Is it safe to buy video cam from amazon??

[rysouke]

Hi All,

I am thinking of getting a video cam from amazon as the prices seem alot cheaper than buying in Singapore..

Is there anyone try buying from amazon and is it safe??

As those video cam cost few hundred buck therefore i am kind of worried..and i am thinking of either getting a sony or canon video cam..so any good recommendation??

I would prefer a HD video cam with SD card..

[nottipiglet]

I got a Canon HF100 from Amazon... shipped through Borderlinx. No problem at all.

[Sukoo]

Why from amazon? Is it cheaper even after paying the shipping cost?

I just peek. Amazon site said that the item only shipped within US. How did you arrange?

[nottipiglet]

Originally Posted by Sukoo Why from amazon? Is it cheaper even after paying the shipping cost? I just peek. Amazon site said that the item only shipped within US. How did you arrange?

Yes, very much cheaper. Ship through Borderlinx:

www.borderlinx.com

[rysouke]

so do you mean when you buy something from Amazon and can choose to ship thru Borderlinx?

Ok i know how it works..thru borderlinx..

[GeneKoh]

Dun forget that you'll need to pay GST on the way in...

So ultimately, issit really that much cheaper?...

[nottipiglet]

Originally Posted by GeneKoh Dun forget that you'll need to pay GST on the way in... So ultimately, issit really that much cheaper?...

Tick the 'mark as gift' option when you checkout and see what happens...

Anyway, even if you pay tax , it is still much cheaper for Canon HD camcorders. We are talking MUCH MUCH cheaper. Enough to pay the GST many many times round and cover any repairs if the camcorder is not working.

[rysouke]

ya if the item value over S$400.00 there will be GST however there still have some cost savings but what about the warranty?? is it still valid?

[rysouke]

Originally Posted by nottipiglet Tick the 'mark as gift' option when you checkout and see what happens... Anyway, even if you pay tax , it is still much cheaper for Canon HD camcorders. We are talking MUCH MUCH cheaper. Enough to pay the GST many many times round and cover any repairs if the camcorder is not working.

can let us know how much cheaper??

As i am pretty interested in sanyo VPC-FH1 and the price from Amazon is US$450 and after adding all the shipping cost and GST is about S$749 and what i heard in singapore is selling at S$1399.00

so is still alot cheaper..

[nottipiglet]

Originally Posted by rysouke can let us know how much cheaper?? As i am pretty interested in sanyo VPC-FH1 and the price from Amazon is US$450 and after adding all the shipping cost and GST is about S$749 and what i heard in singapore is selling at S$1399.00 so is still alot cheaper..

I cannot tell you how much cheaper because the pricing changes all the time. But the example you give is about right. When I bought my Canon HF100, I paid about slightly over SGD1000 for it including an extra 16Gb SD Card. In Singapore, they were charging like SGD1899. Think I got an E-quote for about SGD1700 from Cathay at that time.

Also, the difference varies from brand to brand and product to product. Not everything is cheaper. You need to check these things out yourself.

[nottipiglet]

Originally Posted by rysouke ya if the item value over S$400.00 there will be GST however there still have some cost savings but what about the warranty?? is it still valid?

For Canon, the warranty is valid only in the US. But with the savings, I can send the camcorder in for repairs a few times... and still come out on top.

[rysouke]

Originally Posted by nottipiglet For Canon, the warranty is valid only in the US. But with the savings, I can send the camcorder in for repairs a few times... and still come out on top.

well the warranty is about 1 yr only so i think the warranty is not much an issue however just worried that when we get the set is already have defect and wanted to change also difficult and if the defect is a major one and going to cost you a few hundred bucks to fix..then it become not worth it..but i never really try buying electronics items from USA before even though is really very cheap compare to buying direct from singapore.

[nottipiglet]

Originally Posted by rysouke well the warranty is about 1 yr only so i think the warranty is not much an issue however just worried that when we get the set is already have defect and wanted to change also difficult and if the defect is a major one and going to cost you a few hundred bucks to fix..then it become not worth it..but i never really try buying electronics items from USA before even though is really very cheap compare to buying direct from singapore.

Ah... if you are afraid of the heat, then don't go in the kitchen.

[mrmayat]

Hi,

I bought my HV30 from B&H. I was tempted to buy from Amazon but B&H can send directly to Singapore via UPS for about US$50.
Plus, it has includes a Masterworks DVD. Since it's a high value item, I prefer the package not to change hands. Be prepare to pay GST though. Take exactly a week for the camcorder to arrive. Agree with Nottipiglet about the warranty.

[henry soh]

Hi there, the set may not be 1st hand

[rysouke]

Originally Posted by nottipiglet Ah... if you are afraid of the heat, then don't go in the kitchen.

Hahahha...erm..i seldom go to kitchen..i dont like cooking too..there is always bad and good side of doing somethings...however the cheap price compensate all the risk..No Risk No Gain..

Maybe i just give it a try..as i always thought amazon dont ship overseas..

[mrmayat]

Please be aware you're getting an NTSC set. It may not be a huge problem but occasionally, you will see flickering under certain lighting condition.

[nottipiglet]

Originally Posted by mrmayat Please be aware you're getting an NTSC set. It may not be a huge problem but occasionally, you will see flickering under certain lighting condition.

Errr... I don't think that's the effect of the NTSC. NTSC is just another format. PAL is supposed to be slightly better, but I don't think the difference is even visually noticeable. Also, I don't think I see flickering under any lighting condition for my Canon Camcorder, which is an NTSC set.

[nottipiglet]

Originally Posted by mrmayat Hi, I bought my HV30 from B&H. I was tempted to buy from Amazon but B&H can send directly to Singapore via UPS for about US$50. Plus, it has includes a Masterworks DVD. Since it's a high value item, I prefer the package not to change hands. Be prepare to pay GST though. Take exactly a week for the camcorder to arrive. Agree with Nottipiglet about the warranty.

All shipments through Borderlinx are covered by insurance through QBE to a tune of $10K.

[mrmayat]

Hi nottipiglet,

Under fluorescent lighting running at 50hz in my bedroom, I can see a bit of flickering (strobing effect) since NTSC runs at 30fps. so it's the electrical system that is out-of-sync with the camcorder system. This problem is well known. Initially I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Switch to 24p and the problem is gone.

But so far I've notice the problem only in my bedroom, a bit in my living room but no effect in the office. But still, it's a very small price to pay.