Buying a laptop internationally?

I'm not sure where to post this, probably wrong sub-forum, and I can't search for old threads, but I am in Australia and thinking of buying a laptop from the USA and having it sent here through a friend in the USA (if I can find one!).

M question is, has anyone done this, and what are the draw backs?

I'm thinking of a HP 8710p, I believe it has worldwide warranty, and only a change of IEC power cord would be needed.

It's about $1000 cheaper, even with shipping.

Also, the Penryn (sp?) processors are not available here yet.

Any thoughts?

 

i think u will have to buy a machine with international warranty if u r planning to get it serviced in australia itself and remember international warranty costs extra. i dont think any other stuff comes in way

 

OK thanks. I thought some companies standard warranty was international.

I just found it adds $200 to a 8510p which is not too bad.

 

I'd like to know about this too, I'm also going to the US in about two weeks and I'll be getting a lenovo. Back to South Africa a few weeks from then.

 

Find out about Lenovo's international warranty. If I remember right, they only cover a number of countries.

 

You may need to pay the tax for importing goods. Maybe not if you are lucky and your package got through without the tax control

 

Yeah all packages into Australia need to have a declared value. If it's over $1000, you definitely have to pay and it's hundreds.

I would have a friend in the USA buy me the laptop, then he would sell it to me at a price less than $1000. AUD He may have to open it first so it's "used".

 

Hi,

Lenovo, Toshiba and Asus all have worldwide warrantie (with Lenovo you need to check the specific model but most appear to be serviced in Australia). I could be wrong but I think HP doesn't do worldwide warranty. Asus is good in that it has a 2 year warranty by default. You can extend Lenovos warranty for pretty cheap.

As for customs - you need to keep it under $1000 and I would suggest you keep it around the $900 mark to be safe as it all depends on the rate at the time it goes throgh customs. Also shipping costs are part of the $1000.

I use a service called www.myus.com to ship all my US stuff. They can't undervalue though but stuff only taks 3 days to get to Australia as they use DHL Express and their shipping is reasonable. They also pay for items if your store doesn't use international creditcards but if you have a friend who will pay for you then that is good. If you are looking for a more one-off solution then there is also a newer service called www.boxvoyage.com - you'll find feedback on them at forums.vogue.com.au under the shopping section.

Also be careful with getting a friend to declare a value without a receipt as Customs may cause you a lot of headaches on a laptop type item. Easiest way I think to get it around it would be to get your friend to sell it to you on eBay as a buy it now and then use that as a receipt.

HTH.

 

I just rang HP in Australia and said I was going to the USA for a holiday. Asked if I bought an 8710p there would the warranty be valid back here in Australia, he said yes, absolutely. As long as the basic model is sold here (8510p, 8710p etc), it's covered.