A Brit buying in New York

[Roy Mathers]

Are there any Brits out there who have made a purchase in the B & H store in New York (in person, not on-line)? Any comments you'd like to make? I shall be there in a month or so and was thinking of getting a 70-200L, as they are much cheaper there. Maybe one of you has had the experience of shopping there while on holiday or business - if so, I'd love to hear about it.

[Mullins]

I'm not a brit, But I have to say you're going to be in for a hell of a pleasent suprise! Its an awesome, crowded, unique store! Have fun in the city.

[Ephemeral]

Remember Sales Tax applies to all purchases. :D

[kato1]

You lucky chap.
From what I can see the price of lenses in the USA are just over half the price we have to pay in Blighty.
Wish I was going too.
Be sure to arm yourself with your friendly piece of plastic before you go. LOL

[frenchdub]

Remember Sales Tax applies to all purchases. :D

Just don't get caught coming back into the UK...

G
PS: can you bring me one... my ex won't give mine back!!!LOL

[Roy Mathers]

[quote=frenchdub;2719115]Just don't get caught coming back into the UK...

Yes, that's the problem, getting stung by HM Customs! Still no replies from people who have actually experienced this though!

[Indecent Exposure]

I'm sure they are not going to mind or change their practices because you are from England.

Go, enjoy, try not to pass out at the lens display (I've gotten light-headed, but never passed out), don't forget the sales tax, and post your experience with the 70-200mm.

Cheers.

[Jason90]

[quote=frenchdub;2719115]Just don't get caught coming back into the UK...

Yes, that's the problem, getting stung by HM Customs! Still no replies from people who have actually experienced this though!


Attach the lense to your camera, post the box and receipt before you leave NY, then no problems is you get stopped on your way back

I have been caught coming back into the UK and had to pay duty

[august23]

lol sales tax? That's strange. I order from B&H online and don't get charged tax at all.

[Riz1]

it's a great place...you'll be amazed by how big the store actually is...:)

[Roy Mathers]

[quote=Roy Mathers;2719159]


Attach the lense to your camera, post the box and receipt before you leave NY, then no problems is you get stopped on your way back

I have been caught coming back into the UK and had to pay duty


Thanks Jason, I'll remember to take some brown paper and string over with me!

[Roy Mathers]

lol sales tax? That's strange. I order from B&H online and don't get charged tax at all.


I think it's different if you're buying on-line (ie out of state), that's why I mentioned that I would be buying actually in the store.

[august23]

Ohhhhh true true. Didn't think about that. Come over my house in Jersey, we'll order your stuff to my house, bam, no tax!

[StealthLude]

lol sales tax? That's strange. I order from B&H online and don't get charged tax at all.


out of state sale... whats why I order from them...

[pup]

i am in NJ about a 20 minute drive from B&H.... when i order online i dont pay sales tax and i choose the cheaping shipping option and get the package the next day ! I've bought a few things there in person. Amazing store have fun

[august23]

pup its funny. i JUST read the part of your post that said "get the package the next day!" when my phone rang, my doorman said I have a package, which is my 35L! LOVE B&H!!!!

[Roy Mathers]

Ohhhhh true true. Didn't think about that. Come over my house in Jersey, we'll order your stuff to my house, bam, no tax!


Are you serious?

[pup]

pup its funny. i JUST read the part of your post that said "get the package the next day!" when my phone rang, my doorman said I have a package, which is my 35L! LOVE B&H!!!!


niceeee :)

[august23]

Are you serious?

Quite my friend. POTN is a community, not just online! Hell, I'd love to meet someone from the UK! :p

[Roy Mathers]

Quite my friend. POTN is a community, not just online! Hell, I'd love to meet someone from the UK! :p


You're a true gent, as we say over here. I shall be sending you a pm to try to sort something out! It sounds great.

[thebigphil]

Shouldn't that also help with getting your packages mailed? That way customs won't see a commercial package, only a box coming from a gentleman's home in the States.

