[shoshone]

Originally Posted by GeekAndProud

Just a bit of useful information; L series lenses have an international warranty so you don't have to worry about grey imports. I dunno if the same can be said for Nikon though.

I plan on buying a 17-40 from these guys seeing as the bad press seems to be baseless with no evidence...

The only caveat I would have is if you sniff around their T&C's from a link at the bottom of their Web page you will discover that You will have to pay all import tax & VAT should your shipment be stopped - sod's law it would be be me ;-)

[GeekAndProud]

Why would I have to pay import fees if it was sent to Canon UK?

[shoshone]

Originally Posted by GeekAndProud

Why would I have to pay import fees if it was sent to Canon UK?

Hmm....the other part of your post....I plan on buying a 17-40 from these guys seeing as the bad press seems to be baseless with no evidence...

You have to buy it first!

I am referring to the import not the repair...this is what HDEW site states...

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. Please note that by making a purchase on this website you will be acting as the importer of the product for all purposes including all customs regulations,copyright and trademark laws.You accept that the role of HDEW Cameras is limited to sourcing products and making them them available for you to import directly from the country of origin.By purchasing a product through this
website you authorise us to make arrangements for clearance of customs on your behalf for the products you have ordered.

Hopefully this resolves any confusion.

[graham bowers]

Your quotation is from the Store Policies page, accessed from the horizontal menu at the top of all pages although one may have expected to find it in Terms and Conditions.
I'd never seen it before and in my opinion its as far removed from a plain English statement as a politicians answer.
What do you know that we don't please?
I've made two purchases from HDEW and paid only the declared price - both were smooth and easy transactions.
Graham

[Bob58]

Originally Posted by graham bowers

What do you know that we don't please?

Graham

I think what is being referred to here, the item is being imported into the country, no UK taxes paid, if you are unlucky enough to have your parcel inspected by HM Customs then you are liable to pay the taxes.

Bit like coming back off holiday with a load of tobacco etc if you are stopped and over the limit you have to pay the duty.

Some Hong Kong dealers on ebay will pay the import tax if it is picked up by customs, a lot will not.

It's a chance you take when buying from such places

[graham bowers]

Bob58
I can see that may be inferred.
Shoshone's comment also suggests that, however I'm hoping to learn what actually happened if possible.
Graham

[shoshone]

Originally Posted by Bob58

I think what is being referred to here, the item is being imported into the country, no UK taxes paid, if you are unlucky enough to have your parcel inspected by HM Customs then you are liable to pay the taxes.

Bit like coming back off holiday with a load of tobacco etc if you are stopped and over the limit you have to pay the duty.

Some Hong Kong dealers on ebay will pay the import tax if it is picked up by customs, a lot will not.

It's a chance you take when buying from such places

Graham,

Bob's post is exactly what I was referring to. I don't know anything - I've never purchased from them however when I was tempted that notice put me off - hence me saying it would be just my luck to get picked on by HMRC.

I've done a lot of business with Kerso and I'm pretty sure this 'potential' problem can't happen the way he does it so I'd rather swallow the difference but hey....enjoy your new lens when it comes.

[dbradnum]

Originally Posted by Steve Babbs

Order 7D Wednesday, it was dispatched on Friday it arrived today (Monday). It was sent to my work address (which incidentally wasn't a problem at all) so I couldn't have got it on Saturday. £856 + P and P. They were very polite, friendly and answered the phone immediately. Couldn't ask for more. Came complete with 3 year warranty.

I'd just echo what Steve said, since I had exactly the same experience, also on a 7D. The camera was already in the country, ready for dispatch, so absolutely no risk of incurring additional charges. The lady I spoke to on the phone was helpful and polite, explaining exactly how the warranty would work (insured and therefore paid for through a third party, but repairs carried out by Canon UK - and I've since spoken to another customer who vouched for this).

Big thumbs up for HDew - I'd use again, without hesitation.

[graham bowers]

It seems a fair question has been raised and due to the excellent service I've received on two past occasions I'd certainly consider HDEW again, but think I'll ask for clarification of that statement in plain English.
Thinking of a macro lens...........
Graham

[Roderick.j.Smith]

I have just joined today and would like to express my thanks to those who have posted on this thread to help inform others. Having read the reviews here from people who are established forum members I decided to communicate with HDEW cameras and having obtained honest answer from them I placed my order on Friday 18th May for a Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM which arrived today Wednesday 23rd May a saving of £250, am well pleased with result.

