Buying a Camera in the US?

[Richard Bruvofetc]

I have my eye on a Panasonic Lumix FZ7 which I was hoping to buy in the UK before going to Orlando. However, as they have just been rerleased over here they are very difficult to get hold of.

So, just out of interest I thought I would check out camera shops in Orlando. They're about £100 cheaper AND in stock (I want the black one).

So my question. What are the pitfalls if I were to buy one in Orlando?

 

[KayleeUK]

Moving this over to trip planning for you

 

[AlanUK]

The main pitfall would be that fact that you would have to pay VAT and Duty when you came back into the UK through customs You could decide not to declare the item and take a chance but then you would run the risk of being picked up every time you left the country and came back in again!

Also I would make sure that the charger is capable of being run on a 240v mains system as well as a 110v mains system, and that the warranty was valid outside of the US

Can't think of anything else

 

[AndRu]

This might not be strictly legal or, to use a British term 'cricket' but how about:

Buy the same camera in this country using your credit card.
Take it back for a refund, not suitable etc (Argos are great with a 16 day money back thing)
Keep the reciept.
Buy the camera you want in the USA.
If it's not had "Refund" stamped on it, Show Mr Customs your UK receipt "Honest, I bought it in the UK!". Failing that, the credit card statement showing a purchase in the UK.

 

[Shane]

I'm going to orlando in just over a month, I've decided to order my camera before hand so I can get use to it etc, If you have time then save money and buy it over there.

 

[daipp]

Buy the same camera in this country using your credit card.
Take it back for a refund, not suitable etc (Argos are great with a 16 day money back thing)
Keep the reciept.
Buy the camera you want in the USA.
If it's not had "Refund" stamped on it, Show Mr Customs your UK receipt "Honest, I bought it in the UK!". Failing that, the credit card statement showing a purchase in the UK.

HM Customs know by a serial number where the camera was marketed for, so they would know immediately that the camera in your hand came from USA.

David

 

[AndRu]

Hmmm, they can tell serial numbers on electrical items yet they can't stop mass illegal immigration

I'd take the chance with a camera!

 

[Fionasmommy]

I would absolutely do it. Every time I travel to the UK I'm amazed at how much more expensive things are - and conversely, when family comes here to visit, they bring an empty suitcase to take all their shopping home in!

I wouldn't worry at all about Customs asking about it, and if they do you can say it was a gift from an American relative. There's no VAT or duty paid on gifts. Or, send the box and manual home before you leave, so that all they might see in your case is the camera. I highly, highly doubt they would even ask if it was new or where it was purchased. Most people take a camera on holiday, they must see thousands every day and would hardly have the time to cross reference every single serial number.

Now if you had a stack of US $100 bills tucked in your carry on, that's a different story!

But even then chances are you won't be stopped in the first place. I've flown through Heathrow and Gatwick nearly twenty times, and I only had my baggage gone through once (at Heathrow), and that day they were going through everyone's stuff.

 

[tartangirl]

We've bought a couple of cameras in Florida with no problems.

The ones we've had work off batteries so we've had no issues with chargers. We also bought from Walmart so if there were any problems we could take them back to Asda.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Ive bought plenty of consumer electronic goods in the US, and have no qualms about doing so. However camera prices in the UK are now pretty competative, particularly online, and I'd only consider buying one in the US if, like you say, supplies are limited over here.
Ive heard in the past about Customs having databases of US serial number ranges on products, and to be honest Im not sure I believe it. I think its more likely they just look for the working voltage or the EC approval stamp or the FCC stamp, and work out from that where the product has come from from those.....lets face it its pretty easy to work out where things were bought.

 

[AlanUK]

I wouldn't worry at all about Customs asking about it, and if they do you can say it was a gift from an American relative. There's no VAT or duty paid on gifts.

I don't think this is correct It doesn't matter how the items were sourced, the fact is that if you are bringing goods back into the UK from outside of the EU then they are liable for VAT and Duty once the value of the goods exceeds £145.

Also can I politely request that this thread does not turn into a discussion on how to bring back goods and avoid paying customs charges which is after all smuggling and illegal. Thanks for your co-operation

 

[SimonY]

One thing to note - many US warranties are not international. I was looking at exactly the same camera and was put off buying one on a recent business trip in the US because of this.

The strategy of buying in Walmart as things can be returned to Asda stores here seems sensible - I don't think they do the Panasonic.

Incidentally now looking at the Sony DSC-H2 or DSC-H5 as well that are just coming out - or the Canon S3. Decisions, decisions.

 

[SimonY]

I have my eye on a Panasonic Lumix FZ7 which I was hoping to buy in the UK before going to Orlando. However, as they have just been rerleased over here they are very difficult to get hold of.

They appear to be available at http://www.ukdigital.co.uk/panasonic_dmc_fz7.htm in black with a 2 year warranty for £289.00 + P & P.

 

[edenlee]

I would reiterate the warning about the warranties. Many US ones are not valid here. Also the camera is probably just as cheap on the internet and you would get chance to use it here first and get fmailiar

 

[Goofyish]

Panasonic is also available here:

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/188377/art/panasonic/lumix_dmc_fz7_silver.html?srcid=36

for £265 plus postage.

and here

http://www.bestcameras.co.uk/shop/a..._Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_FZ7b_111.html?ref=kelkoo

and here

http://www.ukdigitalcameras.co.uk/product_info.asp?prdID=3342

and here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...36681/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_3_2/203-2837131-0600739

 

[Graeme]

Incidentally now looking at the Sony DSC-H2 or DSC-H5 as well that are just coming out - or the Canon S3. Decisions, decisions.

Don't set me off! I've come on this board to stop me reading and re-reading any info on the S3. Mine's ordered and I'm hoping to get it before flying to Disney next Friday. It isn't officially released until 1st May though so I might miss out.

Seriously though, I was aware that I would be in the US around release date and had a choice of $450 or £360. I went for the more expensive UK price for two reasons

1. Taking it back to the shop down the road for technical advice or repairs/problems is a lot easier than getting back to WorldofCamerasRUs@CameraWorldAtMillenia or wherever in US and the staff are a lot less inclined to help you if you didn't buy from them in the first place.

2. I've bought and sold cameras as new innovations and upgrades have come out and my skill/interest has improved. Ebayers are a lot more forthcoming with bids and you get nearer the camera's true value, (and sometimes more), if it's been UK purchased.


Anyway, my wife tells me compulsive buying of cameras and walking kit is a disease. (8 days to Outdoor World !!!)

 

[Graeme]

So, just out of interest I thought I would check out camera shops in Orlando.

Where did you look online for camera shops?

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Customs do know from the serial number where you bought your camera, and you do have to pay VAT on gifts.

A fellow student when I was at college bought himself an expensive SLR when visting Hong Kong. Three years later when returning from a day trip to France, customs confiscated the camera. He had to pay customs duty, VAT and a fine to get it back.

My Father in Law lives in Florida. He had a stone carving that he had been using as a doorstop for 20 years or so. My wife asked if she could have it and he shipped it to England. To be safe, he declared a high value on the package for insurance purposes as it had sentimental value. When it arrived, we had to pay VAT on the full insurance value.

Andrew

 

[SimonY]

Came across this about buying cameras in Orlando. Now I know that anyone sensible enough to be involved here wouldn't get caught out but....

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Where did you look online for camera shops?

I just typed in Camera Shops Orlando in Google, and it came up with a number of them.