I immediately thought of pensioned off Gardners!
If you choose to go it alone, and import direct, you take your chances. You might be lucky, but if not!!!!!!!
Remember, if it looks too good to be true; it probably is.
If you deal with reputable UK suppliers, you should be OK.
It may be more expensive, but you have warranty, after sales support, and if you have to pay return shipping costs, it will be far cheaper than across the world.
Someone 10,000 miles away is unlikely to be too concerned if you are unhappy with your purchase, fairly safe in the knowledge that the dud item will never be returned, or have an angry customer hammering on his door..
Howard