Buying parallel imported.. good or bad?

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djpaubes

394 posts

Ultimate Geek

#39514 15-Aug-2009 17:45

Team,

I want to buy a Good DSLR that does video. So i Was looking at the Canon EOS 500D. Its about $2500 including a 18-55mm lense from Harvey Norman and they will do a cash discount plus a few other bits..

But

On trademe this guy is selling the same package plus an 8gb SD card for $1500 here

Now this camera is parallel imported which means the warrenty is RTB... and not an NZ warrenty right?
What are my other risks here? This guy has some mixed feedback but I also found this artical about canon camera's having fake serial numbers.... here

So I guess I have to weigh up my risks do I not?

Cheers,

Toys: Ã¯Â£Â¿ iphone 4s; PS3 good times. Ã¯Â£Â¿ 13inch macbook pro. Ã¯Â£Â¿ ipad 3. Ã¯Â£Â¿ 27inch imac. Ã¯Â£Â¿ airport express & time machine. raspberry-pi running xbmc and a gopro try hard.

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www.innocle.co.nz

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#247001 15-Aug-2009 18:00

$1500 sounds too cheap.. even NZ wholesale price is around what Harvey Norman has it for. 7 days sending to you sounds like it is being drop shipped (Sent from overseas).

A problem with "Parallel Importing" is if you can't find the person /the "company" you got it from when it breaks then you are stuck getting it fixed yourself.

djpaubes

394 posts

Ultimate Geek

#247005 15-Aug-2009 18:09

drop shipping meaning he is bring it direct from overseas right? yeah $1500 sounds like its off the back of a truck.

vinnieg

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#248068 18-Aug-2009 11:20

Sounds a bit too cheap, although there are a few on Pricespy for a similar price.

If i was you, i'd buy it from Paradigm or Ascent
Paradigm have it for just over $2000
or for $2397 delivered with both canon 18-55 and the 55-250mm lenses :)
http://www.pp.co.nz/products.php?pp_id=AA15491
with 12 month NZ warranty

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

djpaubes

394 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248076 18-Aug-2009 11:39

This guy seems pretty solid. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=235512618

Claiming two year warranty and accidental drop insurance.. RTB is back to him. over 10,000 sales? I guess if it brakes then I'll just have to wait longer..

LennonNZ

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#248087 18-Aug-2009 12:03

djpaubes: This guy seems pretty solid. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=235512618

Claiming two year warranty and accidental drop insurance.. RTB is back to him. over 10,000 sales? I guess if it brakes then I'll just have to wait longer..

A warranty means nothing as it will be covered under the CGA and what is "drop insurance"????

djpaubes

394 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248091 18-Aug-2009 12:05

What is CGA? He is claiming this in his auction..

Standard 24 months warranty PLUS
Accidental Damage
Fire
Flooding
Lightning
Burglary / Robbery (with police report)
this warranty is worth HUNDREDS :)
send it back to us in Auckland and will sort it for you professional with Canon Hong Kong!!!

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kobiak

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#248095 18-Aug-2009 12:10

why not pricespy it and get good deal from retail store (like this)? rather then trademe and harveynorman

helping others at evgenyk.nz

Buttonmash

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#248098 18-Aug-2009 12:16

Well we just bought a Canon IXUS 100 IS brand new in Japan for $300 NZ with a carry case. It retails for $599 here.

So it's not necessarily a "fell out the back of a truck" situation :)

jayaldous

64 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#248106 18-Aug-2009 12:33

Unfortunately "So I guess I have to weigh up my risks do I not? " is about it.

I've purchased fake Canon batteries on TradeMe before and been kinda peeved, that said I doubt there are any fake cameras floating around. Weigh it up based on the money, as well as the item. If it were me, I'd stick with retail for such an item even if it meant waiting around for a discount or shopping around. I think it was not too long ago Noel Leeming had 20% off all Canon.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true then it is, with the exception of some great second hand buys.

djpaubes

394 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248111 18-Aug-2009 12:40

kobiak: why not pricespy it and get good deal from retail store (like this)? rather then trademe and harveynorman

Thats a sharp price but it is the body only.

LennonNZ

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#248122 18-Aug-2009 13:00

djpaubes: What is CGA? He is claiming this in his auction..

Standard 24 months warranty PLUS
Accidental Damage
Fire
Flooding
Lightning
Burglary / Robbery (with police report)
this warranty is worth HUNDREDS :)
send it back to us in Auckland and will sort it for you professional with Canon Hong Kong!!!

CGA = Consumer Guarentees ACT. The warrenty means nothing as it is covered under the CGA. The Law in NZ saying something should last a reasonsable amount of time otherwise they have to fix/replace/give your money back.

Giving a Fire/flood/lightening "warrenty" is very strange for a company to give.

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djpaubes

394 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248126 18-Aug-2009 13:07

Does the CGA apply to a vendor on trademe? I had an argument the other day also about extended warranties... I guess it comes down to the definition of a "reasonable time"

jayaldous

64 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#248137 18-Aug-2009 13:15

djpaubes: Does the CGA apply to a vendor on trademe? I had an argument the other day also about extended warranties... I guess it comes down to the definition of a "reasonable time"

I believe the CGA applies if they operate as a business. But the CGA isn't an end all, even if someone has to technically cough up with service/help/refund you don't want to go through difficulty for it.

djpaubes

394 posts

Ultimate Geek

#248146 18-Aug-2009 13:23

yes it would be a huge hassle... he does offer a GST receipt so he must be registered somewhere to something.

dawnraid

100 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#248174 18-Aug-2009 14:17

djpaubes: Does the CGA apply to a vendor on trademe? I had an argument the other day also about extended warranties... I guess it comes down to the definition of a "reasonable time"

No it does not cover private auctions, caveat emptor.

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