Buyer beware

The advice: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" applies.

For example, items purchased from eBay or other auction sites may be a foreign model with no warranty honoured here, despite claims to the contrary.

The Australian distributor or manufacturer budgets or even pays a fee for Australian warranty repairs, according to the quantity they import. In some instances, the international warranty leaflet says it's worldwide, but there's no legal status or obligation in Australia.

This includes private sellers, plus parallel or grey importers.

For this and other information, visit www.nextdestination.com.au