expandore.com or bhphotovideo.com? at DVinfo.net

Andrew Kiu · March 16th, 2004, 06:22 PM

Does any one have experience buying or ordering goods like battery, Camcorder...etc from;

http://www.expandore.com/ or
http://www.bhphotovideo.com

or you guys have better recommend site...
Please give me advice...Thx

Frank Granovski · March 16th, 2004, 06:28 PM

B&H.

Saturnin Van · March 16th, 2004, 06:42 PM

b&h....
..i think someone already asked about this in one of the other forums...

you can try other online merchants wif lower prices but in the end you'll end up payin' the same $$ ......they'll try to upsell and charge ya 6% + on overall purchase for shipping the item......some dont even sell u the item unless u buy the acessories......

Andrew Kiu · March 16th, 2004, 06:54 PM

Any experience with unpleasant or unsatisfied services buying online? Are they really realible in term of Credit payment, Shipping and pricing? Coz I planning to order some expensive Stuff either from B&H or Expandore.com.

How about local taxes, Duties, VAT? those are extra cost to me...

Thanks Saturnin & Frank

Glenn Chan · March 16th, 2004, 07:15 PM

Check out the dvinfo.net sponsors page (navigate there from the main page). Basically, B&H is probably your best bet. If other dealers are significantly cheaper it's because they're shady so read up on resellerratings.com. Which brings you back to B&H.

Quote:

How about local taxes, Duties, VAT? those are extra cost to me...

You should really research that. Remember to stay away from UPS, their brokerage fees are ridiculous. United States Postal Service should be ok.

Federico Dib · March 16th, 2004, 07:50 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Andrew Kiu : Any experience with unpleasant or unsatisfied services buying online? Are they really realible in term of Credit payment, Shipping and pricing? Coz I planning to order some expensive Stuff either from B&H or Expandore.com.

How about local taxes, Duties, VAT? those are extra cost to me...

Thanks Saturnin & Frank -->>>

I´ve bought from B&H, I´m in Spain, and they´ve been very helpfull and fast, and I´ll say the word that describes them the best is EFFICIENT.
The shipping prices were about the same as any other...

Local taxes and that, will depend on where you are...
UPS (which is what B&H uses) around here they allways declare to customs... and Audio and Video Equipment from outside of Europe is mandatory to pay 16% taxes... So I allways add a 16% of the total.

With all that, I got what I needed cheaper than buying it from for example London and even the few places that have it here in Spain.

About the credit, they required me to send a copy of my credit card - both sides.. I know it´s for my own safety and all... and that probably means that they check and process every sale like if you were actually there. Which is probably a good thing.. allthough the time difference could delay the process a day. Or more if you are not carefull with the holidays calendar (it happened to me)..

Federico Dib · March 16th, 2004, 07:56 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Glenn Chan

You should really research that. Remember to stay away from UPS, their brokerage fees are ridiculous. United States Postal Service should be ok. -->>>

B&H doesn´t use US Postal Service for Spain at least... Only UPS..
That´s what they have told me...

Robert Knecht Schmidt · March 16th, 2004, 08:37 PM

The US Postal Service only goes so far!

Andrew Kiu · March 16th, 2004, 08:50 PM

Does anyone know how they charge local taxes for electrical goods in Malaysia? How to check my local taxes? Are they listing in my order form? Or they charge me when the goods arrive? i very new in online ordering…

please help. THX a lot guys

Federico Dib · March 17th, 2004, 05:45 AM

I´m afraid I don´t know much about Malaysia, so sorry...
But I don´t think taxes will be listed in your order form.

Around here, UPS calls you a day before delivering the package and tell you that there is a Custom TAX of (whatever)... so you be ready to pay the delivery guy at your door.

One time they just came without calling.. I didn´t have money to pay the taxes so they scheduled another delivery day that week with me to be ready.

My guess will be to call a local UPS office or other Courier company and ask them...

Robert: US Postal might not bring mail here.. but they sure come with it´s team to all the Bicycle tours..

Frank Granovski · March 17th, 2004, 05:53 AM

Malaysia? Andrew, check with your country's post office or with the government department that deals with taxes/duties. You'll only be charged when the package arrives, but maybe you won't pay nothing. So check first.

Which cam do you want to purchase? Wouldn't a cam be cheaper from Hong Kong?

Andrew Kiu · March 17th, 2004, 06:23 PM

I planning to get Anton Bauer Batteries Hytron 120 , Gold mount and Ultralight 2 for my XL-1s. I wonder if i order in Hong kong Will it be locally produce like "Made in Hong Kong"??? or maybe there order from HQ also????

Frank Granovski · March 17th, 2004, 06:37 PM

Malaysia, is PAL, I think. So make sure you get the PAL cam XL1s.

Made in Hong Kong XL1s's? Naaa. They're just sold there.

What's HQ?

Sean Smith · March 18th, 2004, 08:09 AM

Of the 2, I have only had experience with B+H. I have spent a lot of cash with these guys and have only had 1 problem arise, which they quickly repaired. They have great customer service and I use them as the benchmark when determining other gear outlets.

