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08/08/2006 07:45:42 PM · #1 |
Im going to spend a LOT of money in november, I'm getting the 400mm L f2.8 IS.
since I live in Iceland I have to pay 24.5% VAT on all imported items, but if I pick up the lens in NY I might be able to slip it trough customs.
I contacted B&H and asked them if I could prepay the lens and recieve invoice and serielnumber before my trip to NY, they said they couldn't.
then I contacted Adorama, they just replied and said that it would be no problem doing this for me.
so my question is... Can I trust Adorama to hold the lens for me from the day I pay until I pick it up a few days later? and can I trust them with $6500 without getting ripped off ?
I've bougt from them once before and was really satisfied with that purchase, but that was only $1000 for a used EOS 1V wich I got shipped to Iceland and had to pay $300 VAT :(
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08/08/2006 07:49:41 PM · #2 |
I can only say that in my dealings with Adorama, they have been very responsive and forthright. I do understand that folks have had some minor issues with them of late, but I don't really think it reflects on their intigrity, just that they are being forced to compete with the hard-sell tactics employed by others.
Take a look over at resellerratings.com and see what's been posted in the past month or so, that should give you an idea of whether folks are really having significant problems. It is a big chunk of cash to "hang out there", and I'd be cautious too! Best of luck. |
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08/08/2006 07:53:01 PM · #3 |
| If you're going to be in NYC why not just buy it when you get there? B&H is really easy to get to (being several blocks south and west of Times Square). |
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08/08/2006 07:55:19 PM · #4 |
I had a similar thought of nipping over to the USofA from blighty with pre purchased items (leaving with serial numbers) but decided against it when I found out if customs 'suspect' the gear was not taken out of the country with you they can confiscate it.
I have a friend in Hong Kong that delivers top notch gear at a good price and have only payed duty on my 17-40 (always factor duty on bigger purshases)
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08/08/2006 07:59:47 PM · #5 |
| why do you need to slip it through customs? How would they even know you didn't bring it over with you and are just taking it back home? |
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08/08/2006 08:00:58 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by _eug:
If you're going to be in NYC why not just buy it when you get there? B&H is really easy to get to (being several blocks south and west of Times Square). |
I need the invoice and serialnumber of the lens to register it with my insurance company, that way I'm safe from the moment I leave the store... I will take it for a testdrive somwhere in NY ;)
and the invoce from the insurance company lists my gear and I can show that in the customs when I get back home, they might accept it and let me trough customs without paying the VAT.
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08/08/2006 08:02:49 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by kyebosh:
why do you need to slip it through customs? How would they even know you didn't bring it over with you and are just taking it back home? |
if you live in Iceland then EVERYTHING you bring back to Iceland is new and you have to pay VAT, unless you can show invoice that says othewrwise...
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08/08/2006 08:14:38 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by DanSig:
Originally posted by kyebosh:
why do you need to slip it through customs? How would they even know you didn't bring it over with you and are just taking it back home? |
if you live in Iceland then EVERYTHING you bring back to Iceland is new and you have to pay VAT, unless you can show invoice that says othewrwise... |
Damn, talk about PITA! I guess you've got a system set up to keep track of everything you buy then. |
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08/08/2006 08:29:35 PM · #9 |
My experience with Adorama is that if my order goes to them through Amazon, then they are awesome. If I go to them directly, then they are quite variable.
Hope that helps.
Be sure to check return policy. BH is okay, but a little short and difficult. Amazon is much better - longer and easier. If you can find it at Cosco, they will take just about anything back after just about any amount of time.
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08/08/2006 08:32:18 PM · #10 |
I like Adorama. Through Amazon and the Adorama site. I've bought 2 lenses from them and my new 30d. Hope this helps.
kopa21
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08/08/2006 08:35:36 PM · #11 |
I've never had any problems with Adorama, although I use B&H more often.
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08/08/2006 09:23:56 PM · #12 |
| Another option is 17th Street Photo. They have been outstanding for me, and their ratings are even higher than B&H, though they do a much smaller volume of business. |
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08/08/2006 09:36:27 PM · #13 |
I've had two dealings with Adorama...one was a camera bag which was lost in transit (the only thing I've ever had lost...but not their fault obviously). However, throughout the entire claim process which took almost 3 months, they refused to give me a refund or send out a new bag. Of course, by the time they got their insurance, I had already bought the bag elsewhere, so I cancelled the order.
I decided to try them once more for a Nikon 18-200mm VR lens. They were the cheapest place...over $100 less than most other retailers, so I jumped on it. This was in mid December. I've still not received the lens and I read that they made a mistake on the initial pricing (what I got it for) and are now shipping first to the people who paid the correct price. They deny this, but I find it hard a little hard to believe that 8 months later, I'm still waiting. And they can't tell me what number in line I am or anything helpful. And since it's backordered everywhere else too, I'm just waiting...
After this (assuming I ever get this lens), I don't think that I would use Adorama again. I'm still 0 for 2 with them :(
Sorry to write so much...had to vent. |
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08/08/2006 09:39:04 PM · #14 |
When B&H Photo is close I order from Adorama. I noticed that both stores have different prices on certain things when shipping. I usually go with the cheaper place.
3 orders from Adorama and 2 from BhPhoto this year. Both places I had backordered items but couldn't find them anywhere else that I trusted.
Message edited by author 2006-08-08 21:41:12.
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08/08/2006 10:06:55 PM · #15 |
| NYC tax is 8.375%. If you take delivery of any item bought in NY and delivered to anywhere in NY State you will pay that sales tax. If you pay for the item, have it shipped to an out of state address, you do not pay sales tax. Dan, you want to throw money away (I expect you're a rich Icelander anyway and have much to do so)? I suggest you get someone to accepot delivery for you from Adorama or B&H and then pick it up when you arrive here. I would offer to do so for you (even though it might be better for you to know the person you would be dealing with and we do not know each other), but I live in Brooklyn, NY anyway and so sales tax applies. |
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