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Private Import of US Hardware into Europe?

Posted by Cliff on from the getting-thru-customs-is-the-easy-part dept.

Hanno asks: "There are US companies selling Japanese gadgets not available in the US to local customers. But what about buying American hardware in Europe? I'm thinking about buying a US laptop that is not sold in Germany and the import, payment and warranty issues are giving me a headache. Has anyone else done this and what was your experience?"

"Here's the story: Fujitsu Germany does not want to sell the P2000 laptop over here in Germany - after some I research, I managed to contact one of their laptop product managers and he told me that Fujitsu-Siemens Computers Germany will absolutely never sell it, no matter what.

FSC also does not offer to import the laptop from the US sister company and obviously, they do not provide support or warranty for a US-only laptop in case it gets broken over here.

Well, frell you, FSC, thanks for your consideration of customer input. But the P2000 is still a pretty unique piece of hardware, even the price is ok, and there is no competing product on the European market (at least none that I know of).

Next problem: Most US mail-order shops do not ship outside the US anymore. (This includes Fujitsu's own webshop. Even the P2000 giveaway sweepstakes is US only...) And of those who do ship to Europe, most do not accept foreign credit cards anymore, at least not those who are known for good customer-support. What other payment option should I consider? Any shop you can recommend?

Finally, how about support and warranty with Fujitsu US and/or the store I bought it from? Do foreign customers get any such support at all? Has any of the readers who bought a US-only product and brought it to Europe tried to get support later and what was your experience?

(In case you wondered why I am not asking about it: Customs is not a problem. Buying US computers and having it sent to Germany is customs-free, I'll have to add the German sales-tax to the price, though...)"

5 of 29 comments (clear)

  1. dynamism.com ? by ihtagik · · Score: 2, Informative

    "There are US companies selling Japanese gadgets not available in the US to local customers." Pardon my ignorance, but he says companies...I only know of one: dynamism.com (Incidentally, if I'm not mistaken they can send laptops etc from anywhere in the world to anywhere else, check their site for details.) Does anyone know any others?

  2. wordwide warranty by matts.nu · · Score: 4, Informative

    Laptops usually comes with worldwide warranties. After all, its obvious that they will be used by travelers.

    Try getting in touch with their european support center and ask about it. They should be more used to such questions than your local retailer is.

    Europe, Middle East and Africa: Fujitsu Siemens Computers
    Help Desk Phone: +44(0) 1344-475125
    Help Desk Fax: +44(0) 1344-475554
    Help Desk Email: hotline_europe@fujitsu-siemens.com
    Business Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm (GMT)

  3. thailand by matts.nu · · Score: 2, Informative

    I bought my latest laptop in Bangkok. I can recommend the laptop shop Global Solutions in Pantip Plaza.

  4. here goes-------- by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    First, where do you live? Close to any U.S. base or kaserne? Make some friends, and have a soldier order it for you. In the US APO (military mail sysytem)it will be there in less than 1 week.

    Cheers,

    Drink a Hefevizen for me!

  5. Outpost by Noodlenose · · Score: 3, Informative
    I have successfully ordered stuff from Outpost.com to both Germany and New Zealand (I move rather frequently). Never had any probs or warranty issues with them. The only stuff they refused to ship were Palm products.

    Dirk