The good the bad and the ugly places to buy EOS gear in Australia ?

So, let's have it......the good, the bad and the ugly places to buy EOS gear in

Australia ? (With more emphasis on the good of course, so prospective buyers

don't have to stuff around wondering where to go in the first instance).

Thanks.

Australia's a big country. Any particular region of it?

If it's online, then the geographical location is not important, but locally, for me would be Melbourne.

For EOS I have had good service from Ted`s Camera House in Sydney.

 

For Pro gear I have used Kayell and have been happy.

 

Not sure if either have a store in Melbourne.

 

This (link below) looks interesting though I have no feedback concerning this business, but I would be interested if anyone has dealt with them.

 

http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/

 

WW

<a href="http://www.camerastore.com.au">www.camerastore.com.au</a>

<br>

I haven't used them, but their prices seem ok.

<BR>

I recently bought some lenses from B&H in the states and imported them to Oz. Even with postage, import duties and GST it worked out cheaper than buying locally. I've forgotten the rules, but if your order is less than $1000 AU, then I think you don't pay any duties or GST. Just check that though.

>> I've forgotten the rules, but if your order is less than $1000 AU, then I think you don't pay any duties or GST. Just check that though. <<

 

I think one might find that the law is and what is `sometimes` enforced are different.

 

I understand that all imports are subject to tax, irrespective of value or cost price.

 

There are credible reports, however, where, people have imported an item which costs less than what their `Duty Free Allowance` would have been, should they have travelled overseas, whereby Customs has allowed that item to pass through. Also I am aware of people who have been required to pay the appropriate taxes to secure release of their goods.

 

(See Federal Government`s Customs Guidelines and ATO information).

 

You can easily check the Statute information at the appropriate websites for yourself, or ask a customs agent or accountant for an importing company, or both, which is what I did.

 

WW

The best place to buy photo gear in Australia is B&H in New York. Even with Fedex Priority and GST it always worked out about 30% cheaper than buying locally (Sydney). Recently (a year or so) the prices in Sydney appear to be more realistic as compared to prices in the US - so have a look at B&H prices (they give you the quotation on Fedex or UPS delivery after you add merchandize to the Shopping Cart), add 10% GST and about A$50 - and compare with local prices, then make your decision.

 

I have been shopping at B&H for the last four years, left a bundle of money there, and never had a hint of any problems.

William, in Australia the current GST-free treshold is about $400. Except that postage and handling fees kill the deal. When you buy upwards of $1000 - then it works out OK.

Leszek,

 

>> William, in Australia the current GST-free threshold is about $400. <<

 

With respect, please note my wording above.

 

I believe the $400 to which you refer is the `Duty Free Allowance`, which I referred to, which is applicable under Australian Customs Law, applicable to TRAVELLERS.

 

All IMPORTS, (different to goods bought O/S and you bring home with you on holiday) however are subject to tax, no matter what cost or value (I have been advised so by the two professionals indicated).

 

But it is often the case, that the Customs Department processes these items when they arrive in the country. It appears Customs treat them, in the main, under the `Duty Free Allowance Laws`, which Customs usually enforces, NOT the ATO laws which the ATO usually enforces.

 

Your comment upon this clarification and the advice given to me would be great, especially if you have sourced a different interpretation.

 

Also your comment about D-D Photography comparative prices in the link I provided would be interesting.

 

Thanks.

 

WW

I live in Australia, but often buy from Adorama. So long as your shipement comes in under $A 1000, Customs does not charge duty or GST.

 

If you want to buy froma store, Ted's or Camera Action/Camera house are both ok. They have a mix of stores, with some catering to the more serious photographers, but many mostly concerned with photo printing. If in Melbourne, Michaels on Elizabeth Street has a good store.

There is no duty on photo equipment in Australia - you are liable only for GST.

William, things here work like this:

 

1) Duty Free allowance has been recently increased to about A$900

 

2) This means on items below this value you do not pay Customs Duties, nor GST. There are some processing fees - not much.

 

3) For photo equipment there is no customs duty - you only pay GST (if value larger than A$900)

 

4) In addition, there is something like Air Charge fees - about 2%

 

Bottom line: an order of value A$2000 attracts A$200 GST, plus A$40 Air Charge + Entry Charges - sum total of A$262 (this comes from my latest Import Declaration document sent to me by Fedex).

 

No more fees, taxes etc. The end result is about 30% saving compared to retail prices in Australia (now maybe less since as I said prices are becoming more reasonable. Still - it is a no-brainer, lots cheaper).

In addition, this is a statement from Australian Customs Service web page:

 

"Generally, all goods imported into Australia are subject to Customs duty and GST and are assessed for community protection risks. However, all goods (except for tobacco and alcoholic beverages) may be imported duty and tax free if the value of the goods is A$1000 or less."

 

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5653

 

The same site has a number of PDF documents - link attached.

Hope this helps.

 

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4232&areaId=9&s=search&searchMode=searchResults&resultsPerPage=10&maxResults=200&processed=1

OK< the second link doesn't quite work: use search facility (second menu item at the bottom LH side and search for "photographic"). Third or fourth PDF document refers to photo equipment generally classified as 9006xxxx items.

