digital rev risk assessment help please

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mik0m

mik0m

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anyone else had problems with this. For some reason they have decided that I cannot purchase from them without verifying documents. Fine good to know they take on-line security seriously however when I try and raise a ticket to send them the required info I am getting log in failed when I use my shore log in details.

I would like to know am I following correct procedure etc.. what should the next step be?
 
Thanks for the response but I don't really understand what you mean
 
He means if yo ucannt sort out with DigitalRev then buy from hdew cameras.
 
ah right... they still come in a good 150.00 over digitalrev.. but will certainly consider them should all else fail.. never had this happen before usually purchase from local shop.. Im rapidly going off on-line shopping I can tell you :(
 
canon 70d with kit lens er more accurately what am I not buying :eek: I used the painfully slow live chat.. telephoned the help line ( local rates I hope) tried a PayPal payment through verified account fgs.. only thing I can think of is I by passed the mastercard secureshield when I initially tied to make purchase as I was led to believe this was a none mandatory verification process and I was unhappy at providing the level of detail it was asking for :arghh:
 
I'd personally avoid. I've not heard the best reviews about them and cCustomer service is worth something in the event there is a problem
 
DavidBrill said:
I'd personally avoid. I've not heard the best reviews about them and cCustomer service is worth something in the event there is a problem
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....That's what I have heard too - More than once! I should add that I have no direct experience of DigitalRev and have no intentions of changing that!

Panamoz has a better reputation if you really want to buy from overseas. More difficult to sell your gear on later - Rightly or wrongly folks aren't keen.
 
Oh, and you won't be disappointed with your 70D. Excellent camera in its market sector.
 
mik0m said:
canon 70d with kit lens er more accurately what am I not buying :eek: I used the painfully slow live chat.. telephoned the help line ( local rates I hope) tried a PayPal payment through verified account fgs.. only thing I can think of is I by passed the mastercard secureshield when I initially tied to make purchase as I was led to believe this was a none mandatory verification process and I was unhappy at providing the level of detail it was asking for :arghh:
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that's probably it, annoying things the verify is.
 
Thank you all for your responses.. it is getting to the point now where I am starting to look elsewhere whether or not I will attempt to purchase on-line is another matter.

I will take a look at the recommended outlets suggested which to be honest I was unaware of. I went to digital rev because many on here seem to approve and I took this as a recommendation.

Well Paul annoying is not the word.. you are cautioned at every point about the information you provide on-line and this box appears seeming unconnected to anything you are attempting to do wanting to know everything from date of birth to telephone number.

TBH Robin I'm giving up on the idea of ever holding a 70D close.. may just stick hold of instamatic for time being :(
 
I have bought from digitalrev without any problems. I bought a 70D from them as well as a grip and a 70-200 and other bits and bobs. Easy payment and fast delivery. Sounds like some issue with not using 3d secure. Hope you get the camera, it's certainly worth it.
 
mik0m said:
TBH Robin I'm giving up on the idea of ever holding a 70D close.. may just stick hold of instamatic for time being :(
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....If you do give up on DigitalRev, try Panamoz (they'll probably have a similarly frustrating online system), or Park Cameras or Wex Photographic both of which you can telephone. It has taken me about a month of heavy use to begin to get familiar with the 70D but well worth it in my opinion.
 
Try Panamoz you can buy from them using nothing but email, no need to use there website other than to get there email address.
 
For what its worth an update. Having provided my December 2013 salary statement as proof of shipping/delivery address and they have now requested a utility bill. I am honestly getting to the point where I feel the savings on goods is not worth the trouble. Only problem is I am getting a little more than concerned about issues surrounding identity theft etc. They seem very keen on requesting verification documents but less keen on explaining why.

Think I will give Panamoz a look as suggested. Have to admit to being a little wary about using another on line retailer after this experience
 
Panamoz were brilliant, emailed them saying what i wanted and to pay by bank transfer, you will get an invoice emailed back with the price and payment details, sent payment, confirmed via email, camera received 2 days later. I will definitely be using them again.
 
Try contacting Christy from Digital Rev - she's a member here on Talk Photography.
 
