ebay or gray market? (Page 3): The reality in my opinion is two fold. There is no difference between a grey market product which is sold in Europe and Asia and one that is sold here.

Dana C Loc: Buhl, Idaho

The reality in my opinion is two fold. There is no difference between a grey market product which is sold in Europe and Asia and one that is sold here. There is a difference in warranty service however and unless you do your research, you could be SOL. I bought a grey market D7000 a few weeks ago. The seller included a three year warranty against mechanical defects with no deductible. The repairs are done here, (U.S.) at several places. It is also my impression that Nikon will fix whatever for $$.
I have purchased a few grey market items, lenses primarily and now a body with no problems with the products or the sellers.
It is also worthy of note that from time to time Cameta and a couple of other well know retailers sell grey market cameras, binoculars etc. and disclose it up front.
As a careful buyer, I ALWAYS ask is what every new product I am buying is a grey market item.

Dana C Loc: Buhl, Idaho

The reality in my opinion is two fold. There is no difference between a grey market product which is sold in Europe and Asia and one that is sold here. There is a difference in warranty service however and unless you do your research, you could be SOL. I bought a grey market D7000 a few weeks ago. The seller included a three year warranty against mechanical defects with no deductible. The repairs are done here, (U.S.) at several places. It is also my impression that Nikon will fix whatever for $$.
I have purchased a few grey market items, lenses primarily and now a body with no problems with the products or the sellers.
It is also worthy of note that from time to time Cameta and a couple of other well know retailers sell grey market cameras, binoculars etc. and disclose it up front.
As a careful buyer, I ALWAYS ask is what every new product I am buying is a grey market item.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

ptcanon3ti wrote:

Warranty isn't the issue.

It's fine, if I buy a NEW, grey market, Nikon and I KNOWINGLY give up warranty.

BUT it's entirely another issue that I cannot get NIKON FACTORY repair, EVEN if I'm happy to pay for it. That just sucks and is ridiculous.

:thumbup: Exactly. That's a terrible approach to customer support.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Dana C wrote:

The reality in my opinion is two fold. There is n... (show quote)

Most people, especially newbies, don't know they even have to worry about it.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

jerryc41 wrote:

It's the American branch of Nikon, Nikon USA, that... (show quote)

Apples and oranges. We're not talking about free warranty work for imports. Refusing to do that is understandable. What we're talking about is the refusal to even service import or grey goods items when the customer is perfectly willing to pay for that service. Canon has no problem with that. Nikon does.

wolfman

ptcanon3ti wrote:

Warranty isn't the issue.

It's fine, if I buy a NEW, grey market, Nikon and I KNOWINGLY give up warranty.

BUT it's entirely another issue that I cannot get NIKON FACTORY repair, EVEN if I'm happy to pay for it. That just sucks and is ridiculous.

As I stated earlier, if your going to buy a "gray market" product", do your research.

Clearly stated on Nikon's website:

What does owning a "Gray Market" Nikon product mean to you?
Nikon Inc. USA cannot provide any technical support or warranty service on Gray Market items. Additionally Nikon Inc. USA cannot perform any fee-based repair work on Gray Market items. Please do not contact Nikon Inc. USA for help with any Gray Market products. Please contact the reseller or importer of your Gray Market items for warranty and service information as well as software updates and downloads.
Does owning a "Gray Market" Nikon product mean I don't have a warranty?
No! All Nikon products come with a warranty by the manufacturer. The designated Nikon service center will always repair "in warranty" Nikon products and perform "out of warranty" repairs. If you own a Gray Market product it will need to be returned to the reseller or importer for service. Refer to your reseller or to the warranty cards included with the product for service contact information.

tamalero Loc: Mexico

mwsilvers wrote:

:thumbup: Exactly. That's a terrible approach to customer support.

I'm surprised they didnt at least try to jack up the price to repair grey market cameras. Its money they're losing on parts and repairs.
They would probably earn more money this way than trying to squeeze to "nikon only" stuff.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

tamalero wrote:

I'm surprised they didnt at least try to jack up the price to repair grey market cameras. Its money they're losing on parts and repairs.
They would probably earn more money this way than trying to squeeze to "nikon only" stuff.

What is the likelihood that somebody who buys an import in good faith and then finds out they can't get it repaired or maintained even if they're willing to pay, is ever going to buy another Nikon product? It's poor public relations.

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

wolfman wrote:

As I stated earlier, if your going to buy a "gray market" product", do your research.

Clearly stated on Nikon's website:

.

Yah...I know what it says. But it's still a bad move on Nikon's part IMO.

If I buy a Nikon product (possibility is high) I know NOT to buy grey market items.

I'd rather buy a USA used item. At least it can be serviced.

Dana C Loc: Buhl, Idaho

The NIkon repair centers are also, as often as not, independent business that repair Nikon products. Some of these are part of a network of camera repair centers that will do work on "Extended
Warranty plans

Dana C Loc: Buhl, Idaho

They are referred to as "authorized repair centers".

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

neither,. buy used from KEH.com. largest used photo equipment dealer in the world. 14 day return policy, 6 month free warranty (they also repair cameras) prices are better then e bay and they have an excelant reputation. fantastic customer service. the items come cleaned inspected and in much better shape then keh rates them

jethro'spal Loc: Oklahoma

Consider a refurbished from B&H or Adorama.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Probably missed my post from a while ago. I just gave her the facts, and let her make the decision. It wasn't me purchasing it, she just asked me for my opinion. Seems that most here agree with me that it is best to avoid Gray market, but I do understand also, that if you are talking about a gray market item that is cheaper than what a repair would be anyway, it does get fuzzy. I have no idea which way she'll go. Thanks again for all the input.
bk

wolfman

bkyser wrote:

Probably missed my post from a while ago. I just gave her the facts, and let her make the decision. It wasn't me purchasing it, she just asked me for my opinion. Seems that most here agree with me that it is best to avoid Gray market, but I do understand also, that if you are talking about a gray market item that is cheaper than what a repair would be anyway, it does get fuzzy. I have no idea which way she'll go. Thanks again for all the input.
bk

Just checked Abe's website:
On that $298 body, there is no description of what's in the box, meaning, no battery, no cables, no battery charger.
To me a total rip-off place. Tell her to stay away from this place.
Even on the USA brands they are charging more than Nikon's MSRP, what does that tell you.
Bob