Dear Friend,

We have an 18% (or so) value-added tax which many stores and
resellers use in their attempts to justify incredible markups as
compared to pricing in the US. I buy ALL of my equipment from the US and
nothing will change this approach. I would certainly do what you propose
given the incredible difference which will easily cover your flight,
expenses and anything else you can come up with.

Just this weekend I was looking at the pricing on the Canon EOS
300d/10d locally so as to amuse myself and, without any surprise, I was
indeed greatly amused! Pricing locally is very close to double what I
can get the same camera in the US. Yes, there MAY be a problem with the
warranty if and when it may be required but I cannot justify effectively
paying double so as to have a valid European warranty.

Anthony.

wijsneus wrote:

ok, so I looked at a meade LX200 12", about US$3500 in the US, about EUR6200
in europe. With the current dollar/euro rate, EUR6200 = US7800, so the scope
is in europe more than twice as expensive as in the US. For the difference
(over US$4000) I can easily fly to the US, spend 6 weeks vacation, and fly
back. So what if I fly to the US, buy the scope, fly back? This is way
cheaper than buying it here! any comments?