Gray Market Bodies
Apr 14, 2015 08:05:43 #
We keep getting questions from members who see low prices for gray market cameras, and we always suggest that they get a U. S. A. version. That got me to wondering, have any of you bought new gray market cameras and had good luck with them? I don't care how much money I saved, I wouldn't want a camera that would be difficult to service or upgrade its firmware.
Apr 14, 2015 08:15:35 #
Nikon has different policies to Canon with repairs. Nobody in their right mind should buy a grey market Nikon unless they want to ship it out of the country for a repair.
Warranties are sunk in the water with both companies. For the record, I won't ever buy grey market. I think new posters are seeing the ads on ugly which unfortunately are often grey market.
Warranties are sunk in the water with both companies. For the record, I won't ever buy grey market. I think new posters are seeing the ads on ugly which unfortunately are often grey market.
Apr 14, 2015 08:24:03 #
Haydon wrote:
Nikon has different policies to Canon with repairs. Nobody in their right mind should buy a grey market Nikon unless they want to ship it out of the country for a repair.
Warranties are sunk in the water with both companies. For the record, I won't ever buy grey market. I think new posters are seeing the ads on ugly which unfortunately are often grey market.
Warranties are sunk in the water with both companies. For the record, I won't ever buy grey market. I think new posters are seeing the ads on ugly which unfortunately are often grey market.
Imagine getting a "great deal" on a new camera, only to have something go wrong shortly after receiving it. At that point, the money saved is meaningless.
Apr 14, 2015 08:26:26 #
donrent
Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl
Haydon sez: "Nobody in their right mind should buy a grey market Nikon unless they want to ship it out of the country for a repair.
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Well, that's understandable, but I for one would NEVER send anything back to the factory for repair when there are private repair shops who do just as good as factory (or better)........
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Well, that's understandable, but I for one would NEVER send anything back to the factory for repair when there are private repair shops who do just as good as factory (or better)........
Apr 14, 2015 08:30:11 #
donrent wrote:
...but I for one would NEVER send anything back to the factory for repair when there are private repair shops who do just as good as factory (or better)........
But Nikon does not supply independent shops with parts. :cry:
Apr 14, 2015 08:31:04 #
donrent wrote:
Haydon sez: "Nobody in their right mind should buy a grey market Nikon unless they want to ship it out of the country for a repair.
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Well, that's understandable, but I for one would NEVER send anything back to the factory for repair when there are private repair shops who do just as good as factory (or better)........
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Well, that's understandable, but I for one would NEVER send anything back to the factory for repair when there are private repair shops who do just as good as factory (or better)........
Just wouldn't trust a shop with my 500F4 and for that matter we have only 2 decent shops in my state.
jerryc41 wrote:
But Nikon does not supply independent shops with parts. :cry:
That's a perfectly made point Jerry.
Apr 14, 2015 08:34:16 #
Haydon wrote:
Nikon has different policies to Canon with repairs. Nobody in their right mind should buy a grey market Nikon unless they want to ship it out of the country for a repair.
Warranties are sunk in the water with both companies. For the record, I won't ever buy grey market. I think new posters are seeing the ads on ugly which unfortunately are often grey market.
Warranties are sunk in the water with both companies. For the record, I won't ever buy grey market. I think new posters are seeing the ads on ugly which unfortunately are often grey market.
Here's a good example. You can get Nikon D750 for $1,200, rather than $2,300. And for $189, you can get a three-year warranty: "Features include 100% parts and labor coverage access to thousands of service centers nationwide Zero deductible with a No Lemon Guarantee." That doesn't sound very convincing to me.
I'd like to see a study done of grey market cameras after several years of ownership.
http://americacameras.com/index.php?id_product=1003&controller=product&id_lang=1
Apr 14, 2015 08:37:30 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Here's a good example. You can get Nikon D750 fo... (show quote)
All is fine with grey market UNTIL you need warranty work or a repair. One of them will come sooner or later and when it does there will be big regrets.
These so called in house warranties yield another trap. What happens if they go out of business.
Apr 14, 2015 08:47:46 #
Haydon wrote:
All is fine with grey market UNTIL you need warranty work or a repair. One of them will come sooner or later and when it does there will be big regrets.
These so called in house warranties yield another trap. What happens if they go out of business.
These so called in house warranties yield another trap. What happens if they go out of business.
A couple of days ago, someone posted about a problem with his new D750, from 42nd St Photo, and he's having trouble getting them to honor the warranty.
Apr 14, 2015 08:51:28 #
Apr 14, 2015 08:53:51 #
jerryc41 wrote:
A couple of days ago, someone posted about a problem with his new D750, from 42nd St Photo, and he's having trouble getting them to honor the warranty.
I feel for people that are naive and get slammed like that.
Apr 14, 2015 08:56:26 #
donrent wrote:
The idea is to be educated when you buy. This is coming from a Canon user and I mean it, "Nikon makes some of the best cameras out there." Just play by some rules and you won't be burnt.Another reason NOT to buy Nikon....
Apr 14, 2015 09:04:15 #
It is all about risk assessment. I have saved thousands of dollars over the years by buying used or gray market on Ebay and have only had one problem with any of the gear which I have purchased, and it was covered by Ebay buyer protection policy. I will not buy from out of USA because of import duties, taxes, that may be due. And I only purchase from sellers who will allow returns. Out of the dozen or so Canon camera bodies I have owned, and perhaps two dozen lenses, none have been in warranty, and only one required a factory repair ($200 to correct wide aperture focus problem on a 70D which the Ebay seller paid half).
Apr 14, 2015 09:16:52 #
I think there are two salient points I take away. First, Nikon won't repair a grey market item in the US, regadless of where was purchased. Second, Nikon won't supply parts to most repair facilities. So repair is problematic, to say the least.
This is about risk management and pain tolerance. I'll buy refurb, but only from reputable dealers (B&H, Adorama, Roberts, KEH, etc--not 42nd Street) with the right kind of warranties
This is about risk management and pain tolerance. I'll buy refurb, but only from reputable dealers (B&H, Adorama, Roberts, KEH, etc--not 42nd Street) with the right kind of warranties
Apr 14, 2015 09:18:27 #
doduce wrote:
I think there are two salient points I take away. First, Nikon won't repair a grey market item in the US, regadless of where was purchased. Second, Nikon won't supply parts to most repair facilities. So repair is problematic, to say the least.
This is about risk management and pain tolerance. I'll buy refurb, but only from reputable dealers (B&H, Adorama, Roberts, KEH, etc--not 42nd Street) with the right kind of warranties
This is about risk management and pain tolerance. I'll buy refurb, but only from reputable dealers (B&H, Adorama, Roberts, KEH, etc--not 42nd Street) with the right kind of warranties
:thumbup:
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