Freestyle Photographic Supplies

[teleparallel]

So...

I live in Brazil, and in some regards that sucks. I love film, but to buy quality film and, anything regarding film photography, is just impossible. High taxes on imported goods here, and the lack of variety of brands makes the prices climb to ridiculous levels, like paying the equivalent to 13 to 25 dollars in a single roll of film or close to 160 dollar in a bulk roll. 30 dollars for 1 Liter of Ilford developer, even more for fixers, 40 for 25 photo sheets, and so on.

For development I'm paying about 5 dollars per roll, I scan at home, so it's not much, I think. Dark room printing is expensive, tough.

Freestyle seems to send supplies for Brazil, and below 50 dollars for each purchase, I won't pay taxes, apparently. So, I was wondering about... Is it safe to buy from Freestyle? Any regrets, problems, suggestions? Just wondering.

 

[Bill Clark]

Freestyle is great!

Very prompt shipping.

Good people.

 

[felix5616]

Freestyle is a very good company with a great selection, prices and service.

 

[kxl]

very reputable - in fact they are local to me so i can go to their warehouse directly.

 

[Colin Corneau]

Freestyle, along with B&H, are very credible and trustworthy businesses. I'd recommend either of them (although I've never had things shipped to Brazil before LOL)

In any case, it's easy enough to send them an email inquiry first, just to be sure.

 

[Jan Pedersen]

I like Freestyle but over the last couple of years their prices have increased more than other vendors and are no longer competitive.
Compare film and paper prices to B&H and Adorama, on average about 15% more expensive.

 

[Keith]

Freestyle can be a bit rough with freight charges IMO ... but overall they are very good to deal with.

 

[nikon_sam]

very reputable - in fact they are local to me so i can go to their warehouse directly.

If I happen to be in the area I often stop by their warehouse to pick up supplies too...Quick and easy to do...Decent prices for where I live without having to drive too far...
I have noticed that for the film I buy Adorama has very decent prices...I'm not too sure on their shipping to where you are but you might want to give them a look over too...
You might also want to check out these guys for film...
http://www.ultrafineonline.com/

 

[teleparallel]

Problem with B&H is that they charge a lot to send to Brazil. Taxes are applied in the total price(product + shipping). So if I spend 7 dollars, it's around 60 to send, and it already blow my "limit". So no B&H. Freestyles charges as low as 6 dollars depending on what you are buying.

I've send an e-mail and it seems ok for them to send. Just checking how it qualifies.

 

[rodinal]

I won't pay taxes, apparently.

Most likely your merchandise's taxes won't be prepaid and it will be retained by brazilian Customs until you pay them directly. Same thing here in Chile (but chilean taxes are very reasonable)

Freestyle is an absolutely trustworthy store, bought from them countless items through the years.

 

[sepiareverb]

Freestyle can be a bit rough with freight charges IMO ... but overall they are very good to deal with.

Agreed. They will however ship Stop Bath and many other chemicals that B&H will not.

B&H pricing is better on nearly everything I use that they both sell, but they each have their niche products. B&H shipping is hugely cheaper, likely because I am so much closer. And things arrive in two days instead of ten.

I suggest both B&H and Freestyle to everyone who is looking for supplies.