D300 and China

Montymint · 17 Jul 2009

Hi guys,

Don;t know if this is the right section for this but..

I have a collegue going to China in a month or two's time to visit his friends.

He said he's pick a D300 up for me as he's seen them advertised between 7-900.

Whould there be any chance that one is fake? or is it a safe purchase? (it would be from a "high Street" retailer there.

Thanks in advance

Pete

GFWilliams · 17 Jul 2009

Can't answer the question, but is it really worth the risk on such a small saving. not sure if warrenty would be an issue either..

George

sdb123 · 17 Jul 2009

GFWilliams said:
Can't answer the question, but is it really worth the risk on such a small saving. not sure if warrenty would be an issue either..

George

Warranty wouldn't apply. Potential to be hit by customs on the way back too....not worth it IMO.

thyreus4 · 17 Jul 2009

I don't think you'll get hit by customs if you're just buying one. But yeah warranty will be problem.

Montymint · 17 Jul 2009

hmmm the warranty thing is a huge put off. I think customs shouldn't be too much of an issue as he would only have the one on him and can claim for personal use if he was stopped.

paleblue · 17 Jul 2009

Is he going to Hong Kong or China? They're very different in terms of electronics: Hong kong is cheap, but China is more expensive (depending on province). I bought my laptop from China when I was living in Shenzhen, still use it to this day, and at the time it was cheaper there than in the UK. I don't think there will be a problem with customs if he claims it's for himself. I brought back a couple of cell phones form Hong Kong, a few watches from China, and the laptop and no one said anything.
Warranty wouldn't apply unless it's international..

p.s. It won't be fake, especially if bought from a high street store. If it is you would definitely be able to tell the difference. Tell him to barter on the price, it's standard over there and you can get really good deals

NorthernNikon · 17 Jul 2009

paleblue said:
Is I don't think there will be a problem with customs if he claims it's for himself.

Nothing to worry about apart form the fact that if they discover it they will charge VAT.

Unless it's the only way you can afford one, and even then I'd rather buy a used one fomo a dealer, then I'd avoid.

sdb123 · 17 Jul 2009

thyreus4 said:
I don't think you'll get hit by customs if you're just buying one. But yeah warranty will be problem.

You will if you get stopped coming back into Britain....it'll be a fair amount to pay as well.

Montymint · 17 Jul 2009

Then tbh I'll stay clear and save another month or 2 for a new one from the uk. If he gets clipped by customs coming back and I end up paying full price w/o warrenty it would suck too much.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Jamieconverge · 17 Jul 2009

im curious, if you ditched the box and bits (or posted it over to yourself before hand) would they assume you'd not bought the camera over there? ie it'd be something you took with you on the trip.

ive always presumed thats what people do to avoid tax at customs.

MisterE · 18 Jul 2009

Jamieconverge said:
im curious, if you ditched the box and bits (or posted it over to yourself before hand) would they assume you'd not bought the camera over there? ie it'd be something you took with you on the trip.

ive always presumed thats what people do to avoid tax at customs.

It's a common mistake to think that the customs officers are naive and stupid. I'm sure they learn the throwing away the box trick on the first morning of basic training. And they can tell which country a camera was purchased in from the serial number.

We've all done our duty at one time or another in avoiding paying taxes to our parasitical corrupt government. But one must weigh up the chances and consequences of getting caught. Not only for the first time entry back home with your contraband camera gear, but on every successive re-entry thereafter.