Visiting the states..

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AndyJC

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I'm off to the US for a couple of weeks with work in Sept and was wondering if it would be worth buying some camera kit while i'm out there. Is it covered in the UK? Would it be much cheaper?

Or should I not risk it?
 
I don't think it's much cheaper at the moment....some things are but generally not IMHO. Certainly Nikon gear doesn't seem to be from what I have seen.
 
Last time I looked at it (a couple of months ago), US prices on lenses were generally a bit lower than UK prices in the shops out there, but a bit higher to import into the UK after you'd deducted US sales tax and added UK import duty and VAT.

I don't know what the situation is with camera prices but I'd want to check the warranty *very* carefully before importing a camera.
 
But if you get the chance to visit B&H in New York, it's worth it even if you're just window shopping.
 
it depends on what you want to buy and how you buy it. Lenses and flashes are cheaper in price providing the exchange is 1.6 or better. If you avoid US sales tax (either by buying it from a different state and shipping or reclaiming it) then you can save a bunch on higher priced items. Then providing you are carrying it on your person when you travel back then you can avoid VAT and import for up to ~380 quid in total value as your personal exemption. So if you consider what that could get you, 380 quid at 1.6x is roughly $600.

From Adorama you can get the 100/2.8 USM macro for $560. Add shipping and you'll be ~570. That is roughly the 360. From CPB, the same lens is going for 430 quid from amazon. That is about a 16% savings. The warranty would be different of course and you can search on here for actual warranty policies for different products.

Thanks
Rick
 
humm that is quite a big saving. Was thinking of getting a 7D body while out there - will be taking my other camera kit with me too. decisions!
 
The online prices don't translate into walk-in prices. I've just returned from 3 weeks in the US, and every camera store I went into the quoted price plus tax was higher than UK prices after tax.
 
arad85 said:
The online prices don't translate into walk-in prices. I've just returned from 3 weeks in the US, and every camera store I went into the quoted price plus tax was higher than UK prices after tax.
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As stated online prices are the price you will pay from B&H IF you order on line from out of state. If you order at the store then add state tax.

and every camera store I went into the quoted price plus tax was higher than UK prices after tax
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As I said B&H are hard to beat all local on the corner stores can not compete with them buying online or at the store.
 
i could order the item to my hotel - but how do i know if im ordering out of state or not?
 
california - so if i order from say amazon or B&Hs online store - would i pay added tax?
 
AndyJC said:
california - so if i order from say amazon or B&Hs online store - would i pay added tax?
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This would be out of state for B & H (not sure about Amazon) but I don't think they will deliver to a hotel, particularly for a visitor/new customer using a foreign credit card. They might, but I'd check with them first. The easiest way to place the order would be to ask a US friend/relative/colleague to do it for you.
 
MartynK said:
This would be out of state for B & H (not sure about Amazon) but I don't think they will deliver to a hotel, particularly for a visitor/new customer using a foreign credit card. They might, but I'd check with them first. The easiest way to place the order would be to ask a US friend/relative/colleague to do it for you.
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I've certainly had stuff sent to a hotel in the US for pick up by me (as a visitor) and paid with a foreign credit card - on two occasions, no problems.
 
davek said:
I've certainly had stuff sent to a hotel in the US for pick up by me (as a visitor) and paid with a foreign credit card - on two occasions, no problems.
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OK, useful to know. My friends in the US told me B & H wouldn't do this as a rule - or not without a lot of fuss - because they normally want to match the card details with the delivery address. Thanks.
 
Martyn,

You can use Adorama for certain. You will have to call in the order though. I've used my UK card registered to a UK address and shipped to my in-laws in the US. The web page doesn't allow it (nor does Paypal through their website) but if you call them it can be arranged.

Thanks,
Rick
 
I am sure I read somewhere that the warranty with Canon camera bodies are only valid in the country of purchase (lens warranties are international for Canon, I believe). So I suppose it depends how much you value a warranty.

Also factor in the VAT and Duty you will have to pay when you come back to the UK and declare it. It may well prove cheaper to buy one from Kerso (he is a member on here - check the sellers section), as he buys and imports from the US and pays all the VAT and Duty.
 
IIRC B&H is run by those jewish guys with the earlocks, and big hats - so you might want to check their holy days, or whatever. Last time I went to B&H it was closed for passover (or something like that).

Otherwise, don't miss it - their prices are competitive, and they keep all sorts of small hard-to-find useful stuff, odds and ends. Browse their online Website before you go.
 
I think Canon have an international warranty on the L lenses, but not the bodies and the rest of the glass.

B & H is, as a previous poster said, a Jewish company. Most of the employees are observant. They close early on Fridays and reopen on Sundays, and are either closed or close early on Jewish holidays.
 
k i guess that's worth knowing. just a shame no one really knows much about the canon waranties
 
AndyJC said:
k i guess that's worth knowing. just a shame no one really knows much about the canon waranties
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This comes up now and again, and I don't know the definitive answer either. Years ago, Pentax were supposed to have offered the only real international warranty, and would honour it anywhere, providing you had a receipt proving that you bought the gear from an official outlet and it wasn't a grey model in the country of origin. The other manufacturers had much stricter conditions. I used to live in South Africa and Nikon wouldn't touch any privately imported equipment, even if you were willing to pay for the service/repair. Canon would come to the party, but did not recognise the warranties. I suppose the only way you'll get the answer you want is to ask Canon?
 
I guess, will fire them an email tomorrow. It does seem that picking up a 2nd hand 7D on here is about the same cost as a new one from the states.. but much less hassle .. may just do that :/
 
vintageman said:
Don't forget that anything like a charger that requires mains electrictity may only be 110 volts and will come with a two flat pin plug. :thinking:
If its universal voltage i.e. 110 or 240v be sure to acquire an adapter for uk sockets whilst you're there - its harder to get one in the UK

David
http://vintageman.zenfolio.com/
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If not I'm quite sure that maplins sell them.
 
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