Yes, I admit that I gasped inwardly when I purchased my Brisa kit but in all the years I've had it, I've not had any problem with it, I've been able to replace the bulbs easily and without hassle and the end product is beautiful.
Aside from that though, the impact on my bottom line far exceeds the initial purchase price and I think that's what you've got to consider when purchasing something for your professional inventory - will that item pay for itself in due course. In my case it did, many times over. And when I ventured back into the nail game after an absence, I messed about with various systems (as you do when you want to check out what's been happening on the market) but came straight back to Brisa.
And get this, when I dragged my lamp out of storage, dusted her off and switched her on, she just picked up where she left off. I expected to at least replace the bulbs but nope, she ran perfectly. And another thing. When I rang the distributor I initially bought the lamp off of to buy some back up bulbs and other supplies, they sent me a Brisa CD in the mail and gave me a huge update via catalogue as well as over the phone support while I got my groove back. Can you get that if you buy overseas? I don't think so.
When you purchase electrical gear from overseas, you've got a lot more than a step down transformer to worry about. You may be subject to the taxes required from your own country even if your friend sends it (in Australia it's usually if the shipment is over AUD$1000). Considering that an appliance designed to run on a different circuitry could start electrical fires, explode or do other wild and unsavoury things, Customs may also deem it a community protection risk and may not allow it into the country (and you lose all your dosh). Also, your consumer rights and associated product warranty may not be valid as the item is intended for use in the country of origin AND also because you've bought it secondhand - ie. your friend purchased it, not you. So if it blows up or burns your house down (you can't put out an electrical fire with water), you can't refund it (and you lose your dosh..and maybe your home...don't laugh - my friend burnt her shed down with an e-file).
I think it's also worth mentioning that distributors must fling themselves through a series of hoops to make sure that the product they sell to you, the consumer, is legally compliant, functional, safe and does what they believe it can do as well as satisfy the red tape required to sell such an item in your country. That's not a cheap exercise. In addition, the distributor must fly through a series of hoops to the manufacturing company in order to prove they are a reputable retailer and will do all the right things when selling that time. Buying from an Authorised Dealer also cements the validity of your warranty. That ain't cheap either.
So. When you get down to it. Buying in your country of origin is not only legally compliant (in terms of warranties and consumer rights etc), it's also safer, it's backed by the retailer (who essentially does all the running around for you), saves you time and by supporting your distributor you're supporting business in your own country which, in turn, helps your local economy.
(I use too many brackets. I know. I can't help it).
Wow thanks for the advice hun !!! I'll just buy it from CND here so just thought i could save a few bob with everything adding up getting back into it things it's getting very expensive, ah well it'll be worth it in the end. 