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mik0m said:
For what its worth an update. Having provided my December 2013 salary statement as proof of shipping/delivery address and they have now requested a utility bill. I am honestly getting to the point where I feel the savings on goods is not worth the trouble. Only problem is I am getting a little more than concerned about issues surrounding identity theft etc. They seem very keen on requesting verification documents but less keen on explaining why.
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....I don't wish to alarm you but I have never heard of any seller needing both a salary statement (none of anyone else's business unless you were applying for a mortgage!) and a utility address (the normal proof of address). And also their reluctance to explain their reasons why is again not normal at all.

Although I haven't used Panamoz I wouldn't let this put you off all online purchasing.
 
I realise that though tbh they didnt specifically request salary statement it was, or so I thought, the most valid document I had confirming all the details they required regarding address etc. However I was a little more than surprised to have a request for even more verification. For anyone interested please find below the e-mail I have just sent in reply:

Brian

Please find attached my most recent Utility bill. This again shows clearly my home /delivery address. I would be grateful if you could clarify what the problem has been precisely. I have purchased goods on line previously without undue difficulty.

I am sure you can appreciate that I am getting more than slightly concerned about issues surrounding identity theft etc as I assume you wouldn’t be going through this involved procedure without somewhat serious concerns regarding my status.

Please could you also advise how long this is likely to take as I am beginning to question the whole value of this exercise.

I was hoping for a constructive trading relationship with Digital Rev after reading many very positive reports on the UK Talk Photography forum. I do hope my optimism has not been misplaced.

Kind Regards

Michael


Whether or not I receive a clear answer or any kind of resolution is I suppose in the lap of the gods

oh and thanks for the heads up Phil regarding Christy I have been in touch with her through the conversation facility in the Digital Rev Forum and she has assured me she is going to contact the customer services department on my behalf...
 
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Why on earth would you want to give them your money after they make you go through such and song and dance? All for a substandard warranty process, no protection under the distance selling regulations. Also read sections 6 & 8 of their T&C's carefully.
 
Well David basically its the price ( is there any other reason?)..... as my "lucky" numbers resolutely fail to deliver week after painful week I find myself increasingly becoming price conscious .. after all I am looking to purchase ( canon 70d with 18-135 lens) which is typically offered around the 1200.00 mark by many UK retailers as opposed to the 889.00 by digital rev ......

I will take a look at sections 6 & 8 as suggested thanks
 
mik0m said:
For what its worth an update. Having provided my December 2013 salary statement as proof of shipping/delivery address and they have now requested a utility bill. I am honestly getting to the point where I feel the savings on goods is not worth the trouble. Only problem is I am getting a little more than concerned about issues surrounding identity theft etc. They seem very keen on requesting verification documents but less keen on explaining why.

Think I will give Panamoz a look as suggested. Have to admit to being a little wary about using another on line retailer after this experience
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Is this not because you passed on the secure shield / 3d thing?

This will happen with a lot of places if you choose to buy with directly with your card. You'd be better off setting it up and using it. I have to use it everytime I make a CC payment. I mostly buy with Paypal so don't get it when online shopping as much.
 
mik0m said:
Well David basically its the price ( is there any other reason?)..... as my "lucky" numbers resolutely fail to deliver week after painful week I find myself increasingly becoming price conscious .. after all I am looking to purchase ( canon 70d with 18-135 lens) which is typically offered around the 1200.00 mark by many UK retailers as opposed to the 889.00 by digital rev ......

I will take a look at sections 6 & 8 as suggested thanks
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The reason it's cheaper, for the most part, is the VAT and import duty due are not included in the price you are quoting. As per the T&C's, you become the sole importer of these goods and it's your responsibility to ensure these are paid - this will push the price up to that beyond most UK retailers.

Of course if by some accident, Digital Rev were to understate the value of the goods on the import slip, and they were not selected to be opened and checked by customs in a random check, and you didn't bother to make the correct declaration yourself, then you may well get it at the cheaper price.