[hawkeye123]

I do not contribute to forums as a rule but feel that I need to let people know of my experiences with this company. I wanted the Canon EOS 5d mark 111. Together with the 24- 105 mm IS USM and the 70 -200mm f2.8 IS 11 lens. I spent a lot of time researching this company and reading of other people’s experiences all of which were positive. I was going to spend serious money so I needed to be sure. The forums convinced me so I called them this morning and placed my order.
The body and 24-105mm was available for collection from the company offices so I duly picked these up this afternoon. On my arrival I was met by warm friendly staff and my boxes were waiting. Make no mistake this is a professional run company. I had a long chat with the owner while waiting for staff to check the body and fire it up checking to ensure that it was on the correct video mode (which it was) nice touch.
I was given my Invoice (displaying the VAT number) and informed that they had already registered the camera with Canon based on my details passed over the phone. The body comes with a three year warranty. The first year Canon cover the item on production of your receipt, and the second and third year an estimate from a Canon dealer is required and forwarded on to HDEW. If what’s wrong would have been covered by Canon within the first year then HDEW will foot the cost of the repair. On looking in the box everything that should be there was, including the English manual, CD’s, strap etc. The battery charger has an English adapter for mains plug in.
Some people moan about Grey imports, warranty issues and the like, but I am 100% fully satisfied. Oh and did I forget the £900+ I have saved by buying from the company. I will defiantly be back for my big lenses. And judging by the stack of boxes ready to be shipped out to other customers so will a lot of other people. I can't recommend these people enough.

[Bill1]

Hi
I recently bought a Canon 70-300mm IS USM (L series) lense from HDEW Cameras. They answered all my questions and the Lens was sent by express delivery on time. The company were good to deal with and there were no hiddens charges. Yes they are grey imports, but if there is a problem with your purchase you can return it within in a given time or it is repaired by a company in Scotland. It pays to research internet companies, especially when you are buying expensive products and I have found this company to be up there with the best. I saved around £250 over Amazon prices.

[Gazzajagman]

I recently bought a 1.4x TC mk III and a EX 600 RT flash from them. It took around a week to arrive, but their pricing was amazing. I saved around 45% over Warehouse Express pricing.

[Mike_T]

Hi, just to post my two pennies worth. I bought a 7D from HDEW two years ago. Miles cheaper at the time than anywhere else so I took the plunge. Any problems? well at the time it was when the volcano in Iceland was playing havoc with the airlines and there was a delay of a week or so because of this. I was perhaps a little impatatient with the sales staff at the time but to be fair they were helpful and told me the item was coming from Germany and the day after they emailed me to say it had been despatched, it arrived.
Recently when I contacted them about a niggling problem with the pop up flash they told me to contact AJ Johnson in Glasgow who would deal with the problem. As many will know they are one of the few approved Canon repair centres.
Would I use them again, I bought another 7D on a mates behalf last week and it arrived this week, the only niggle being the price has gone down £5.00 in the intervening period. I've now ordered a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens for £579 this week and have no worries at all about delivery or anything else with regard to the purchase.
Would definitely recommend any one looking for a bargain to consider them.

[Sue Wright]

Hi guys!

I ordered a Canon Eos 600D camera from canonshoponline which turned out to be a bogus firm! Not having a great deal of cash to spare the next cheapest was from HDEW, but I wasn't sure so googled to find reviews on them.

Being a BF member for many years now, I quickly jumped at seeing reviews here. Thank you ALL so very much for helping hubby & I have the peace of mind to go ahead and order one.

Seeing so many members here, that I know, speak so well of them gave me such confidence.

Very many thanks indeed, lads! All the best to everyone.

Sue x

[tdodd]

My experience....

Tuesday 7th August - ordered a 5D3 with three year warranty from Hdew (out of stock) for £2259 + £10 delivery
Friday 10th August - Camera despatched
Monday 13th August - Camera received
Tuesday 14th August - Price dropped by £80 at Hdew website
Wednesday 15th August - Requested refund of difference
Friday 17th August - Refund completed.

The package was shipped from within the UK. The camera is a "European" model and Canon UK will honour the warranty for the first 12 months. After that it is over to third party cover for the next two years. Be sure to request a VAT receipt (I don't know why you need to request one, but that is the advice I've seen) as that is the proof of purchase required by Canon UK to honour the warranty.

