Buying locally vs Importing

[HadesP]

Hey all!

I am currently in the process of buying and subsequently building my first pc. Now, the build is only in the future currently, but I have been looking through prices both on local (Hungarian) markets and on PC part picker for the US prices. The not-so-funny thing I have found is the PC which would currently cost about 1460 USD if I imported the parts, would jump up to about 2063 USD if I bought it locally. Now, of course, this is a bit of a problem, considering the fact that if I had 2000 dollars then I wouldn't want to build a 1500 dollar PC.

So, what do you guys think about importing the parts from the other side of the world? How much could it go wrong? What would you guys do? 

[RONOTHAN##]

One thing to look into is the import tariffs, as even though the items are usually cheaper in the US, the taxes to get said items into your country can be rather expensive, to the point where it might be cheaper to just buy everything locally anyway. Don't know how it is in Hungary, but I remember there are some countries in Europe that are like that so it's worth looking into. 

 

The other problem that you can run into is if you have to RMA, you'd likely have to send it back to the American location and thus it can get kinda expensive. 

[Dedayog]

5 minutes ago, HadesP said:

Hey all!

I am currently in the process of buying and subsequently building my first pc. Now, the build is only in the future currently, but I have been looking through prices both on local (Hungarian) markets and on PC part picker for the US prices. The not-so-funny thing I have found is the PC which would currently cost about 1460 USD if I imported the parts, would jump up to about 2063 USD if I bought it locally. Now, of course, this is a bit of a problem, considering the fact that if I had 2000 dollars then I wouldn't want to build a 1500 dollar PC.

So, what do you guys think about importing the parts from the other side of the world? How much could it go wrong? What would you guys do? 

Not understanding your question, since the world itself is one large market in this day and age.

 

I routinely buy from all over the world, and since components are manufactured in Asia, they start there anyway.

 

Buy where you can, reputable components from reputable companies.  Any issues, verify their warranty and RMA language.

 

 

[brob]

PSU are a special case. While an imported one will almost certainly work on the local power grid, it may not come with an appropriate power cable. It may also not be approved by authorities for use on the local grid. This can lead to insurance and other issues.

 

As attractive as US prices may look, by the time one adds shipping,  insurance, import duties and taxes they are usually not nearly as  competitive as they first appeared. And while international shipping is much easier and more reliable these days, when things go wrong it can become a nightmare. Shipping issues can add weeks of delay which can lead to RMA problems should a return be necessary. (Well, returns are not usually worthwhile given the paperwork and costs involved.)

[Poinkachu]

Let's see :

Import Tarrifs
Possibility of a lot of hassle and fee when shit hits the fan
Possibility of broken during overseas shipping

 

Whether or not to import, mainly I look at the price difference after adding shipping fee & import tariffs first.

If the difference is big enough, I might import, but only items that I'm sure will be fine in shipping. And things that don't leave me with like $1000 worth brick due to local distributor refusing warranty claim & shipping fee back and forth to overseas is too expensive.

 

Importing tech stuffs from US to my country usually only have like $100 - $200 [ after recounting my experience, it's $50 - $300 depending on how much price gouging local sellers try to sell it ] price difference after I factor in tarrifs & tax. While it sounds quite a lot, local distributor will reject claims, so I will have to ship it back to US or Taiwan, most likely on my own money. So I end up just buying locally.

 

Unless you pick like UPS or DHL some kind of premium service  or something (Which usually expensive), chances are it will get :

- Thrown / Dropped (either intentionaly or accidentaly)

- Put underneath other stuffs

- Shaken a lot

- Etc

Despite the "Fragile" label on it.

 

No idea how correct this is :

 

[PDifolco]

46 minutes ago, HadesP said:

Hey all!

