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Importing a Thinkpad/Euclid Computers ?

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:55 am
by yodaoryack
Hello everybody,

I am from France, and I would like to import a thinkpad from the US (the current US Dollar/Euro rate seems interesting for me). The thing is that I read in a few posts from this forum, that euclid computers was serious so I was willing to buy it from them, but I have a few questions :

- On shopping.com and pricegrabber.com, the recent reviews are all negative, did you have the same feedback ? (As I do not order from the USA, I'd like to minimize the risk)
- Did anybody order from them from france ? If so, did you have any problem ?
- for instance on this model (the one I'd like to purchase) http://www.euclidcomputers.com/frameset ... es+0+New+0 , is the ultrabase included or do they just state the fact that it is an optionnal accessory ?
- Can I easily find an A/C chord that would match our electric things on the wall ? (sorry I could not find the exact word ...)

Thanks a lot

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:27 am
by AllTPedOut
Try this link, it may be better priced for you:
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Lenovo ... %20Series/

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:35 am
by yodaoryack
Doesn't this store only sell refurbished products ? Also, it seems you can only enter a US adress when you try to register.

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:41 am
by AllTPedOut
Both new and refurbished:
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/LenovoOutlet/Notebook/
There might be a good deal if you monitor this site regularly. And since it's coming from Lenovo, it may reduce some of the concerns you have.

oh and btw, Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:51 am
by yodaoryack
It really seems that as with the US lenovo site, you can only order from the US.

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:11 am
by AllTPedOut
Perhaps you can have someone here in the US make the purchase and then ship it out to France?

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:24 am
by yodaoryack
I don't know anybody I trust enough in the US to give him 1000$ to buy me a laptop. That's why I was looking for some reseller, with good prices, trustable, who would ship to france (I know, it seems like a lot of qualities for the same reseller ...)

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:25 pm
by radioactif
Hi, French pal :)

I won't speak French to allow other EU-residents to read :). You could also try eBay, I did it once, worked fine. I also had to pay some tax, and from the US, just forget about your order going through the custom's fishing net...

As you're Franch and in Lyon, if you're student, you may have heard of www.rabais-etudiant.ch : no tax problem (throw your box etc. before crosing the Swiss border), French OS and French keyboard. And, well, Lyon-Lausanne may not be so long :)

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:42 pm
by yodaoryack
Thanks for your reply, two questions :
  • - Do they sell to non-swiss people ? and if yes, it will only work for students (wich I am glad to be ^^ in this case), but does it work with all host institutions ? For the keyboard, it doesn't bother me so much if it is qwerty.

    - Second question : the laptop listed as 76693GU, seems to have a few things I wanted : the 8-cell battery (I wonder why this is not the default one ... the other one seems so useless, but it is not the point), 1Go cache for the disk; I found this in a few different stores now, and converting it in euros, with the shipping is less expensive than buying the laptop from rabais-etudiant.ch. So the question would be how much do the customs charge of tax ? the usual 20% TVA or more ?
    [\list]

    About ebay, I think I'd prefer a brand new laptop, I don't really trust ebay sellers.

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:14 pm
by radioactif
yodaoryack wrote:Thanks for your reply, two questions :
  • - Do they sell to non-swiss people ? and if yes, it will only work for students (wich I am glad to be ^^ in this case), but does it work with all host institutions ? For the keyboard, it doesn't bother me so much if it is qwerty.

    - Second question : the laptop listed as 76693GU, seems to have a few things I wanted : the 8-cell battery (I wonder why this is not the default one ... the other one seems so useless, but it is not the point), 1Go cache for the disk; I found this in a few different stores now, and converting it in euros, with the shipping is less expensive than buying the laptop from rabais-etudiant.ch. So the question would be how much do the customs charge of tax ? the usual 20% TVA or more ?
    [\list]

    About ebay, I think I'd prefer a brand new laptop, I don't really trust ebay sellers.
I've been charged VAT + processing fees... So yes, about 22-23%, and you won't find any store willing to break the law by not declaring the right and true value.

Rabais-etudiant.ch works for any student from anywhere. You just have to pick it up in Switzerland, and bring some cheese for a real Raclette :p.

But true, you can find it for a little cheaper. But do not forget wire transfer fees (but yes, you would have some for the Switzerland), as in the US, they usually refuse foreign credit/debit cards.

Regarding the keyboard and the language, I do not see any problem having an English OS + keyboard too, but think of the value it will have if you want to sell it, in France, with an Englis OS :D

Oh yes, I almost forgot, On eBay.com , you find used laptops, refurbished laptops but also brand new laptops, unopened etc. etc.