Simply Electronics

[lionfish]

Has anybody used this company before for lenses etc, very competative prices but that wont be any good if dont get the stuff!!

Cheers

Phil

 

[Steep]

Do a search on the forums for them, not recommended I think.

 

[tdodd]

I was talking to the video guy at a wedding a few weeks back and he had just received a 40D from them safe and sound, and at a good price (but no better than buying in the UK with the Canon cash back). The thing is, they are in Hong Kong and if you get hit for VAT that's down to you. It's pretty easy to be competitive if your prices do not include VAT and it's down to your customer to pay VAT on top of the quoted price. Then there is the issue of warranty support to think about and possible postal charges returning things.

Personally I'd rather buy from a Hong Kong dealer with a "No VAT" Guarantee, like Digital Rev (eBay), or Onestop-Digital (off eBay). I've done a fair bit of business with both of them, all without incident. I did get hit for VAT with Digital Rev and simply reclaimed the charges back from the supplier - no problem whatsoever. Digital Rev has a London based support centre and will pay postage both ways for any defective goods. There's also Kerso to consider as an option.

However, I've noticed that the price gap between stuff sourced locally and in the far east seems to be diminishing somewhat, at least if you shop around carefully with your price searches - (Camerapricebuster, Google Products, Pricerunner, eBay).

 

[33L]

I used them for £500 worth of lenses.
I called them to double check if VAT/import duty was my liablility. they said if i got charged then forward it to them and they will take care of it/refund it etc...

I have had the lenses since july and nothing has come through the post yet. Both lenses are mint condition, no signs of use. They give 12 month warranty as they are grey goods!

 

[tdodd]

Maybe I'm not reading things right, but that seems to be at odds with their own terms and conditions, which can be found here....

http://www.simplyelectronics.net/terms.php

Taxes

You are responsible for paying any governmental taxes imposed on your purchases, including, but not limited to, sales, use or value-added taxes. SimplyElectronics.net will automatically charge and withhold any applicable tax for orders to be delivered to any jurisdictions that it deems is required.

If I pick, as an example, the Canon EOS 40D, listed here - http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=113 for £600 delivered - there is no mention of whether or not the price includes VAT. Either way, the price is not especially competitive, (PRICECHECK) and, being a grey import, will not be eligible for the £60 rebate from Canon and will not be covered by Canon UK warranty.

If you want to grey import a 40D you may as well get it from DigitalRev for £530 including delivery and London based after sales support. But since you can get one from Amazon for £595 delivered, less the £60 cash back from Canon, I wonder why you would even bother with a grey import and the potential inconvenience that might incur.

 

[33L]

i know it does contradict what was in their T&C's
however it worked for me - however you are right with the weak value of the pound grey stuff is looking less attractive.
would i buy from there again. no it does justify the risk anymore. I rather buy from Kerso etc..