I used to work for Teds in Melbourne they are ok for prices, I found Kayell a bit lacking for discounts here in Qld. Online look at Cameras direct on the Gold cst, some items are USA imported so duties and charges done and other stuff is sourced in Oz like the new 1dmk3 at 5899. I found them quick and reliable. Camera House has about the best bargaining power in Oz, also Micheals in Melbourne use to be good but have not dealt with them a while. I`ve also found DigitalRev very good based in Sydney dealing out of HK on ebay. I believe there is a big canera store on White Horse rd with new & s/h but I`ve never dealt with. BTW I bought out of HK with no xtra charges upto 1000 no problems (yet)

 

have fun

Leszek's statements concerning import into Australia are the most factual and current. I have been purchasing from Adorama, KEH and Shutterblade for the past couple of years and have experienced import charges exactly as detailed by Leszek. One point worth noting is that the AUD$1000 threshold is on invoice total not individual goods value, so be careful with multiple item shipments. Presently, we are enjoying better conversion rates than we have enjoyed in the past so it's a good time to buy. The only downside is that "cash-back" offers are only valid to mainland US residential addresses. However, the saturation of used equipment and new gear suppliers ensures that prices are far cheaper than AUS prices in spite of import charges. I SAVED AUD$1000 when I purchased my new USA Canon EF 70-200mm 2.8L IS from the US and a further AUD$300 on my USA Canon EFS 17-55mm 2.8 IS in spite of paying all the appropriate import charges. I can recommend buying from the US from any reputable dealer.<br>

 

Mind you, if you don't know exactly what you want and how it works, then you may be better served by buying from a retail outlet in AUS. Michaels in Melb has a great reputation as do the Teds Camera Store chain and of course Photocontinental in Bris, not forgetting Kayell in the eastern capitals. The "try then buy" philosophy may work better for the less experienced gear-head and is DEFINITELY worth the extra bucks you may pay. <br>

 

Happy Shopping

Leszek,

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond and for the Customs extract.

 

Leszek, Rick, chris et al:

 

In the meantime I was double checking the ATO information. The appropriate schedule in extract is below. It is much more detailed, especially note the words `the sum of`:

 

 

``GST and imported goods:

 

Goods and services tax (GST) is payable on most goods imported into Australia.

 

GST is payable by businesses, organisations and private individuals, whether they are registered for GST or not.

 

[. . . ]

 

GST is 10% of the value of a taxable importation.

 

The value of a taxable importation is the sum of:

 

 

the customs value of the goods

 

 

any customs duty payable

 

 

the amount paid or payable to transport the goods to the port or airport of final destination in Australia (or the place in Australia to which goods are posted)

 

 

the insurance cost for that transport, and

 

 

any wine equalisation tax payable.

 

 

[. . . ]

 

 

Some goods imported into Australia are not subject to GST.

 

 

These are:

 

 

[ . . .]

 

 

Goods that qualify for certain customs duty concessions that are also non-taxable for GST include the following items from Schedule 4

 

[. . . ]

 

. items 32a and 32B ? 'low-value goods' or goods on which customs duty and taxes is $50 or less and which have a customs value of less than $1,000.``

 

 

 

This information basically confirms Leszek post above.

 

 

Sorry to all for my out of date information.

 

 

I was getting items from O/S around 2000 to early 2002, just when GST began. The information I posted earlier was the advice I was given then and used at that time. The GST amendments were many during that period, or, I could have been misinformed all along: in either case there are two sources stating the same information.

 

 

Thanks again.

 

 

WW

On a related matter, have any of you had warranty issues with O/S purchased Canon gear and had a problem, either with Canon Australia or the O/S supplier?

 

WW

I had a problem with Canon Australia. Camera came back from a repair job with a badly scratched LCD. Looks like a box cutter was used to cut it out of bubble wrap during shipping. Canon denied that they did it and told me to go to the store who I sent it through. The store told me they didn't do it and I had to pursue Canon. After the third approach to Canon they suddenly "discovered" that they record the condition of the camera when it arrives and lo and behold they recorded that it had a scratch on the LCD. I simply could not believe this, because while I can see how you could scratch the camera removing the bubble wrap, I can't see how it could have been done putting bubble wrap on. I believe the Canon tech must have done the sratch and then just made up the story that it was already there. Anyway it was Digital Revolution in Canberra who I was dealing with and given they denied all knowledge and told me it was my problem and I had to go to Canon, I have decided that basically there sense of responsibility to customers is non-existent beyond getting a sale. Needless to say, I will never deal with them again.

 

It is actually pretty shortsighted on DR's part because I probably spend over $1000 per year on photogrpahy and they lost me as a customer over an LCD that maybe would have cost less than $100 to fix.

 

In addition, Canon's first repair quote for my 350D was $890, almost the cost of replacement. I asked to see if they could do it cheaply and they did it in the end for $70, so I don't particularly trust them.

No (I was lucky, I guess). I figured that this is a calculated risk. OTOH, Canon has international warranty on lenses (if you buy "US" items, not "imported"). I was a bit nervous buying 1D MkII - but never had a problem (digital cameras have strictly "local" warranties, unlike lenses).

`Cameras Direct` claim to be able to cover bodies with an Oz 3yr on USA imports but I don`t know anyone who tested the water. `DigitalRev` on ebay cover warrantee on canon goods from HK themselves, with a repairer in Sydney. Only thing I had was when the Sigma 24 70 f2.8 macro came from HK. Sigma Oz covered the replacement flex board to fix the original compatability problem.