Of course, I know nothing about this!

[august23]

Probably would help. For all they know, I gave him that stuff. :p

[thebigphil]

Make sure he brings over some of that excellent british chocolate. All of the UK people I know of always complain about the american chocolate, and out of pity bring some Cadbury (?sp).

[Ben Daniels]

Quite my friend. POTN is a community, not just online! Hell, I'd love to meet someone from the UK! :p

Be careful august 23!!!
It is well know here in the UK that people from the Hertfordshire area of England are quite often in bred.
Once a guy from Hertfordshire gave me a "High Six", after I scored a soccer goal. Frightening!

Just a heads up.
Glad I sent this as a pm and not on the main forum :lol:

[Throlkim]

Cadbury's chocolate is indeed better than America chocolate :D
Europe is especially good for chocolate. Belgium and Switzerland come to mind.

Posting the box back separately sounds like a nice idea, just make sure you take the invoice outta there and keep it with you instead!

[Artdime]

Posting the box back separately sounds like a nice idea, just make sure you take the invoice outta there and keep it with you instead!

Not sure if that's a good idea, since customs could see that the lens is new. I would just send it in a letter separately from the box. It'll be just an additional 80 cents for an international stamp. :D

Florian

[john_s]

I keep thinking that a trip to NYC might be in order to indulge in some new bits and pieces.

How much is sales tax BTW?

[Roy Mathers]

Be careful august 23!!!
It is well know here in the UK that people from the Hertfordshire area of England are quite often in bred.
Once a guy from Hertfordshire gave me a "High Six", after I scored a soccer goal. Frightening!

Just a heads up.
Glad I sent this as a pm and not on the main forum :lol:


1. I sincerely hope that this was sent as a joke (in any case, you're getting us confused with Norfolk). Or was it just an excuse to get the joke in?

2. You did post it on the main forum.

3. You sound suspiciously like an American (we call the game 'football' over here).

[bildeb0rg]

I've gotten as far as checking flight availability and ticket prices. The thought of a 50L AND 85L for just over a grand (sterling) with a weeekend in the big apple thrown in, is just too tempting. Hell, why even bother with the boxes!

[spitfirejd]

Make sure you check the "gift" box on the customs form at the Post Office, NOT the "merchandise" box. When I lived in the UK I had friends/family send me stuff from the US as gifts and never had to pay duty. I even mailed ordered stuff and had it sent to my parents who reboxed it and mailed it to me. (oops, did I say that out loud?). If B&H sends it though, you'll have to pay.

"Not sure if that's a good idea, since customs could see that the lens is new"

Hmm, all my lenses look like new! Especially the 24-105 f/4 L that came today!!

[Roy Mathers]

By the way August 23, in view of some of the above comments, I'll bring you some Cadbury's chocolate!

[expatphotog]

Well not quite the same, but when I moved from the US to the UK I hand carried a lot of camera gear over two trips. Never got looked at once. I'd say buy it and put it in your camera bag like any tourist. Just don't bring the box :D

[JeffreyG]

I've dodged customs myself. Bring your camera gear with you (I suppose you will anyway....it's NY after all). Then just add the new gear to your kit and head home. You should be able to pull off the "I had it all when I left the UK" bit on the way back. Just be sure to post the box and receipt back separate or you may get busted.

[ghostman]

I keep thinking that a trip to NYC might be in order to indulge in some new bits and pieces.

How much is sales tax BTW?

8.375%

I live in NYC, so I try to buy my goods from other states to avoid paying NY taxes.

[Roy Mathers]

You've all been very helpful - and there have been some very interesting comments here. But how can you expect otherwise from POTN? Thanks everyone.

[steve817]

I will be spending a night in London either going to or coming home from Latvia. Do I need to take orders before I leave?

[Roy Mathers]

I've just thought of another idea to get round the sales tax problem. Supposing I ordered the lens and paid for it from here in the UK and then, when I'm in New York, collected it in person from B&H. Would that work (ie would I then avoid the sales tax?)

