Ordering from Adorama or B&H Photo

[A.T.]

Never order anything more than S$400 online. But I want to order a lens from either Adorama or B&H Photo. Ordered from the latter a few times but all below 400 bucks.

Lens about US$650
Shipping fees around US$50
Total cost of shipment US$700

7% GST on lens cost? Or on the total cost of shipment?

Apart from GST charges, what other fees are expected?

Probably no local warranty. Not sure worth the 100 Sing dollar saving.

 

[eleveninth]

Cost of the lens ..

 

[A.T.]

Thanks.

Saw the price wrongly. Lesser by 10 bucks.

Lens: US$640 (after GST with 1.25 exchange rate = S$856
Shipping: US$45 (S$57)
Total cost: S$913 (no local warranty)
Hopefully no addition fees.

Buy lens locally with cash and warranty: S$1020

Is the 107 bucks saving worth it?

 

[eleveninth]

Thanks.

Saw the price wrongly. Lesser by 10 bucks.

Lens: US$640 (after GST with 1.25 exchange rate = S$856
Shipping: US$45 (S$57)
Total cost: S$913 (no local warranty)
Hopefully no addition fees.

Buy lens locally with cash and warranty: S$1020

Is the 107 bucks saving worth it?

not really.

 

[As7eroidS]

the lens are international warranty, no?

 

[luckyorange]

$107 for local warranty.. not a bad deal...

 

[As7eroidS]

$107 for local warranty.. not a bad deal...

any idea the likelihood that lens will need to be sent back to manufacturer for warranty?

imo, as long as properly kept in drybox, there wont be much of an issue. im getting most of my lens from hk and usa.

 

[wmayeo]

Saving $107 may not be alot to some people. It is still savings to me. To be prudent, if the savings is quite abit like S$200-300, I'll say "go for it" (of course at your own risk).

In your situation, I say go check out the grey set offer in SG first. Some shops offer warranty as well even for grey set.

If you want to make use of the low foreign exchange, yes quite worth to grab stuff from the States. But include shipping and GST, I really may have to consider first.

"likelihood..." depends on what brand you buy.

 

[HelenOster]

Never order anything more than S$400 online. But I want to order a lens from either Adorama or B&H Photo. Ordered from the latter a few times but all below 400 bucks.

If you need advice - or after-sales support - you are most welcome to email me directly: Helen@adorama.com

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

 

[pentlynk]

Cost of the lens ..

Hi, I believe GST is levied on total cost (item price+shipping typically) ? At least that's what it says here <
http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=10714#GST_on_imports>.

To TS, do take into account credit card exchange rate is mostly less favourable than the spot (published) rates, sometimes as much as 3~4%

 

[Hirzi Hussain]

I would like to buy a d7000+18-200mm lens from adorama. Are they reliable? Do i have to GST? When will i have to pay gst? Thanks

 

[catchlights]

I would like to buy a d7000+18-200mm lens from adorama. Are they reliable? Do i have to GST? When will i have to pay gst? Thanks

Adorama is one of the leading camera store in USA, I have make some purchase from them before, all my dealings are very positive,
you can contact Ms Helen directly for any enquiry, she just posted two posts before your post, perhaps you had miss it.

as for GST, you need to pay GST for total bill above S$400.00, that is also including shipping cost and other misc cost, you will pay the shipping agent before you able to collect your orders.

If you need advice - or after-sales support - you are most welcome to email me directly: Helen@adorama.com

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

 

[Hirzi Hussain]

yep i noticed. and i have also emailed her. Anybody knows how do i pay the gst? When item arrive to singapore, i have to pay at singpost before collecting? please advice. Thanks!

 

[kcchew]

I usually ship items from Adorama and B&H through VPost as the shipping is cheaper. As you have to email VPost the invoice, VPost will charge you GST when you pay the shipping cost. If you ship straight from the retailer, your package would be detained at customs and you would have to go down to the post office with the invoice. They will then calculate GST and charge you before you can claim your package.