What’s The Pros and Cons of Buying a Laptop from Amazon US?

PVA on 21/02/2023 - 16:33

I’ve been looking at 14inch laptops for a little while waiting for a decent deal to pop up.
The Acer Swift X , 14inch Ryzen5700 16GB 1650 GPU sounds ok, Australian Acer. (Just an example)
Looking on Amazon US it seems you can get newer models (albeit a little more dollars), ryzen 5800, 3150ti gpu.
So what’s the pros and cons? Not just Acer but any brand ASUS, Dell, Lenovo

are warranties void? Any hidden extra cost… for Eg Amazon says $1200aud plus $200aud ship and import fees, is that it?
Anyone done this before?

Computing Computer Laptop

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Comments

  • Hybroid on 21/02/2023 - 16:37
    -1

    Acer is generally known to be crap so never a pro buying any of their products.

    As for the rest, you'll need a new 220V compatible charger and manufacturers warranty/ACL guarantee will not apply here for any issues so not worth it.

    • PVA on 21/02/2023 - 16:41
      +2

      Thanks, Acer was an example.
      Volts, I would have thought just change the lead as every power pack I have ever had for laptops were multi voltage 110v-240v.
      Warranty, Amazon wouldn’t do anything (seeing they are the seller)?

      I’m just asking as I don’t know, hoping someone that has can reply.

      • Hybroid on 21/02/2023 - 16:47
        -1

        Most American products I've seen in shops seem to come with 110V chargers only so always avoided buying them when over there. It's the global ones that will work 110-220V. There are exceptions of course so you could be right for some laptops but would need to verify it somehow else add on purchase of new charger. With USB-C, that's probably less of an issue nowadays than barrel-jacks or proprietary chargers.

        In terms of Amazon covering warranty, have seen both sides, Amazon offering full refund years after product is used as well as them simply deferring you to the manufacturer. It's luck of the draw.

        Still don't think it's worthwhile unless you get a stonking good deal on a Macbook that has international warranty etc.

        • PVA on 21/02/2023 - 18:02

          Thanks mate.

      • sumyungguy on 21/02/2023 - 17:40
        +1

        Power supply won't be an issue. However Acer (among others) only offers a warranty in the country of purchase, unless you're a bona- fide traveller: somebody who is temporarily outside their home country, without the intention of establishing long-term or permanent residence.geniune traveller. That's the risk you'll need to assess

        • PVA on 21/02/2023 - 17:58

          Thanks.

  • FireRunner on 21/02/2023 - 16:42
    +1

    Is this the Amazon US Site?
    You may find 10% GST added during checkout if so.
    Each manufacturer is different, you may get a lesser international warranty or you may have to send it back to the US if a fault is found.
    I don’t believe you are covered by Australian Cosumer Law in either case.

    • PVA on 21/02/2023 - 16:43

      Thanks. On top of the shipping and imports costs, gst may get added as well?

      • FireRunner on 21/02/2023 - 16:47
        +3

        Yeah, I think the GST is added during checkout when shopping on the US site. Might want to double check it yourself.
        On the AU site the price has import fees already included

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 21/02/2023 - 16:55
    +2

    If you dont care about warranty and there is a decent saving, then sure.

    I personally would never buy a big ticket item direct from overseas, especially an important tool that I might be using for work or study.

    • PVA on 21/02/2023 - 18:01

      Yeah, it all seems a bot hard for maybe not a heap of saving.

      I was looking because laptops offerred there have diff options like better screens for example, than whats here

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 21/02/2023 - 18:09
        +1

        Probably back in the day when it was 1 aud 1 usd it was worth it as there was a huge amount to be saved, and many suppliers (notably, asus) had global warranty which made sense to get it overseas. These days imo not worth.

        • PVA on 21/02/2023 - 18:52

          That’s true.

  • jikijiki on 21/02/2023 - 22:50
    +1

    The biggest issue is with warranty. I purchased a pair of headphones from Amazon US via Amazon AU. When I hopped on the AU support site, as I had purchased from the Amazon US seller, it meant I had to return it to the US for a refund.

    Of course, overseas shipping etc, etc. means your packing better be on point and that all the multiple employees involved in its shipping don't toss it on the floor and hit a corner.

    After that experience I haven't shopped from a US seller again for any electronic.

    • PVA on 22/02/2023 - 00:02

      Thanks for this. So even with Prime you have to pay for the return yourself as well?

      • jikijiki on 22/02/2023 - 01:07
        +1

        No, Amazon US/AU cover the return fee but of course overseas shipping takes its time.

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