[condyk]

Maybe one of you has had the experience of shopping there while on holiday or business - if so, I'd love to hear about it.

I have bought there and it is a great store. Add sales tax and duty and you save nothing much. I am honest so I paid what was due at the airport. I didn't know about sales tax in NYC so was surprised to see that on the invoice later :( Avoid the tax and be dishonest and you can save a very significant amount.

... the price of lenses in the USA are just over half the price we have to pay in Blighty.

That is a huge exageration ... shop around a bit more. An option is onestop-digital.com via HK who price fully inclusive. Savings are well worth it. I know several who buy from them and I have as well with no problem. There is a guy Kerso here who also has a great reputation.

[spitfirejd]

I've just thought of another idea to get round the sales tax problem. Supposing I ordered the lens and paid for it from here in the UK and then, when I'm in New York, collected it in person from B&H. Would that work (ie would I then avoid the sales tax?)

No. Tax has to be collected based on where the buyer takes possession of the property. In this case, it would be in NYC so you would have to pay the sales tax regardless of where you ordered it from. When receiving items via mail, and you take possession in another state, or country, you avoid the NY state tax and NYC city tax.

[bildeb0rg]

That is a huge exageration ... shop around a bit more. An option is onestop-digital.com via HK who price fully inclusive. Savings are well worth it. I know several who buy from them and I have as well with no problem. There is a guy Kerso here who also has a great reputation.[/quote]

Personally, i dont think the HK sellers are worth the risk at customs. All the volume sellers' return addresses are known to customs, and flag up pretty much every time. Obviously, not every pacage is opened, but with my luck... Besides, add the postage and your not far away from the Us grey importers i.e. Ian Kerso. He's bailed me out twice now, by delivering the goods literally hours before i was due to shoot with them. Still fancy the DIY appraoch tho' ;)

[thebigphil]

I've just thought of another idea to get round the sales tax problem. Supposing I ordered the lens and paid for it from here in the UK and then, when I'm in New York, collected it in person from B&H. Would that work (ie would I then avoid the sales tax?)

I thought you were going to get around the Sales Tax by having it shipped the 20 miles to August23's house...

[EOS400D]

I am not a "Brit" either, but I happen to live in NYC and what makes it worst, I an in the area at least 3 times a week. The temptation is tremendous, but it is an awesome store. I would compare it to an amusement park for adults.

Unfortunately I have no way around the tax issue, so I only buy from there when the shipping somewhere else is more that the tax and they are the cheapest (double constraint), which I have found to be the case for accessories (bags, straps and the like).

Anyway, you'll have fun, enjoy!

[condyk]

Personally, i dont think the HK sellers are worth the risk at customs. All the volume sellers' return addresses are known to customs, and flag up pretty much every time. Obviously, not every pacage is opened, but with my luck... Besides, add the postage and your not far away from the Us grey importers i.e. Ian Kerso. He's bailed me out twice now, by delivering the goods literally hours before i was due to shoot with them. Still fancy the DIY appraoch tho' ;)

I don't wish to be rude but seems to me that you are speaking from a point of no experience. Had you taken even a few seconds to check my recommendation out then you would see that P&P prices are included and that if you are charged by customs then they will refund you. They have done that with me and no problems at all ... even refunded the courier collection fee.

[Roy Mathers]

I thought you were going to get around the Sales Tax by having it shipped the 20 miles to August23's house...


Yes, that's right - I was just investigating an easy way to save August23 the trouble.

[bkw]

While B&H is a great shop, you shouldnt limit yourself to just there. Since you'll already be in the city, you should check out J&R. Theyve got a decent showroom and the salespersons don't hound you like they do at B&H.

Whatever you do, do NOT walk into a random electronics store anywhere in Manhattan. They're total con artists preying on tourists. But, if you see a photo specific shop - stop by. Most will pricematch B&H and J&R, and offer you 'mom & pop' customer service.

