XL2 in Hong Kong for Australia
 

Hi Guys,

Firstly let me congratulate Chris on a wonderful informative web site for XL1-XL2 users. Keep up the good work!

I've been racking my brain trying to decide whether I should buy a new XL2 from Hong Kong, for use in Australia. The reason being, cost! I am saving nearly $3000, even after import tax and our GST, but I only get the Hong Kong warranty.

If you have the time, see:
http://www.canon.com.hk/En/Product/P...9&tag_id=10664

and
http://www.canon.com.au/products/cam...video/xl2.html

I am planning on buying off Ebay and I have done as much research as I can into the sellers business and I am now confident in buying from him. He is legit.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....sPageName=WDVW

Off the top of your head, do you know of any differences between the Hong Kong model and the Australian model that I should be aware of. The only thing I can think of is the power cord, but the Hong Kong mob are including an Aus plug as part of the deal.

If anyone can give me any advice on this matter, it would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Tim Jessel
Director/Designer

I would buy ONLY from someone reputable, in your country, where you have a valid warranty. remember the old saying- "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is".
Bruce yarock

Hi Bruce,

Yes I totally agree, but the $3000 saving is not a joke. I have been in contact with a couple of other buyers in Australia who have bought the XL2 from this company in Hong Kong and they didn't have any problems. The camera is for sale on the Hong Kong Canon web site for only $300 more than the Ebay guy, so this is the base price in Hong Kong.

Yes the warranty is an issue, but all it means is that I have to send it back to Hong Kong to get fixed and pay for postage. I am hoping the XL2 is fairly bullet proof and I won't have any chips blow or some manufacturing malfunction in the 1st 12 months while under warranty. In saying that, my microwave oven only 3 months old died today! Maybe that's a sign ;)

Thanks for your comments

Ciao

Tim

Welcome aboard DVInfo.net Timothy!

There have been some reported issues with the first couple of
batches out of the factory. So it is not impossible that the model
you will receive might contain a defect.

When you say:

" but all it means is that I have to send it back to Hong Kong "

Are you really aware of what this little word "all" really means?

It means you are going to pay a hefty fine to send it over to HK
(especially if you want it shipped securely, pretty fast and make
sure you can track it [in other words, it won't get "lost"!!!]) and
you will have to wait a long time for it to come back (it won't be
back in a couple of weeks).

Also what happens if they find something wrong with the camera
and they want to charge you? How easy do you think such
communications will be?

Are you sure the difference is that much?

The eBay guy has this listed:

AU $5,390.00

I did a bit of searching and found some shops in Australia selling
it for under AU $6500 which is a difference of AU $1110 or around
$900 USD.

Personally I feel that if you can't afford the camera in your own
country then perhaps look at another camera that better suits
your needs?

You'll be much futher from home if you loose your AU $5390 due
to some problems or whatever. But it is ofcourse your gamble.

I don't think you will find much (if any) people here who would
advice you to do what you want to do....

Caveat emptor....

Tim,I have looked into this as well. I have an email from canon Aus saying that they will honour the warranties on cameras purchased overseas provided that the warranty card is stamped by the dealer. Send me an email and I will forward this on to you.

George

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your comments.

Can you tell me where you found the camera for under $6500 in Australia?

Also does anyone know what the reported defects were in the first batch and what serial number ranges I should be looking for?

Many thanks

Tim

I bought mine from an ebay power sellier based in Queensland, who import from the states...

After them pissing around for a month and wasting my time and a pricing dispute I eventually got the camera. The arguments were worth it for the saving.

Hi George,

If you have received an email from Canon, you have done well :)

You don't have your email address listed? Can you forward that Canon email onto info@newline.com.au


Thanks

Tim

Timothy: I haven't saved it, but I did a search in google on
something like: "Canon XL2" +australia

Even if I had the link (which I don't) I wouldn't post it because
for all I know it could be a scam place. From the fast search I
did I saw a couple of companies selling it below the price you
mentioned, so I think it might be available for a lower price
without it being a scam.

Again perhaps it is better to look at a cheaper camera or wait
a while to build up some more money?

There where no specific problems, but one guy had a loose
viewfinder, some had some smearing problems I think. There
just might be an issue with your camera, that's all.