Warranties - Imported Goods - Rip Off Britain? : eBay Guides

After reading a review from a buyer who had purchased a 'new' Nikon  lens from a non-photographic retailer and discovering that Nikon (UK) would not repair it under warranty, I thought some more detailed explanation may be required.

Almost daily, I have buyers tell me that we live in 'Rip Off Britain' - My products are available much cheaper from abroad. Often eBaY Hong Kong gets a mention where sellers offer almost any product at 99p then catch you with massive postage and handling charges.

So, why is officially imported  product more expensive and is it worth taking a gamble with foriegn imports or 'new' goods from non-photographis retailers?

Take an imaginary Branded Camera that, once discounted, sells for around £200 - If imported through the official importer and sold by a real photographic shop, this will include the following:

VAT (17.5%) - That accounts for around £35 of the cost.
Import Duty - Currenty around 5% of landed trade price this accounts for £8
Importers Fee - This is the mark up the official importer add to pay for UK operation, website/s and staff etc.
                      - The exact amount for this unquoted but trade estimates are in the region of 2.5% - so around £4
UK Warranty - Another percentage is take to help fund the UK service centre - again estimates of 2.5% are common so another £4

When you buy 'grey import' or 'no VAT' from abroard you have not paid for any of the above. This usually accounts for the
difference in price (after postage and handling charges have been correctly calculated) of around £40 to £50 and this feeds the
'Rip off Britain' claim.

So, remember if you want a real UK warranty - buy from a real UK dealer or accept either a repair bill or costs and time associated with sending the camera back to county of origin should it fail under warranty.

If buying electrical products don't become one of the many who ask me how to adapt a 110v power supply with a 2 pin plug to work 240v UK 3 pin supply or how to convert their TV to NTSC so the video will play!

Please don't come into my shop and ask why the 99p 'Lith-Ion' battery you purchased from Hong Kong exploded taking your charger with it?! - There appear to be more fake Luthium Ion batteries listed than real ones! - Price too good to be true...

UK Customs are more aware of illigal imports and many buyers are now having to cough up the VAT and duty before their product is released, so much of the 'saving' can vanish from your wallet before you even get to see the product.

Some sellers abroad sell faulty and even fake equipment knowingly and then tell you to rely on a UK warranty you dont have, because it is too expensive to send it back to them.

New product warranties apply if you have a reciept from an authorised dealer from the same county or if you can prove duty has been paid if not ('Worldwide Warranty').

Finally, if you have been caught by a silly low price like 99p then find postage and handling more than seems reasonable ( I have found up to £1500 for a plasma screen!) - REPORT THE SELLER for breaking eBaY's rules - Fee avoidance and Unjust Postage.

Yes, we are a heavilly taxed nation and this makes it harder for a 'Nation of shop keepers' to compete with those from abroad, but the title of 'Rip Off Britain' is more than a little unjust when all the facts are known and considered.

The olde saying 'Too good to be true' should be quoted far more often!

Safe Buying...