Lived in this city for 35 years and hate it whenever some poor unsuspecting soul walks into one of these tourist traps.

[chrisb321]

I've just thought of another idea to get round the sales tax problem. Supposing I ordered the lens and paid for it from here in the UK and then, when I'm in New York, collected it in person from B&H. Would that work (ie would I then avoid the sales tax?)

I think it works the same as when I go back home to the UK (I'm a brit living in Chicago)
You buy the item including VAT (or sales tax), then on leaving the country you complete a form at the airport and they refund the tax to a credit card.

So if you pay the extra 8% or so in the store, you'll get it back a month later on your credit card. So there is no real advantage to going out of your way to avoid the tax (except that your out of pocket for a month or so).

This doesn't avoid the requirement to 'declare' the items when you return to the UK

[Merlin Driver]

You'll have a great time and spend several hours there. I brought a XM radio there last week and spent about 2 hours looking around.

Lynn

[Wilt]

[quote=Jason90;2719197]


Thanks Jason, I'll remember to take some brown paper and string over with me!

So if you send in an empty box in the post, have you considered what the Customs folks are going to conclude..."Let's send this chap an invoice for taxes he is obviously trying to avoid!" Just wondering if anyone has ever successfully used this particular dodge!

[bildeb0rg]

I don't wish to be rude but seems to me that you are speaking from a point of no experience. Had you taken even a few seconds to check my recommendation out then you would see that P&P prices are included and that if you are charged by customs then they will refund you. They have done that with me and no problems at all ... even refunded the courier collection fee.

Hi Don, I suppose the dead giveaway was obviosly "I don't think it's worth the risk". I've been burned in the past bringing stuff in from the states, so why chance it from HK. As for p+p included, Kea Photo, Digital Rev and a few others all charge extra for carriage. Maybe I'm just not as trusting as you on the refunds thing. And if you don't wish to be rude, don't be.

[condyk]

If the OP wants to buy in NYC then good luck to him.

I've had around £2000's worth via one-stop in HK, including very quick three refunds of VAT/Duty/Collection fee, and also I have bought off Kerso. Been very happy with both and both are safe options. Onestop are not as cheap as they used to be tho' and worth asking Ian to at least price match I reckon if he comes in more costly.

Bildeb0rg ... man, really seems to me you have no clue about what you're talking about here with onestop ;-) It's all assumption with no experience to back up what you say at all. Like saying 'I got a salad from Tesco's last week so I am never gonna buy ice-cream at Sainsbury's' :-) US and HK are different countries. Digital Rev, Kea and Onestop are different companies. Lumping everything together is just silly.

[runninmann]

Sounds like the makings of a great thread. "Hey, I'm going to be in (insert U.S. location here) from (insert high cost camera gear nation here) and would like to order from (insert reputable, low cost online retailer in another state here). Anyone want to have a photo shoot, receive my goods and allow me to mail my box, dunnage and invoice from your address?"

By the way, I'd recommend taking the styrofoam dunnage out of the box, collapsing the box and putting them both in a mailing envelope. I think that would arouse much less suspicion than a package.

I live in Michigan and would love to meet and talk with others visiting the area and help with their equipment procurement.

[bildeb0rg]

If the OP wants to buy in NYC then good luck to him.

Bildeb0rg ... man, really seems to me you have no clue about what you're talking about here with onestop ;-) It's all assumption with no experience to back up what you say at all. Like saying 'I got a salad from Tesco's last week so I am never gonna buy ice-cream at Sainsbury's' :-) US and HK are different countries. Digital Rev, Kea and Onestop are different companies. Lumping everything together is just silly.

I haven't stuck pins in my eyes, nor a wasp up my arse, yet I'm fairly certaiin both would be painful. Correct. US and HK are different countries. Same customs on the way in tho'. Whats up? No one allowed to argue a different opinion without you getting upset?

[condyk]

No problem ... it's clearly not worth persuing this with you. I think most other people will understand the points being made and so they can take from it whatever may be useful or otherwise.