A Brit buying in New York

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

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

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.

john_s wrote in post #2720989
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.

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.

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?

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?)

Roy Mathers wrote in post #2718525
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.

kato1 wrote in post #2719074
... 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.

Roy Mathers wrote in post #2723659
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.

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'

Roy Mathers wrote in post #2723659
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...

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!

bildeb0rg wrote in post #2723873
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.

thebigphil wrote in post #2723995
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.

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.