A Brit buying in New York

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 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

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

[QUOTE=Roy Mathers;2719432]

Jason90 wrote in post #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!

Banironing wrote in post #2724035
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.

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.

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.

condyk wrote in post #2725805
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?

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.