Buying L glass in EU from UK

[martcol]

Hi I have had this posted on "General Chat" and "talk about photography" for a while and no response so, thought I would try it here:

Anyone in UK purchased from irudi-foto.euskalnet.net or from fotoboom in Spain? Or has anyone from anywhere bought from either of these?

Prices seem good compared with UK and no duty to pay so, better than USA. However, problems 1) I only speak Spanish with Babelfish's help and 2) they want wire transfer before shipping. Hmmmmmm.

I'm thinking of buying 2 or 3 L lenses... potential to make a huge saving!

Thanks

Martin

[Andy_T]

I haven't done business with any of them, but

2) they want wire transfer before shipping.

They propose to give you their IBAN number, so I assume it's a normal bank transfer.
I'd consider that normal business behaviour (I wouldn't send some L lenses to some guy in UK I don't know wthout getting the money first)

That's a lot of a difference as opposed to a Western Union money transfer where you don't have any options to protest the payment later.

But I tell you what I would do:

- I would try to get a cheap flight to San Sebastian (Basque Country, Spain), which is very close to Beasain
- I would go there and pick up the lenses myself
- I would spend a week there enjoying and photographing the countryside. It's one of the most agreeable places in Europe.

Best regards,
Andy

[DamienB]

I tried ordering a 70-200 f2.8 IS from fotoboom but after a month of waiting for them to get it in stock, they contacted me to say the price was now higher than when I ordered it - and wouldn't sell it at the price they had advertised it at originally. All in all a disappointing experience and I just cancelled the order.

They also either did not understand (or perhaps preferred not to understand) the request to sell it business to business without charging VAT so if you're buying as a business it'll mean filling in the appropriate forms to send off to the Spanish VAT bods in order to reclaim the VAT paid, rather than dealing with it as normal in your UK VAT return.

[martcol]

Thanks Daniel

That's the kind of information I'm looking for. I have thought about going to USA to buy but time is hard to find and I suppose, you could still get stung for duty.

Looks like I'll go with Park Cameras UK.

martin

[martcol]

Cancel that. Please don't tell me they're doing buy one get one free in Europe next week because I just bought my three L lenses in UK.

EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM
EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

I :shock: am soooo excited!
:D

[Andy_T]

Martin,

congrats on the present you made yourself :lol:
What a great collection!

Still, consider visiting Spain sometimes...

Best regards,
Andy

[Red Squirrel]

Hi Andy,

I bought my 17-40L from Fotoboom a few months ago - absolutely no problems. There was a slight delay because they didn't have the UV filter in stock that I wanted, but other than that, I'd use them again. Still a damn sight cheaper than buying from the US of A.
And of course, you get that all important warranty.

[jalafer]

I am from spain. I bought one 17-40L from Fotoboom and one 70-200L from Irudi Foto.
Both of them are serious and reliable shops, one in Madrid and the other in Beasain (Basque Country). The responsible of Irudi do not speak english (he does speak french), so I recommend you to buy from FotoBoom if you do not speak either French pr Spanish.
The problem now in Spain is the delivery time for the L glass. Irudi foto shows their current stock in their web page. Fotoboom does not, but you can email javier@fotoboom.com and he will tell you if they have in stock or not.
Both of them only accept bank transfer payment. The fact is that they only charge 5% over ther purchase price, so they can not accept Visa. But you can trust 100% in both shops.
You can also try jordi bas in Barcelona, they do accept Visa and their prices are also quite good.

Aniway don't forget that buying from Spain you don't have to pay any aditional duties or taxes.

Good look

[iwatkins]

I like the idea of a weekend away in Spain. A lot cheaper than a long weekend to New York and I'm sure the weather is better as well. :)

Cheers

Ian

[wnoble]

I don't think there is a lot in it buying from Spain or America. At the present rate of the dollar I have just bought a Canon 17-40 including Canon UV filter from B&H in New York for £446 including USP 3 day delivery. VAT and duty was an additional £100.

Now all I need is it to stop raining in a miserable and misty West Yorkshire! :(

[kiwimichael]

Hi,
Like some of the other posts I also have good experience with fotoboom. Javier does his best to email in English! I sent them an email and got a quote for the 17-40 f4L lens. I then transferred the money EUR600 + shipping and it arrived a few days later.
I've not checked the prices recently, but a few months a go some lenses were considerably cheaper than locally (the Netherlands). Apparently Canon wanted to get some more of the Nikon marketshare in Spain and dropped prices. As I was buying, the prices started to rise - not sure where they are now.

Check also for more info on fotoboom at: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23595

In summary - photoboom was a good experience and I now have a very goos lens at a fantastic price!!

Michael