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#1
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The best way to buy a camera as a tourist in the US?
I'm buying myself a EOS 20D the next time I'm visiting the US. (That way I
can save about 35 % when I don't have to pay Swedish taxes and duty...) I'm visiting friends in NM and TX (Albuquerque, Las Cruces and El Paso). What do you think is the best way to buy the camera? I run into trouble with many US Internet stores since I have a Swedish credit card and no US address. I also want to avoid any trouble with the delivery since I only stay in one place (within the US) for a few days at the time. What stores are really reliable and would consider keeping a specific camera in store for me on a specific date? Or is there a smart way to solve this over the Internet and arrange the delivery to my friends in NM/TX? |
#2
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JohaN wrote:
What do you think is the best way to buy the camera? I run into trouble with many US Internet stores since I have a Swedish credit card and no US address. I also want to avoid any trouble with the delivery since I only stay in one place (within the US) for a few days at the time. Have your friend order it, and then you pay him when you get there. Trying to order it with your Swedish credit card for delivery to a US address is probably going to cause a problem, yes. Note that if you buy the camera in a store, you will have to pay sales tax. For the two states you are planning to visit: Texas has a sales tax of 6.25%, and New Mexico doesn't have sales tax but does have what they call a "gross receipts tax", and since the store will pass it on to the customer, it amounts to the same thing, and varies from 5% to just over 7%. If that still works out to be cheaper, that might be the way to go if you don't want to ask your friend to lay out the money for you. -- Jeremy | |
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#5
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John A. Stovall wrote:
Oh, cars sales tax is based on State rate only. In Quebec, general foodstuff is not taxed. Unless purchased hot from the oven in a boulangerie, croissanterie, bagel house. Then it's a hot food service and then it's taxed. Twice. Even the first tax is taxed. Total is 15% and a hair. Cheers, Alan -- -- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm -- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm -- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin -- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch. |
#6
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Any major US discount stores that sell electronics should have what you
want: Wal-Mart Office Max Office Depot Circuit City Best Buy Know what you want before you go, however, as the service and advice in these stores can be pretty bad, but they are popular American discount stores that will sell you legit equipment without much hassle. Some of these places will let you order over the Net and will hold the item in the store, but you can usually just go in and buy it. Many also have low price guarantees, although the guarantee does not apply to prices you find on the Net. Also, most stores will exchange any camera that is not working within so many days, so I would start using it immediately, as I'm sure you probably will anyway. "JohaN" wrote in message ... I'm buying myself a EOS 20D the next time I'm visiting the US. (That way I can save about 35 % when I don't have to pay Swedish taxes and duty...) I'm visiting friends in NM and TX (Albuquerque, Las Cruces and El Paso). What do you think is the best way to buy the camera? I run into trouble with many US Internet stores since I have a Swedish credit card and no US address. I also want to avoid any trouble with the delivery since I only stay in one place (within the US) for a few days at the time. What stores are really reliable and would consider keeping a specific camera in store for me on a specific date? Or is there a smart way to solve this over the Internet and arrange the delivery to my friends in NM/TX? |
#7
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*smile*
Gee, there's lots of things about US taxes that I didn't know! Thanks for all input! As a comparison I can tell you that in Sweden they put on 25 % of taxes on all merchandise except books (5 %) and food (18 %). In addition we have duty an most privately imported stuff and extra taxes on for example gas. Current pricing on gas is 11 SEK per liter, approximately 5 USD per gallon. |
#8
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Any major US discount stores that sell electronics should have what you
want: Wal-Mart Office Max Office Depot Circuit City Best Buy I'll look into that. Know what you want before you go, however, as the service and advice in these stores can be pretty bad, but they are popular American discount stores that will sell you legit equipment without much hassle. Some of these places will let you order over the Net and will hold the item in the store, but you can usually just go in and buy it. Many also have low price guarantees, although the guarantee does not apply to prices you find on the Net. Also, most stores will exchange any camera that is not working within so many days, so I would start using it immediately, as I'm sure you probably will anyway. Yes I will... :-) Thanks! |
#9
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JohaN wrote:
I'm buying myself a EOS 20D the next time I'm visiting the US. (That way I can save about 35 % when I don't have to pay Swedish taxes and duty...) I'm visiting friends in NM and TX (Albuquerque, Las Cruces and El Paso). What do you think is the best way to buy the camera? How good friends, are your friends? The best thing would be for you to pay money into their credit card (you can do it online), and then they order it from B&H for you, to be delivered to their house. -- Ken Tough |
#10
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JohaN wrote:
*smile* Gee, there's lots of things about US taxes that I didn't know! Thanks for all input! As a comparison I can tell you that in Sweden they put on 25 % of taxes on all merchandise except books (5 %) and food (18 %). In addition we have duty an most privately imported stuff and extra taxes on for example gas. Current pricing on gas is 11 SEK per liter, approximately 5 USD per gallon. I read that in New York Times that the living standard of many Scandinavian countries are pretty low. Many office workers in Norway bring their sandwich. On the other hand, many Spaniards eat out and French people would have wine with their lunch. Living in New York is very tough but when comparing to many European country, it's still better off. |
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