Buying from China nerves

[Quattromaster]

Afternoon fellow Pistonheader's.

I'm looking to buy a new machine for use within my company, and have 2 choices of where to buy from

Option one is from a company in Yorkshire, machine costs £32,000 plus vat and delivery from Yorkshire

Option two is the same machine, direct from the company that make it, in China, cost $17,500 which seems to be about £11,500, plus of course delivery, and I presume some kind of import tax, and I presume that's it, though I am guessing I would have to arrange to collect from docks.

So, first question is am I missing something, is there any other costs I'm not aware of, and if so what are they. And how would I know what the "import" duties will be.

Also, if buying from China they want 30% when placing order, and remaining 70% in the 7 days leading up to shipment, now the company look legit, but this will be the first time I have sent money overseas for something that's not going to arrive for I'd guess 2-3 months.

I'm sure in the world of Pistonheads there is money being sent the world over for goods and services,all the time, it's just my first time and makes me very nervous, so any pointers on what to look out for, and what to avoid.

Welcome any advice at all folks. Thank you.

[Quattromaster]

dudleybloke said:

What machine is it?

Sorry, knew I should have put what it is, duh.

It's a lathe, approx 2600 kg, 3120×1810×2350 in its wooden crate

[Quattromaster]

Many thanks for all the pointers folks, lots to think about.

I'm presuming its the same machine as I went to look at the one in Yorkshire, and although it's branded with the Uk company name, on looking inside the electric box I noticed the company "crispy duck ltd", on researching them more I found they produce lathes, and looking at pictures its the same product, even the spec sheets are the same.

They say there is a 12 month warranty but I'm sure that does not count for much when 6000 miles away.

Think I need to get a price for shipping and import tax and see if its still worth the risk.

[Quattromaster]

The lathe in question is to be used for alloy wheel refurbishing, I already have a HAAS cnc at one site, and an old Colchester with copier at another, the HAAS is massive overkill for what it does, and the Colchester is, shall we say, hard work.

I'm hoping this one will fit in nicely between the others. With regard to flying out to China to take a look, I would love to, however, and this is by no means an excuse but I'm a wheelchair user, so any trip needs lots of planning and isn't really an option on my own.

Here's some pictures of the 2 lathes in question, pic with water mark is the one from China.






I'm sure you will all agree they look the same product.

[Quattromaster]

Well, an interesting 24 hrs, the company in China gave me the phone number of 3 people over here who have there product, 2 wheel refurbishers and a main dealer bodyshop.

I've managed to speak with 2 of them, both rate the machine very highly, and one even said "you do know its the same as "the yorkshire" company sell.

So, I decided to call the uk company this morning to have a chat, they were very open and said it is the same machine, they arrange shipment direct to me, from China, with a lead time of 6-8 weeks. No movement at all on price, although you do get 24 months warranty with uk company, only 12 if buying from Chinese.

I also emailed the Chinese company yesterday pointing out the machines were not the same, they came back with the "uk picture" is an early machine, sent over 9 months ago, since then they have changed handles and reshaped the module door, I presume that being the door with "computer" in it.

I'm about to contact some shipping agents to get a door to door price, I think I will then be able to look at the price difference closer and make a choice from there.

Thanks again folks for all your pointers, good and bad. Most helpful.