John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Local market is the surrounding area from where it is being sold. Could be Japan, could be Europe, could be anywhere.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Then your warranty comes from Japan, if under warranty, you should need service, you may have to send it to Japan.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Just my personal experience and philosophy: I have purchased two cameras listed as "Grey - International Model" at a savings of approx. 27% each. Most of the time when I look at International pricing I see a savings of about 17% at best. But I would not purchase International if the savings wasn't at least 25%.

And no, I don't worry about the 1 year Mfg. warranty. I always buy from a source that offers a no questions return policy for 30 days. Plus there is a 98% chance a camera will not need warranty eligible repair during the first year, according to the statistics. And if you have one that does, you can always find places to repair any camera.

As I said above, this is just my personal philosophy on camera purchases. I have no quarrel with anyone who would be nervous purchasing Grey. There is no right or wrong in this matter.

P-J Loc: UK

Much to my/our annoyance US prices are usually cheaper compared to UK/Europe. As the importers/distributers manufacturers take the exchange rate as US$1.00 = GB£1.00/Euro 1.00 regardless of what the actual exchange rate is? This is clearly profiteering though the importers i.e the Brands claim that UK & Europe are respectively smaller markets than the US, so therefore distribution costs are higher?
Do you believe that? I don't.
The only place I've found brands cheaper is places like Hong Kong. But beware they do not come with International Warranties & therefore your local (country) brand manufacturer/distributor will not honour any warranty repairs etc. Caveat emptor indeed!

In some cases when buying photographic equipment as advertised in the UK it is cheaper to get a flight to say NY, buy it there & bring it back to the UK? Though some import duty may be incurred, making it slightly uneconomic in most cases. That's asumming you do declare it? I am not advocating you do not declare any overseas purchases though, as that is against the law.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

The cost of warranty service is built into the dealer selling price in the US. Same as in a variety of different countries. There is no money in the US piggy bank to service out-of-country purchases.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Go to B&H, Adorama or other stores that carry both and do the math.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Gene51, that article you cited answers the questions. To me, that might be a good reason not to buy Nikon if you travel.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

They do make great market cameras. ALL Nikon cameras are made by Nikon. They are exactly the same camera, but only warranted in the country sold. If you live in the USA and purchase a camera from Japan or china, you are buying as is. You will not get it serviced or repaired here in the US.

They are identical, but as Paul said what's it worth to you in discount. To me, it would have to be 100% (free) to get it. My luck, when I recorded it out would not work.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I always buy my stuff from our local photographic venders, NO, I do not get a discount, but I pay the same price as I would if I purchased from B&H.
I like to support our local venders because I can not only touch and feel equipment I may purchase, but I find the information I get from the owner and their staff enriching.
I personally have never bought for a savings at the cost of my local venders. They are too important to me.
I recently bought a Sony 600 f4 from my local vender, not only did he make a personal appeal to the Sony regional rep. he also gave me a personal discount greater than what B&H would have given me.
And, the big boys in NYC were out of stock at the time I needed this lens, and my local boys got it for me.
So, I believe it is more important to buy local than to buy at a discount. Most folks can also afford to do it. You just have to dig a little deeper into your pocket, but by doing so your helping local employees put food on their families plates at night.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

hankswan

I was, once upon a time, a Canon camera user. I changed to Nikon because every time Canon brought out a new model, you would be looking for a new set of lenses for it. I used Nikon equipment for many years and never needed repairs. But the idea that if I was in a foreign country and bought a Nikon product they would not service it warranty or otherwise is not acceptable. A few years ago I found that the Nikon equipment was just getting too heavy for me and I moved over to Leica. Their products come with an International Warranty and no matter where you bought it they will service it under warranty or if no longer covered will repair it with a reasonable fee. This is how the world should work, if they made it and it is defective or has some user induced problem they should repair it. My 2 cents worth.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

In a word.... No.

If you buy "gray market" (often now called "international version"), you have no warranty. Any repair that's needed will be possible to have done by Canon, but it will cost you out of pocket. Some other brands' factory service centers won't even work on gray market items. You are simply out of luck with those, unless you can find an independent repairer able to fix whatever is needed. That too will be at your expense.

Some gray market sellers off "store warranties", which just means if something breaks you can return the item to them and they will either repair or replace. This often isn't very satisfactory, as they might not be able to do a proper repair or may substitute another item... and you might be weeks without your camera waiting for a resolution.

So if you want or need a warranty you can depend upon, don't buy gray market.

These days you would probably be better buying "factory refurbished" if you want to save some $$$.

For example, a Nikon D7500 body sells for $997 new... or for $699 refurbished. The refurb only has a 90 day warranty, while the new camera has 1 year. In the US refurbished Nikon can be bought at some of the larger retailers (Adorama, B&H) or at the Nikon USA website.

With Canon you can only buy their refurbished direct from the Canon USA website. For example, while a Canon 90D sells for $1199 new, a refurb costs $1079. Not a huge savings, but Canon's refurbs are warranted the same 1 year as new.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

So I guess that means the if you are on vacation in another country and think about buying a Nikon, you better think twice. I bought one in Japan years ago on a trip. Luckily I never had a problem that needed professional service.

Also, I've been an avid photographer for over 50 years and have never needed professional service on any camera including over a dozen digital cameras and as many film cameras. Have I just been lucky?

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I don't think Nikon will sell parts to repair shops ant more. I believe Canon will fig a non US camera but charge ( no warranty)

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

billnikon, your policy is not just noble and humanitarian--it is practical. When we had local camera stores, we had better selection, better service, and in return the people there bought whatever goods or services we sold--they could afford to buy from us. The best commerce is not defined by how rich it makes a few people at the top, but by how it enriches everybody and how well their needs are satisfied. The whole concept of a good business deal is one that satisfies both sides, and for most of us this includes the enjoyment of supporting one another (as well as fair sporting competition with them).

Walmart is the biggest employer in almost every state, and they turned most small towns into a Walmart and a boarded up business district. What they did not wipe out, the Internet finished off later. Some people flourished by locating a niche business close to the Walmart, and selling what Walmart cannot afford to sell--basking in the traffic. I drive past a Home Depot to an old-fashioned hardware store that carries every size nut and bolt (and helps me find what I need even if it is just one bolt). They carry all the slow sellers that big box stores are not interested in, so the assortment is far better. The have some cheap tools from China, but also have the most expensive hammers and axes for those who appreciate them. It is similar with cameras and camera stores, if you are still lucky enough to have one.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

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