Ordering a laptop from the US using Take2's Amazon import service.

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

I must have an Acer Aspire Timeline 1810/1410 and nobody locally stocks them and when they do they are going to slap a huge markup on it.

Has anyone ordered a laptop using Take2.co.za's US Amazon service? Is there anything I need to look out for?

 

[KhoisanX]

I have also decided to get one, but I will wait for the 1820(tablet version).

How does the warranty work if you buy it through take2 and does anyone know if the 1410/1810/1820 will be released locally?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-Timeline-AS1810TZ-4174-11-6-Inch/dp/B002PHM3TC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1258455810&sr=8-3-spell"]This[/ame] is so cheap and tempting if only they still shipped to SA. What kind of import duty would you be looking at though?

 

[KhoisanX]

Price comparison for the 1810:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-Timeline-AS1810TZ-4174-11-6-Inch/dp/B002PHM3TC/"]Amazon[/ame]

Take2

The current exchange rate is around R7.50 : US$1.

Amazon's price is U$549.99 x 7.5 = R4 125

Take2's price is R6 897, that's a difference of R2 772.
So obviously there are transportation costs, import duty, VAT, profit etc., but that's still an increase of 67%

 

[ponder]

What kind of import duty would you be looking at though?

You will pay a 10% handling fee + 14% VAT on the purchase price. There is no duties on pc components.

The warranty will not be valid in SA and it will have to be shipped back to the US which is big moola unless you just send it for repairs locally and pay the full price.
You can however opt for a International Travelers Warranty add additional cost, http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/itw.htm

The current exchange rate is around R7.50 : US$1.

Amazon's price is U$549.99 x 7.5 = R4 125

Take2's price is R6 897, that's a difference of R2 772.
So obviously there are transportation costs, import duty, VAT, profit etc., but that's still an increase of 67%

Now add the shipping cost to the amazon price. Next add 10% + 14% to the amazon purchase price and then see what the difference is, I suspect it's not that big.

 

[PeterCH]

You will pay a 10% handling fee + 14% VAT on the purchase price. There is no duties on pc components.

The warranty will not be valid in SA and it will have to be shipped back to the US which is big moola unless you just send it for repairs locally and pay the full price.
You can however opt for a International Travelers Warranty add additional cost, http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/itw.htm




Now add the shipping cost to the amazon price. Next add 10% + 14% to the amazon purchase price and then see what the difference is, I suspect it's not that big.

There is no 10% handling fee. There is VAT on 110% of the value and a handling fee - it's about R30 odd.

A 10% handling fee would be akin to a 10% excise duty.

 

[ponder]

There is no 10% handling fee. There is VAT on 110% of the value and a handling fee - it's about R30 odd.

A 10% handling fee would be akin to a 10% excise duty.

Ok maybe I got my terminology wrong but i meant exactly what you said, hence the 10% & 14%

 

[ap0c]

Not sure if this will help:

http://www.wantitall.co.za/PC-Hardw...ttery-Life-Windows-7-Home-Premium__B002PHM3TC

 

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

Price comparison for the 1810:

Amazon

Take2

The current exchange rate is around R7.50 : US$1.

Amazon's price is U$549.99 x 7.5 = R4 125

Take2's price is R6 897, that's a difference of R2 772.
So obviously there are transportation costs, import duty, VAT, profit etc., but that's still an increase of 67%

About 1 1/2 months ago you could pick one up on Take2 for R5700.

I'd still rather pay Take2 a bit more and not have to worry about the schlep of importing one myself.