CHG_CANON wrote:
If you trust this brand new camera has all the kinks worked out and you'll never experience a warranty-covered issue, nor need a repair during your ownership of the body, save some money on the international grey-market version. If you need the peace of mind (aka insurance) again a warranty-covered issue or repair, get the properly authorized US-market version.
Warranty, or not, Nikon USA will NOT repair grey market items.
Nikon will not repair grey market items, and Nikon has also removed all authorized repair companies and services from third parties.
So they may not even be able to get parts, much less any specialty equipment used for repair and calibration.
Right to repair laws don't seem to have much effect for Nikon.
I think I've read that other manufacturers will repair a grey market device, for full price of labor and materials, but may not warranty their work in that case. Verify before committing to such a purchase.
mikey12654 wrote:
I got curious about the price difference for an imported/grey market Canon R5 on Abe's of Maine website, it's selling for $2729.00 and the R5 American warranty version is around $3399.00, that's a savings of $670.00. Mine has the US warranty.
Abe’s of Maine has the worst reputation of all sellers. Do not buy anything from them.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Henry Nguyen wrote:
Hi, I am buying Nikon Z8 but there are two different models, USA and international. USA one is more expensive. Which one should I buy? Thanks
USA model offers warranty and after warranty service from Nikon USA, if you buy a international model you will have to send it to the country of origin for warranty service.
Lets say your international model is from Japan, if it needs service during the warranty service, you will have to send it to Japan for service.
If you buy an international model Nikon USA will not service it ever, even after the warranty period.
Most Professional Nikon camera's, Z9 and Z8, 99.999999999999% of them will never require service. (outside recalls)
For me, I will always pay the extra to get the USA service, which is exceptional.
Your choice, Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
mikey12654 wrote:
I got curious about the price difference for an imported/grey market Canon R5 on Abe's of Maine website, it's selling for $2729.00 and the R5 American warranty version is around $3399.00, that's a savings of $670.00. Mine has the US warranty.
A fool and his money part ways at Abe's.
I understand the U.S. version and warranty. I never understood why Nikon would not fix a problem if you were willing to pay repairs. It is their camera.
keywest305 wrote:
I understand the U.S. version and warranty. I never understood why Nikon would not fix a problem if you were willing to pay repairs. It is their camera.
They set the rules. If they repair a grey market item, then there is probably a legal argument that they have accepted responsibility for the proper working of the item. They don't want to open up that liability.
Liability issues like this almost killed the private plane market, until legal rules limited the long-term liabilities of the manufacturer. Piper and Cessna, etc were held responsible for 50+ year old planes.
keywest305 wrote:
I understand the U.S. version and warranty. I never understood why Nikon would not fix a problem if you were willing to pay repairs. It is their camera.
Because they don't want anybody to buy gray market cameras.
rehess
Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
keywest305 wrote:
I understand the U.S. version and warranty. I never understood why Nikon would not fix a problem if you were willing to pay repairs. It is their camera.
Apparently they don’t need the business.
rehess wrote:
Apparently they don’t need the business.
They don't THINK they need the business. Maybe they should look at their market share figures! But other companies, e.g., Tamron, have similar, anti-competitive, policies.
I view Grey Market Goods in pretty much the same way as I view used products (from ebay certainly, and to a lesser extent from the reputable third party sellers).
You're buying a product that essentially does not have a warranty. There is a discount, but there is a chance you'll have a problem, and if there is a problem, you may have an issue fixing it.
In my case -- I buy almost all my equipment used. I've never had a problem that didn't pop up in the return period, and have never gotten burned. Even if I have such a problem in the future, with the savings on past items, I'll probably still be ahead of the game.
The Z8 is a special case though -- it's a newly released item. There have been kinks, and there may be more. Also, it's rather expensive, so you'd need A LOT of past savings if you do have a problem. If I were considering a grey market version, I'd probably look into what third-party warranties, and how much insurance against lemons I get through my credit card.
Despite my propensity for used items -- at the end of the day, I think I'd go with Nikon for this camera at least until it's been out for a couple of years.
KenProspero wrote:
I view Grey Market Goods in pretty much the same way as I view used products (from ebay certainly, and to a lesser extent from the reputable third party sellers).
You're buying a product that essentially does not have a warranty. There is a discount, but there is a chance you'll have a problem, and if there is a problem, you may have an issue fixing it.
In my case -- I buy almost all my equipment used. I've never had a problem that didn't pop up in the return period, and have never gotten burned. Even if I have such a problem in the future, with the savings on past items, I'll probably still be ahead of the game.
The Z8 is a special case though -- it's a newly released item. There have been kinks, and there may be more. Also, it's rather expensive, so you'd need A LOT of past savings if you do have a problem. If I were considering a grey market version, I'd probably look into what third-party warranties, and how much insurance against lemons I get through my credit card.
Despite my propensity for used items -- at the end of the day, I think I'd go with Nikon for this camera at least until it's been out for a couple of years.
I view Grey Market Goods in pretty much the same w... (
show quote)
The Z8 is a Nikon and gray market is different than used. Nikon will repair used Z8 with a fee but not repair gray market Z8 whether you pay them or not.
Knock on wood I have had the 3100 3200 5000 7100 700 750 800 810 850 and now Z9 and 21 different lenses and never a problem with any of them. My luck the minute I get a Grey market my streak would end. The chance we take I guess
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