Cyprus-Forum.com

[unique_earthling]

A friend of mine has built me a new PC, and i will also a 19 inch TFT monitor all half the price of what it would cost in Cyprus, all singing all dancing and paid VAT in the UKon the parts but have been told that i would have to pay tax this end is this true?

The parts were bought from http://www.autdirect.co.uk/ The price difference is phenominal. here is the spec, check it for your self i had quotes from the Paphos based companies and they were so much higher..

Intel P4 3.0 Gig 775 Bare Bone System
Suntek Black and Silver Case with 400 Watt PSU
2 Front Mounted USB 2.0 Ports
Foxconn M-ATX 775 Motherboard
Intel P4 3.0 Gig 775 CPU
Suitable Cooling Fan
512MB 400MHz DDR Memory
1.44MB Floppy Drive
Dual Layer +/- DVD ReWriter Drive
Onboard Sound, 10/100 LAN, Video
McAfee Antivirus 2005 Software
Key Features of Motherboard:
400/533/800 FSB
2x DDR Memory Slots
8x AGP
3 PCI
Onboard 6.1 Sound
Onboard Video
Onboard 10/100 Lan
4 USB
2x SATA
2x IDE Channel
Only Requires a Hard Drive & Software for a Full Working Base Unit
183 pounds All Including VAT 1 Gig Memory instead of 512Mb
80 UK Pounds Geforce 7600 GS 256 MB AGP8x Palit
43 UK Pounds Hitachi 160 Hard Drive
60 UK Pounds Home Windows XP Includes Service Pack 2 With Manual, licence, and CD
123 UK Pounds Hanns G 19 inch TFT Monitor
KEY FEATURES:
• 5ms Response Time
• DVI and Analogue Connections
• Silver and Black Housing Colour
• Internal Power Supply
• Built-in Speakers
• VESA Wall Mount Compatible
• Security Lock Feature
• 42 Watt Power Consumption
• Kensington Security Lock Compatible
• TC003 Certified
• 3 Year Onsite Warranty
Dimensions = 416 (W) x 203.32 (D) x 413.77 (H) mm
Safety Certificates = UL/CUL, TUV, CD, CCC, BSMI, FCC, CE
30 UK Pounds Postage and Packaging


519 TOTAL UK POUNDS including all VAT
------------
447 TOTAL CY POUNDS Also including Gratis Games and programs

[Johnson&Johnson]

If you have the original receipt with the VAT listed on it then you should not have to pay anything when the package arrives at the post office in Cyprus. Just take your receipt with you when you go and pick it up. At Limassol main post office there is a nice guy who even lets you use their internet to get into your email account if you have forgotten your receipt.

I just bought a dual core toshiba laptop (USA - shipped to my London Address) and a pentium 4 desktop with 19" widescreen monitor (PC World in Enfield) for LESS than the price of a dual core desktop in cy !!!! twp PC's for the price of one !

I NEVER buy anything here if I can help it. I even send my digital prints to Bonusprint (10UK pence) online rather than have them done here (50CY cents and upwards)

Cypriots are not content with a 100% profit. They want a bloody 300 % profit !

[unique_earthling]

Thanks J&J I hope your right, i know they seem to make up the rules as they go along, but this is a big expense for me and i need value for my Cy pounds.. And cant afford these extortionate prices.

[Sotos]

From USA is cheaper than UK even after VAT and shipping. unique_earthling in Cyprus it would be more expensive but for sure not double that. Maybe about 25% more. What makes it look cheap is the Hanns G monitor. A good quality 19" TFT monitor like Sony, HP etc would be more.

[steveash]

Go have a look at www.aria.co.uk they are one of the cheapest and best suppiers in the UK, but im deffo now going to be getting myself a good laptop here before i do move over in August next year

[unique_earthling]

Looked at that site Steve, some are cheaper but its up north whereas the place i said is right in my friends hometown down south so easier for pick up. But it all just goes to show how dear they are here. And yes sotos America is even cheaper, makes me mad to think they are so greedy for profit.

Changing the subject, I read in the Cyprus mail that CYTA was offering lower charges for internet for those on a lower income.. means related... if so whats the criteria for obtaining that? As most foreigners here working are on the minimum wage, and many on a pension. Does anyone know?

[nhowarth]

Hi Sotos,

I've been looking at replacing my ageing laptop - the USA prices are certainly much better than the UK.

If I were to buy a laptop or PC from the USA, would I need to change the power supply ?

Regards,

[devil]

I wouldn't recommend buying a complete computer from the USA. You would have to pay duty and VAT on importation and that can be quite a lot, as they are charged on the landed price (including packing and transport). A desktop computer MAY have a switchable power supply to cater for European volts: check beforehand. As a general rule, most laptops have a universal power supply, but again it would be wise to check.

A little tip I found out recently: if you import computer parts from outside the EU (not whole computers) by post, they will exempt you from duty if the total value (incl. p&p) is less than £250; you have to pay only the VAT. This happened to me: the value actually came to £260 but the customs officer at the post office kindly downmarked it to £249. Saved me a packet!

[G.Man]

I always source my bits at www.overclockers.co.uk and i have never paid vat at cyprus end on any package from uk...

Last shipment was £1000 sterling, and no questions from customs or post office...

[unique_earthling]

Well tonight i ordered it, so heres hoping everything will arrive intact.. and also that it wont cost me anymore, thanks guys for your imput you gave me the courage to take the plunge..