Buying Expensive Gear Fx From Overseas, Worth the risk? Options

[mhskeide]

Howdy fellas

I am currently very keen on the Nova System from TC Electronic. The reasons are several, but this topic is not about why I want it.

Here in Norway, I can buy the system for 4500 NOK, which equals to 783$/556€ (including 25% VAT). From Ebay, I can buy the same system for 3000NOK included both shipping and VAT!

My only concern is if something should turn up, like a defect or something... then I would have to ship it back to USA to get it fixed/get a new one or pay to have it fixed here in Norway...anyway, easily 200$ down the toilet.

I have read plenty of reviews, and I have seen that someone has been so unlucky to actually buy/recieve a dead unit (doesn`t work at all!). I assume...or hope..that this is just maybe 1out 200 or so, since it is often the dissatisfied ones which write reviews.

But what are your thoughts on buying equipment in this price range from my position here in Norway?

Thanks

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[Mudbone]

Even if it was broken, shipping it back and forth to the US might still be cheaper. One thing to keep in mind about online reviews, most people that are satisfied with their purchase don't bother posting a review, but the ones that are extremely frustrated feel the need to vent online.

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[Lian Gerbino]

well, there's always a risk. If $ 200 is not a big lost, I would buy it near to my home, so I can talk personally with who sell me the thing.
if you think saved some money by shipping worth it, there's a whole market behind shipping and selling around the world.
so if the store you choose is a well-known one, you can buy from them, and, in case you have a problem, they will fix it. but, it will take more time.

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[MickeM]

Here in Norway, I can buy the system for 4500 NOK, which equals to 783$/556€ (including 25% VAT). From Ebay, I can buy the same system for 3000NOK included both shipping and VAT!

Mind that you have to pay customs, a few % worth of value + shipping.
Then I wonder, was the 3000 NOK including Norwegian VAT or just US? In the customs they will add domestic VAT to the price + shipping.

So calculate about 5% + customs, Nor Vat 25%

But the Dollar is cheap now, so is the Sterling Pound if you consider the UK so it might be worth it taking the risk with faulty products.

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[mhskeide]

Mind that you have to pay customs, a few % worth of value + shipping.
Then I wonder, was the 3000 NOK including Norwegian VAT or just US? In the customs they will add domestic VAT to the price + shipping.

So calculate about 5% + customs, Nor Vat 25%

But the Dollar is cheap now, so is the Sterling Pound if you consider the UK so it might be worth it taking the risk with faulty products.

As said, 3000NOK was the total sum...more or less

Don`t know if the drive/distortion is enough for everything I play, but all the other FX makes it worth it anyways!

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[del-4fr53e3]

If you are buying new, I would take guarantees into the equation. If something goes wrong, you'll have some time for free repair if you buy it in a store. Also, Norway have the forbrukerkjøpsloven, so if it doesnt last as long as it should, you should get a new one

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[Bogdan Radovic]

Generally its ok to buy online. I have presumption that good quality guitar gear is built to last and never had a faulty unit of any sort (from my gear). But if you see it as a risk and don't think that the prize difference is too big, its always better to get it locally then to deal with ebay sellers/customs etc. Customs can really beef up the prize. My advice is if you feel that the unit may brake and you need warranty - get it locally. Depends on the piece/type of gear you getting. In case of this unit I wouldn't worry much. TC electronic makes durable stuff : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKZLNKqvFAI

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[maharzan]

Its a total risk. I have bought all my fx gears from US and this is like the impossible place to be where I am but still since i can't get any gears at any cost here, I have no choice. Generally, if they are small, I ask my friends to bring them for me and lately, they have hesitated to do so.. yea just been asking too much. So, lately, I have been using Fedex to ship my items which comes out way expensive.. such as I bought my TC G-Force and Mesa Triaxis thru ebay and shipped via Fedex and paid some customs as well. They costed a fortune but gladly, they arrived safe and well working. I have had one item bought well working and I burnt it after 10 months. Luckily, I had a 1 year warranty and one of my friend was here from US. He gladly helped me take that unit and fix it under warranty. I got it 6 months later via another friend who came back home and the unit was well working again.

Here is a list of what I have from US (if you guys don't mind)..

Digitech GNX4 (the first item I got from US) - no shipping cost as a friend brought it for me. I didn't realize the box was so huge. I am so grateful to my friend.
Computer parts...
Womanizer (a company called Damage control). I got this via friend too and this one was fried after 10 months but again was lucky to have it fixed. I got this as I was fed up of digital fuzziness and wanted to try some tube sound. I liked this unit but couldn't get the sound I was after. I didn't have much experience too.

The bad thing about getting things from US is they are 110V and we have 220V here. I have fried couple of units trying to connect these directly, one being a computer router.

TC Electronic G-Force
Mesa Triaxis
Canon 7D and a 17-55mm lens

I paid heavy shipping (fedex to these) but I am very happy to have these units. I still need to get power amps but m considering Axe Fx now.

Macbook Pro
Mbox 2 Pro
All studio equipments like 2 mics, mic filters, Hard disks, wacom tablet, 450W CPU power supply for my old PC, graphics card, camera accessories, audio recorders and many more small items.

Wow, didn't realize I have ordered these many items for the last 6-7 years wow! I understand why friends remain to keep silent nowadays.. hehe.

On the way are KRK Rockit 6 set and a camera stabilizer.

I still plan to buy few more items like a custom JS (next month), Axe Fx (next year if I can), guitar parts (not sure when), and many more for sure.

I think most of the items seems to be 100% working unless you are buying used ones or you are really unlucky. Its a risk though. I m getting most things because we don't have any of these items here. We only find cheap chinese / indian items which are not that good of a quality. Even if we get these items they are like double the price so I m risking it.

yea and as bogdon said, if the price difference is not much, I think the best bet is to get it locally as you can storm on the store and say, you piece of shit, give me a working unit.

P.S. I am not a rich bastard... I work online and get paid in USD. So, instead of having to go through tonnes of process trying to cash it out to my place, I feel its better worth spending it directly on the things I want to enjoy. Hopefully, one day I can make use of all of the items I have. ha!

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