42nd Photo
Jun 28, 2015 06:00:27 #
Use B&H, Roberts, ePhotocraft, Hunts, Adorama, or Pitman. TRY to avoid 42 and the myriad other scammers.
Gray market typically means the item was brought to this country by an entity other than the original manufacturer. In this case lets say Nikon.
Now, if I am on a trip to South Africa and I really need a different lens, I would like to be able to stop in a Nikon store and buy a Nikon lens to use on my trip. If I then return to the USA and happen to need service, I would expect that such service would be rendered under a Nikon warranty. I did everything in good faith and would expect the same from Nikon.
True or Untrue?
Gray market typically means the item was brought to this country by an entity other than the original manufacturer. In this case lets say Nikon.
Now, if I am on a trip to South Africa and I really need a different lens, I would like to be able to stop in a Nikon store and buy a Nikon lens to use on my trip. If I then return to the USA and happen to need service, I would expect that such service would be rendered under a Nikon warranty. I did everything in good faith and would expect the same from Nikon.
True or Untrue?
Jun 28, 2015 06:06:56 #
I believe you're confusing them with the old 47th St. Photo; exactly why, I suppose, they chose that moniker.
Jun 28, 2015 06:11:52 #
Poko, I would stay away from them. I have researched reviews on them in the past and I honestly believe the majority of their good reviews are being posted by some of their employees. I have never had trouble with Adorama, KEH, nor B&HPhoto.
Post By a Customer: You pay your money and you take your chances.
Summary: Bait and Switch, Rude, Not even a good deal, hassle, waste your time and money. Just dealt with these guys. Saw the amazing deal on the site, read through their information, seemed legit. I even Googled reviews of them and the reviews came up okay. BOY WAS I wrong. Read through the negative reviews at YELP and other places and they will all give you an accurate description of these crooks. My experience: I upgraded to 2-day shipping and instead of shipping it out they called me and requested I call back. After a few days (it couldn't get shipped over the weekend I guess) I got a hold of **. The guy tried to sell me extra stuff with the camera (batteries, memory cards) and then explained it didn't come with any of the original manufacturer accessories (although their site did say that it came with it).
And the agent was RUDE RUDE RUDE, he kept trying to do sales rebuttals saying I will feel "ashamed" and "guilty" if I don't go with them. It was very WEIRD...sort of like aggressive NLP sales tactics. And he was condescending and basically just a jerk. The only good thing is that my order was cancelled (and if that is the only good thing I can say about your company you have to admit that's laughable). I will NEVER use this company again. Now as I read more in depth reviews I see the camera does include the orig. manufacturers warranty. NONE of this is mentioned on their website.
SIDENOTE: The deals they offer are not even that good anyways. I got the same camera, with free expedited shipping from ADORAMA (who are reputable), with all accessories and warranty for the same price when you include the shipping (and without shipping only modestly more expensive). These guys suck so much I signed up to YELP just so I could let others know!
Post By a Customer: You pay your money and you take your chances.
Summary: Bait and Switch, Rude, Not even a good deal, hassle, waste your time and money. Just dealt with these guys. Saw the amazing deal on the site, read through their information, seemed legit. I even Googled reviews of them and the reviews came up okay. BOY WAS I wrong. Read through the negative reviews at YELP and other places and they will all give you an accurate description of these crooks. My experience: I upgraded to 2-day shipping and instead of shipping it out they called me and requested I call back. After a few days (it couldn't get shipped over the weekend I guess) I got a hold of **. The guy tried to sell me extra stuff with the camera (batteries, memory cards) and then explained it didn't come with any of the original manufacturer accessories (although their site did say that it came with it).
And the agent was RUDE RUDE RUDE, he kept trying to do sales rebuttals saying I will feel "ashamed" and "guilty" if I don't go with them. It was very WEIRD...sort of like aggressive NLP sales tactics. And he was condescending and basically just a jerk. The only good thing is that my order was cancelled (and if that is the only good thing I can say about your company you have to admit that's laughable). I will NEVER use this company again. Now as I read more in depth reviews I see the camera does include the orig. manufacturers warranty. NONE of this is mentioned on their website.
SIDENOTE: The deals they offer are not even that good anyways. I got the same camera, with free expedited shipping from ADORAMA (who are reputable), with all accessories and warranty for the same price when you include the shipping (and without shipping only modestly more expensive). These guys suck so much I signed up to YELP just so I could let others know!
Jun 28, 2015 06:13:30 #
Jun 28, 2015 06:52:18 #
pokokarin wrote:
Has anyone used 42nd Photo to purchase cameras? Prices seem better than competitive and just wondering about their reputation. Thank you.
When I lived and worked in New York, in the pro community 42nd St. Photo was considered a tourist trap. A business doesn't get a reputation like that without cause. At the B&H retail store at 9th and 34th, you will hear customers speaking languages from every part of the world. There is an obvious explanation for that.
Jun 28, 2015 07:25:16 #
BEWARE! I guess by now, you've seen enough comments about them. Many years ago, they were very good. They sold. New owners have business practices that have ruined their reputation. This company is not alone in providing service that generates complaints.
