It does seem to be a grey area, is the seller or buyer undertaking criminal activity? If you are offered something at discount price do you question it or accept the gift horse? I suspect many would not know the mechanics of how the price is lower than UK RRP.Absolutely! Have you seen that bit in the forum rules which prohibits discussion of criminal activities? It doesn't apply to tax evasion and illegal Imports, where the requirement is to brag as much as possible.
I lived in Hong Kong for 2½ years
If I came back to the UK with my camera I would expect any warranty issues to still be covered.
I expect so, although I expect it would depend on a few factors. I sort of see it something like if you buy a product from one retailer in a county could you expect to take it back to another retailer than also sells the same product?
But as has been mentioned, it would depend on the business model. If Nikon Europe was a financed entity in its own right and it funded the UK repair centre how would it recover warranty costs for a Oceana and Asia product.If I buy a Nikon camera in Hong Kong I would expect Nikon UK to cover any warranty issues
You make it sound like the only issue is the price saving versus the warranty. This might sound old fashioned but some people think complying with the law (by paying import duty and VAT) has a role in it somewhere.
So Guess you don't use any of the these companies then who AVOID paying tax in the UK. Which after all if you buying a grey import you are just avoiding the tax on a much smaller scale
Article published in 2016:
Facebook: The social media titan paid just £4,327 in corporation tax in 2014, despite reporting UK revenues of £105million.
Apple: The US-based technology firm behind the iPad and the iPhone made £34billion in profit during the year to September 2014.
Experts estimate that the UK accounted for £1.9billion of that profit, but the firm only paid £11.8million in British corporation tax.
Amazon: The online shopping giant took £5.3billion in sales from British shoppers in 2014 but paid just £11.9million in tax after announcing profits of £34.4million.
Starbucks: The coffee chain paid just £8.6million of tax over 14 years between 1998 and 2012 when sales totalled £3billion.
But latest company filings show it paid £8.1million in corporation tax for last year on profits of £34.2million.
If I buy a Nikon camera in Hong Kong I would expect Nikon UK to cover any warranty issues
Not at all. You clearly don't understand the difference between tax AVOIDANCE, which is legal, and tax EVASION, which is illegal.So Guess you don't use any of the these companies then who AVOID paying tax in the UK. Which after all if you buying a grey import you are just avoiding the tax on a much smaller scale... .
Not at all. You clearly don't understand the difference between tax AVOIDANCE, which is legal, and tax EVASION, which is illegal.
But as has been mentioned, it would depend on the business model. If Nikon Europe was a financed entity in its own right and it funded the UK repair centre how would it recover warranty costs for a Oceana and Asia product.
How do the pro get their equipments repair? Say I bought my lens in HK and travel to UK to do a shoot and lens broke a few days before the event. Is Canon or Nikon UK is going to refuse to repair or replace because the lens is not bought within UK?
Yes I am on itCanon and Nikon have membership schemes that professionals use for priority repairs. They're free, and open to anyone with a certain amount of high end gear.
I can assure you I do know the difference, the question should be do I care?Not at all. You clearly don't understand the difference between tax AVOIDANCE, which is legal, and tax EVASION, which is illegal.
The Nikon one isn't.Canon and Nikon have membership schemes that professionals use for priority repairs. They're free, and open to anyone with a certain amount of high end gear.
I think collection by courier is free and the repair if under warranty is alsoThe Nikon one isn't.
If you are participating in tax evasion I think it might be in your interest to care [emoji32]I can assure you I do know the difference, the question should be do I care?
It has a certain criteria of equipment you need to own to qualifyThe Nikon one isn't.
Edited to clarify: The Nikon scheme isn't open to anyone with a certain amount of high end gear.
Yes, that's my problem. I have over £300,000 worth of Nikon kit, and I earn my living from it, and many professional photographers rely on my company's services. But because I'm not a professional photographer myself, I'm not eligible for NPS, and I'm treated like a second class citizen by Nikon UK when it comes to servicing and repairs.The NPS scheme is open to professional photographers only, with a criterea of kit.
and within that £300,000 you don't have a 3 pro level pieces?Yes, that's my problem. I have over £300,000 worth of Nikon kit, and I earn my living from it, and many professional photographers rely on my company's services. But because I'm not a professional photographer myself, I'm not eligible for NPS, and I'm treated like a second class citizen by Nikon UK when it comes to servicing and repairs.
Of course I do. But I'm not a professional photographer and therefore I am not eligible for NPS.and within that £300,000 you don't have a 3 pro level pieces?
You would be if you owned Canon kit (smug smile - not really). Does seem a bit ridiculous of Nikon to be so pedantic.Of course I do. But I'm not a professional photographer and therefore I am not eligible for NPS.
I have about £500,000 worth of Canon kit and the service I receive from them is off the top of the CPS scale.You would be if you owned Canon kit (smug smile - not really). Does seem a bit ridiculous of Nikon to be so pedantic.
I'm coming round to your place to nick it allI have about £500,000 worth of Canon kit and the service I receive from them is off the top of the CPS scale.
I'm coming round to your place to nick it all
Seriously, may be an idea to delete the amounts in case some thieving scumbag reads your posts.
I am aware of his business, tongue in cheek commentI think if you realise Stewarts business then you'll realise why he has so much kit and also why someone once broke in, despite security measures. From that unfortunate occaision, I believe Stewart has taken even further measures.
Canon CPS security elves with ferocious guard dogs. Nikon wouldn't provide any as he wasn't a professional