Sony FE Batis 25 and 85 mm

[grelim]

This is the seller I got from. http://world.taobao.com/item/520985899983.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.h8JqOd#detail
Think as long as there are good ratings and past transactions, it should be safe to buy.

As for courier throwing packages around, I am not surprised. Actually I've seen videos of UPS/Fedex automated warehouse where packages drop from a great height in their automated sorting systems. So I am not worried as I think the sellers will be more worried and experienced in shipping out these fragile expensive goods. The Batiss lens was double boxed with styrafoam blocks. The original Zeiss box was in prinstine condition when it came. I've ordered a Zeiss binoculars that was in a hardshell case that was cracked (luckily the binoculars was not damaged) when it arrived from amazon. It was not double box and not as well protected. Still, it came in one piece. I've also ordered from ebay a Zeiss SAL 135mm in the past from hong kong that also arrived safely. So I think it is not an issue if you go with reputable and established sellers.

Thanks Berwong.

Btw, which forwarder did you use. still need to pay additional for GST right?

Now you got me drooling on the 85...

 

[berwong]

Thanks Berwong.

Btw, which forwarder did you use. still need to pay additional for GST right?

Now you got me drooling on the 85...

I used taobao's direct shipping option so no forwarder was used. Let's just say the price was all I had to pay. No further costs. In fact the price of rx1ii or a7rii can be bought that is 1k cheaper than locally.

 

[grelim]

I used taobao's direct shipping option so no forwarder was used. Let's just say the price was all I had to pay. No further costs. In fact the price of rx1ii or a7rii can be bought that is 1k cheaper than locally.

Hmm..I was looking in tb on a7ii and seems slightly more ex than the current local Sony promotion.

 

[weekh]

Do u receive any email confirmation of purchase after payment?

 

[berwong]

Do u receive any email confirmation of purchase after payment?

No email confirmation but status reflected like amazon. Everything is traceable on Taobao. There is also a chat function to talk with the seller. Taobao works like q10. Money is held by aliexpress (their version of PayPal) and released to seller only after 9 days. Shipping can be tracked on the site as well. Take note that most sellers charge another 3% of purchase price if you pay by credit. Use enets and there will only be a dollar charge. I used cc cos I have 6% rebate giving me a net 3% rebate of price.

 

[Kenneth83]

tempted to order the 85 batis for my A7R2 now... lol

 

[tango15]

Hi, regardless the batis 85mm from Taobao, the price of RMB7080 you paid is it including Singapore GST? If it inclusive, it will be a worth to order from tb

 

[SNAPDINER]

Hi, regardless the batis 85mm from Taobao, the price of RMB7080 you paid is it including Singapore GST? If it inclusive, it will be a worth to order from tb

He already mentioned he paid $1540 all in all. Guess GST was not declared which means seller underdeclared (or Customs overlooked) which means if loss or damage, seller liabiity is up to the declared price if there is insurance which I doubt there is.
The local price all in with warranty is $1789 or slightly better. Keep in mind the lens has an illuminated oled screen and is probably programmable (local agent's responsibility if there is firmware upgrade or correction).
If there were issues with the transaction, shipping, lens, etc, would the seller be helpful and would buyer be up to it to communicate well enough with seller?
Hence one has to weigh if the extra $239 or so is worth ridding oneself of all the concerns mentioned above.
The only possible advantage is that one gets the lens earlier if there is still no stock locally.

 

[tango15]

Thanks just want to clear the GST part.

 

[weekh]

China also no stock lah..... need to wait...

 

[tango15]

Yup on waiting list... End Jan

 

[berwong]

He already mentioned he paid $1540 all in all. Guess GST was not declared which means seller underdeclared (or Customs overlooked) which means if loss or damage, seller liabiity is up to the declared price if there is insurance which I doubt there is.
The local price all in with warranty is $1789 or slightly better. Keep in mind the lens has an illuminated oled screen and is probably programmable (local agent's responsibility if there is firmware upgrade or correction).
If there were issues with the transaction, shipping, lens, etc, would the seller be helpful and would buyer be up to it to communicate well enough with seller?
Hence one has to weigh if the extra $239 or so is worth ridding oneself of all the concerns mentioned above.
The only possible advantage is that one gets the lens earlier if there is still no stock locally.

yup, that's a good summary of the pros and cons. My only regret was I didn't do it earlier. I was checking taobao's prices in Sep and it went as low as $1450. I thought that the stock situation locally would improve eventually. But not only did it not, prices started going up. As for gst, from my experience of online shopping over the years, normally if you buy from sellers from HK and China, the chances are you won't need to pay for gst. I was prepared to pay the gst but in the end I did not have to.

There are many sellers in taobao and some of them do have stocks. Some of them are priced higher though. In any case, I think the waiting list is shorter over there compared to locally.

 

[oldfox]

yup, that's a good summary of the pros and cons. My only regret was I didn't do it earlier. I was checking taobao's prices in Sep and it went as low as $1450. I thought that the stock situation locally would improve eventually. But not only did it not, prices started going up. As for gst, from my experience of online shopping over the years, normally if you buy from sellers from HK and China, the chances are you won't need to pay for gst. I was prepared to pay the gst but in the end I did not have to.

There are many sellers in taobao and some of them do have stocks. Some of them are priced higher though. In any case, I think the waiting list is shorter over there compared to locally.

I am able to get the 25mm around $1550 or even lower, but the problem is there are still out of stock. As what ppl mentioned, we have to wait till end of Jan or Feb =.=

 

[RePlaY]

I bought mine from map camera and it has a sticker on it that says "Exclusively for Japan". I assume the retailers in Japan are getting most of the stocks ahead of other countries. You guys might want to consider getting from Rakuten as the waiting time could be shorter.

 

[Kenneth83]

Looks like for now getting from overseas is one option for the batis. The warranty is not international?

 

[Spacemaster]

After searching for the batis 25 in europe without any success... finally got from from JB.

 

[virtualme78]

Hi guys,

I have a Batis 85 totally new which j will be getting today or tomorrow.. with warranty not registered. If anyone is interested, we can probably discuss over pm

 

[Spacemaster]

Today cathayphoto called me to check if i still interested in the batis 25mm... Looks like stocks are coming in

 

[auden09]

Today cathayphoto called me to check if i still interested in the batis 25mm... Looks like stocks are coming in

What's the price bro?

 

[Spacemaster]

I didn't ask them as already gotten my lens from other shop.