DigitalRev - all good?

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zerodeluxe

zerodeluxe

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Ben
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Hi

Sorry if this has been covered before - I did search before I posted!

Would people here recommend buying through DigitalRev? Seen an excellent DSLR body price of their eBay outlet, and am extreeeeeemly tempted... I see they handle warranty etc in the UK, so that's good.

Anyone had any problems, or will it be a pretty safe move?

Thanks!

Ben
 
I just bought a Nikon P7100 from them with no issues at all, very fast delivery, well packaged etc, gave me a tracking number and I was able to track it from Hong Kong. It only took two days! No import duties, etc so well pleased.
 
If you go down the page to "Shopping Suppliers and Bargains" and use the search function you will get loads of threads LINKY :thumbs:

In the same section they also have their own sub-section
 
zak5ive said:
I just bought a Nikon P7100 from them with no issues at all, very fast delivery, well packaged etc, gave me a tracking number and I was able to track it from Hong Kong. It only took two days! No import duties, etc so well pleased.
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All their products inc VAT and handling etc so you won't have to pay extra. Thats why the price is slightly cheaper but not massively cheap.
 
Thanks guys - I'd heard before they were good in various other threads but as I might be parting with my own cash I wanted to check for peace of mind!

Thanks for posting the link, but it goes to a blank page?
 
zerodeluxe said:
Thanks for posting the link, but it goes to a blank page?
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Strange it doesn't when I click it, probably as it is a search results page

If you go to the Shopping Suppliers Bargains section you will see a search box to the right above all the thread listings (as with all sections) just put Digital Rev in there and you will get the page I linked to with loads of results (usually happy customers).
 
Thanks for the advice to check those threads - I noticed some one had posted that their eBay auctions don't always have duty/tax paid like the website, so after checking I would have to pay the extra on delivery.

So not quite so cheap after all, but may check out the site again.
 
Ive used digitalrev retail site a few times (body, lenses etc) and its been fine. Arrived very quickly (at one point i ordered 5pm UK time Friday afternoon and got the thing 9am Monday morning!) and all duty/taxes taken care of so yes, i'd use them again.
Ive not used the ebay auctions though.
 
badboy1984 said:
All their products inc VAT and handling etc so you won't have to pay extra. Thats why the price is slightly cheaper but not massively cheap.
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As I understand it, they make the guarentee that import duty and taxes will be covered from their online store page, but NOT from their ebay sales, you're pretty much on your own if customs stop your order (and they likely will on a SLR body).
 
i didn't see the OP original item were listed on ebay. I only get stuff from their shop, ebay item from hong kong etc is not worth buying unless is very very cheap.
 
badboy1984 said:
All their products inc VAT and handling etc so you won't have to pay extra. Thats why the price is slightly cheaper but not massively cheap.
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I bought from them as it said VAT was included, but... they just dodged the VAT by declaring a low value (£30 for a £300 item). May not bother you, but YOU are still liable for VAT and import duty at some pont in the future should it be "found out". I would prefer to pay up properly.....

Anyway I had to send the item back as it was faulty and got a full refund without quibble, although I was without the money for a week.
 
I have had two major issues with Digital Rev and since then they have blacklisted me, I'm not going into any details but I wont use there services ever again. I have since found a way of getting 8% off at Jessops.
 
Thank you all! For our DigitalRev website, the prices are all inclusive, including free shipping at the moment. Also, we offer DigitalRev's 12 month local warranty, which you can repair any manufacture defects locally in the UK.

Please note that our ebay store only offers door-to-door warranty and all inclusive deals are applied to specific auctions only.

We'll be able to arrange priority handling for forum members with purchasing on DigitalRev.com too. :)
 
DigitalRevDeals said:
Thank you all! For our DigitalRev website, the prices are all inclusive...
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I really wish that you'd stop misleading people.

Your prices are absolutely not all inclusive, as they don't include either Customs Duty or VAT.

What they do effectively include is a self insurance premium in case the imported goods are taxed by HMRC once they have discovered their true value.

You are very efficiently promoting tax evasion on behalf of your customers, who are in effect the legal importers, and leaving them open to prosecution and forfeiture of goods if The Revenue decide to get nasty; which they may well do as you are deliberately misrepresenting the contents of your packages on the import documents.


In case you hadn't noticed HMRC are now targeting fraudulent imports under the CEPI scheme. You may well be perfectly happy, because you are outside UK jurisdiction, but you turn each and everyone of your UK customers into criminals.

At least be open and honest about what you are doing, rather than tuck it away in the small print of your T&C's

How TP can continue to take your money and allow you to promote your scam on here escapes me; especially when you consider their legal stance on all other matters.
 
DemiLion said:
How TP can continue to take your money and allow you to promote your scam on here escapes me; especially when you consider their legal stance on all other matters.
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:shrug:
No-one has raised legal concerns to us about it, we've always been under the impression that DR will cover any VAT/DUTY should any be payable, ive never looked into how they do that or what is involved, there is no need for us to do so. I'll be happy to discuss it further with DR and get the full facts from HMRC before doing anything rash.

We've said it before and im sure we'll say it again, but if people have an issue with anything on TP, we would prefer it if they contact us rather than set off on a rant.:)
 
Not ranting at you in the slightest Matty, I like my kneecaps exactly where they are! :)

However if you read DR's T&C's regarding importation :

8. Customs

By purchasing a product through the Site, customers outside of Hong Kong authorise DigitalRev Limited to make arrangements for clearance of customs on their behalf for the products they have ordered.

When ordering goods from DigitalRev Limited, overseas deliveries may be subject to import duties and taxes, which are levied once the package reaches the specified destination. Any additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by you, unless an Import Handling Charge is included in the price of the goods.