As many have said before me, Google the name of the company and attach "reviews." You'll discover what others have experienced.
Those with dramatically low prices are often bad news.
Recently, I used Cameta. Below most in price but not the crazy lows you'll see from some. Excellent service. Honest. There are others. Do your research. Those with low prices, that are way below others, are there for a reason. BEWARE!
As many have said before me, Google the name of the company and attach "reviews." You'll discover what others have experienced.
Those with dramatically low prices are often bad news.
Recently, I used Cameta. Below most in price but not the crazy lows you'll see from some. Excellent service. Honest. There are others. Do your research. Those with low prices, that are way below others, are there for a reason. BEWARE!
Jun 28, 2015 07:36:28 #
Dalek wrote:
Use B&H, Roberts, ePhotocraft, Hunts, Adorama,... (show quote)
And you can do that, Nikon would demand that you provide a copy of the original invoice in your name and a copy of your travel documents to show that you were actually there. What Nikon is doing is protecting their LEGAL outlets in each country from companies that will go to authorized dealers in 3rd world countries or authorized dealers that are in financial trouble and get them to sell the unscroupolous company a container load of Nikon product at penies on the $. Then the grey market company becomes the "Original" purchaser because they bought the cameras and equipmet from this other "authorized" dealer. They are, in effect, selling you a used camera and you have the same rights as the purchaser of any other used camera. If you purchased that used camera in Thailand, then Nikon expects you to have it repaired in Thailand and NOT the United States. If you did purchase a NEW camera in Thailand and you were Actually there, then all you have to do is show Nikon USA proof of your trip and proof that you purchased the equipment at the time of your trip. At that point, Nikon USA will repair your overseas originating equipment under the same rules that a visiter from Europe in the USA would face gettiing a Nikon repaired. You would pay the repair cost and the camera would be fixed with a 6 month USA warranty on the repaired pieces. All Nikon USA is refusing to do, is repair under warranty, camera equipment sold to a 3rd party you after the original purcasher, (in this case 42nd Street Photo) bought the camera equipment from the original dealer overseas. Now, if this were legal, I could go buy a Nikon D610 from Adorama, B&H or any other authorized dealer in the US and turn around and sell that (now used) camera as new and expect Nikon to fix it under warranty. If this were the case, you could go to Joe's Chevy Emporeum and buy a Ford Mustang for penies on the dollar and expect Ford to honor the original warranty on it even thoough Joe's Chevy Emporium is NOT an Authorized Ford Dealer and purchased the car themselves as a new retail purchase, from Harry's Ford that was going out of business or needed to sell X number of Fords in order to maintain their obligations to Ford. That Ford would be considered a USED car by Ford, and by any US state licensing agency. Nikon is doing exactly the same thing, by allowing you to travel overseas and purchase equipment. Taking the car purchase a step further, if you traveled to Mexico and purchased the Ford new, from an Authorized Ford Dealer and then drove the car back to the US, Ford USA would repair the car for a fee but probably would NOT repair it under warranty. I hope this is more clear that it was for me to type it. But, having worked for Nikon's support and seeing the ins and outs of how the decisions are made, I know how they work towards travelers vs. grey market purchasers.
Jun 28, 2015 08:01:06 #
londonfire
Loc: NY to NC
poko, if you're doing mail order then B&H is the only way to go. If you're ever in NYC plan at least a half day there, then lunch and back again 'till closing.
Jun 28, 2015 08:11:39 #
alycat wrote:
They have been around forever, so they must be doing something right. Modern Photography ren their ads in the '60's. Be you get a USA import warrenty, not a gray market import.
Are you thinking of 47th St Photo?
Jun 28, 2015 08:15:31 #
f8lee wrote:
47th Street is gone but in it's day was like B&H (except without the fantastic floor space - 47th St was a marvelously cramped shop on the second floor of the building that did most of its business via mail-order).
Floor space was a long entry hall and a small counter. :D
That was my go-to store for years.
Jun 28, 2015 08:19:53 #
pokokarin wrote:
Has anyone used 42nd Photo to purchase cameras? Prices seem better than competitive and just wondering about their reputation. Thank you.
I have not heard anything positive about 42nd St Photo. Stay clear of them. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Jun 28, 2015 08:22:32 #
My experience with 42nd Street Photo was NOT good. On the phone, I felt like I was being conned. I say stay away from them since the price for US warranted products is not less than anyone else.
Jun 28, 2015 09:46:12 #
Jun 28, 2015 10:40:49 #
alycat wrote:
They have been around forever, so they must be doing something right. Modern Photography ren their ads in the '60's. Be you get a USA import warrenty, not a gray market import.
you are thinking of 47th St Photo. these guys will high pressure you to buy more junk.
Jun 28, 2015 10:59:33 #
alycat wrote:
They have been around forever, so they must be doing something right. Modern Photography ren their ads in the '60's. Be you get a USA import warrenty, not a gray market import.
Don't confuse 42st photo with 47st photo. In the 60's it was 47st that ran those ads. In the 60's 47st photo was a fixture among professionals in the NY area. Although I am not a pro tahst where I bought my Canon F-1 and Fd lenses. 2 Words about 42st --Stay Away
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