Need info: Anyone bought Mamiya 7 (low prices) from Cathay in Singapore or Hong Kong mail order outfit?

[Charles Nguyen]

Folks,
I understand that you can buy Mamiya 7 and lenses in Singapore or Hong Kong
for a fraction of the price compared to NY mail order. If you had
experienced with this please drop me a line as far as import duty tax,
delivery method, etc..
Thanks,

[Erhart von Ammon]

Hi Charles

I have bought several cameras and parts in
Hong Kong and from the lower price you
mentioned you are absolutely wright.
Against NY mailorder it is approx. 30 - 40
percent less for Hasselblad or 45 percent less
for Mamiya and shops are very precise in
processing your order, but ...

You should ...
- pay by money order in advance
( 3-4 percent added for charging
your credit card )
- check different shops (Adresses can be
requested from the local importer or.
General agent in Hong Kong or Singapore
which you normally will find in any printed
matter with a Mamiya camera or on the web)
- Shipping is approx. 20 - 40 $ for Fed Ex
- insurance will be added
- Whenever FedEx delivers to the US
the import tax will be added. I do not know
how much (I am German living in Switzerland)
Ask customs authorities
- be patient. It is not overnight. Normally it
takes 4 up to 7 days after they received payment
before you will have your little toy in hand.

The best tip is: Visit Hong Kong or Singapore
and enjoy your trip. If you will buy equipment
(e.g. a complete set and accessories) your
trip is nearly for free.

regards
Erhart von Ammon
Zurich - Switzerland
eva...@dial.eunet.ch

[Gary Hayes]

Having bought a Nikon F5 kit in Penang, Malaysia (on holiday) I agree there
are great savings BUT there is a penalty and it is a big one - if something
goes wrong with the equipment the delay and hassle getting the warranty
sorted out over such a great distance is immense (assuming you are covered
in the first place).

If you do not mind going through life with fingers crossed then go ahead -
most people will pay the extra for peace of mind.

gary

Erhart von Ammon wrote in message <36F40D19...@dial.eunet.ch>...

[Bruce Shu]

I am a Mamiya user and an American living in Hong Kong. I have never
mail-ordered cameras into the States (where I assume you are), but know that:

(1) Mamiya Hong Kong offers a one-year warranty good in Hong Kong only. If you
have any technical problems, you would have to ship the stuff back to Hong Kong

to enjoy the warranty coverage or pay for the repairs in the States. (I believe

the reason they do not issue international warranties is because they charge
more in some countries and want to protect distributors in high-margin
countries, e.g. Mamiya America.)

(2) The U.S. has duty on cameras, but I don't know the rate. You can evade duty

by yourself or someone else hand-carrying the camera back without the original
packing boxes, then not declaring the cameras. This is illegal, but possible.
(If you want to be legal and declare your new acquisition at airport customs,
you will get an exemption on goods purchased abroad of US$400. Anything more
than that is dutiable at a flat rate of 10%, I think.)

IMO, the best Mamiya dealer in Hong Kong is:

Hing Lee Camera
G/F, 25 Lyndhurst Terrace
Central
Hong Kong
phone +852 2544 9043
fax +852 2854 0593

Ask for Peter Chan and mention I referred you as I buy a lot of stuff from him.

Hing Lee is great. A more honest and friendly camera dealer cannot be found
anywhere in the world.

Hope this helps.