Buying a camera from some dodgy online place overseas

saxlady on 30/07/2011 - 15:54
Last edited 30/07/2011 - 16:25

I don't think I'm going to do it - it just seems too risky….but bringing it up as a general discussion here anyway.
I'm considering getting a Nikon D90 - they've been around a while, still a great camera, and meets my specs, so in theory there should be a number of places clearing them out, so was doing a search online. (And while I don't mind a comment here or there about alternatives, this thread is not about camera choice - rather buying online)

If I'm going to consider a grey import, then I might as well import it myself and save more right - that way the difference I save would pay for repairs if necessary at some point.

Doing a search, I came across this for $588.83 USD- http://www.tradehong.com/Nikon+D90+12.3MP+Digital+SLR+Camera… doesn't specify, but I'm guessing body only, but includes free shipping to Australia

From what I can gather, (which may be totally wrong) it appears you register with the site, they place the order with the seller who sends it, then pay them when you receive it. Paypal is an option for payment - but I'm not sure how much faith I'd place in their buyer protection.

I really WANT to get it, I just don't think I can bring myself to - seems too risky.

What does everyone think?

Edit - it is body only, in which case the seller has another body only http://www.tradehong.com/Nikon+D90+DX+12.3MP+Digital+SLR+Camera+(Body+Only)/p-4120300.html (?????) which is even cheaper for 562.86
Maybe they are refurbished??

General Discussion

Comments

  • djones145 on 30/07/2011 - 16:08

    recommend posting on whirlpool
    they have topics that discuss expereience from online websites
    also compare with DWI camera
    they are one of the cheapest
    if its too much cheap than there i would be worried

    • saxlady on 31/07/2011 - 18:01

      Thanks, will do

  • tonyjzx on 31/07/2011 - 11:07

    http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=nikon+d90

    eglobal is trusted

    • saxlady on 31/07/2011 - 18:03

      thanks for that, it is still a couple of hundred more when you take shipping into consideration - but…
      A couple of hundred more when you have a camera in your hand is better than a couple of hundred less with an empty hand and a headache
      Just don't know….

  • spacemansam on 31/07/2011 - 21:13

    Ive bought 2 cameras from 'citiwide' and both have been great.. Dont know if they have what you are looking for, but worth a look

  • Geewhizz on 29/09/2011 - 06:44

    I find it useful to check google for reviews on overseas companies. This company doesn't seem to have been trading for all that long, so I could find none for it.

    I did however find a manufacturer who lists them as selling counterfeit products:
    http://www.truereligionbrandjeans.com/counterfeit_products.h…

    some dodgy online place overseas

    I think you really already know the answer to your question. Not worth the risk.

  • saxlady on 29/09/2011 - 10:06

    yeah I found that too, but what I realised afterwards is that the company is more like Ebay - and they have a number of sellers, they are just the gateway, and each one is individual. So what the quality of one seller is like, is not a test of another.
    But in the end I didn't get it anyway, as the seller from what I was interested in didn't respond to questions and didn't have any feedback

  • CyberMurning on 29/09/2011 - 13:32

    are you sure dwi citiwide cameraparadise ddphoto is more expensive ?
    all above are 100% legit

  • saxlady on 29/09/2011 - 14:01

    yes, was about $300 more

  • Cheeper on 30/09/2011 - 12:08

    I can see the trade offs but personally I would not deal with that co.

  • CyberMurning on 30/09/2011 - 12:43

    tried to find tamron 90mm macro lens they dont have it, if they do can sell $100 cheaper i will buy.

  • gmail92 on 09/10/2011 - 13:32

    I would actually check ebay out if I were you.

    I recently saw a D90 + extras (flash , prime lens etc.); which I separately paid $2k for , sell for $750.

    which was how much I paid for my secondhand D90 + kit lens.

    :(

    generally secondhand dslrs are great value, most have a shutter actuation count of around 10000; some only a few thousand.

  • valuespotters on 09/10/2011 - 15:44

    Do a pretty good check. Try to find some other buyers who trusted about them. Otherwise do it with a local company even if it is a bit more expensive. You might save a lot of headache.
    Valuespotters.com.au

  • beany155 on 13/10/2011 - 13:29

    I bought a Canon SLR from HK 2 years ago and it has never been in a need to get fixed.. I wish I could remember the site but I am just adding that you dont need to be scared to buy OS.. Do your due diligence and you should be fine..

    Kogan has some good prices on cameras btw..

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