Buying from India or US?

[rejeeb]

Hello Experts,

I've a doubt, is it a good idea to buy products from US?
For example the Onkyo S5300 model cost here Rs 53000, but the same in available in US just the half price.

What are the disadvantages of buying from US?

 

[pannags]

Hi,

When you buy from the US and shipp it to India, you have the following cons:

1. No warranty & poor service support
2. Possible customs duties
3. Shipping charges
4. Convertor 220v-110v may have to be used for adapting to lowe voltage levels

 

[NetFreak]

In my opinion, it makes more sense to buy form US. Specially if you are visiting US or someone you know is flying to India.

I came back couple of weeks back. Picked up Yamaha VX-V665 for USD 270 from Amazon.

Since cost is just 12k, its WAY below 25k customs limit. Total customs duty was 700 Rs (I had loads of other gadgets).

Step down transformer (1 KVA) costs just 1400 Rs.

Yamaha / Onkyo / Denon now have Service centers in all large cities.

Even if you have to get it repaired at your own cost due to some failure, it would turn out to be much cheaper then buying the same receiver in India for 30k.

 

[rejeeb]

My friend told me he can bring it next time when he comes to india. I just need to pay him back all the cost (including any duty/tax if any)

The main doubt is about the difference in voltage levels. I Believe this is only applicable to receivers. Does this applicable to speakers as well?

 

[GeorgeO]

Not applicable to speakers, or to many media players, as well as many plate amps used to power subwoofers. I think it is a real no brainer-prices there are are a fraction of what they are over here.

 

[NetFreak]

The main doubt is about the difference in voltage levels. I Believe this is only applicable to receivers. Does this applicable to speakers as well?

It applies to speakers only if speakers are "powered" or "active". Mostly subwoofers would require power and you need to get a 220 -> 110 step down transformer cum stabilizer.

 

[GeorgeO]

Many plate amps are 220/110 V

 

[tejasnaidu]

You can buy from the U.S. like i did, you will only need a voltage convertor transformer of proper ratings for your amp, active subwoofer, recivers to convert the 220V to 110V. Most of my equipments are from U.S. (Audio/Comp/Etc) with no warranty support. Most of the devices are solidly built and will not go bust unless physically damaged or driven hard.
Your relative/friend can bring it and no duty is applicable if under the limit for green channel exit.

The advantage from from buying from U.S. is wide variety and models not available here, also newegg, compusa, vanns provide online shopping with delivery, with full specs listed on the site.

 

[Kittu]

If you are not planning to buy with international warranty .. you can aswell go to the grey market and purchase after a quick audition ... Atleast you know the condition of the item better.

 

[NetFreak]

Many plate amps are 220/110 V

What is usual price for plate amps in India and USA ? Need to pick up one for passive sub.

 

[GeorgeO]

Dont know about India-for US check thse three sites- Parts Express,apex.jr and Madisound

 

[rejeeb]

Thanks a lot for your valuable inputs. Other than amazon, which are the other good websites for placing the order?

 

[GeorgeO]

Depends on what you are buying

 

[hemantwaghe]

In my opinion, it makes more sense to buy form US. Specially if you are visiting US or someone you know is flying to India.

I came back couple of weeks back. Picked up Yamaha VX-V665 for USD 270 from Amazon.

Since cost is just 12k, its WAY below 25k customs limit. Total customs duty was 700 Rs (I had loads of other gadgets).

Step down transformer (1 KVA) costs just 1400 Rs.

Yamaha / Onkyo / Denon now have Service centers in all large cities.

Even if you have to get it repaired at your own cost due to some failure, it would turn out to be much cheaper then buying the same receiver in India for 30k.

again it is risk ,are you certain that for 12 K receiver what is repairing estimate here? I mean any expereince!

If you are unlucky ,repairing alone can cost you around more than 12 K!

STILL VERY LOW BASE PRICE IS WORTH TAKING RISK!

