Digitalrev lots of pros, any cons?

Mathmos1

Mathmos1

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Ben
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Hi guys, I'm thinking of buying a 600D or 650D from DigitalRev.
Obviously they are based in Hong Kong which is a slight downside but I can't see any others.
They are the cheapest on the Internet and seem to offer a very good service.
Are there any downsides?

Ben
 
I too, was apprehensive about using them. I was looking for a 5D Mk3 and their price was lower even than Ian (Kerso). I trawled through as many posts as I could on here and decided to take the plunge. I have to say the service was excellent. I placed the order Tuesday and the camera arrived on Thursday. That's better than some UK suppliers I've used in the past. The body came from London, so I suspect they keep a supply of some items in the UK. Emails I sent were replied to promptly and politely.
The acid test of course, would be in the event of a warranty claim, but in all my years, the only time I needed Canon's help was with my 1D Mk3 recall.
I would not hesitate to use them again. If you decide to use them, make sure to tell Julie that you have placed an order. That way you get priority treatment as a TP member.
 
I cannot recommend them enough I brought my 5D3 from them :thumbs: there was a slight hickup with the courier but DR sorted that exceeding quickly and there was not note on the parcel that it MUST be delivered the following day without fail ;) which was still 2 days prior to the end of the estimate for delivery :thumbs:

Matt
MWHCVT
 
Mathmos1 said:
Hi guys, I'm thinking of buying a 600D or 650D from DigitalRev.
Obviously they are based in Hong Kong which is a slight downside but I can't see any others.
They are the cheapest on the Internet and seem to offer a very good service.
Are there any downsides?

Ben
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There will be no UK warranty with a 600/650D sourced from HK.
 
Have you considered HDEW?
Had this same dilema myself a few weeks back and went with HDEW instead.
Least then it's covered by sale of goods act.

And there isn't a concern about customs having a word.
 
I bought my 40D and 17 55 f2.8 from them.
They do what they say and are a perfectly legit company.
Lenses tend to be covered by canon's international warranty, and every thing else they cover through Kong Kong and London.

I have never heard of anyone finding themselves in a black hole when dealing with them.
and lets face it reputations are easy to smash.
 
Was just about to ask this question, so all previous answers are very helpful

Ha any one been hit with import tax - seems to me to be the only concern I have that is holding me back. Thanks
 
Brachytron said:
Was just about to ask this question, so all previous answers are very helpful

Ha any one been hit with import tax - seems to me to be the only concern I have that is holding me back. Thanks
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My camera came from London, so no problems with tax. If you read their help on-site it gives details on import duties.
 
If you buy from a non EEC country you are liable to import duty and vat. Even if goods arrive at your door and no charge is made ... you are still liable to pay it.

It would be foolish not to add it into the costs.
In the Past Digital rev has agreed to pay these charges on certain items imported from Hong Kong. ( they did so on my camera and when I was charged tax they refunded me) This was part of the original offer and they paid on line the following day.

I do not know if they ever make this offer now, but my experience shows their integrity.
 
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as far as i am aware there is no import duty on cameras just vat which you the purchaser are liable to pay as you are the importer
As the importer you are supposed to declare it and pay the duty
 
Rebel t3i said:
as far as i am aware there is no import duty on cameras just vat which you the purchaser are liable to pay as you are the importer
As the importer you are supposed to declare it and pay the duty
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Can I suggest if you've not checked on this you don't make assumptions....

DR include VAT and Duty in the price that you pay, so you the purchaser are not liable for any VAT and Duty and have nothing to declare, and declaration has been done and paid :thumbs:

Matt
 
I checked when I was looking at purchasing and as far as I am aware there is no import duty on cameras just vat
This wasn't directed at DR but in response to someone mentioning import duty
When I looked into importing a camera the seller would reimburse this cost if you were charged which I interpreted as it wasn't paid else you wouldn't be offered this payment
So rather than assuming try researching as I did
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...rtyType=document&id=HMCE_CL_000014#P162_14235 I also read this sad I know and opted to buy from the Uk

here you go taken from here http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-i...ion/saved_calculations/view_details/88946328/
Import duty & taxes calculation result

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1
From where to where you import
Edit
Importing from: Hong Kong
Importing to: United Kingdom
2
The type of product, its value and where it was manufactured
Edit
Product description: Canon 7d Dslr
Product category: Digital Camera Backs (8529902000)
Product value: £895.00
Country of manufacture: Hong Kong
3
The cost of shipping and insurance of importing
Edit
Shipping costs: £8.00
Insurance costs: £8.00
Calculation results
Edit
Total customs value: £911.00
- Duty: £0.00
- VAT: £182.20
Total import duty & taxes due: £182.20
Total landed cost: £1093.20
Calculation notes
Notes on duty & taxes rates

Canon 7d Dslr is duty free and has a VAT rate of 20% .

