Buying a 550d in Spain?? Good idea? at DVinfo.net

James Millward · June 2nd, 2010, 08:35 AM

Hi guys, a friend of mine will be travelling to spain again where he recently saw a 550 for (so he says) 350 euros. Thats about 340 Pounds sterling. I am unsure whether this is with the stock lens or not.

Where do we stand int erms of buying this device a broad?

Will Canon cover it with the warranty?

Also are there any issues I need to be aware of? Languages etc?

Thanks guys
James

John Wiley · June 2nd, 2010, 05:23 PM

Not too sure about the warranty in Europe but my guess would be you wouldn't be covered.

You'll also want to make sure your friend buys the right camera and doesn't mistakenly buy the 500d which is on runout and very cheap at the moment.

Colin Rowe · June 3rd, 2010, 04:05 AM

Be careful James, thats way to cheap.

John Wiley · June 4th, 2010, 12:22 AM

That was my first impression too Colin, which is why I said make sure it's the right model (not the cheaper 500d). However you probably suspected something far more sinister when you said it was too cheap!

James Millward · June 8th, 2010, 04:35 AM

Thanks for the kind replys guys. My thoughts were also that it sounds too good to be true.

If however by some small miracle it was true, doesnt canon have a worldwide warranty policy?

So should it matter if it was purchased in spain?

Thanks
James

James Donnelly · June 8th, 2010, 04:38 AM

Quite a lot of Canon products out there, both new and refurbished, are grey market and are not covered by the warranty. You'll see this on eBay, often when you read the small print of the very cheapest deals, it will say 'warranty provided by us', but you will never receive a warranty certificate, so it's complete pot luck.

Be careful.

John Mercer · June 8th, 2010, 07:00 AM

The 550D is around 859-879 euros with the 18-55 kit lens just about everywhere here (IVA or VAT included). The cheapest I have seen it is for 773 euros on special offer. This is the prices in the chain stores like El Corte Inglais, but usually pro dealers here are not much less. 350 euros seems way too cheap to me (even for body only) so be careful.

I have been looking at the 7D and 550D here and the best prices are definitely from the UK, including p+p, but then I can buy exempt VAT so it makes a difference for me.

Another point to bear in mind grey imports, as well as offering no proper guarantee will make you pay extra for the usually included items i.e. battery/charger, cables and strap. They are cons to be avoided.

June 2nd, 2010, 08:35 AM	#1
James Millward Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Posts: 53	Buying a 550d in Spain?? Good idea? Hi guys, a friend of mine will be travelling to spain again where he recently saw a 550 for (so he says) 350 euros. Thats about 340 Pounds sterling. I am unsure whether this is with the stock lens or not. Where do we stand int erms of buying this device a broad? Will Canon cover it with the warranty? Also are there any issues I need to be aware of? Languages etc? Thanks guys James

June 3rd, 2010, 04:05 AM	#3
Colin Rowe Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cornwall UK Posts: 793	Be careful James, thats way to cheap. __________________ Colin

June 2nd, 2010, 05:23 PM	#2
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Not too sure about the warranty in Europe but my guess would be you wouldn't be covered. You'll also want to make sure your friend buys the right camera and doesn't mistakenly buy the 500d which is on runout and very cheap at the moment.

June 4th, 2010, 12:22 AM	#4
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	That was my first impression too Colin, which is why I said make sure it's the right model (not the cheaper 500d). However you probably suspected something far more sinister when you said it was too cheap!

June 8th, 2010, 04:35 AM	#5
James Millward Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Posts: 53	Thanks for the kind replys guys. My thoughts were also that it sounds too good to be true. If however by some small miracle it was true, doesnt canon have a worldwide warranty policy? So should it matter if it was purchased in spain? Thanks James

June 8th, 2010, 04:38 AM	#6
James Donnelly Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chelmsford England Posts: 287	Quite a lot of Canon products out there, both new and refurbished, are grey market and are not covered by the warranty. You'll see this on eBay, often when you read the small print of the very cheapest deals, it will say 'warranty provided by us', but you will never receive a warranty certificate, so it's complete pot luck. Be careful.

June 8th, 2010, 07:00 AM	#7
John Mercer Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Spain Posts: 73	The 550D is around 859-879 euros with the 18-55 kit lens just about everywhere here (IVA or VAT included). The cheapest I have seen it is for 773 euros on special offer. This is the prices in the chain stores like El Corte Inglais, but usually pro dealers here are not much less. 350 euros seems way too cheap to me (even for body only) so be careful. I have been looking at the 7D and 550D here and the best prices are definitely from the UK, including p+p, but then I can buy exempt VAT so it makes a difference for me. Another point to bear in mind grey imports, as well as offering no proper guarantee will make you pay extra for the usually included items i.e. battery/charger, cables and strap. They are cons to be avoided.