 

[NetFreak]

Over last 15 years, have had to deal with repairs multiple times, for things bought in India vs bought from US or Far east.

Now, most components are sourced from China/Taiwan anyways and since duty on components (as compared to fully assembled systems) is low, components don't cost that much.

Though, you have to wait few weeks for components to be arranged. E.g. Board for Samsung plasma went Kaput and Samsung took 4 weeks to import it. That TV was bought in India and still Samsung did not have inventory of that spare. That ordeal is discussed here on different thread.

Only thing you have to take care of, is to buy a good quality 220->110 voltage converter. And make sure that it has a stabilizer as well.

 

[Krish82]

Hi all,
I just want to rekick this thread, i want to buy a receiver from US, i have few question.

1. Will i have to pay custom duty, if yes how much?
2. What is the limit of green channel in india?
3. I am looking receivers in range of Denon-1911/onkyo 708 30 pounds
4. So can my dad pass through green channel if he's carring this or should he take red channel.
5. Whats the step down transformer requred for it, will it be available in chennai or have to buy in US, any model pls specify..

Thanks

 

[tellanand]

Hi all,
I just want to rekick this thread, i want to buy a receiver from US, i have few question.

1. Will i have to pay custom duty, if yes how much?
2. What is the limit of green channel in india?
3. I am looking receivers in range of Denon-1911/onkyo 708 30 pounds
4. So can my dad pass through green channel if he's carring this or should he take red channel.
5. Whats the step down transformer requred for it, will it be available in chennai or have to buy in US, any model pls specify..

Thanks

I just bought a receiver (Onkyo 608) from the US (2 days back) and checked it in as a separate baggage. I had taken extra care to pack it very well (with bubble wraps). But the TSA had opened the box and inspected and re-sealed it. The shipping weight of the box was 14 kgs. The box arrived safely - the receiver looks OK physically, I'm yet to buy a step down transformer / speakers and power it up (I have a separate thread here asking for help on that).

Every family / individual is allowed go import Rs.25K worth of goods along with him/her. So, if the receiver (plus anything else you carry) is less than this amount, you can walk through the green channel. It is very important to carry the invoice of all the goods that you are carrying along with you (so that you can prove the price of the goods you are carrying) - otherwise, the customs officer may assign notional values for the goods, which may not be in our favor.

If you are carrying more than Rs.25K worth of goods, you can try your luck by walking through the green channel - if an officer stops you, he/she may ask you to go thru' the red channel and declare the goods - in which case, you'll end up paying duty for value above Rs.25K (eg. if you import Rs.35K worth of goods, you'll have to pay duty for Rs.10k (Rs.35k minus Rs.25k)). I think the duty is about 30% of the value imported. So in the above example, you'll have to pay Rs.3K as duty.

A lot depends on the port of entry as well. I've seen that Mumbai customs is very strict and squeezes everything out. Chennai is lenient.

Hope this helps!!?
- Anand

 

[vinay]

Better Sense To Import

At the face of it i think buying from abroad is a far better move because of the much cheaper price and we get the opportunity to get the newer model, this is the best way to go forward, no wonder i have recently realized that some leading forum members are sourcing from abroad on repeat basis, so this says it all.

V.

 

[npalesha]

I bought a Pioneer 1120 audio video receiver from your shopyourworld.com. The product was delivered in perfect condition and at the landed price i was quoted. The unit delivered is 120 volts. To make it work I added a step down isolated transformer costing Rs.3200/00. I am lazy and want the amp to be switched off on standby mode from the remote. But here the step down transformer remains on which draws around 10% current i.e. 50 watts. So I am installing a seperate electric remote switch which will switch off the amp in total. So before buying form US, please consider the above facts.

 

[GeorgeO]

Hi Npalesha

Good to see you here, after a long time. Trust all is wel lwith you, please give me a call if you are in Bangalore.

George