Notes on import taxes due

Please note that your shipping provider may add an additional handling fee
 
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MWHCVT said:
Can I suggest if you've not checked on this you don't make assumptions....

DR include VAT and Duty in the price that you pay, so you the purchaser are not liable for any VAT and Duty and have nothing to declare, and declaration has been done and paid :thumbs:

Matt
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May I likewise suggest that you also check and don't make assumptions?

DR do not include VAT in their price. They include an import fee which is a self insurance payment. As the importer you are directly responsible for any customs fees outstanding, although you can claim back up to double the cost of your 'insurance' if HMRC catch up with you.

If you doubt that, then firstly read DR's T&Cs properly and then ask DR if they can provide you with a VAT receipt.

By all means use an HK source such as DR or OSD, but at least be aware of the terms and conditions of import and don't pull the wool over other people's eyes!
 
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I am no way an accountant but have imported and exported a few things round the world when I was a vat registered uk company so do know a little about Vat only because I had too as the vat was higher than my profit margins
In light of a certain comedian's recent fame is it morally wrong to purchase items from foreign countries and not declare the VAT
Does anyone who has done so feel any guilt for the demise of jacobs
 
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DemiLion said:
May I likewise suggest that you also check and don't make assumptions?

DR do not include VAT in their price. They include an import fee which is a self issurance payment. As the importer you are directly responsible for any customs fees outstanding, although you can claim back up to double the cost of your 'insurance' if HMRC catch up with you.

If you doubt that, then firstly read DR's T&Cs properly and then ask DR if they can provide you with a VAT receipt.

By all means use an HK source such as DR or OSD, but at least be aware of the terms and conditions of import and don't pull the wool over other people's eyes!
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Well from DR Term's and Conditions Section on there Website

For most overseas delivery addresses, we apply an Import Handling surcharge for handling the importation of the order into your country of delivery. As importing products from overseas can be a hassle for most of our international customers, we choose to handle this process on your behalf by adding a surcharge to your order total. The purpose of this charge is to simplify the process of buying internationally and make budgeting easier for your purchases.

Once you have paid the Import Handling Fee, we will handle all the following costs should they occur during customs clearance:
Any Import Tax and/or Duty in your country
Any courier's Free Domicile handling charge (Duties and Tax Forwarding Surcharge)
Any Local Customs clearance fee

The fee also covers our administrative costs. The final total is all you have to pay to have the order delivered to your door without delay. Please note that you are the importer of the order, and it is your responsibility to check with your local Customs regarding matters of import restrictions/prohibited goods.
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SOURCE

Frankly though at this point in time I'm not really that interesting anymore :(

Matt
MWHCVT
 
"The fee also covers our administrative costs. The final total is all you have to pay to have the order delivered to your door without delay. Please note that you are the importer of the order, and it is your responsibility to check with your local Customs regarding matters of import restrictions/prohibited goods."



hmmmmmmmmmm
 
MWHCVT said:
Frankly though at this point in time I'm not really that interesting anymore :(

Matt
MWHCVT
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Not interested? So it's OK for you to pop in, rip into someone, post factually incorrect information and then just potter off is it?

I didn't see any of your infamous emoticons in your reply to R3ti, so I'll just assume that you were being rude, shall I?


For your enlightenment here are the full Terms and Conditions of Sale from the rather small link at the bottom of the webpage:

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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All, play nice!

I am interested if someone has had customs knocking and how it worked out with DigitalRev

I got a 7D off them via eBay ages back and had shall we say a fall out with them, but they assured me things would be different had I purchased via the website instead.

Oh regarding the 5D3 the ebay price is around £200 less than the website so it does look like there is some import protection to the end user but that would need confirming.
 
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I think you're all missing the point about all being a bit friendlier to each other
 
It is a disagreement Kelly, not a bloodbath.
 
MWHCVT said:
Well when I order my 5D3 from them intially the courier held the package for VAT and Duty, I contacted DR and it was delivered the next day did I pay anything extra erm no :thumbs:
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Indeed, but how many get through whilst defrauding the system Matt?
 
MWHCVT said:
Well when I order my 5D3 from them intially the courier held the package for VAT and Duty, I contacted DR and it was delivered the next day did I pay anything extra erm no :thumbs:
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And that was direct from the website, not via their eBay arm?
 
Which is why I said be a bit friendlier rather than wading in with threats etc. Plus me posting might stop some of the rtm's that we're getting
 
Your getting RTMs about this?

Some people need to get out more............:D
 
fracster said:
Indeed, but how many get through whilst defrauding the system Matt?
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Well since I neither work for DR or HMRC I'm not really in a position to comment on that :shrug: but I'd like to think that I've used a honest company

JohnN said:
And that was direct from the website, not via their eBay arm?
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That was Direct from there website, nothing to do with ebay :thumbs:
 
MWHCVT said:
Well since I neither work for DR or HMRC I'm not really in a position to comment on that :shrug: but I'd like to think that I've used a honest company
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Fair comment matt, but, would you agree that if they can get away without paying import and /or VAT, they will?

