Question about CameraQuip

[Bismuth]

I saw in another thread you import items yourself so was confused.

But, ahhh, ok, so they drop ship from hong kong direct to you....I assume they covered the vat/duties?

Yeah, maybe from other sources. Yes, they covered all that, I didn't have to pay any extra over and above the initial invoice.

B

 

[bwana]

lived666, already been through the motions. The only time when BH makes sense is if buying the body and lenses as a kit ($400 discount), but unfortunately, BH does not deliver bodies, and hence cheaper lenses to SA (dont remember the exact error message, but something along the lines of BH is not allowed to distribute bodies overseas).

I have tried the same exercise with Adorama, and found that the price is about the same when taking in to account customs duties at 14% of 110% of the value (works out to about $1400 just on customs duties) and the goods are a little bit too heavy to have delivered with someone (total package weight of 9kg)...

I went camera shopping today and ended up buying it locally. I don't know what's going on but the base price in SA was considerably cheaper here as compared to B&H.

 

[mic_y]

I went camera shopping today and ended up buying it locally. I don't know what's going on but the base price in SA was considerably cheaper here as compared to B&H.

This is far from the truth in my experience, especially when looking at the more high-end gear... though this is only on specific products that I was looking at, not in general. YMMV...

 

[bwana]

This is far from the truth in my experience, especially when looking at the more high-end gear... though this is only on specific products that I was looking at, not in general. YMMV...

far from the truth? :wtf:

http://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-eos-1d-x-digital-slr-camera - R56,995.00 (incl vat)
http://www.adorama.com/ICA1DX.html - $6,799.00 - R60,511.10 (excl vat and shipping).

I had an identical experience when I ordered my 400mm
http://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-ef-400mm-f-2-8-l-ii-is-usm-lens - R97,595.00 - incl vat
http://www.adorama.com/CA400282U.html - $11,489.00 (R102,252.10) - excl vat and shipping

 

[Bismuth]

far from the truth? :wtf:

http://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-eos-1d-x-digital-slr-camera - R56,995.00 (incl vat)
http://www.adorama.com/ICA1DX.html - $6,799.00 - R60,511.10 (excl vat and shipping).

I had an identical experience when I ordered my 400mm
http://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-ef-400mm-f-2-8-l-ii-is-usm-lens - R97,595.00 - incl vat
http://www.adorama.com/CA400282U.html - $11,489.00 (R102,252.10) - excl vat and shipping

I have found that lenses are cheaper to source locally, the specific one I am looking for (Pentax - SMC Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR ) is cheaper from nivo.co.za, than either B&H or Adorama. On cameras I found importing cheaper, but not lenses, so far at least.

B

 

[bwana]

I have found that lenses are cheaper to source locally, the specific one I am looking for (Pentax - SMC Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR ) is cheaper from nivo.co.za, than either B&H or Adorama. On cameras I found importing cheaper, but not lenses, so far at least.

B

Like I said. It surprised me to find buying that body was so much cheaper in SA and that's without factoring in customs and shipping. No brainer really.

 

[mic_y]

far from the truth? :wtf:

http://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-eos-1d-x-digital-slr-camera - R56,995.00 (incl vat)
http://www.adorama.com/ICA1DX.html - $6,799.00 - R60,511.10 (excl vat and shipping).

I had an identical experience when I ordered my 400mm
http://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-ef-400mm-f-2-8-l-ii-is-usm-lens - R97,595.00 - incl vat
http://www.adorama.com/CA400282U.html - $11,489.00 (R102,252.10) - excl vat and shipping

very true Bwana. As I did say, it was in my experience. Yes I have had times when I have found goods sold cheaper locally than the internationally, but these have been very few, and far between.

With my latest acquisition, the difference in price was fairly substantial (in the region of 25-30% higher). Maybe it is a Nikon thing (they do need to pay off that fancy new building on Midrand)