Best way to order? (RS) (INDIA)

Hi,

I got an email from RS last week saying I could now order my Pi.
However, seeing people unhappy with the way they're being charged a LOT for customs/duty/tax/delivery/handling etc., I want to ask of a way to use that code in the email from RS and get my Pi delivered in India.
Main issues:
1. There are 2 websites for india.http://in.rsdelivers.com/campaigns/raspberry/pi.aspx and http://downloads.element14.com/raspberr ... irect=true
Is it possible to order from these in my local currency using my code from any of these?

2. If not, then what would be the CHEAPEST way to get it to india while ordering from their UK site..from which I got this email.


I'm basically wanting to save money any way possible. Looking for advice....thanks!

The code you got from RS, can be used only on the UK site and you will most likely be charged close to INR 1000 as duty and DHL handling fee.

element14 and RS are two different companies, so you can't use the RS invite to order from element14. AFAIK, element14 has stopped taking new orders until the current backlog is cleared.

So if you want your Pi in the next 2-3 weeks, order from RS with the invite you got and be ready to pay an additional ~ 1000 INR to DHL!

The code you got from RS, can be used only on the UK site and you will most likely be charged close to INR 1000 as duty and DHL handling fee.

element14 and RS are two different companies, so you can't use the RS invite to order from element14. AFAIK, element14 has stopped taking new orders until the current backlog is cleared.

So if you want your Pi in the next 2-3 weeks, order from RS with the invite you got and be ready to pay an additional ~ 1000 INR to DHL!

You mean it will be US$ 42 + Rs. 1000 to DHL?
So my Pi reaches me for around Rs. 3.4k ? Shipped and duty paid?

Yep, that's what I had to pay!

Rs 2365 to RS and Rs 1040 to DHL as Customs and DHL Handling Fee! Total ~ Rs 3.4k

Or you can wait 2-3 months and get it from element14 India for Rs 2665 shipped - all incl (well, this was the price at launch time, don't know whether they will change it)

Great! Thanks.
I'll order one now and another one from element14 when they're available.

On side note, what easily available cheap powered hub would you recommend (at least 4 port) ?
#2 are hdmi->dvi cables available here in India?

Thanks again for the swift replies!

Cool!

Well, I ordered a Belkin 4 Port Powered USB Hub from FutureBazaar today -- http://www.futurebazaar.com/belkin-f4u0 ... /pd/74935/ (Use the code WOWFB to get Rs 150 off )

For the HDMI --> DVI Adapter you can check eBay -- http://www.ebay.in/sch/i.html?_from=R40 ... Categories

Since you've already ordered, it'd be great if you could post some results of multiple things(hdds and wifi) working together on that hub?

besides my pi is still 2-3 weeks away..

^ Sure, I should get it in a few days time.

I just saw the wiki at elinux.org and found this Hardware Compatibility List...
http://elinux.org/RPi_VerifiedPeriphera ... g_USB_Hubs

Your model is a little different than the one mentioned. Let's hope it works..

UPDATE

I just ordered mine for RS using a Mastercard, however they didn't ask for the Mastercard SecureCode and I wasn't even redirected to the Mastercard site. RS just took the card details(except Mastercard SecureCode) and then sent me an email giving order confirmation. The email was from RaspberryPi@rswww.com

Is this legit, or have I been scammed?
Did they ask you for the VerifiedByVisa/Mastercard SecureCode while ordering?

The card has been charged with 26.55GBP which is what they displayed on their site but how come they could make a transaction without SecureCode? It doesn't work that way with other sites...

Thanks.

You should have made the payment through Paypal, the exchange rate would've been better!

Anyway nothing to worry, the Mastercard Secure Code is only mandatory for domestic Indian transactions. For international transactions it's the website's decision whether to use Mastercard SecureCode or not.

I did save ~Rs. 100 by paying in GBP instead of USD. but whatever....atleast it's ordered (legitimate).
now 8 long weeks of wait.
do they really mean it, or can I expect it earlier?

Yes, the GBP rates are better

Mine was delivered in two weeks and I was given dispatch estimate of 3 weeks, so maybe they will send it sooner!

Customs duties are very high for India. I had to pay 1024 Rs Customs.

So the net cost of shipping a RPi to India is 42$@56rs/$ + 1024 = Rs. 3380 (approx)

Customs duties are very high for India. I had to pay 1024 Rs Customs.

So the net cost of shipping a RPi to India is 42$@56rs/$ + 1024 = Rs. 3380 (approx)

Well, in that 1024 INR, 350 INR is DHL's handling charge and the actual duty is only ~ 700 INR. And if RS had categorized it as a computer perpheral or as a computer, you could have got it with 16.8% duty, whereas now its categorized as an electronic component which attracts a 28% duty.

Or if RS had simply sent it by Royal Mail International Signed for, you would have got it duty free although it may take a few days more to reach here.

Customs duties are very high for India. I had to pay 1024 Rs Customs.

So the net cost of shipping a RPi to India is 42$@56rs/$ + 1024 = Rs. 3380 (approx)

Well, in that 1024 INR, 350 INR is DHL's handling charge and the actual duty is only ~ 700 INR. And if RS had categorized it as a computer perpheral or as a computer, you could have got it with 16.8% duty, whereas now its categorized as an electronic component which attracts a 28% duty.

Or if RS had simply sent it by Royal Mail International Signed for, you would have got it duty free although it may take a few days more to reach here.

Interesting. Where'd you find all that info?

I just got a mail from element14 inviting me to place my order. The price in the basket shows INR 2665.
I have also got an email from RS saying that it will allow me to place my order not before 21st June. From what I read above, it will charge a total of INR 3400 from RS.

From where should I order, element14 or RS? Are there any hidden costs in element14's price (like shipping, customs, tax, etc)?

You need to use this link to order from element14 India -- http://shopping.kitsnspares.com/bon1/pr ... d=73036143

Comes to Rs 2950 after taxes and shipping.

You need to use this link to order from element14 India -- http://shopping.kitsnspares.com/bon1/pr ... d=73036143

Comes to Rs 2950 after taxes and shipping.

Hmm, but the mail I received from element14 India has a link to the element14 store. The shopping cart and the price is being shown there itself. Do I really need to order from kitsnspares?

You can order from http://in.element14.com/ as well. I think it will come to Rs 3000 from there.

Unless you are a company they ask you to order from Kitsnspares. Call and confirm before placing the order.

Thanks varkey!

I had expressed my interest in buying Raspberry Pi from element14 website.
I didn't know about KitsnSpares at that time.

After months of waiting, element14 mailed me the link for buying raspberry pi through their website but there is no option for purchase (I think I need to register before that).

The register option requires the Sales Tax no. and I am an individual ....(FUUU element14).
What do I do now? Please help..
I do not want to end up waiting again for months.

I was almost done with my payment through VISA when RS showed the error "Declined (General)".
Now what does that mean?! I have given all the details correct as per best of my knowledge!

@maxmiaggi, are you talking about element14 or kitsnspares ?

I was talking about RS Components. I registered it here:
http://in.rsdelivers.com/campaigns/raspberry/pi.aspx