[Epson 4880] Where to buy?

[VitOne]

Hi, I hope this is the right place for this post, if not plese excuse me.
after some time spent investigating for the best printer for my needs, I have found, thank to this forum, that the best for me is the Epson 4880. There is only one big problem . Here in Italy the printer costs more than 3500$. Yes, you have read right, more than 3500$ (2200€). It is not a lot for a printer like the 4880 (all the printers here in Italy/EU have an highter price) but reading on the forum that you buy the same printer for 1800$ at Amazon I was really disappointed. So now I wuold like to buy a 4880 from the USA, obviously I will have to pay duty/taxes, but I am sure that they will be less than 1700$...
So the question is this: I wuold like to know, if possibile, if there is a good shop that you know in the USA that ships to Italy. Let me know,
Thank you,
Vittorio

[wesley]

So the question is this: I wuold like to know, if possibile, if there is a good shop that you know in the USA that ships to Italy. Let me know,
Thank you,
Vittorio
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=201085\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

There are a few online shops like bhphoto.com and adorama.com . But you'll have to contend with customs. They will probably slap on tax. Shipping is likely going to cost you a lot of cash since the 4880 is pretty heavy. The full price of tax + shipping + printer might end up to be a hefty sum. Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think the printer will be covered by local warranty.

Kind regards
Wesley

[francois]

Vittorio ,
On top of custom taxes, warranty problems you'll also need to get an electrical converter as voltage is different in Europe.

From BHPhoto website: shipping to Italy would cost $875 which would bring to a total of $2645.25 for both the  printer and shipping. In Switzerland the 4880 is priced at CHF 3185  (7.6% VAT is included) or ~€2050.

Before ordering in the US I would contact the Italian custom bureau and check the import taxes.

Depressing, isn't it?  

[VitOne]

Thank you for answering.
The taxes here in Italy are about 25% for a printer like this; also the shipment is taxed, so if I have to pay 800$ only for shipping this becomes not convenient. What I can try to do is to find a store that ships for a better price, also for 300$ will be good.
If I buy in Switzerland I have to pay 25% taxes, because it is outside the EU…
Let’s see what I can find.

[wesley]

Depressing, isn't it? 
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=201111\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Extremely. I had to buy the Epson3800 in France as I had no choice. Ended up getting from www.digit-photo.com coz the price difference was too close with tax and shipping.

Best
Wesley

[francois]

...If I buy in Switzerland I have to pay 25% taxes, because it is outside the EU…

Right, VAT is a killer! Pricing in Europe seems to be very much equivalent. Try to find a country with  a lower VAT (Luxemburg is around 15%).

[francois]

Extremely. I had to buy the Epson3800 in France as I had no choice. Ended up getting from www.digit-photo.com coz the price difference was too close with tax and shipping.

Best
Wesley
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=201136\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I bought mine in Switzerland. At that time, prices were all between €1150 to €1625 for exactly the same printer.

[Sven W]

Depressing, isn't it? 
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=201111\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Yes, very frustrating...
Here in Sweden, there is a non-Epson reseller for the Stylus Pro-line.
The company deals with Epson UK. And the prices are even higher than mentioned above.

And I have written several posts/articals in magazines, why the prices in US are sometimes
half of the EU. But no one gives me a proper answer.
Someone, somewhere, put money in their pockets  
/Sven