I had another look on my Photoshop CS4 for Mac box. It does say
"For Distribution in the US only." but not, "For USE in the USA only."
So a retailer can't resell outside of the USA but the software should be fully covered outside of the USA.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads-up. R400 customs duties aint too bad. Now i'll just wait on the following:


rabbiddog said:
I can get you a price on CS4 tomorrow. The prices all depend if it an upgrade or not.
Click to expand...
 
Sorry :o i have been at clients the whole day and just got back home now (and forgot to get the latest price list before i left). I will check the price and post before I head back out in the morning.
 
Unfortunately the prices are based on exchange rates, end even as a dealer the prices are steep. Just spoke to my supplier and this is the best I can currently do.

Photoshop CS4 11 WIN Full Box IE DV 1 User - R8304.00 ex vat - R9466.56 including vat

Photoshop CS4 11 WIN Upgrade IE DV 1 User - R3085.00 ex vat - R3516.90 including vat (no stock currently but i can get a date for expected arival)
 
@rabiddog: Ahh, thanks. Bit steep for me atm, so i think i'm rather gonna go for the importing or direct DL route. Thanks for the info anways.
 
No Problem. Last year I could have gotten it around 2 grand cheaper, before the rand went down. Most of my clients had CS3 so they only use the upgrades
 
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