Buying from digital Rev

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 HarmM 21 Jan 2013
hi,

has anyone one had any exprience buying from digital rev their prices are way lower than those of the uk for new items and i'm mainly interested in how they sort out importing/shipping things into the UK as well as vat and any other taxes that might appply.


thanks for the help,

Max
 Edd Reed 21 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM: Try http://slrhut.co.uk/ taxes etc tend to be included in the onscreen price, I have bought an SLR body and a lens on seperate occasions and had excellent service with no customs/import chrges on arrival
OP HarmM 21 Jan 2013
In reply to Edd Reed: had a look at slr hut when i first bought my slr a lot of what i foud pointed towards them being a bit dogy whereas digitalrev seem to be more reputable
 chris fox 22 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM:

Bought my first dslr off them, service was excellent. My mate bought his 5D mkIII off them 6 months ago. He was pleased with their service too.

Chris
 craig1983 22 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM:

Bought a camera from them a couple of weeks ago....like you I wondered about their reputation since they dont ship from uk, but went for it because the price was so good compared to any other retailer.

Shipping takes longer than usual since it comes from abroad, but I received it the other day, well packaged, product is as it would be had i bought it from amazon or something. Didnt have any additional charges at my end with respect to vat...and shipping was free.
 jamesc88 22 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM: Digital Rev are fine, to the point of being a pretty legit company. The problems include having no UK warranty, faulty goods have to be sent to an 'authorised repairer' and Digital Rev foot the bill. This is okay but can take anywhere from 4 weeks - 3 months. Also the repairer isn't authorised by Canon, but rather by Digital Rev so you may end up with dodgy repair parts.

If price is your main concern then do it. They are a huge part of the reason Jessops went under though.
 coolhand 22 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM: You might want to look at Panamoz who have a similar approach but are a bit cheaper and have good customer service. Also responsible for the demise of Jessops.
 craig1983 22 Jan 2013
In reply to jamesc88:

Surely you still get the standard manufacturers warranty?
 redscotti 22 Jan 2013
In reply to coolhand: Another satisfied DigitalRev customer here. Delivered my Canon S100 within 5 days. Provided full tracking info, product was in sealed box, and no tax/duty charged.
 jamesc88 22 Jan 2013
In reply to craig1983: yeah, from where the camera got to in the supply chain. So China.

No Canon UK repairer will touch it, it's against their contract. (I used to work for one)

Everything moves through a supply chain that starts east and heads slowly west. We're last on the list in the UK so tend to get the shittiest deals, hence prices are more expensive over here. Grey imports can come from anywhere, some stop at China - some at Amsterdam; all cost different amounts but don't come with a UK warranty.

Digital Rev's warranty is NOT manufacturers warranty.
 jamesc88 22 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM: for funsies; here's an e-mail someone got after sending their grey imported 7D to Canon UK to repair.

"Fake serial numbers conceal the source of the product. This is usually done in an attempt to conceal the fact that the product is a “parallel” or “grey market” product. Grey market products are products which were put on the market outside of Europe and not intended for the European market. The sale of grey market goods in the UK infringes Canon's trade mark rights and risks a number of other legal implications including Customs and tax offences, improper localisation for the UK market (including for example, low grade or unsafe third party UK power cords, no valid UK/European manufacturer’s one year warranty, and ineligibility for European promotions) and breach of European Environmental and Safety requirements.

Our Anti-Counterfeit Team will investigate the matter and consider all necessary legal action against the seller. We suggest that you seek a refund from your seller and enlist the help of Trading Standards in doing so as necessary."
 redscotti 22 Jan 2013
In reply to jamesc88: Yes, there's a risk of being without your camera for a few weeks in the event of a problem. But the reports on DigitalRev suggests that work is properly carried out and people with problems are satisfied. And, of course, that's not always the case with goods bought through regular UK channels.
Personally, I've never had a camera develop anything other than a minor fault in over 40 years of owning them. And I've saved a fortune in extended warranties, insurance, etc as I never bought them. So I'd be quids in even if I had to junk a camera now.
But some people aren't like me and want the presumed security of insurance, warranties etc. so the OP needs to consider what sort of person they are.......
 Marky Mark 22 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM:

I took a long time making my mind up what to buy for my wife to give me for Xmas... I finally decided on a Canon 50mm /1.4 lens from Digital Rev (as it was about £70 cheaper than any UK site) I ordered it on Friday 21st December about 10pm having resigned myself to it arriving after Xmas and it arrived to may amazement, surprise and delight on Monday 24th December in time to be wrapped and given to me on Xmas day. I shall be using them again. As previously mentioned, you donot get a UK warranty so any repairs would need to eb done via Digital Rev at point of origin but feedback on the website suggests this is all good and reputable too.

I have personally recommended Digital Rev to several friends who are also happy. Great service, great prices.
OP HarmM 22 Jan 2013
In reply to Marky Mark: for those that have used them did you have to pay any import duty or other taxes, this is what i'm mainly worried about becuase if not might go buy from them.

 craig1983 22 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM:

Didnt have to pay anything extra on top of the price shown on their website....
 ChrisJD 22 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM:

Also have a look at eBay Seller 'Kerso'
 Indy 22 Jan 2013
In reply to craig1983:

I had a Nikon with a 'Worldwide' warranty that happened to need attention in America. Was refused.

Manufacturers are well aware of grey imports and denying warranty is a key weapon against it.
 Indy 22 Jan 2013
In reply to jamesc88:
> (In reply to Max Harms) for funsies; here's an e-mail someone got after sending their grey imported 7D to Canon UK to repair.
>
> "Fake serial numbers conceal the source of the product.....

