?...Purchasing Camera, Lens, etc. through beBay from a Country other than the US.. (Page 2): Never ever buy anything with a money order or check from Ebay

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Never ever buy anything with a money order or check from Ebay - if you never get your order, there is not protection. Any vendor that doesn't accept PayPal or a credit card is suspicious.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

mrd wrote:

if so was it a good or bad experience? Are the customs fees and taxes reasonable or not? The reason I ask is I am considering buying a Nikon 400mm f/2.8 AF-S and there is a $1,500 to $2,000 difference in price for the same lens if purchased in Japan compared to the US.

Thank all of you for your input.

Make sure you are not comparing the new E model to the previous version.

Assuming same lenses I would not hesitate buying an import vs USA if the price is right from a legit dealer.

E-bay worries me.

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

mrd wrote:

if so was it a good or bad experience? Are the customs fees and taxes reasonable or not? The reason I ask is I am considering buying a Nikon 400mm f/2.8 AF-S and there is a $1,500 to $2,000 difference in price for the same lens if purchased in Japan compared to the US.

Thank all of you for your input.

Before I did that I would look into buying a refurbished set up from one of the camera manufacturers websites

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

We have bought several lenses through adverts on ebay without any problems whatsoever. The main thing is to use Paypal so if there is a problem on delivery you can get refunded.

Import duties and sales tax may well be payable if the authorities catch up with the shipment. That will remove your price benefit as that is usually the value of the saving.

Just make sure the seller has a good ebay rating as a seller.

robrory Loc: Coatesville, PA

In February I purchased a Canon 50D body from a seller in Russia from ebay. It was and is in great condition and it arrived in about 10 days. I had no problems at all.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Recently researched ebay for an older model macro lens and found most of them were being sold from various locations in Japan. After noting the sale did not include added fees for customs, saw the same lens originating from the U.S. was about $100 more. I am guessing the added customs fees along with higher shipping fees made up the the difference, I am not sure if any savings would be achieved.

kbarnes42 Loc: North Carolina

You are giving up the US warranty. If you can live with that, go for it.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

Ken Rockwell says he has had great experiences with a Japanese company on ebay. to me I would rather buy used from KEH.com get a 6 month warranty and hsave the peace of mind that Nikon will repair it. I also would probably be more willing to take a chance on a gray market lens then a camera body. I have never needed to get a lens repaires

Tiger1123 Loc: Hawaii

I purchased a $1400 Lens From Japan last year and Customs charged a $40+ fee before I could receive delivery.
Hope this helps

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

mrd wrote:

if so was it a good or bad experience? Are the customs fees and taxes reasonable or not? The reason I ask is I am considering buying a Nikon 400mm f/2.8 AF-S and there is a $1,500 to $2,000 difference in price for the same lens if purchased in Japan compared to the US.

Thank all of you for your input.

If you personally purchase it overseas you can take your regular exemption from Customs for the length of time spent out of the country. Duty may be assessed above that , or not. If, on the other hand you are buying something mail order from overseas check with Customs. I remember back in the 1970's you had to physically obliterate any Nikon Trademark from their products mailed in to the US. Not sure if this is still required, but would effect the value on resale.

Dana C Loc: Buhl, Idaho

joer wrote:

Make sure you are not comparing the new E model to the previous version.

Assuming same lenses I would not hesitate buying an import vs USA if the price is right from a legit dealer.

E-bay worries me.

Over the years I have bought camera's, lenses, swords, knives, guitars, (some expensive ones) along with other stuff. I only had a problem once and ebay came through and refunded my money. If you pay via Pay Pal and if the seller is reputable, I see no reason to not buy from an overseas seller not withstanding the warranty issue. If the item is used that may be a different story.

Dana C Loc: Buhl, Idaho

joer wrote:

Make sure you are not comparing the new E model to the previous version.

Assuming same lenses I would not hesitate buying an import vs USA if the price is right from a legit dealer.

E-bay worries me.

Over the years I have bought camera's, lenses, swords, knives, guitars, (some expensive ones) along with other stuff. I only had a problem once and ebay came through and refunded my money. If you pay via Pay Pal and if the seller is reputable, I see no reason to not buy from an overseas seller not withstanding the warranty issue. If the item is used that may be a different story.

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

Kuzano wrote:

Optical equipment, which includes Photographic Gear, was excluded from customs many years ago.

That's the fact, Jack!!! There is no customs duty on photographic equipment brought into the US.

mrd Loc: Eastern NC

Just want to thank everyone for all the info!

D. Jackson ( Mrd )

mrd Loc: Eastern NC

Most of you probly know this ( B & H ) does not sells used equipment as US warranty but as generic. If this has changed let me know.
Mrd