If you agree with that, then how do UK businesses compete with them?

They cannot, so Jacobs,Jessops etc go bump.Who is next,WEX?

I have bought from HK before, so i`m not whiter than white in this matter.I don`t buy from HK anymore.
 
fracster said:
Your getting RTMs about this?

Some people need to get out more............:D
Click to expand...

:D

Not saying a word
 
fracster said:
Fair comment matt, but, would you agree that if they can get away without paying import and /or VAT, they will?

If you agree with that, then how do UK businesses compete with them?

They cannot, so Jacobs,Jessops etc go bump.Who is next,WEX?

I have bought from HK before, so i`m not whiter than white in this matter.I don`t buy from HK anymore.
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I know there is the issue of individuals and companies trying to avoid paying there dues, and I do think that is wrong and should be stopped, personally I went with DR as rightly or wrongly I believe that they do pay the duties/taxes applicable, and that this would all be done without need for me to be involved in the process as quite frankly I didn't want the hassle

I'm a big fan of UK stores especially WEX and have spent a couple of thousand pounds with them :thumbs: I would have loved to have placed my order with them for the 5D3 but there price was and still is hugely different to DR and I really couldn't make a justification for spending that much more :( also when you've made the choice to make the purchase you want to have it as soon as possible, well if your as impatient as me that is :lol: and when I contacted WEX they couldn't even give me an idea as to when they were going to have stock :shake:

Matt
 
As per Kelly's request I'll put this nicely (and the fact that it's directly after MWHCVT's post is incidental btw)...


DR, OSD etc do not pay VAT unless they absolutely have to; ie the goods are stopped by HMRC on the way in to the country. If they did, you would be able to request a VAT receipt from them and claim it back again if you are registered - and you (one) can't do that.

All the nice cute fluffy references made to Import Handling Charges specifically avoid any mention of VAT payment. If you don't believe me, read through some of 'Julia's' replies to the specific question 'is VAT included in the price'.

I realise that dragging this up again places TP in an awkward position, and I have kept quite on the subject as requested by Matty, however there is a time when caveat emptor isn't enough- especially when someone is stating directly that the VAT is paid in advance. It isn't, full stop.
 
hmm have never bought from them so not really in a position to comment...

It seems a rather grey area as to if VAT is paid or not.

My guess, is they tend not to in the main, but if HMRC stop one, they will pay the import duties / VAT on behalf of the customer, as they have "got away" with more in the ones that were not picked up by HMRC? :shrug:
 
it is the purchaser / importer (us) that is liable for the VAT not the Hong Kong based seller / exporter.
It seams a very lax and grey area I'm sure they will tighten up on this
When you compare the prices of these grey imports to uk items they are barely 20 % cheaper

There is NO IMPORT DUTY on cameras imported from Hong Kong into the UK just VAT
 
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Actually, if you are VAT registered, it's cheaper to buy in the UK! :)
 
probably
one could say that these grey imports aren't as cheap as they should be, must be huge profit margins for the seller when compared to the profits uk sellers such as jessops make who have to pay 20% of the sale price to HM customs and excise
I remember very well being and unpaid tax collector for the VAT office when I ran a uk vat registered company
 
Rebel t3i said:
it is the purchaser / importer (us) that is liable for the VAT not the Hong Kong based seller / exporter.
It seams a very lax and grey area I'm sure they will tighten up on this
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Lax perhaps. Grey, not. If you purchase items from outside the EU, You're liable for any VAT and duty due just as if you were walking through Customs at Heathrow (though without the benefit of traveller's personal allowance).

Not declaring it is the equivalent of walking through the Green channel after a trip to NYC. The shop in New York is not responsible for your actions when you get home.
 
I was just thinking that myself Rob
we would technically be smuggling the fact we ordered via the web is no different imo

Would the supplier honour the promised VAT refund payment if we declared the goods when they arrived and rang HM customs and excise to declare the item and pay the VAT

Now I bought a 600d rebelt3i which makes it a US import, I bought it from a UK company over the phone, is vat paid I have no idea
 
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When making my decision to buy recently I read the T&C's of the site; frankly section 8 (already posted by another) put me off. If they're ducking HMRC and you're the recipient, you're on the hook - ignorance is no defence here.

If you order from a UK company, grey or not, you're at least a degree of separation from HMRC. You pay for a product in the UK, shipped from within the UK and it's covered by sale of goods act (which is significant) and there is a defence against customs issues.

As for the other folks, if VAT is paid it will and must be reflected on your invoice which you received with the camera.
 
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