Is it worth buying this from the US?

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Neverwhere

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The Asus Zenbook Ux31 - I see there are a few local places with it - The one I want is generally priced at about R12800 locally.

I see that from the US, it's $1099.

From what I understand, customs will charge me VAT on 110% the value of the laptop.

So the Rand value is currently about $1099 x 7.5 = R8242
Then R8248 x 110% = R9066 <-- so VAT on that is 9066 x 14% = R1269

Is that correct? It'll cost me $1099(R8242) + R1269 VAT = R9511

That saves me about R3289.

I know the main argument against getting tech from overseas is if something goes wrong, I'd need to send it back and that's going to be expensive. However I see this laptop comes with "2 year global collect, repair & return warranty". Being a global warranty, what does that mean for me if I have problems in SA? Is there a company here that will handle this? Also, I'll be travelling a lot soon, so I like the sound of a global warranty - I'll just need to check out where the ASUS service centres are when I travel.

Thanks
 
Personally I would buy the unit in SA and save myself the hassle, as I wouldn't travel much (except locally). Try and find a contact with a reseller account and pick one up for about R11,500 incl.

Alternatively, maybe wait until you travel and grab one overseas?
 
Neverwhere said:
The Asus Zenbook Ux31 - I see there are a few local places with it - The one I want is generally priced at about R12800 locally.

I see that from the US, it's $1099.

From what I understand, customs will charge me VAT on 110% the value of the laptop.

So the Rand value is currently about $1099 x 7.5 = R8242
Then R8248 x 110% = R9066 <-- so VAT on that is 9066 x 14% = R1269

Is that correct? It'll cost me $1099(R8242) + R1269 VAT = R9511

That saves me about R3289.

I know the main argument against getting tech from overseas is if something goes wrong, I'd need to send it back and that's going to be expensive. However I see this laptop comes with "2 year global collect, repair & return warranty". Being a global warranty, what does that mean for me if I have problems in SA? Is there a company here that will handle this? Also, I'll be travelling a lot soon, so I like the sound of a global warranty - I'll just need to check out where the ASUS service centres are when I travel.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Not that i can comment much, but if you are going to be traveling soon instead of importing it now, why not wait and buy it while you are traveling! Yes there is a chance that they can still hit you when you come back but you could also just save the VAT and any extra charges you may get hit with!
 
you just fogot the itsy bitsy detail of international shipping to add to your costing, will add around R1200 - R1500 to the overall cost.
Regarding the international global warranty - no problem, you can take to Asus direct, have used them on one or two occasions.
 
Hi, I have a resellers account if your interested. Is this the model:


ASUS® UX SERIES (ULTRABOOK): UX31 - Intel® Core™I5 2557M 1.7GHZ Processor, 4GB DDR3 1333MHZ Memory (1X 4GB), 128GB SATA 6GBS SSD, 13.3" HD Colourshine slim LED Widescreen (1600X900) 0.3 MPixel webcam, Intel® QS67 express chipset, Intel Graphics, Chiclet Keyboard, 50WHRS Polymer battery, Wifi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth V4.0, MICROSOFT WINDOWS 7 Home Premium 64-BIT, 1X USB 2.0, 1X USB 3.0, 1X Micro HDMI, 1X Mini VGA, MMC + SD Card Reader, 2 YEAR GLOBAL COLLECT, REPAIR & RETURN WARRANTY, 1.3KG, 3MM atthe front, 9MM at the back, Spun metal and hairline aluminium finish, 2 Second resume instant on, BANG AND OLUFSEN Ice Power Audio

You also get an i7 version. Let me know.
 
Also, you're using the wrong exchange rate. Check your bank's Rand Sell Rate USD ... you are using Buy Rate (ie buying Rand) whereas you want to sell Rand.

Then you need to factor in bank charges for the forex transaction, Import VAT payment, etc.
 
Definitely, due to international warranty.

Try get the store to mark the value as lower - then you pay less tax.
 
za1 said:
that is probably the worst advice you could get with regards to importing.
Click to expand...

Probably?

Worked for me in January. I got some expensive headphones that were valued at a quarter of their price. Only paid R160 tax.

In fact it was the retailer suggesting it.

You?
 
PostmanPot said:
Probably?

Worked for me in January. I got some expensive headphones that were valued at a quarter of their price. Only paid R160 tax.

In fact it was the retailer suggesting it.

You?
Click to expand...

You run the risk of getting caught out though, they take screwing them very seriously.

It is better to be honest than it is to try and scam your way out of paying what you should be paying. No self respecting store will put their name on the line for a customer, i know i would never do it and risk having my imports blocked
 
PostmanPot said:
Probably?

Worked for me in January. I got some expensive headphones that were valued at a quarter of their price. Only paid R160 tax.

In fact it was the retailer suggesting it.

You?
Click to expand...

LOL, dude, so you got away with white collar crime, doesn't make it right or a good idea to advise someone else to do the same.
 
Fair enough.

Take the risk, but be prepared to get nailed.

A person was looking out for another person... I could only but oblige. ;)
 
Thanks for all the advice guys - and yup I forgot to factor in the Shipping - I've found sellers on eBay with excellent feedback that are shipping to SA for around R800.

I have been considering buying it when I'm overseas (going to Spain first), but when I said travelling "soon", I actually meant in 5 months time - and I'll be travelling for at least 2 years. I actually want this for work while travelling. It'll probably be cheaper in 5 months, or for the same price, I'll likely find a better ultrabook, but I'm just impatient and want the shiny new thing now.

I don't mind paying tax on the full price - If I were to have them mark it down, it'll probably only be for at most $200 less, and that saves me like R200 or so in tax, and R200 doesn't seem worth the risk. If I were to have them mark it down even further, it'll probably raise flags with customs..

So with shipping included, I'm looking at a saving of around R2200 vs buying local.

I should also mention, I need to buy 2 of these, one for my gf who works with me. I might buy them a month apart though to go easier on finances. So that's a saving of R4400. I will ask some local resellers and see what deals I can get first.

Thanks again for all the responses.
 
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