Lens Japanese Seller eBay: any feedback from Canadians?

[MidEastGal]

Hello,

I would like to buy a Panasonic m43 lens from an eBay seller in Japan. Any tips on experiences, fees, taxes, duty fees, etc... appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Patriot]

I'm not from Cananda, but eBay is a lot safer than it was years ago. Now eBay covers the buyer if the seller tries to pull a fast one on you. I get most of my lens from eBay with Zero problems. I got lens from Japan and Russian with no problems what so ever, it does take time however to reach you. If your worried about the shipping cost then ask the seller the price to ship to you. It shouldn't go up too much and it will still be 300-$400 cheaper that other sources.


-Hunt

 

[cgw]

Hello,

I would like to buy a Panasonic m43 lens 12-35mm/f2.8 from an eBay seller in Japan because it's about 300-400$ cheaper than Amazon or local ones in canada. I have never bought exlensize gear from eBay, let alone Japan. I would appreciate any tips and personal experience on customs, duty fees, etc. Would it be a safe transaction or fees would add up? I'd appreciate all your feedback and advice.

Best,
M

There's always the usual due diligence: eBay feedback on similar items, complaint search, firm shipping/insurance quotes, return terms/eBay Buyer Protection coverage. We're talking a C$ 1100-1200 lens, so 300-400 off, IMHO, is in "too good to be true" territory. Your call, though.

Unless I'm missing something, I'm only seeing about 200-ish price difference after shipping and duty(GST) relative to B&H--assuming eBay ads I'm seeing for 900 and change are what you're referencing. You will likely also be giving up any sort of warranty coverage if you buy from outside N. American.

 

[Mully]

Check on their reviews if only a few stay away.

 

[MidEastGal]

Patriot, thank you. I will ask the seller. Hope they reply.

 

[MidEastGal]

Cgw, this is a good list of check up steps. Thanks for the advice.
The lens in the local stores here is $1300. B&H for me is not so much cheaper: price $1,144 + shipping/duties/tax $110 = total $1255! I am also not sure about US warranty. If B&H is in this price league, better buy from Canada. So when I seen the 900 and fraction it is a considerable difference from $1300 given I make sure all is good to go, which I am not (yet).

 

[MidEastGal]

Mully, thanks for your tip...

 

[MidEastGal]

According to this website: New Import Duty & Taxes Calculation | DutyCalculator
My duty fee from Japan to Canada is zero but tax is $47, total landed cost is $1007.

 

[cgw]

According to this website: New Import Duty & Taxes Calculation | DutyCalculator
My duty fee from Japan to Canada is zero but tax is $47, total landed cost is $1007.

This breaks from: price 925 + shipping 25 + warranty 63 + tax 47 + duty fee 0.

Anyways, I am still not very sure this website is a trusted calculator and not sure if I should get from eBay Japan.

With respect, I'm suspicious of $25 shipping(any insurance???) and then $63 for a "warranty?" Who exactly is carrying the warranty? It's worthless if it's not fulfilled by someone in N. America and even then it won't be Panasonic. On new gear, "deals" like this can go sour if you ever need it fixed. Even B&H would be preferable for a few bucks off the C$ price and Panasonic USA coverage.

 

[MidEastGal]

Cgw, you are right. I just sent the seller a private message on eBay yesterday morning and they replied. I asked about:

First: Warranty; they said there is no warranty; it seems the one I seen ($63) is something eBay offers which I don't know lots about.
Second, when I asked about estimated duty fees and the like for their Canada customers, they didn't say exact amount but they said we'll write off the value of the lens is "$98" so I don't have to pay lots at all! (That's fishy in my book).
Third, when I asked about serial number/prefix, they said they cannot "choose" the serial number.
Fourth, when I asked about the issues with the shakiness in some models, he said they cannot check them before sale (understood).
Fifth, positive point here, he said Japanese lenses are same as ones here.

 

[bratkinson]

Just my 2 cents worth...I bought a used Canon 80-200 f2.8L "magic black pipe" from a Japanese ebay seller. It had a 10,000 or so rating as it appeared to be a brick and mortar store. I did all the due diligence on the lens as well as the seller. Pulled the trigger. Lens was in my hands 2 days later in New England USA via Japan Postal Air Mail or whatever it was. Lens is close to factory new condition! Couldn't be happier!

 

[MidEastGal]

Bratkinson, thanks for sharing ur experience. Although I am more towards not buying from there anymore, it is still a possibility after hearing couple of positive experiences here and elsewhere on web. May I ask what is the name of the store? If u wish to answer in PM that's fine. The difference is $300-$350 from my local store so slight possibility I might still reconsider.

Main issue because it is new not used, how would I know if it's grey market or not and if panasonic would service it for me on the way if I need? For example Nikon does not service Frey market lenses in NA.

 

[MidEastGal]

Update: I just purchased the lens after all from eBay Japanese top rated seller.

Main reason I went ahead with this: I was about to buy it from my local store for $1300 (not enthusiastically at all) and I asked about their return policy in this case as it was special order from another province or from US. They said it would be final sale and no exchange. Only if I had problem they will send it to Panasonic.

My major thing to wanting to buy from them was the ease of exchanging it if there is problem and servicing it. Now that this is not as easy an option I re-considered Japan.

The Japanese seller has 14 day return/exchange no questions asked. And if I have problem he can exchange. First return/exchange they pay shipping. If it needs service I send it to them and they service it in Panasonic Japan (1 year warranty). I found their terms more customer-friendly than my local store and $350 less.

 

[cgw]

Glad it worked out. The build quality on that lens is first-rate, so unless you're sadistically inclined it should be trouble-free for years. Constant aperture zooms are never bargain-priced, sadly.
I've bought Mamiya gear from Japan and never had any issues with shipping or service during or after the sale. The yen being down a bit helps, too.

Sorry you couldn't deal locally. Get tired of local shops complaining about lost business and doing so little to keep it.

 

[MidEastGal]

Thanks Cgw Let's see how it goes from here. I feel optimistic for some reason and this feeling usually works...