Our advice

• There are some genuine bargains available in parallel-imported goods. There is also the opportunity to buy goods that will not be released here for several months. But you need to be aware of what you are getting and be prepared to deal with any after-sales problems that might arise.
• Do your research first. Be sure of the model number of the item you want. Before leaving the shop, check that the goods are suitable for use in New Zealand, that all accessories are supplied and that you can understand the manual.
• Most goods are pretty reliable these days. And retailers often replace faulty goods anyway, so the lack of an official repair service is a small risk to take.
• If you expect expert advice and after-sales backup, then traditional retailers offer them at a price.
• If you're buying an electrical item, check the adaptor meets the New Zealand standards. See Unsafe electrical products and Unsafe power adaptors for more information.
   

Your rights

You have the same legal rights whether you are buying parallel imports or goods that have come through the official distributor.

The Consumer Guarantees Act covers goods bought for personal use, but doesn't cover business equipment. It says that if goods have a substantial fault - they don't work, they are dangerous or they aren't the goods advertised - then you get a replacement, a repair or a refund. The Act also says repairs must be completed in a reasonable time.

Business equipment is covered by the Sale of Goods Act. If the goods are faulty you may be entitled to a refund, compensation for loss, and damages for losses caused by the fault.

Parallel imports may need to be sent overseas for repair. It's probably realistic to expect this to take longer than it would if the problem was solved by the local agent. Retailers can choose to do the repairs themselves, but the work must be done to a high standard.

If faulty goods can't be repaired, either because the local agent won't touch them or the cost of repairs is greater than the value of the item, then you are entitled to a replacement or your money back - the choice is yours.