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BnH and gray market lenses
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May 15, 2018 10:05:38   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
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.

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May 15, 2018 11:12:40   #
lamontcranston
 
"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.

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May 15, 2018 11:18:00   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
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.

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May 15, 2018 11:21:09   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
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 believe there were threads on here that referenced grey market Nikon from B&H.

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May 15, 2018 11:30:35   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
DaveO wrote:
I believe there were threads on here that referenced grey market Nikon from B&H.


But I've never seen one that addressed used grey market equipment sales. I did a quick search and I didn't see anything about this issue.

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May 15, 2018 11:34:03   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
JohnSwanda wrote:
But I've never seen one that addressed used grey market equipment sales. I did a quick search and I didn't see anything about this issue.


Yes, searches are tough! I think MT chimed in and Herschel did as well, but I don't recall if it was new or used. The items I periodically check never seem to be such a bargain that will preclude me from buying new or refurb.

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May 15, 2018 13:00:28   #
lamontcranston
 
I think I've seen used lenses on B&H that had a note on them that said they were an "International Version" which may be a warning that "this is a gray market item". I don't recall seeing a used camera from B&H with this warning.

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May 15, 2018 13:13:06   #
henryp Loc: New York, NY
 
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...
I saw a used lens I am thinking about buying at Bn... (show quote)

Neither do we. Many times the person selling an item to us doesn't know if it was 'grey market" when originally purchased. I sold some of my dad's lenses after he passed away and I am certain he had no idea, and it was too late to ask him anyway.
Quote:
so I contacted CanonUSA repair department and asked if they repaired gray market lenses. Here is their response:
SNIP
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.

Half right. We are an authorized re-seller of Canon products. In our new merchandise dept we sell both US warranted and "grey market" products. There are no Canon "grey market" products on our site right now, but that doesn't mean there never were or never will be.
Quote:
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.

Thank you.

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May 15, 2018 13:16:08   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
lamontcranston wrote:
I think I've seen used lenses on B&H that had a note on them that said they were an "International Version" which may be a warning that "this is a gray market item". I don't recall seeing a used camera from B&H with this warning.


It seems like they need more than a code phrase which some people won't understand. It should be stated that the Nikon won't service the item but independent repair companies would.

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May 15, 2018 13:20:44   #
lamontcranston
 
henryp wrote:
Thank you.


Henry, Is there any way a customer can tell if a camera or lens is a gray market product? Will it be marked "International Version" or Gray Market Version"?

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May 15, 2018 13:21:11   #
henryp Loc: New York, NY
 
JohnSwanda wrote:
It seems like they need more than a code phrase which some people won't understand. It should be stated that the Nikon won't service the item but independent repair companies would.

If you find an item on our site labelled "imported" you click it and see this:

Imported Products
Items marked "Imported" are imported and/or distributed by other entities and are warranted by B&H Photo-Video. "Imported" products do not qualify for manufacturers rebate programs.There is no difference in the item itself.
Click here for additional information.

That takes you to https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/USGrey.jsp which has a great deal more detailed information.

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May 15, 2018 13:24:06   #
henryp Loc: New York, NY
 
lamontcranston wrote:
Henry, Is there any way a customer can tell if a camera or lens is a gray market product? Will it be marked "International Version" or Gray Market Version"?


See where it says "Imported?"



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May 15, 2018 13:26:21   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
henryp wrote:
If you find an item on our site labelled "imported" you click it and see this:

Imported Products
Items marked "Imported" are imported and/or distributed by other entities and are warranted by B&H Photo-Video. "Imported" products do not qualify for manufacturers rebate programs.There is no difference in the item itself.
Click here for additional information.

That takes you to https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/USGrey.jsp which has a great deal more detailed information.
If you find an item on our site labelled "imp... (show quote)


It still doesn't address the issue that Nikon won't repair grey market equipment. Not everyone knows that.

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May 15, 2018 16:52:35   #
repleo Loc: Boston
 
JohnSwanda wrote:
It still doesn't address the issue that Nikon won't repair grey market equipment. Not everyone knows that.


If it was bought from B&H, then B&H will repair it. See Henry Posner's link above and read it.

Reply
May 15, 2018 17:00:05   #
BebuLamar
 
I read the section on film. Is it possible for film made in the USA but grey market as they are intended for the overseas market?

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