I am currently in the process of buying and subsequently building my first pc. Now, the build is only in the future currently, but I have been looking through prices both on local (Hungarian) markets and on PC part picker for the US prices. The not-so-funny thing I have found is the PC which would currently cost about 1460 USD if I imported the parts, would jump up to about 2063 USD if I bought it locally. Now, of course, this is a bit of a problem, considering the fact that if I had 2000 dollars then I wouldn't want to build a 1500 dollar PC.

So, what do you guys think about importing the parts from the other side of the world? How much could it go wrong? What would you guys do? 

All of the EU adds a 20% VAT to anything, and sellers tend to not use current FX rates (because they've bought things at another rate) and keep some share on it as well

So more often than not a 1500USD item ends up costing 1800EUR in Europe...

It's really easy to shop in another EU country as there's no tarrifs and VAT is already applied, and usually Germany has better prices on the continent

Orders from more distant countries can have additional tarrifs, get held for some times at customs, and shipping can be costly if the item is big; not sure there's much to gain here

[venomtail]

Remember, US shows no tax so by the time they add their tax the price difference isn't that crazy anymore. Still a bit cheaper but that's just economies of scale by then.

 

Buying from abroad, especially used my biggest concern is shipping damage. I've had stuff smashed. Import tax is a thing but how costly I've no idea how they calculate that.

[IkeaGnome]

Let’s also not forget warranty if it ends up being needed. Most companies will require you to send the parts back to USA for warranty since that’s where they’re bought from. 

[Poinkachu]

Pretty sure that if it gets broken during shipping, chances are the 2 parties (sellers & shipping) gonna play blame game for awhile.
So you're stuck with broken item while they investigate and stuffs, who knows how long that will take.

 

In my country, even for things I bought locally, in the same city.

The investigation might take up to 14 work days.

 

My one tip is this : If you decide to import, make sure you record video from the moment you unpack the stuff up to the testing phase.

Hopefully never needed, but if it is needed, you already have it.

[QuantumSingularity]

1 hour ago, HadesP said:

Hey all!

I am currently in the process of buying and subsequently building my first pc. Now, the build is only in the future currently, but I have been looking through prices both on local (Hungarian) markets and on PC part picker for the US prices. The not-so-funny thing I have found is the PC which would currently cost about 1460 USD if I imported the parts, would jump up to about 2063 USD if I bought it locally. Now, of course, this is a bit of a problem, considering the fact that if I had 2000 dollars then I wouldn't want to build a 1500 dollar PC.

So, what do you guys think about importing the parts from the other side of the world? How much could it go wrong? What would you guys do? 

I used to do it constantly when i had friends who lived there. I'd ship the orders to their addresses and they would send me the parts as personal belongings and no import or VAT added, so it was an excellent deal. However most of them returned back because they say it's now basically unlivable there and i have no one i can trust now. As for the Import fees, better get a proper fee calculator from your government, because import duties usually are applied on the product's price + shipping, then the VAT is added and on that final sum, you have import duties. Some times it even gets to double the price of what it costs in the US.

[Why_Me]

6 hours ago, Dedayog said:

Not understanding your question, since the world itself is one large market in this day and age.

 

I routinely buy from all over the world, and since components are manufactured in Asia, they start there anyway.

 

Buy where you can, reputable components from reputable companies.  Any issues, verify their warranty and RMA language.

 

 

The OP is speaking of tariffs .. such as living in a EU country and purchasing components from Germany for example. Import fees + VAT + shipping.

[Dedayog]

12 minutes ago, Why_Me said:

The OP is speaking of tariffs .. such as living in a EU country and purchasing components from Germany for example. Import fees + VAT + shipping.

The OP is asking about issues buying non-local.  he's concerned about how to deal with non local parts if there are issues...

 

"So, what do you guys think about importing the parts from the other side of the world? How much could it go wrong? What would you guys do? "

 

Hence my answer.  Importing from other side of the world is a non-issue from reputable resellers.  

 

He is concerned if he saves a lot of money by importing, will he be screwed if there is an issue.  Nope.