From http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/buying.htm#3

All other goods
If you order or send purchased goods other than alcohol, tobacco, perfume and toilet water from a country outside the EU then you:

  • don't have to pay Excise Duty
  • may have to pay Customs Duty on goods with a value that exceeds £135
  • will have to pay import VAT on goods with a value that exceeds £15
Note that on all goods from outside the EU, Customs Duty is waived if the amount of duty calculated is £9 or under.
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I assume it is ACW cant think of any other reason unless someone else is being me out there

I can tell you one thing Frank not only have they not got my money they actively seem not to want it :) .. ah well I think a walk down to that most respectable of photographic retailers known as Currys/PC World is in order tomorrow
 
mik0m said:
.. ah well I think a walk down to that most respectable of photographic retailers known as Currys/PC World is in order tomorrow
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....As posted earlier - At least contact Park Cameras and Wex Photographic by telephone - They are fully approved by Canon and their prices are hard to beat unless you want the potential hassle from buying 'grey' imports.

Rest assured that HMRC are onto what DigitalRev and similar overseas organisations are up to regarding UK import duty. Please note that I am absolutely not a fan of the greedy HMRC but sometimes a money saving simply isn't worth it in the longer term.

Buy it and enjoy it with peace of mind both while it's yours and when perhaps you want to sell.
 
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All good points and all carefully noted.. just as an aside though I notice Panamoz ship from within UK would this be subject to the same caveat?
 
mik0m said:
All good points and all carefully noted.. just as an aside though I notice Panamoz ship from within UK would this be subject to the same caveat?
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I don't think they do.
 
Perhaps I was focusing in a little too closely maybe but they do state:

We have warehouses in Hong Kong, US, and the UK. Your order will be shipped from any of our warehouses, depending on the logistical situation.

Maybe are able to ship from within UK would have been more accurate
 
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It'll come from HK but I'm not doubting the service.
 
mik0m said:
Perhaps I was focusing in a little to closely maybe but they do state:

We have warehouses in Hong Kong, US, and the UK. Your order will be shipped from any of our warehouses, depending on the logistical situation.

Maybe are able to ship from within UK would have been more accurate
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Indeed. They also state that they will refund any customs charges *if* they are charged. Assuming they stick to their promises, you wouldn't be out of pocket. The *if* is key here though - they will most likely under declare the value of the goods so as to minimise the chance of being charged. You still have a duty to declare the correct value and pay accordingly - but if their going to refund you anyway, why wouldn't you?

Not sure that's a sustainable business model for them mind :P
 
Just to add to the ambiguity how would you actually know which warehouse the goods were actually shipped from.. obviously speaking on the hoof here as I am unaware of how, or if, this may arise in any transaction....
 
mik0m said:
Just to add to the ambiguity how would you actually know which warehouse the goods were actually shipped from.. obviously speaking on the hoof here as I am unaware of how, or if, this may arise in any transaction....
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It's been shown a number of times that the "warehouse" in the UK doesn't exist, the addresses given in the past have either been virtual mailboxes or a mail/parcel forwarding company.

If you buy from Panamoz it will come from HK, they are a tiny operation working out of a small office in HK, that is the sum total of their operation.
 
ah right thanks for the info.

Decided to give pass over Digital Rev for this and go take a look at what is available on the high street tomorrow.. in fact pass over Digital Rev period thanks to everyone who has contributed and helped me reach a conclusion
 
You should consider gramps's advice if you are OK with grey stock and check the price at HDEW Cameras, they are situated in the UK so you have no tax or duty obligation if you buy from them.

They are usually cheaper than proper UK stockists (you are taking a slight risk in not getting a warranty from Canon UK on your items).
 
Dave1 said:
You should consider gramps's advice if you are OK with grey stock and check the price at HDEW Cameras, they are situated in the UK so you have no tax or duty obligation if you buy from them.

They are usually cheaper than proper UK stockists (you are taking a slight risk in not getting a warranty from Canon UK on your items).
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If they are legit then they will supply a VAT receipt showing that the tax has been paid. I was under the impression that this was enough to satisfy Canon when it came to warranty matters.

If they're not legit then they won't.
 
hollis_f said:
If they are legit then they will supply a VAT receipt showing that the tax has been paid. I was under the impression that this was enough to satisfy Canon when it came to warranty matters.

If they're not legit then they won't.
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VAT receipt will satisfy HMRC, Canon operate quite strictly on the European Warranty System now, if you don't have an EWS warranty card in the box you can't come in.

EWS cards are only supplied with kit supplied by European retailers who get stock from one of the Canon Europe subsidiaries.

http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consumer_Products/warranty/
 
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