If you buy from countries within the European Community you must make sure that the seller is not charging you his local purchase tax. This can be as much as 16% of the purchase price. Serious dealers, experienced in exporting will not do this, but make a point of asking for the non VAT price. Most European state postal services have a weight and size limit on parcels sent by air. Generally its the same limits in weight and size as imposed by the USPS. So you will have to ask the dealer to use UPS and Fedex, which from Europe can be quite expensive. Also remember, that US importers will certainly not honour any warranty for goods that you have imported right under their very noses without giving them their pound of flesh. They might even refuse to have it repaired or let you have schematics, even if you offer to pay them. So that part is VERY risky.
Buying from outside the United States?
Hi. I couldn't find a similar post, so I started one. I've recently seen ads by foreign hi-fi dealers that offer great prices on foreign gear. Has anyone ever ordered an item from overseas? Do you have to deal w/customs or duties associated with the transaction. What pitfalls must you be wary of? I don't want to start the debate over loyalty to local shops, so lets assume the item in question can not be found locally. Thanks.