Based on my experience I would use them again and recommend them without hesitation. In fact they are my new favourite supplier, with Flashcamera, DigitalRev and Onestop-Digital sharing joint second place. That said, I recently dropped £1,700 with Jessops for a Sigma lens - I shop wherever the bargains are.

[roywez67]

hi, i ordered a 7D body from HDEW last friday 7th sep, it came the following wednesday, as they said it would through the email they sent me, 3 year warranty card , Uk v.a.t/ sale receipt . every thing in the box is the same as i was going to get at jessops 2 weeks earlier, only i got this one for £815 plus £10 postage, i have been out with it today, and its great, the guy on the phone was very helpful, i asked lots of questions and was satisfied with every answer. i would buy from them again no problem.

[Jaff]

I personally would always be willing to pay the extra and have peace of mind rather than be bricking it that something may go wrong with it and have trouble returning it (not saying HDEW here just the trend of some of these companies in general) or I might end up in hot water with the authorities etc. If you do go with these companies that's your decision and if anything should happen then you have to accept the consequences of that.

I'll take the peace of mind over the savings each and every time.

[Sue Wright]

Hi everyone again!

Many thanks for the extra reassurance, Tim and Roy!

I thought I'd send an update and review on the Canon Eos D600 camera I bought recently from HDEW.

I received it 5 days after ordering. Everything was intact and had the relevant receipts necessary....just in case anything should go wrong during the next 3 years.

I'm thrilled to bits with it and it's definitely the best camera, so far, that I've bought. I'm delighted I purchased it from HDEW as otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get it at all. The staff there were first class and answered all my question and allayed my fears!

Jaff, though I can easily understand what you mean with your post, it really does depend on having the cash available to spend extra. Thanks for your thoughts.

VERY many thanks indeed, lads, I'm truly grateful to you ALL.

Best wishes,

Sue

[Huntso]

Do hope they are ok, ordered a Canon 24-105mm from them and just got the item dispatched email

All seems fine thus far and 250 quid is a rather good saving

[Dave Williams]

Originally Posted by Huntso

Do hope they are ok, ordered a Canon 24-105mm from them and just got the item dispatched email

All seems fine thus far and 250 quid is a rather good saving

What was it packaged in ?

I just received my order for a 5DMk111. It came in a kit box that originally had that lens in it but had been removed.
The service and delivery were absolutely first class. The order was only placed on Tuesday.
One drawback was that the instruction book was missing. This is because the ones they received were in a foreign language so they will send on an English language version later. In the meantime, the in camera menus allow you to work out a fair bit for yourself and you can download an electronic version from Canon.

These minor problems are far out weighed by service, a 3 year warranty and best of all a massive £550 saving on the retail price that seems to be in place elsewhere. That's 20% ! And no worries about having to pay hidden taxes on delivery etc.

A big thanks to all who have endorsed them on BF as you gave me the confidence to order.

[Huntso]

Hello Dave

Wouldn't mind betting I have the lens that was split from your Camera, I ordered on Tuesday too

Haven't actually got it yet, courier came when I was out and rescheduled for Monday delivery

Not too bothered if it's a white box given the saving that I made

Cheers
Rich

[Dave Williams]

The promised instruction book for the 5D arrived in the post, recorded delivery too, today just two days after the camera. I can't praise Hdew enough.
Their only negative is the limited range they stock otherwise absolutely brilliant.

[Huntso]

The lens did come in the expected white box, but the delivery method was rather strange

Requested a delivery on Monday via the UK Mail website and it's showing that on the tracking page of their website

Just before lunch a lady who I do not know rang the bell and had the parcel with my lens saying it was delivered to her. No idea where she lives, definitely not a near neighbour or when it was delivered to her

Great she was so honest, but begs the question what are the delivery company doing, wrong house and wrong date

Will give Hdew a bell tomorrow and let them know how poor the courier company are

[Tony c]

Looked in to this forum for a long time and a member recently, never posted before but thought i should put some peoples minds at rest, i bought a 7d and a 400 5.6 from HDEW, all was great when one day the 400 mm lens stopped focussing both manually and auto, still under warranty i rang HDEW and a very helpful lady asked me to post the lens to the company who does their warranty work, she also made sure the work was done in good time ie 2 weeks so all in all a good outcome, i would recommend this firm to anyone. Tony.