procamerashop.co.uk

HeadIsSpinning

It actually looks like proshop's so called `warehouse` is an international logistics groups handling facility, where they just sort parcels and send them on to their final destinations & not their warehouse at all.

ProCameraShop Return
International Logistics Group
C/O Smart Choice
Unit 2D Gatwick Gate Ind. Est.
Lowfield heath, Crawley
RH11 0TG

I wonder if they legitimately import the stuff from Hong Kong by paying our country all the import duties & taxes Due?

isofa

Personally I'd only buy pro gear from a reputable UK dealer, I own several chunky L series with my 5DII, and I wouldn't purchase grey imports, it's far too much hassle, the amount you save isn't really worth it given the potential pitfalls and warranty issues.

If you are spending a couple of grand on a lens, surely the most important thing is a good quality UK company and the full UK warranty. A colleague had no end of trouble with a grey import 24-105L, and had to get Canon to service it properly to stop the focus drift. Think it cost him £300 for the service, negating any savings at all.

Personally I tend to choose the best on CameraPriceBuster. I much prefer to support a good UK company, WEX is my current favourite and they've price matched for me before. Visit trade shows too, often £200+ off some of the large L series, Focus this year at the NEC had terrific deals from some suppliers.

However, I'm VAT registered so I can claim back 20% from the taxman for all the equip. I purchase too.

Nimesh72

Goinker wrote: »

Has anyone heard of or dealt with this company before? I'm looking for a couple of 'Canon' L series lenses, quite pricey items, so looking for the best deal obviously. I've previously dealt with Panamoz, who are excellent on price, but delivery from Hong kong where they're based is £20 tracked to UK. Procamerashop have the lenses I'm looking for at the same price but with free delivery, so I'm tempted, but wary, as I've not heard of them before, although they give a UK address. If anyone has had any dealings with this company, good, bad or indifferent, I'd be pleased to hear from you before I jump in.
Thanks.

I placed and order very recently and requested a VAT invoice made out to my LTD company - only to be told that they do not charge VAT as they do not pay it. - Very strange, even though they obtain the goods outside the EU - does not exempt them from collecting VAT on behalf of HRMC. No matter - made by direct transfer and followed up on my order - only to be told that they are not able to fulfil my order and that they will refund my money. I asked to speak to the manager and was told that they are not able to fulfil my order and cannot provide me a reason, he said that something serious has occurred that has impacted there operational side!

Does any one know anything? I wonder if the VAT man has caught up with them?

Nimesh72

HeadIsSpinning wrote: »

I have been doing a bit of research on different sellers and their ratings, including this company and not overly impressed with what I read, so don't feel I am willing to risk purchasing from them.

They are actually not a UK company at all and seem to pressure sites by threatening legal actions to have any negative reviews removed. This should not be allowed, as it gives a distorted review-rating and covers up many issues + doesn't fill me with confidence about any company that needs to do that.

There are quite a few threads left on various photography sites, but you have to search them out.

There is quite a comical thread on hotukdeals that covers many of the salient points, so I reckon be cautious before jumping.
(You may need to type- `Has anyone used procamerashop` into google to find it)

I placed an earlier thread and just wanted to add that Procamerashop.co.uk website is down for the past week.

HeadIsSpinning

It seems their website has now gone. (not good for those buyers who have a warranty with them)

Maybe they will re surface under another name, or when the heat dies down?

There has been talk on a couple of photographers forums about uk customs getting involved with these cheap importers/smugglers & holding goods until they're checked out for VAT & import taxes.

Apparently many of these goods are mislabelled & values mis- represented to try to avoid paying any VAT.
The buyer will have to pay, when they eventually get their purchase, which can be held for weeks.

UncleZen

I recently bought a cannon DSLR from these guys, they were the cheapest by far and did a discount for paying by bank transfer. Obviously I didn't do enough detailed research beforehand.
Anyway camera was delivered and is working, any warranty issues can be taken up with the manufacturer.

HeadIsSpinning

UncleZen wrote: »

I recently bought a cannon DSLR from these guys, they were the cheapest by far and did a discount for paying by bank transfer. Obviously I didn't do enough detailed research beforehand.
Anyway camera was delivered and is working, any warranty issues can be taken up with the manufacturer.

Canon (not cannon btw) will not touch imports from pcs or any other non EU/UK supplier. They make it clear on their site if you'd like to check.
They usually won't touch your purchase even if you were willing to pay.

...products which are counterfeit or infringe the intellectual property rights of the Canon group of companies in any way (for example, including but not limited to parallel or
“grey” products) will not qualify....

Any warranty issues.....you are on your own mate.

WTFH

Yes, my advice if you buy a grey import but want a warranty is to get a Mack Warranty (US company) my first 5D was a grey import, but came with a Mack one included in the price.

If you're wanting to save, try some of the reputable second and shops - London camera exchange, mbphotographic, etc. they might not be as cheap as fleabay, but they are run by photographers, and when you're buying serious kit, I'd prefer to pay a bit extra to get it from someone with a similar passion who will help me, than save £10 on a £1000 purchase from someone who doesn't know the difference between a compact flash and a bounce flash.

UncleZen

Oh, well, my bad, we live and learn.

Nimesh72

UncleZen wrote: »

I recently bought a cannon DSLR from these guys, they were the cheapest by far and did a discount for paying by bank transfer. Obviously I didn't do enough detailed research beforehand.
Anyway camera was delivered and is working, any warranty issues can be taken up with the manufacturer.

Hi please don't take what I say is gospel do your own research - but I has far as I am aware the manufacturer may not entertain the warranty as it is a grey market import.