Joe Lloyd · March 20th, 2004, 02:23 AM

Have used both, both are very good. I found Expandore better for the cameras themselves and faster, but I am located in NZ

March 16th, 2004, 06:22 PM	#1
Andrew Kiu Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BRUNEI Posts: 108	expandore.com or bhphotovideo.com? Does any one have experience buying or ordering goods like battery, Camcorder...etc from; http://www.expandore.com/ or http://www.bhphotovideo.com or you guys have better recommend site... Please give me advice...Thx __________________ Andrew

March 16th, 2004, 06:42 PM	#3
Saturnin Van New Boot Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 11	b&H b&h.... ..i think someone already asked about this in one of the other forums... you can try other online merchants wif lower prices but in the end you'll end up payin' the same $$ ......they'll try to upsell and charge ya 6% + on overall purchase for shipping the item......some dont even sell u the item unless u buy the acessories......

March 16th, 2004, 06:54 PM	#4
Andrew Kiu Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BRUNEI Posts: 108	Why B&H? Any experience with unpleasant or unsatisfied services buying online? Are they really realible in term of Credit payment, Shipping and pricing? Coz I planning to order some expensive Stuff either from B&H or Expandore.com. How about local taxes, Duties, VAT? those are extra cost to me... Thanks Saturnin & Frank __________________ Andrew

March 16th, 2004, 07:50 PM	#6
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	Re: Why B&H? <<<-- Originally posted by Andrew Kiu : Any experience with unpleasant or unsatisfied services buying online? Are they really realible in term of Credit payment, Shipping and pricing? Coz I planning to order some expensive Stuff either from B&H or Expandore.com. How about local taxes, Duties, VAT? those are extra cost to me... Thanks Saturnin & Frank -->>> I´ve bought from B&H, I´m in Spain, and they´ve been very helpfull and fast, and I´ll say the word that describes them the best is EFFICIENT. The shipping prices were about the same as any other... Local taxes and that, will depend on where you are... UPS (which is what B&H uses) around here they allways declare to customs... and Audio and Video Equipment from outside of Europe is mandatory to pay 16% taxes... So I allways add a 16% of the total. With all that, I got what I needed cheaper than buying it from for example London and even the few places that have it here in Spain. About the credit, they required me to send a copy of my credit card - both sides.. I know it´s for my own safety and all... and that probably means that they check and process every sale like if you were actually there. Which is probably a good thing.. allthough the time difference could delay the process a day. Or more if you are not carefull with the holidays calendar (it happened to me).. __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

March 16th, 2004, 07:56 PM	#7
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	<<<-- Originally posted by Glenn Chan You should really research that. Remember to stay away from UPS, their brokerage fees are ridiculous. United States Postal Service should be ok. -->>> B&H doesn´t use US Postal Service for Spain at least... Only UPS.. That´s what they have told me... __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

March 16th, 2004, 06:28 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	B&H.

March 16th, 2004, 08:37 PM	#8
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	The US Postal Service only goes so far! __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 16th, 2004, 08:50 PM	#9
Andrew Kiu Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BRUNEI Posts: 108	Does anyone know how they charge local taxes for electrical goods in Malaysia? How to check my local taxes? Are they listing in my order form? Or they charge me when the goods arrive? i very new in online ordering… please help. THX a lot guys __________________ Andrew

March 17th, 2004, 05:45 AM	#10
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	I´m afraid I don´t know much about Malaysia, so sorry... But I don´t think taxes will be listed in your order form. Around here, UPS calls you a day before delivering the package and tell you that there is a Custom TAX of (whatever)... so you be ready to pay the delivery guy at your door. One time they just came without calling.. I didn´t have money to pay the taxes so they scheduled another delivery day that week with me to be ready. My guess will be to call a local UPS office or other Courier company and ask them... Robert: US Postal might not bring mail here.. but they sure come with it´s team to all the Bicycle tours.. __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

March 17th, 2004, 05:53 AM	#11
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Malaysia? Andrew, check with your country's post office or with the government department that deals with taxes/duties. You'll only be charged when the package arrives, but maybe you won't pay nothing. So check first. Which cam do you want to purchase? Wouldn't a cam be cheaper from Hong Kong?

March 17th, 2004, 06:23 PM	#12
Andrew Kiu Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BRUNEI Posts: 108	I planning to get Anton Bauer Batteries Hytron 120 , Gold mount and Ultralight 2 for my XL-1s. I wonder if i order in Hong kong Will it be locally produce like "Made in Hong Kong"??? or maybe there order from HQ also???? __________________ Andrew

March 17th, 2004, 06:37 PM	#13
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Malaysia, is PAL, I think. So make sure you get the PAL cam XL1s. Made in Hong Kong XL1s's? Naaa. They're just sold there. What's HQ?

March 18th, 2004, 08:09 AM	#14
Sean Smith New Boot Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD area Posts: 22	Of the 2, I have only had experience with B+H. I have spent a lot of cash with these guys and have only had 1 problem arise, which they quickly repaired. They have great customer service and I use them as the benchmark when determining other gear outlets.

March 20th, 2004, 02:23 AM	#15
Joe Lloyd Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 202	Have used both, both are very good. I found Expandore better for the cameras themselves and faster, but I am located in NZ __________________ Catalina Productions http://www.catalina.co.nz