P3D Carification

[Jon Golden <3dman@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Peter, thanks you for questioning my  point...when I was writing, I
failed to mentione that I was commenting on a specific situation...where
the person was buying the camera in Germany as you mentioned
below...from a shop.

>>When I buy from Germany I have to pay 15% VAT. VAT is collected by the shop you are buying from, and not by the German customs. 

I have never heard about export duties in European countries and I have
no idea what the statement ìIf German customs catches
the camera ..î refers to.  But I donít know about US customs!!

Well...I am ony speaking from my actual experience of buying cameras
from RBT for the US....AND returning cameras to Germany for repairs,
maintanace and upgrades.  German customs has caused RBT and myself (3D
Concepts) a lot of trouble....because they are pretty strict about
paperwork.  Remember...I am consistently....shipping lots of cameras
back and forth all the time...not just a one time thing..so I must be
careful to have proper papers.

>>Non-EU citizens do not have to pay VAT. VAT is not added to export orders, and if you buy the goods yourself in the country the VAT can be reimbursed when you leave the country.

Correct..and again thank you for mentioning that...I never meant that
VAT was added to cameras from Germany to the US (it is not), nor did I
mean that you would pay at customs....you woul pay the shop you bought
from...in this case being RBT directly.

>>
Concerning guaranties and service I would be very annoyed if an importer
not support a guarantee issued in another country like Nikon, Leica and
other quality producers do. Of course RBT cameras are not off-the-shelf
products.

Yes...they are specialized.  And many of the problems that are
asosciated with RBT cameras are not something any camera shop can
fix...and RBT must do the work themselves.  This brings us back to the
issue of properly returning the camera to Germany.  Maybe for you in
Europe it is easy..but from North America to Germany...unless papers are
properly processed...the cameras can get tied up in customs for a long
time.  Honestly...if you want a second opinion, then ask RBT directly.


>>Buying goods in Germany is for me just as easy as buying from
the US.

Well....maybe so for you...but not as easy for the US.  Remmebr
aslo...you are buying for yourself...I am buying multiple items for many
people...and with RBT cameras....the planning stages are as ong a 15
months now (X3 lead times for USA).

Regarddds and Happy Holidddays to all!
Jon Golden



------------------------------