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BnH and gray market lenses
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May 16, 2018 07:58:05   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
"I wish Nikon would adopt this policy. If you buy a gray market Nikon camera or lens, you're out of luck if you need factory repair service."

I am in agreement. As consumers we buy what we need and what we want. Gray market lenses are lenses made by the same people that make genuine imported lenses.
It is understandable that Nikon expends large amounts of money in advertising their products but so do Canon. Accepting for repairs gray cameras and lenses only puts more money in their pocket.
In the majority of the cases the savings between gray market and a genuine import is not that high anyway. Nikon does not have to honor the warranty of a gray market product but should not say no to repair any of their products.
Just the way I feel.

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May 16, 2018 08:05:55   #
Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC
 
I have purchased several lenses from Canada and had them repaired by Nikon USA (not under warranty).

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May 16, 2018 08:20:24   #
Fotomacher Loc: Toronto
 
lamontcranston wrote:
"If you were to buy a gray market product Canon USA would be able to service this item."

I wish Nikon would adopt this policy. If you buy a gray market Nikon camera or lens, you're out of luck if you need factory repair service.


I have used only Nikon equipment for many, many years. Just like to inform you folks that Nikon Canada does NOT have a policy like Nikon US and WILL service Nikon equipment no matter where purchased. Nikon US has a “US” prefix on their serial numbers for identification purposes. Nikon Canada does not, although they do keep track of the serial numbers sold here. And the repairs will be charged in C$. Bonus for y’all?

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May 16, 2018 08:48:06   #
ecurb1105
 
traderjohn wrote:
I'm sure Nikon knows your concerns and refuses to change their policies just to annoy you.


👍👍👍😁

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May 16, 2018 09:15:23   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
If you're an amateur, get a personal property policy for your gear from your insurer. I have one with State Farm that covers repair/replacement, no deductible, no depreciation, very reasonable price. If repair is 80% of value, they have the option to reimburse your purchase price. You can cover computers and printers too along with flashes and lenses.

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May 16, 2018 09:39:39   #
O2Ra
 
JohnSwanda wrote:
It seems that means that B&H would sell used grey market Nikon equipment which Nikon won't service. I wonder if they inform people of that. And that's also a good reason for Nikon to reconsider their policy.


I purchased a brand new grey market lens from B&H. They made me aware Nikon would not repair it but I had to ask first. I did buy a 3year aftermarket warranty from B&H. Now the three years is up where do I take it?

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May 16, 2018 09:41:26   #
O2Ra
 
camerapapi wrote:
"I wish Nikon would adopt this policy. If you buy a gray market Nikon camera or lens, you're out of luck if you need factory repair service."

I am in agreement. As consumers we buy what we need and what we want. Gray market lenses are lenses made by the same people that make genuine imported lenses.
It is understandable that Nikon expends large amounts of money in advertising their products but so do Canon. Accepting for repairs gray cameras and lenses only puts more money in their pocket.
In the majority of the cases the savings between gray market and a genuine import is not that high anyway. Nikon does not have to honor the warranty of a gray market product but should not say no to repair any of their products.
Just the way I feel.
"I wish Nikon would adopt this policy. If you... (show quote)


I feel the same. If Nikon is the superior product show the customer you stand behind what you make.

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May 16, 2018 09:51:42   #
tmehrkam Loc: Houston,Tx
 
When I first started looking to purchase equipment from B&W. I noticed the imported on the web site. My thought was isn't it all imported. To be frank it took me a while to discover the significance. Then there is the white box items. Grey Market. It took me a while to understand the significance.

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May 16, 2018 10:09:41   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
O2Ra wrote:
I feel the same. If Nikon is the superior product show the customer you stand behind what you make.


Who says Nikon is superior than others? I will take a good Hasselblad any day.

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May 16, 2018 10:11:23   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
O2Ra wrote:
I purchased a brand new grey market lens from B&H. They made me aware Nikon would not repair it but I had to ask first. I did buy a 3year aftermarket warranty from B&H. Now the three years is up where do I take it?


did you read this post earlier in the thread?
I have used only Nikon equipment for many, many years. Just like to inform you folks that Nikon Canada does NOT have a policy like Nikon US and WILL service Nikon equipment no matter where purchased. Nikon US has a “US” prefix on their serial numbers for identification purposes. Nikon Canada does not, although they do keep track of the serial numbers sold here. And the repairs will be charged in C$. Bonus for y’all?

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May 16, 2018 10:14:14   #
RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas
 
You do realize you can check this out on your own if you are buying used equipment I believe its is not incumbent on B&H to check this out on every piece of used Nikon or Canon, Etc, etc. It’s used there’s no original factory warranty anyway.

Ask for the serial number and call Nikon USA they’ll give you the information you want!



JohnSwanda wrote:
I have been a Nikon guy since the '60s and I wouldn't buy grey market, so the policy doesn't affect me. But if I were going to buy used Nikon equipment, I would want to know if it was grey market or not. The Nikon grey market repair policy makes that an important piece of knowledge, and I guess that B&H doesn't understand that. I have often bought from them and have been very happy, but I wouldn't buy used Nikon equipment from them if they couldn't tell me if it was grey market or not.

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May 16, 2018 10:43:59   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
RichardSM wrote:
You do realize you can check this out on your own if you are buying used equipment I believe its is not incumbent on B&H to check this out on every piece of used Nikon or Canon, Etc, etc. It’s used there’s no original factory warranty anyway.

Ask for the serial number and call Nikon USA they’ll give you the information you want!


Not everyone knows that Nikon USA won't repair used grey market equipment, so they wouldn't know to check it out. The seller is in a better position to give that information.

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May 16, 2018 10:52:36   #
Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.
 
jim quist wrote:
I saw a used lens I am thinking about buying at BnH and saw this in the description of the lens:

The B&H Used Dept does not distinguish between "grey market" and US-warranted merchandise for any item we sell. These distinctions are primarily important for warranty purposes for new merchandise and all the merchandise sold through our used department is out of the manufacturer's warranty so in almost every case, the issue is moot.


I didn't know if the lens I bought would be gray market or not, so I contacted CanonUSA repair department and asked if they repaired gray market lenses. Here is their response:



Dear Jim Quist,

Thank you for contacting Canon product support. My name is Eric and I understand you have questions about gray market products and I can assist.

B and H Photo Video is an authorized re-seller of Canon products and does not sell gray market products. If you were to buy a gray market product Canon USA would be able to service this item.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Eric
Technical Support Representative

We can feel good about buying used Canon Equipment from BnH. Thank you BnH.
We can also feel good about buying gray market Canon lenses if they ever need repaired. Thank you CanonUSA.
I saw a used lens I am thinking about buying at Bn... (show quote)


After all I have read here on the Hog about grey market items, did you emphasise that in B&H's own words, it could be grey market that is sold as a used item?

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May 16, 2018 10:57:12   #
lamontcranston
 
The bottom line is "Let The Buyer Beware." Read everything in the ads carefully and pay attention to the small print. You will save yourself a lot of surprises down the road.

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May 16, 2018 11:01:45   #
Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC
 
With what was stated it would seem that buying used or gray market repair can be accomplished by calling or sending camera and/or lens to Canada give them a call first:


Toronto Repair Centre

Nikon Canada Inc.
1366 Aerowood Drive
Mississauga, ON L4W 1C1
Get Directions

Phone: 1-877-534-9910
Hours: Mon – Fri 8:45am – 4:45pm, EST

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