Lens has died

Dangermouse

Dangermouse

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8 Weeks ago I bought a lens from Japan, I used it for about 1 hr a couple of weeks ago, now it has stopped working, it simply wont AF on both cameras yet other lenses work fine so its definitely the lens, the problem is it was bought from Japan off ebay, I did go through all the correct procedure and paid the VAT and duty, whats my chances of returning it for a refund or repair.
 
I’ve found anything from Japan I’ve bought, no problem, it’s actually been easier to get a refund from them than a shop here.

Contact them through Ebay or email, they do seem to have a customer service a lot of big companies in the uk could learn from.

This is a general thing and I know plenty of businesses in the uk are fantastic, but the few things I brought from Japan that didn’t work were instantly refunded with no questions.

Certainly worth a go.
 
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My other worry is that I have had the lens for 8 weeks and only just got around to using it, or not now its defective.
 
Sadly the seller seems to be ignoring my emails and ebays request to return, I would prefer a repair as the lens really is very sharp and is immaculate but I don't know where I stand now.
 
Dangermouse1964 said:
Sadly the seller seems to be ignoring my emails and ebays request to return, I would prefer a repair as the lens really is very sharp and is immaculate but I don't know where I stand now.
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Probably worth getting a quote to have it repaired at your own cost then, eBay will always want the item returned for a refund and it’ll need to be by a trackable method. It’s one of the problems that can happen when you buy from an international seller and something goes wrong.
 
To be honest I think I am going to struggle getting it repaired, its a Tokina 28-80 f2.8 AT-X Pro and no one seems to repair them, even Tokina UK say they cant get parts :(
 
Thanks Kev, just fired him an email, hope he can help.
 
Just actually spoken to Alan and it looks like it may be saved after the New year as he is extremely busy, great call Kev thank you for that, you have just made my day.
 
Dangermouse1964 said:
Just actually spoken to Alan and it looks like it may be saved after the New year as he is extremely busy, great call Kev thank you for that, you have just made my day.
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I've had Alan repair a lens for me before, he's approachable, helpful and does good work.
 
Mike.P said:
I should be on a percentage for the amount of work I have sent his way :)
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I got my Canon 24-105 fixed by Alan recently. Thanks for the recommendation, I picked up his details via your thread. Thanks! :)
 
Asahi Photo in Brentford has been one of the places I go - the clue is in the name as Pramath used to work for Pentax but I would've suggested giving him a call, he's just a few miles from Alan, he might've diversified into other brands.

Fortunately, for my other brand (Nikon) it's a short journey to either Fixation or Nikon UK.

Much easier when you living within the M25...

Good luck with the repair!!
 
I would be interested to see how this pans out? Im looking at a second hand lens from Japan but worried about
1; damage whilst in shipping
2; customer service
3; import taxes and duties etc?

Dangermouse/Pete. can you advise?
 
The shipping if done by Parcelforce is very good but they add so much on at the end it makes the items more expensive, on my £300 lens there were VAT import duty and handling fees, they also charge you for opening the box, re sealing the box and that's even if they don't open it, the fees on mine came in at over £100 so be careful who they use to ship, EMS are the cheapest and sometimes get in the country unchecked so no fees at all, but be prepared to pay them for anything ordered out of the EU Jason.
 
Thanks. I always thought that second hand items weren't subject to fees and taxes but I was wrong. Ive discovered though, if it is labelled as "customer return", it is exempt some charges? I might have that wrong as there are different fees, taxes duties etc.
 
You might get away with a false declaration on a package but it could get expensive if you get caught.
 
I opted to pay the duty as I didn't want to get the lens confiscated and destroyed, hence the high charges, its always the best option as sometimes the customs do miss lots and only stop the odd few, especially from USA if buying there, I always opt to pay the duty and have only ever paid it twice, this time and once from America on an item that actually cost less than the duty :thinking: yet have had at least 20 items actually get here without any duty to be paid even though it states duty due on the label..... its very hit and miss.
 
cosmicma said:
was it the broken ribbon fault that is quite common with the 24 - 105 ?

it it was what was the repair cost if you don't mind me asking
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Yup that’s the one, think it’s called the iris flex? It was bringing up an 01 error code. It was £95 including the postage back.
 
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Condolences to lens family :wave: Was he a forum member
 
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jpgreenwood said:
Thanks. I always thought that second hand items weren't subject to fees and taxes but I was wrong. Ive discovered though, if it is labelled as "customer return", it is exempt some charges? I might have that wrong as there are different fees, taxes duties etc.
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Common misconception. duty and VAT will be payable based on the declared value.

Items sent for return or repair are not charged as the repairer has already paid duty on them, but they may be asked for proof of return, or the items allowed in duty free or bonded for a small period of time.

So assume adding possibly 25-30% + £10 to the shipped price.
 
andrewc said:
duty and VAT will be payable based on the declared value.
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Not always true, HMRC can do an internet search for prices if they suspect a false customs declaration has been made.
 
Yes, they reserve the right to assess the value themselves, but the first point of call would be the declared value.
Also the exchange rate they use to convert is unlikely to be same as that used by the bank.
 
cosmicma said:
thanks
that's not a bad price
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He does a complete clean and general service as well as fixing the fault. The lens came back in much better condition than I sent it... the zoom action had got pretty slack but it’s much more positive feeling now. Well pleased with the overall job.
 
boogie man said:
He does a complete clean and general service as well as fixing the fault. The lens came back in much better condition than I sent it... the zoom action had got pretty slack but it’s much more positive feeling now. Well pleased with the overall job.
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good to know
i think i will be getting in touch with him after the new year my 24 - 105 is in need of attention

thanks for getting back
 
andrewc said:
Common misconception. duty and VAT will be payable based on the declared value.

Items sent for return or repair are not charged as the repairer has already paid duty on them, but they may be asked for proof of return, or the items allowed in duty free or bonded for a small period of time.

So assume adding possibly 25-30% + £10 to the shipped price.
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I believe there's some specific paperwork to fill in if exporting an item for repair, unless it has the right paperwork then VAT (and import duty, if due) on the full value of the item will be payable on return delivery. I fell foul of this last year on some work equipment I returned to Switzerland for a warranty repair.

After 3 phone calls to the delivery company and HMRC I realised that completing the paperwork to try to claim my payment back (I had to pay up front to get it delivered!) wasn't worth my time. So I gave up and vowed to buy my next camera from a grey importer, and get my money back that way instead! So be warned, and make sure a warranty repair item is exported and imported with the right paperwork, otherwise it can be an expensive and/or time consuming mistake! If it's a non-warranty repair then I believe VAT will be payable on the cost of the repair.
 
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I work in the classic car restoration industry and we regularly receive parts for repair from all over the world. As the items are often irreplaceable and valuable, they are usually sent by a courier service such as Fedex/DHL. Item has to be clearly declared that it is being send for repair and return and it usually escapes without duty / vat.

When its ready to return, we tend to use the same service that it arrived in on, as it makes tying up the export paperwork slightly easier.

If its a repair due to old age, the customer is likely to receive a bill from us for the work, and he is likely to pay duties on the work/parts.
If its a warranty repair (mistakes happen) then he is unlikely to pay taxes due to the wording on the invoice / export paperwork.
 
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