Panamoz and HDEW current opinions?

[gingerpaul]

Hi everyone. What's the current thinking on these shops? I know they both sell grey imports but both offer UK warranties and appear to have their fans. I was wondering if anyone on here had any first hand experience. I've used Digital Rev before and had good experiences but it would be nice if my money was going to a UK company with a UK warranty.

[damianmkv]

Panomoz aren't in the uk, they're in HK i think. Also, they went "quiet/off the radar/shutdown" recently but are now back.

I've heard good things about HDEW and they offer a 3 year return to base warranty I think ? I have no experience of them but it might be worth a look on TP.

[gingerpaul]

I didn't realise Panamoz are HK too. Interesting that they're offering a UK based warranty. Perhaps you send the faulty item to them and they sort postage out to HK and back or maybe they pay to have it fixed by someone in the UK. Interesting nevertheless.

Good to see HDEW are a good company. It sounds like they actually are UK based if they're delivering that fast. It looks like they're marginally more expensive than Digital Rev and about 10% more expensive than Panamoz roughly speaking. Decisions decisions!

[Ollerton57]

If it's any help at all, I ordered my 6D with 24-105mm kit from Panamoz and had no problems whatsoever. Quick delivery with full tracking.

I believe a few of us on here ordered the 6D from Panamoz at the beginning of the year.

[gingerpaul]

Well I've got a couple of bits on their way from Panamoz so I'll report back if anyone is interested. I've used a credit card rather than the balance transfer option and lost the extra 5% saving but at least the money is safe. Thanks for the information everyone.

[mrdemon]

I got my 70D from Panamoz yesterday with £400 saving on UK price. I did opt for the extra 5% saving.

also got some lens from Digital Rev.


Fedex were funny about impoty duty and tax's though, and I had to email fedex a copy of my invoice as these people put very small ammount on the boxes and they are wise to this now.

Does not affect the buyer as all duties are paid by the supplier.

Inport duty on a camera is ZERO anyway.

[HorneyMX5]

mrdemon said:

Inport duty on a camera is ZERO anyway.

But VAT is still 20%.

You might get an invoice from fedex fro the VAT in the next couple of weeks. If so contact the company in HK and they should refund it.

He whole tax dodge grey import thing seems to work for most people but I've just been through a complete nightmare with DigitalRev and ended up buying used UK stock from MPB Photographic instead. Once bitten, twice shy.

[tuscan30]

I've bought Canon stuff from HDEW over the last couple of years. They've always been quick to despatch the gear / provide tracking numbers etc. Their prices are very attractive.

I'll be using them again.

[nellyleelephant]

The only downside I can see to HDEW is that their stock seems to fluctuate. One week they'll list a particular lens, the next it'll be gone.

[nellyleelephant]

I spoke to them about Canons super-teles (after they had gone from the site) and they did say they could get them in pretty quick, so it might not be an issue.

[mrdemon]

HorneyMX5 said:

But VAT is still 20%.

You might get an invoice from fedex fro the VAT in the next couple of weeks. If so contact the company in HK and they should refund it.

He whole tax dodge grey import thing seems to work for most people but I've just been through a complete nightmare with DigitalRev and ended up buying used UK stock from MPB Photographic instead. Once bitten, twice shy.

I would rather a UK VAT invoice so I can claim it back lol,, but at £700 all in VS the UK price of £1080 no wonder all the Camera shops have gone bust, I like to support shops but you cannot turn away from a £400 saving at this price level, UK pricing is daft and the world is a small place to get items from these days, to a point that you get it quicker from Digital REV than a UK shop !!!

[mrdemon]

HorneyMX5 said:

He whole tax dodge .

I don't see it as a TAX dodge, shops like hdew, pamamoz, digital rev, and even UK flash Camera are all well known to HM customs and are all allowed to sell stuff to us.

You telling me Flash Camera based in the UK does not turn over >£65k (79k current 2013 values )with all the kit he sells but does not provide a VAT invoice !!!

As buyers we can buy from anywhere, we pay our duty and TAX or the supplier pays it for us. it's NOT a tax dodge.
FedEx asked for my invoice before allowing the item in, so the amounts are all there to be seen.

even if TAX has to be paid at my end as there is no Duty on Camera body , VAT is still only £140 bringing the Camera to £851 all in, still far cheaper than the UK price of £1080.

UK pricing needs to change, it seems the middle men are making the money I guess over 30%.

[nellyleelephant]

I spoke to HDEW yesterday about their Canon super telephoto primes that have gone from their site. They will not be stocking them again. Gutted!

They were £1000-£1500 cheaper than anywhere else!

[onomatopoeia]

mrdemon said:

As buyers we can buy from anywhere, we pay our duty and TAX or the supplier pays it for us. it's NOT a tax dodge.

So, does that mean you have paid import VAT on the price you paid for the camera (including any delivery charge)?

The HK suppliers do not pre-pay the VAT, some offer a refund scheme which is basically "if you get caught evading tax, we'll refund any duties you have to pay."

[mrdemon]

onomatopoeia said:

So, does that mean you have paid import VAT on the price you paid for the camera (including any delivery charge)?

The HK suppliers do not pre-pay the VAT, some offer a refund scheme which is basically "if you get caught evading tax, we'll refund any duties you have to pay."

As I said fex ex asked for the invoice so they will either bill me or digital rev.
The savings are so massive it matters not if I get the bill and fail to claim any money back from digital rev.