New Camera Dilemma !! (Page 4): Let's try to get this straight and stop arguing. This is my interpretation of this. If you buy a Nikon product in the US and want Nikon USA to service...

therwol Loc: USA

User ID wrote:

Get a clue. Read the thread.
Do your own research.
Your resume is meaningless.

Ive worked for Nikon UK for
at least as long as you have.

Let's try to get this straight and stop arguing. This is my interpretation of this. If you buy a Nikon product in the US and want Nikon USA to service it, it must have been imported by them alone. No exceptions. If you personally buy a Nikon product in another region that was intended for that region, Asia or whatever, it is not gray market. If you bring the product to the US and have a receipt that shows you bought it overseas, perhaps on a vacation or whatever, they will service it for a fee. Again, it isn't gray market. Gray market only applies to buying a product in one market that was intended for another market. It is legal to do so, but it would have to go back to the intended market for repairs if you live in the US.

Perhaps the policy in the UK is different. Perhaps they'll work on anything. I don't know. I've taken Nikon products to the UK many times, and they haven't broken.

User ID

therwol wrote:

Let's try to get this straight and stop arguing. ... (show quote)

Pretty much thaz it.

The OP posted (way back) that Nikon will handle nonwarranty repair to his camera.

Most of the rest of this thread is just the usual UHH parrot chatter from Hawgsters who, apparently, can barely read ... or just cant be bothered with reading.

KenProspero

For those who won't buy Grey -- will you buy used?

I've seen aftermarket warranties -- though I've never bought one -- does anyone know if there are reputable companies that can provide this service?

Just curious.

Personally, I buy used whenever I can find it. I suppose something will break some day, and I might or might not be able to get it repaired. Given my overall lifetime savings, even if this happens, I'm probably still ahead of the game. YMMV.

The other issue -- OP thought he was ordering a new-warrantied item, and received a grey-market with no manufacturer's warranty. If OP didn't receive what he ordered and wants t return, that should be his right. If OP thinks the dealer was less than reputable, and wants to return the product, OP should have that right.

Of OP wants to negotiate with the dealer and receive a price reduction or some other concession -- OP should have that right.

However, if OP thinks he got a good overall and decides to keep that camera -- that's ok too.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Lukabulla wrote:

Camera Dilemma . br Got a camera from Amazon ( via... (show quote)

Well that is an interesting problem.

The phrase “supposed to get a warranty card” implies the seller did not honor the sales contract. If that is the case, what does that imply about the seller honoring his verbal “promise” to self warranty it?

kemert

I've bought grey and have never had any problems. Buying grey is a risk, but it's one I've been willing to take, and had saved me quite a bit of money. Your "mileage" may vary.

bjojade Loc: Wausau, WI

Lukabulla wrote:

Camera Dilemma .
Got a camera from Amazon ( via third party seller ) supposed to get a warranty card with it , contacted seller who said they dont have one but they will guarantee it themselves for 2 years

Do you REALLY think that 2 years from now if something goes wrong, there's any chance that they'll take care of you?

If it was a physical store somewhere that cared about their reputation, sure. But creating an amazon reseller account to sell grey market goods is so easy to do that many resellers open and close their businesses regularly if they run into problems and start getting bad reviews.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

ClarkJohnson wrote:

OK. In the US, Nikon won’t service a grey market camera even for a fee.

So let's say I come to America for a holiday or even a professional shoot and my camera breaks. Are you trying to say that there is no way I can have my camera serviced so I can carry on enjoying my holiday and taking photos, or carry on with my job taking the photos?

I'm sure there are ways around that. I can't believe a person would simply have to accept that they can't get a camera repaired while visiting another country.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Lucian wrote:

So let's say I come to America for a holiday or even a professional shoot and my camera breaks. Are you trying to say that there is no way I can have my camera serviced so I can carry on enjoying my holiday and taking photos, or carry on with my job taking the photos?

Apparently not from Nikon Inc. And other Manfuacturers. But there are plenty of good quality repair places that will be willing to help. Except Nikon no longer sells those guys parts.

Lucian wrote:

I'm sure there are ways around that. I can't believe a person would simply have to accept that they can't get a camera repaired while visiting another country.

Good luck with that. In the meantime I recommend you carry a cell phone camera as a backup.

therwol Loc: USA

Lucian wrote:

So let's say I come to America for a holiday or even a professional shoot and my camera breaks. Are you trying to say that there is no way I can have my camera serviced so I can carry on enjoying my holiday and taking photos, or carry on with my job taking the photos?

I'm sure there are ways around that. I can't believe a person would simply have to accept that they can't get a camera repaired while visiting another country.

I don't believe that a camera bought by someone who lives in another country is considered gray market if they bring it to the US on a visit. Gray market cameras are imported and sold outside of the region they were intended for without the warranty and service offered by the official importer.

User ID

If youre in the usa on a tourist visa and you submit your camera to Nikon for repair, youre gonna overstay your visa waiting for Nikon to return your camera.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

User ID wrote:

If youre in the usa on a tourist visa and you submit your camera to Nikon for repair, youre gonna overstay your visa waiting for Nikon to return your camera.

Alas, when the camera s/n doesn't start in the USA range, Nikon USA won't repair, short-circuiting your extended stay waiting for a repair. The savvy photographer would rent a replacement body anyways, the reality solution rather than this stupid exercise in make believe.

User ID

CHG_CANON wrote:

Alas, when the camera s/n doesn't start in the USA range, Nikon USA won't repair, short-circuiting your extended stay waiting for a repair. The savvy photographer would rent a replacement body anyways, the reality solution rather than this stupid exercise in make believe.

Stupid exercises in make believe are the heart, soul, and pancreas of UHH. Thaz what keeps lights on.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

agillot wrote:

A gray market is 99% same as a us sold model . I spent my life fixing a euro brand luxury car .in the 70 s , it was considerably cheaper to bypass the us dealers of that brand and get your car from europe . Same car , the way the USA dealers went about that , is that they refused to work on those cars .So in a way it kept us independents busy . So see its just not Nikon . Its a little like mafia , pay us or else .

It was my dream to go to Europe and drive around then have it shipped home. Alas, last time I checked it was no longer a savings. My neighbor bought a new Volvo. I’m unclear if Volvo paid for his airplane ticket or that was the amount of the savings, either way no real savings. Typical deal, when it was cheaper I couldn’t afford it, now that I can afford it it’s not cheaper.

RightOnPhotography Loc: Quebec,QC

Bill_de wrote:

Are you asking UHH members to make up your mind?

There are no free lunches.

---

No free lunches? So, how much do you charge for your advice?

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

RightOnPhotography wrote:

No free lunches? So, how much do you charge for your advice?

I guess it’s a function of the USD’s value in the world currency market. Not really a “free lunch” inasmuch as Volvo wants to sell cars and Americans want to buy them. My last one was built in Canada, the wife’s BMW’s were built in Spartanburg/Greenville SC.