The meaning of "Gray Market": I use all Nikon lenses. Occasionally, i find a high-priced Nikon lens being offered at a dramatically low price. I have also heard the term "gray...

Franku Loc: Wallingford, PA and Parrish, Fl

I use all Nikon lenses. Occasionally, i find a high-priced Nikon lens being offered at a dramatically low price. I have also heard the term "gray market"used at times.
Is this is a term given to a lens when the lens is not the authentic manufacturer's product or perhaps it was not manufactured where it was designed?

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

It refers to product manufactured for sale in a specific region or country of the world, but being sold or shipped to a different part of the world. In our case, USA warranties on camera equipment only apply to items that are brought in through authorized USA distribution. Everything else imported in will not qualify for a US warranty and is labeled grey market.

In the case of Nikon, I understand Nikon will not do any repair work on grey market under any circumstances. Canon does do the repair, but you have no US warranty period, so it costs you regardless of age or problem.

EAB

If I'm not mistaken I believe the term "gray market" refers to the fact that the product being offered is in fact authentic but it is not being warrantied by Nikon USA. It apparently is manufactured and marketed to foreign market outlets and not to licensed US Nikon authorized dealers through Nikon USA. Not sure what kind of warranty is offered but no US authorized Nikon dealer will honor the warranty.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Franku wrote:

I use all Nikon lenses. Occasionally, i find a high-priced Nikon lens being offered at a dramatically low price. I have also heard the term "gray market"used at times.
Is this is a term given to a lens when the lens is not the authentic manufacturer's product or perhaps it was not manufactured where it was designed?

to distinguish an item from Black market, which means illegal or less than legitimate. A grey market item is legal but not sold by approved sources. Grey market items may be made in the same factory but warrantees may not be honored by american manufactures. Grey market camera gear is often sold at considerable discount by schlock stores. 42nd Street camera comes to mind

Shel Loc: Lecanto FL

The bad news is that if you buy a Nikon product while outside the US, you will not have a US warranty. Personally, I dislike the practice of not honoring outside the US purchases. My understanding is that purpose of the practice is to protect US retailer against competition from foreign competitors that sell Nikon products at a lower price than in the US.

Bill_de Loc: US

Shel wrote:

The bad news is that if you buy a Nikon product while outside the US, you will not have a US warranty. Personally, I dislike the practice of not honoring outside the US purchases. My understanding is that purpose of the practice is to protect US retailer against competition from foreign competitors that sell Nikon products at a lower price than in the US.

I think you need to research that a little better.

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LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

The meaning of gray market is that NIKON and others ovetchsrge North Americans so they can subsidize sales in other markets ... to the point that someone can buy goods and ship to North America independently and still make a profit.

Companies frown on this because it exposes their scheme.

Shel Loc: Lecanto FL

OK Bill, what is your info?

repleo Loc: Boston

Franku wrote:

I use all Nikon lenses. Occasionally, i find a high-priced Nikon lens being offered at a dramatically low price. I have also heard the term "gray market"used at times.
Is this is a term given to a lens when the lens is not the authentic manufacturer's product or perhaps it was not manufactured where it was designed?

For Nikon it means a genuine Nikon manufactured and designed product that didn't go through Nikon USA's distribution chain. They won't service it - warranty work nor paid work. If you bring your Nikon USA purchased equipment to another country they will consider it gray market over there. Its a middle man protection racket.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Shel wrote:

The bad news is that if you buy a Nikon product while outside the US, you will not have a US warranty. Personally, I dislike the practice of not honoring outside the US purchases. My understanding is that purpose of the practice is to protect US retailer against competition from foreign competitors that sell Nikon products at a lower price than in the US.

Correct but incomplete. The other concerns are a liability on electronic parts, and different firmware and other country specific things. Electronic equipment, in this case the charger that is provided along with it's cable, may not have all of the approvals required in the US if it comes from another country. If you purchase a product outside the US and bring it back, it is covered under an International Warranty, which is one year. I don't believe that personally purchasing a Nikon product elsewhere from a legitimate Nikon retailer "in country" and bringing it back home constitutes a gray market purchase, but I could be wrong.

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-store/gray-market.page

And then there is this to consider:

https://petapixel.com/2016/05/20/nikon-now-allows-grey-market-camera-repairs-us/

And this point of view has a bit more clarity and "flesh" to it:

http://www.dslrbodies.com/cameras/camera-articles/should-i-buy-a-gray-market.html

I will not purchase a gray market Nikon product under any circumstances.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

LWW wrote:

The meaning of gray market is that NIKON and others overcharge North Americans so they can subsidize sales in other markets ... to the point that someone can buy goods and ship to North America independently and still make a profit...

The increased price for the USA warranty is to subsidize the authorized repair facilities. Not sure it is really an overcharge. More like insurance.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

On the other hand, many of these products are definitely marketed towards a real "gray market." After all, it's only when you start to grow that gray stuff that you can afford it.

Franku Loc: Wallingford, PA and Parrish, Fl

I asked RITZ who is offering the Nikon lens for almost $500 less than B & H if the lens was a "Gray Market' lens and they honestly answered my question in the following manner,
"As stated in the listings for all of our Nikon products, these are international models and do not have a US warranty. However, we do provide a 1 year warranty through Ritz Camera for any manufacturer defects."
I have learned the meaning of "international models."
I sincerely appreciate everyone's input and I believe you are offering good advice.
I will be purchasing the lens from B & H as I have always done.
Thank you all!!!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Franku wrote:

I asked RITZ who is offering the Nikon lens for al... (show quote)

Frank...Before you pass on the lens, just remember that you DO get a one year warranty and save 500 bucks. In my experience, if a lens doesn't have manufacturing problems in the first year, then it won't have problems in five years. I'm sure that it will be the very same lens that would have a U.S. warranty. However....be aware that if it does need repair, you won't be able to get it repaired by Nikon USA.

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

Shel wrote:

The bad news is that if you buy a Nikon product while outside the US, you will not have a US warranty. Personally, I dislike the practice of not honoring outside the US purchases. My understanding is that purpose of the practice is to protect US retailer against competition from foreign competitors that sell Nikon products at a lower price than in the US.

Warranty is a feature that costs money. US customers expect warranties on products, therefore the manufacture includes them and has them part of the selling price. Many products in its also offer extended warranties for a price. If you did not pay for the warranty why would you expect to get one.