40D prices

Was thinking of upgrading to the 40D, so started checking round for prices.

Being based in Paris I looked in France first (via internet). Best I could find in France was 1250 euros (1750 US$) without lens. Seemed really expensive. So I checked out a few sites in the UK, best was £750 (1510 US$). A quick look in the US and Amazon are 1300 US$. These are huge differences, surely the price in France will drop ? At least to the level in the UK? I seriously started looking at some of the ebay Hong Kong sellers.

Exchange rates via www.xe.com

Cheers
Ali

The price in Hongkong 8300HKD=530GBP. In China, 7950YMB=530GBP.
40D body only

I bought mine from HK seller, no problems, not sure if you can get from Play.com with no import duties?, in France, but they are cheap now

http://www.play.com …h&pa=search&go.​x=0&go.y=0

MaDProFF wrote in post #3976936
I bought mine from HK seller, no problems, not sure if you can get from Play.com with no import duties?, in France, but they are cheap now

http://www.play.com …h&pa=search&go.​x=0&go.y=0

HK prices are very tempting, dont know what the chances of getting it past the French customs are though. They would add about 35% to the price if you get caught.

I dont mind buying my lenses abroad as there seems to be international warranties with them. My wigma and my teleconverters were bought in Japan and my 70-200 2.8 L IS was brought back from the US by my wife.

Did you get the camera without any customs duties? Do they put an 'incorrect' value on it so that it avoid customs?

cheers
Ali

Well Play.com used to be based in Jersey or Guernsey, so that is why I said them, they ship to EU, but you need to check re-warranty, and if you are going to be charged import

I used Digital REV, and they do actually have some that are VAT exempt, and if you are charged they reimburse you, and I was charged very little import duty when I bought an item that was not a VAT exempt, don't ask me how they get away with it though

The savings are less now from HK over when they were first released, by time you have paid this and that, though still cheaper.

but I would pursue the Play.com one, first see what they can do, I have bought loads of items off them in the past, just never Hardware

Here in Israel the price from "grey import" (import and warranty by the store) is $1300 before VAT and $1525 with 15% VAT. From the official Canon importer it is around $300 more but that carries a three year warranty. A Mack international warranty can be purchased from many grey importers for about $80.

A return flight ticket from London to HK is 269GBP. To beijing sometime is even cheaper, something like 243GBP as I heard.

Go there, grab a camera, the total cost is roughly the same in Jessops. LOL.

MaDProFF wrote in post #3976980
Well Play.com used to be based in Jersey or Guernsey, so that is why I said them, they ship to EU, but you need to check re-warranty, and if you are going to be charged import

I used Digital REV, and they do actually have some that are VAT exempt, and if you are charged they reimburse you, and I was charged very little import duty when I bought an item that was not a VAT exempt, don't ask me how they get away with it though

The savings are less now from HK over when they were first released, by time you have paid this and that, though still cheaper.

but I would pursue the Play.com one, first see what they can do, I have bought loads of items off them in the past, just never Hardware

I saw the digital rev offers and they look good, thinking I may get it sent from there to the UK, as at least I know how it works there.

I checked out play.com but they had £750 same as I found elsewhere in the UK didn't look like they had any vat exempt offers.

cheers
Ali

wmouse wrote in post #3977038
A return flight ticket from London to HK is 269GBP. To beijing sometime is even cheaper, something like 243GBP as I heard.

Go there, grab a camera, the total cost is roughly the same in Jessops. LOL.

If I did that I would need to buy more than the camera, would make the trip really worthwhile. 300mm f2.8 for example LOL

cheers
Ali

wmouse wrote in post #3977038
A return flight ticket from London to HK is 269GBP. To beijing sometime is even cheaper, something like 243GBP as I heard.

Go there, grab a camera, the total cost is roughly the same in Jessops. LOL.

I've never seen such a cheap flight being offered to the far east - any links?

goatee wrote in post #3977066
I've never seen such a cheap flight being offered to the far east - any links?

I have never seen any that cheap either

One thing for sure though, a 1 mk 3 is £500 cheaper in HK on Digital rev, and £100-00 postage, add a few other items, to your list, (I might add D rev only reduce the postage by 30% i think I was told on each item) lowest postage is £50-00 to UK I think off hand

so if that Flight cost is true, for someone who wanted a camera, and a few lenses, would make a massive savings, I know someone got his recent equipment from HK and in effect he could have flown, bought the camera, and had a 580II flash and EF16-35L for free and still had change in his pocket

MaDProFF wrote in post #3977194
I have never seen any that cheap either

One thing for sure though, a 1 mk 3 is £500 cheaper in HK on Digital rev, and £100-00 postage, add a few other items, to your list, (I might add D rev only reduce the postage by 30% i think I was told on each item) lowest postage is £50-00 to UK I think off hand

so if that Flight cost is true, for someone who wanted a camera, and a few lenses, would make a massive savings, I know someone got his recent equipment from HK and in effect he could have flown, bought the camera, and had a 580II flash and EF16-35L for free and still had change in his pocket

We had better get off this subject before we are all on the next plane east !!

cheers
Ali

heh, well My Brother needs a load of lenses, he wants to spend £1k, I need one or 2 and tempted by 1D MK3

I know of people who have flown over to HK, bought loads of gear and saved a small fortune, and got a few shots in as well of HK

If that's the case, they should set up a photography business (i.e. register a company), and then register for VAT. That way they don't need to go to HK to legally get VAT free prices. Of course, the equipment will all be the property of the company, but it's only an issue if the company goes bust. Plus it should spur them on to get some paid work to fund it all.

well, difference is you need to turn over 38k a year for vat registration, (not to sure on the exact amount), and 2 your are suppose to sell on, and charge vat

I am VAT registered anyhow, and run my own business, golden rule is you pay them each quarter, once you claim off them each 1/4, they soon knocking on your door.

When I meant I know people it is not a regular thing, just once in a blue moon.