Buying imports?????

[Rathion]

I've noticed a lot of posts on here about dealers selling "imports" what EXACTLY are the cons/problems with buying an import?? If it's cheaper and works where's the problem?
Are there any likely problems with buying hardware that turrns out to be an import?
Is it illegal to sell imports? What are your rights if you've been sold some hardware that turns out to be an import?
Is a dealer legally obliged to tell you?

Anyone had any problems buying or inadvertantly receiving "imported" hardware?

TA

[CyberSurfer]

Bought a Sony DVD NS700 on behalf of my sister for her husband
It was from Germany, but player was marked in English, and so was remote. Manual was a photocopy - I am currently waiting for them to send a proper manual

Under the distance sellings regs, you could return it within 7 days
(I wasn't informed about it being from Germany)
I could have returned it, but wasn't sure about who was going to pay the return postage - perhaps the credit card company could have done something about it ?

[Justin]

Originally posted by Rathion
I've noticed a lot of posts on here about dealers selling "imports" what EXACTLY are the cons/problems with buying an import?? If it's cheaper and works where's the problem?
Are there any likely problems with buying hardware that turrns out to be an import?
Is it illegal to sell imports? What are your rights if you've been sold some hardware that turns out to be an import?
Is a dealer legally obliged to tell you?

Anyone had any problems buying or inadvertantly receiving "imported" hardware?

TA

To be honest, depends on your view. Don`t accept my post here that i`m against imports, we used to import DVD players form Hong Kong in 1998! I`ll just try to answer your questions!

Selling an "import" makes no real difference, as under consumer law your first point of contact is the dealer that supplied it. If it goes wrong you return it to the dealer that sold you it under warranty for repair.

However: some brands offer "UK tuned" products and warranties. Example, brands such as Tannoy, Marantz, Denon, Arcam, Yamaha, etc, supply their dealers goods with a 2, 3 or even 5 year warranty on any goods sold through that dealership. Some of the above are often UK tuned (SE, OSE, tweaked products, etc) meaning that imports are different. Even Sony have done this with their "QS" and "Brookland" ranges recently!

If said dealer for that brand goes bust, the manufacturer will usually honour the warranty with original invoice, or customer can contact the manufacturer direct for support. None-Authorised Dealers importing can only offer 1 year warranty under consumer law, unless they provides insurance warranty (usually chargeable). Some brands like Sony and Pioneer won`t offer support on products not supplied by their dealer base anymore.

Its not illegal to sell imports, but selling a product as something it isn`t TS usually take action upon. You have the normal rights for any item of sale in the UK under the distance selling act, and consumer rights. Problems usually arrise if you contact the manufacturer for support or service direct, due to incorrect accessories supplied, different language manuals, or even different product specs.

To be perfectly honest theres not really many occasions now when imports are cheaper - if in doubt just call the manufacturer to see if the dealer offering the goods are actually a authorised dealer!

Hope the above helps, if in doubt do some research first. if it seems too good to be true, it probably is:D