I've checked the prices for an Olympus E-620 here(B29,900/£565 with only 1 lens) & back in the UK(£480/B25,440 with 2 lenses) and it makes complete sense to ask family to buy for me and send it here, any experiences?

If a family member is coming out from UK, they could hang it round their neck to bring it in for you. But sending it by courier service etc is likely to involve you paying more customs duty/tea money than you would save.

That was a thought, my mum is coming out here in feb-march but it's a long time to wait, what if it was without its original packaging & documents, and had some photos already on it to show it was used... maybe I'm not giving Thai customs enough credit

Get your family to take a couple of pics of the camera, because if they post it to Thailand, that is the last you will see of it.

Get your family to take a couple of pics of the camera, because if they post it to Thailand, that is the last you will see of it.

Thanks, that's very useful info, I'll bear that in mind.

My Dad in the UK sent me a Brand new Camera sealed in the box (as a gift) about 4 Years ago. I had to sign for it with my usual Postman, on this occasion all was OK.

I did however, have a good friend send me some small gifts not of much value, from the US, and I got this note saying I had to pay the Thai Customs 1.200 bt..... I told them that I did not want it and please return it to sender,,,, the sender never got it back.

PS. As a matter of fact my Dad sent me allsorts from the UK over the Years, (RIP Dad), and I always received no problem, he always sent the items to be signed for by registered Mail.

Edited November 26, 200916 yr by pattaya_girl

Just word of advice my Olympus bought in the Uk 16 months ago has developed a fault...the shutter is not shutting and over exposure is happening on still photos...

bought in the UK free 2 year European warranty.

and only 1 year Worldwide warranty....

You may want to check out the warranty given here as it may be worth paying the little extra if you get a 2 year warranty here (probably not)

Now, i am stuffed as i will have to pay a local dealer to fix it as i am not going back to the Uk in time for the warranty...

ps.

This was my first Olympus and i won't buy another one...back to NIkon or Canon next time.... battery life is rubbish and this fault...never experienced problems with years old Canon or Nikon.... maybe just unlucky...but hey ho...

Well, I am surprised you considering the UK as a source of anything "cheap(er)", especially cameras.

Try www.amazon.de for a Euro comparison.

You gotta have a trusted person carry the camera over -

I have ordered some expensive medium format gear and

learned a lot about the Thailand Post over the years.

If you have no one to bring it, try getting a 500 Baht P.O. Box at the LAKSI post office as it is the 2nd mail stop after the airport.

It helped a Thai friend cut down on "mail losses" to nil.

***

Yesterday, a long lost parcel with watches arrived - months late.

With a customs claim postcard, requiring a fee to be paid at a certain post office.

Huge reilef and annoyance - the same might happen to you.

Bottom line: a trusted person carrying your camera in his hand luggage is the safest method.

Chris

Get them to email it to you.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Cracker-t317411.html

Thanks for your replies, I think it may be hit and miss pattaya_girl, I might just have to wait

sanook2me, I think you was jsut unlucky, all brands of all things break once in a while, I've had a few olympus cameras, starting with the good-old OM10 up to my last which was an E-330 which was a dream and never gave me problems, some of my family also use Olympus a lot and they haven't had problems, again, just about luck really

Kf6vci, you raise a good point, I've never thought of shopping in Europe! I've always thought of prices for things like cameras were the cheapest in the UK, without even checking the continent! I'll have a look and tell what I find... and perhaps a family member can carry it over for me, 4 months to wait though

I'd think real hard before having a camera sent out from the EU to Thailand - firstly, it will have to be sent with a courier or via one of the secure/sign for delivery methods, and the cost of sending a camera this way, coupled with insurence, and lastly the very real likelyhood that Customs are going to want duties paid, is altogether going to almost certainly bring the total cost up to at least and probably more than what the camera costs to purchase outright in Thailand.

I can't see this one adding up, and sending via normal post ... well, might as well just put 500bucks in an enevelope and send that - just as much chance of it arriving (meaning: little chance).

Buy one in Thailand.