Is this ebay camera offer too good to be true?

fimonkey

Hi All,
I want to buy a panasonic TZ10 camera and have been comparing prices on t'internet.

The best I have come up with is £181 from expansys, http://www.expansys.com/panasonic-lumix-tz8-black12mp-optical-zoom-12x-195372/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=base but they have bad reviews http://www.ciao.co.uk/expansys_com__5098642

The next best I can come up with is this ebay advert as there are a few extra's added. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-PANASONIC-DMC-ZS7-TZ10-BLUE-DIGITAL-CAMERA-8GB-5B-/140474123726?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item20b4e905ce
Its clearly a company but not sure if its worth buying a camera from the USA. Would it invalidate the warranty if I did get this camera from foreign lands? I;ve checked the neg feedback and there is a uK number to call. I dont have enough experience with e-bay to know whether this is a good deal or not.

My last resort is to buy from a UK high street retailer. I've already checked out Quidco however and it still doesn't make it cheaper if buying from a high street store.

What are your thoughts please?

Thanks a lot.

thelawnet

First: 8gb sd card is under £10, the rest of the stuff is cheap and nasty, maybe £5 for the lot.
Second: expansys is selling a TZ8, the ebay is a TZ10.
Third: the ebay item says it is in Swansea, not the US.

System

And if it is being shipped from the US then you will be hit by import duty & VAT.

Huomenna

Why are you considering buying from a company with bad write up's for the sake of a few pounds saving? As above that was a TZ8 anyway. Question: why do you want the TZ10 over the TZ8? The main differences between the two are a slightly bigger LCD and GPS on the 10, personally I don't think the price difference is justified.

If you find anywhere on the internet advertising far below RRP there will be something suspicious about it. Some companies sell what are known as 'grey market goods' (but don't advertise them as being such) this means that they are the genuine article, but they weren't intended for the UK market - you won't be able to register the camera with panasonic and if you sent it back to them with a fault within the years 'guarantee' they'll tell you to go take a hike.

If you import there's a high chance you'll have to pay tax on it, as mentioned in another post.

All in all it's really not worth trying to pinch the pounds here in my opinion - buy it from a proper shop as you'll get a better quality of service, they won't be grey market, if you have any problems you've got a physical place to go rather than trying to send it back in the post and sorting issues through email, plus you'll be supporting the local economy.

If you really are insistent on getting one 'as cheap as chips' try second hand on ebay. Also the accessories on the ebay one you listed are cheap and not very good.

fimonkey

great advice, thanks guys!! As I've been researching this eve I've come across this site - from Kelkoo http://www.equipmentexpress.co.uk/ seems to have good reviews.

Didn't know about the TZ8, I will defo go and check that model out. Also thanks a lot for the advice re: import tax and ebay cheap accessories.

fimonkey

OK after more research, John Lewis are offering the TZ10 for £200 (this is after a £30 cashback offer) or the TZ8 for £179.

For the sake of £21, are the extra features on the TZ10 worth it? Does the GPS tell you where you are at that point and act as a sat nav? ... what are your thoughts again?

Thanks muchly.

forgotmyname

TZ8 £170 from play.com, free delivery.

TZ10 £130 with a link to download £30 cashback?


TZ10 £223 on amazon with £30 cashback offer as well.

thelawnet

fimonkey wrote: »

OK after more research, John Lewis are offering the TZ10 for £200 (this is after a £30 cashback offer) or the TZ8 for £179.

For the sake of £21, are the extra features on the TZ10 worth it? Does the GPS tell you where you are at that point and act as a sat nav? ... what are your thoughts again?

Thanks muchly.

no sat nav, I think the idea is to record where the photo was taken. Seems like a good idea to me.

The TZ10 is also much better if you want to take videos.

roddydogs

The Older TZ 7 is actually a higher Spec than the TZ8, I think Jessops and Argos only sell the TZ8..........Google the specs, youll see. Its a great cam, but Google "Screen problems" first.........apparently it has been a problem.. The TZ10 drinks batteries even more than the TZ7/8 due to GPS............Yes i know the TZ8 has slightly more MP, but TZ7 has bigger, better screen.......the extra MP are irrelevant except to MP "Junkies".. Even at 2MP W/S format, pics will fill a 50" HD W/S with a brilliant picture.

fimonkey

Hmm, play.com have poor reviews so despite being the cheapest I will pay a bit extra for a good service http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews3430.html I also want to buy from a UK supplier. I bought a camera from a US supplier once and had issues trying to get it repaired under the warranty.

I do want to take video, So perhaps I should stick with the TZ10 and buy a spare battery to go with it? The screen problems seem to be familiar to most of the TZ range looking at google.

So, I am thinking John Lewis online TZ10 with the £30 cash back.. any better deals out there from the UK?

Thanks all - much appreciated and your replies are definitley within the MSE ethos.