When shipping to some countries, we may choose to add an Import Handling Fee to the customer invoice. If the customer's invoice includes an Import Handling Fee, DigitalRev Limited will pay for any cost that is directed related to the importation of such invoice to a maximum of 200% (Say "Two Hundred Percent") of the amount of the Import Handling Fee paid. Related importation costs include any import tax and/or duty levied on the invoiced order, any courier's customs handling surcharges, any Free Domicile forwarding surcharges levied by the courier. Different customs policies around the world may apply other additional customs costs or clearance costs. We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Any other addition charge is not considered to be directly related to the importation and is therefore not covered by Digitalrev Limited. Customs policies vary widely from country to country, so you should contact your local Customs officer for further information. Additionally, please note that when ordering from DigitalRev Limited, you are considered the sole importer of record and must comply with all laws and regulations of the country in which you are receiving the goods. Your privacy is important to us and we know that you care about how information about your order is used and shared. We would like our international customers and customers dispatching products internationally to be aware that cross-border deliveries are subject to opening and inspection by customs authorities. For more information see Import Handling Fee for Non-Hong Kong Customers.

Import Handling Fee is non-refundable. If you return your product within 14 days of purchase under DigitalRev Limited's Return Policy, we'll refund you the Import Handling Fee provided that you are eligible for a refund under the Return Policy and you obtain prior authorisation from DigitalRev Limited prior to the return of the product.
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That is clearly different from this:

DigitalRevDeals said:
Thank you all! For our DigitalRev website, the prices are all inclusive...
Click to expand...


Digital Rev do not pay Customs Duties or VAT, they will only bail you out if you get caught and even then only to a specified level. In order to minimise that chance they falsify the value of the imported goods, which could leave the importer (read customer) in bigger do do.

By stating that the price is all inclusive they are encouraging customers to break the law by attempting to commit tax evasion, whilst at the same time covering their backsides in the small print.

As I said, shoddy practice.
 
DemiLion said:
Not ranting at you in the slightest Matty, I like my kneecaps exactly where they are! :)

However if you read DR's T&C's regarding importation :



That is clearly different from this:




Digital Rev do not pay Customs Duties or VAT, they will only bail you out if you get caught and even then only to a specified level. In order to minimise that chance they falsify the value of the imported goods, which could leave the importer (read customer) in bigger do do.

By stating that the price is all inclusive they are encouraging customers to break the law by attempting to commit tax evasion, whilst at the same time covering their backsides in the small print.

As I said, shoddy practice.
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TP Admin,
please look into this so you are not potentially seen to be promoting illegal practice to your members.

Thanks.
 
we will look into it. they do say

No Import Tax/Duty to Pay:
Any import tax/duty charged will
be billed directly us.
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on the basket page though?
 
matty said:
we will look into it. they do say



on the basket page though?
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I think we can safely assume this is smoke and mirrors..... it was in my case.
 
This post makes it fairly clear cut Matty:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=4165983&postcount=42

As mentioned above, the 'import handling charge' has nothing to do with legally paying the relevant taxes, but is an insurance payment should you get caught out. Even then they will only pay you double the value of the charge itself.

DR get very circumspect if you question them directly about VAT and are very careful with their language; but at the end of the day it still boils down to the fact that they are actively promoting illegal methods of importing.
 
matty said:
did you get a bill for import tax/vat?
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No, a commercial invoice stating a value of £30, so the tax was avoided on a 300 quid item worth 450 in the UK.
 
Beagletorque said:
No, a commercial invoice stating a value of £30, so the tax was avoided on a 300 quid item worth 450 in the UK.
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If you phone your local HMRC office they will be able to calculate the VAT and duty you should have paid, and can arrange for you to make your payment. That way you'll be squeaky clean and you can sleep easily with a clear conscience.

Let us know how you get on with HMRC on this.. ..
 
Alastair said:
If you phone your local HMRC office they will be able to calculate the VAT and duty you should have paid, and can arrange for you to make your payment. That way you'll be squeaky clean and you can sleep easily with a clear conscience.

Let us know how you get on with HMRC on this.. ..
Click to expand...


I would have done this as DR would have collected the tab. But as I said above the item was delivered with a serious fault and I returned it and opted for a refund. I realise you are being sarcastic but would you rather be Greek?
 
zak5ive said:
I just bought a Nikon P7100 from them with no issues at all, very fast delivery, well packaged etc, gave me a tracking number and I was able to track it from Hong Kong. It only took two days! No import duties, etc so well pleased.
Click to expand...

Can you confirm you had a commercial invoice for the true valuve of the item included?
 
Beagletorque said:
I would have done this as DR would have collected the tab. But as I said above the item was delivered with a serious fault and I returned it and opted for a refund. I realise you are being sarcastic but would you rather be Greek?
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I just can't believe that anyone would be naive enough to fail realise that buy buying cheap goods from HK they are activiely and willing participating in a VAT and duty avoidance scheme. So I don't realise why folk are getting upset.

Compared, to saw HDEW, the DigitalRev statements are relatively clear (if anyone can understand how HDEW do it, I'd welcome the explanation). As clear as could be expected for UK customers who know, but don't want to know, how it's done could expect.
 
Beagletorque said:
Can you confirm you had a commercial invoice for the true valuve of the item included?
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I can confirm that a different HK exporter supplies a full value invoice inside the box and a under-reported gift value on the shipping declaration. There is no VAT/duty line item on the receipt. It's how the HK export market works. It's an honesty-based system where it's left to the honesty of the purchaser to pay the VAT/duty on receipt. Or not, as the case may be.

At least this way it avoids the extortionate handling fee the shipping service would charge you for paying the VAT/duty at the Post Office.
 
Comment removed as its not fair to get annoyed with people having a genuine concern. Sorry for any offence.


We are looking into it, and will see what all the relevant parties have to say.
 
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