Have to say that I find that sickeningly hypocritical of Canon. Canon could if it wished wipe out grey/parallel imports in a second yet they choose not to because it hugely profitable for them to allow it to continue.
 jamesc88 22 Jan 2013
In reply to Indy: absolutely. Keeps my job on the rocks Nothing like knowing I could always move to China and work for Digi Rev though.
 jamesc88 22 Jan 2013
In reply to Marky Mark: DigitalRev have recently been called up for posting their own feedback to knock down bad responses and spam forums for 'Aren't Digital Rev amaaaazing' posts.

Digital Rev are amaaaaaazing, btw.
 Bimble 22 Jan 2013
In reply to Indy:
> (In reply to jamesc88)
> [...]
>
> Have to say that I find that sickeningly hypocritical of Canon. Canon could if it wished wipe out grey/parallel imports in a second yet they choose not to because it hugely profitable for them to allow it to continue.

They bring a lot of the counterfeiting upon themselves by charging too much for the official products anyway. Who's going to pay full price for a spare battery when they can get pretty much the same for a fraction of the price?!
 Philip 22 Jan 2013
Grey imports is another made up term like software piracy that is designed to make something sound worse than it is.

Canon aren't really making two qualities of camera and selling shit ones in china and good ones here. Refusing to honour the warranty is the petty way they manage this.
 Hannes 22 Jan 2013
In reply to TryfAndy:
> They bring a lot of the counterfeiting upon themselves by charging too much for the official products anyway. Who's going to pay full price for a spare battery when they can get pretty much the same for a fraction of the price?!

This becomes especially true when your stuff is getting a bit older. A new battery for my 40D was about half the price of another 40D off ebay.

As for digital rev being one of the reasons jessops went bust, doubt it. The problem is that jessops gave about as much useful customer service as your average web page, often less than that while being snarky. While I'm sorry for all those who lost their jobs, good riddance.
Ken Lewis 23 Jan 2013
In reply to Philip:
> Grey imports is another made up term like software piracy that is designed to make something sound worse than it is.
>
> Canon aren't really making two qualities of camera and selling shit ones in china and good ones here. Refusing to honour the warranty is the petty way they manage this.


If I were Canon, and I had to maintain a UK office, UK repair shop, UK warehouse, abide by UK regulations on employment, pay UK business insurance, pay UK business rates and taxes, pay UK wages...

Then I would charge more than I do in China, and refuse to honour warranty in the UK unless the product had been bought there.

To think otherwise is naive and shows a total lack of understanding in the way the world works.

If people want their Canon gear at Chinese high street prices, go and live in China, earn a Chinese wage for a Chinese days work.
 Jamie Wakeham 23 Jan 2013
<Sticks head above parapet>

Of course, you could choose not do what Amazon, Starbucks et al have been roundly and rightly pilloried for and actually pay your tax on this luxury purchase. You could support a UK based company as you did so, and as a bonus you'd get a warranty, english instruction manual and the right power cable.

<Ducks back under>
 jamesc88 23 Jan 2013
Ken and Jamie have hit the nail on the head.

If you want to be a part of it, don't moan when there's nothing left on the high street and Canon tell you where to go when you need a repair.

If you want to save a quick buck then yeah, stick it too 'em.
 Bimble 23 Jan 2013
In reply to Jamie Wakeham:

Cameras, lenses & assorted bits to stick on/in them aren't a 'luxury purchase' for me or others who use them for work though, and some of us get a bit miffed at the cost of our 'tools'!
 redscotti 23 Jan 2013
Sheesh. Guy asks a question, everyone joins in offering opinions on morality, the economy, the practices of global companies. If you can, help the guy with an answer, or STFU. Start another thread with an appropriate topic if you want to sound off. The rest of us can then ignore you.
OP HarmM 23 Jan 2013
In the end i went with second hand on ebay should get to me tomorrow, thanks for the help



Max
 Enty 23 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM:

I just had a look on Digital Rev for the camera I'm about to buy and it's 40 quid dearer than from UK Digital - so has anyone any experience of UK Digital?

I did email them the other day and they replied to me in about 3 minutes. Is that good or are they desperate?

Cheers,

E
 Richard Carter 24 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM:

Digital Rev is great, never had a problem with them.
 Enty 24 Jan 2013
In reply to HarmM:

Anyone know about UK Digital?

Cheers,

E
 jamesc88 24 Jan 2013
In reply to Enty: We are a genuine independent retailer based in the UK. Wholly specialising in the products on offer, incuding; digital cameras, camcorders, memory cards, and an array of photography accessories. Our offers are NOT exclusive to online customers. Visitors to our showroom can purchase any item at the same pricing as this website. Occasionally we have exclusive manufacturer in store only offers whereby demonstrations and collection in store is applicable.

We have been established for over 12 years and trade from our premises in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Selling only UK / European stock you can buy with confidence. All products purchased are covered by their respective manufacturers warranties. We are also members of Safebuy web code of practice. They are an independent UK organisation which monitors websites, their terms of sale and trading history.

We now offer a 5yr warranty, free of charge, on selected products, including digital cameras and camcorders, for details see here....

All prices quoted on this website include Vat @ 20%. For customers based in Guernsey or Jersey Vat will be removed upon checkout after entry of a qualified postcode check.

Company Vat No. 986 1074 93

Company Registration No. 6830712 - UK Optics Ltd T/A UK Digital

Same deal - they sell grey import stock as well as UK stock. Give them a call?
 Enty 24 Jan 2013
In reply to jamesc88:

Cheers. I was just wondering if anyone had any direct experience of dealing with them.

Cheers.

E

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