The genuine article?

[BIGEYE]

There are a number of camera/lens oulets based in Hong Kong that are offering their wares for sale to the UK at better prices that can be had on our shores. Having worked for many years in the pacific region my concern is how can we be sure these Hong Kong exports are the genuine article?

They do produce and export some high quality replica equipment (and not just camera equipment) that would be difficult to distinguish from the real thing. I ordered a lens from one simply electronics, and as you do, research the company after placing an order. Anyway, once I discovered that they were a HK company I promptly cancelled my order (for which they had already taken payment) as I wouldn't know if the lens I ordered was genuine or not. It took me six weeks to get my money back.

Is there any way to tell if goods ordered from HK is genuine or fake?

 

[Blue Eagle]

Well simply electronics haven't got a great reputation but onestopdigital do HK stuff at great prices and will refund the VAT if you are charged. They seem to have a much better reputation with lots of happy customers on here.

 

[StewartR]

Is there any way to tell if goods ordered from HK is genuine or fake?

I've never heard of anybody making fake lenses or cameras. I think its just too difficult. There might be various reasons to avoid HK-based retailers, but this isn't one of them.

 

[mcneep]

As Stewart says, never heard of fake dslr's or lens.

Memory cards, filters & batteries yes.

 

[ozyboyross]

Sandisk cards were faked alot in the past, I got a duff one from a seller on ebay along time ago, and when i questioned it (Theres guides online to tell you what to look for) he offered full refund straight away, so your not telling me he didnt know they were fakes!

Never heard of fake lens's or cameras though....

 

[MScotts]

.....onestopdigital do HK stuff at great prices and will refund the VAT if you are charged. They seem to have a much better reputation with lots of happy customers on here.

That's good to know

What puts me off from buying the bigger/ more expensive items (glass, DSLRs, etc) from overseas is the potential to get charged import duty from HMRC...

 

[mhuk]

onestop-digital offer to pay any VAT or import duty if you're charged.

 

[ozyboyross]

That's good to know

What puts me off from buying the bigger/ more expensive items (glass, DSLRs, etc) from overseas is the potential to get charged import duty from HMRC...

as mentioned above, onestopdigital refund it if you are (havent used them myself, but would consider it from hearing good things from other people)

 

[heidfirst]

onestop-digital offer to pay any VAT or import duty if you're charged.

Think that they are pretty much the exception.
Also, in general you won't necessarily have an UK warranty e.g. Sigma UK afaik won't touch a warranty repair without proof that duty/VAT has been paid (& they can tell from serial no. which market the item was originally sold into).

 

[andy.m]

any links to onestop-digital, every search Ive tried has ended in failure.

 

[heidfirst]

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/index.php

 

[arclight]

any links to onestop-digital, every search Ive tried has ended in failure.

heidfirst posted the link for you.

Take a look at the thread on them in Shopping, Suppliers and Bargains.
They are the Bees knees - very highly regarded.

 

[dunk]

i find browsing amazon brings up some good "uk based" prices. i've yet to buy anything photographic from there yet though.