Nikon USA or Gray Market ? (Page 2): Well, you got a better response then I did. I just called Nikon Customer Service and was told that the only real way to know is to send it in to...

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

Shellback wrote:

Two things - I just got off the phone with Nikon s... (show quote)

Well, you got a better response then I did. I just called Nikon Customer Service and was told that the only real way to know is to send it in to them (lord knows what they do then). That just because a serial number doesn't match up dosen't mean its Gray.

Sounds like the only way to really know is to buy New from a reputable dealer.

As I advised with another response, Canon has sent out notice that they too will not handle Gray market items. Unless you know of a good repair shop, it can really put a damper on the used camera market. In the case of Nikon, I believe they will only make parts available to a limited number of sources.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

I've been on and off the phone with them quite a bit the last couple of days trying to track down an order placed by the military exchange and happened to get the same agent.

As far as equipment goes, I try to buy refurbished or used from the big four - I only buy new when I can't find new/refurb or it's a sale that is cheaper than used. I have been very pleased with the non-new equipment so far. Other members buy used/refurb and the comments have been very positive.

And the refurbished equipment I purchased from Cameta is USA stuff which registered with the Nikon site with no problems.

B&H Photo & Video site
Adorama site
Cameta Camera site
KEH Camera site

hammer531 Loc: Fall River , Ma

1. We are talking about used camera . There is no warranty from Nikon on used cameras .
2. I believe Authorized Photo Service in Morton Grove Il will repair any used Nikon whether it is gray market or not .

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

PCity wrote:

Hate to give you the bad news, but Thom Hogan just advised of the receipt of a canon letter that says they too will not be covering Gray Market items.

http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/canon-issues-gray-market.html

You have not read what said; Nothing I said talk about warranty work, Canon does repair cameras and lenses they do not descrimanate here in the USA there will be a charge for service and repair plus parts if needed. Call them in So.Calif.

glgracephoto Loc: Arlington, WA

PCity wrote:

How can you tell if a used Nikon DSLR is a USA origination (thereby repairable by Nikon USA), or a Gray Market unit which Nikon USA will NOT repair?

If new you can tell when you go to register it, but if its used, how will you know its status?

A Nikon USA Box will have a 'U' after the model number in the lower right corner of the side of the box, and also furnish the yellow warranty paperwork. see attached photo below for example

You certainly CAN buy a used Nikon off Ebay and ensure this, if you know to look for it, some sellers will make note of it as well.

Any Nikon USA refurbished as well, will be, as they would not touch a gray market camera to refurbish, so just be sure its MFG refurb and not third party

I am selling one with documented US market, and also recently purchased an upgrade with the same

note the (U) after D3200 in the black box lower right. This denotes USA

Note the warranty paperwork, Gray market cameras won't include this.

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

RichardSM wrote:

You have not read what said; Nothing I said talk about warranty work, Canon does repair cameras and lenses they do not descrimanate here in the USA there will be a charge for service and repair plus parts if needed. Call them in So.Calif.

My comment was directed at equipment which came through Gray Market channels. The recent notice from Canon states that going forward they will not handle gray market items.

Those through the US will of course be serviced either within warranty (if applicable) or if out of warranty for a charge. Are we both on the same track?

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

Just a personal experience - when working in the US one of my Japanese bought Nikon bodies died on me. It was repaired by Nikon US for the appropriate repair fee, and I did explain it was not bought in the US.

They were slow doing it, long on courtesy when I chased it up, slow on performance, but it was repaired.

In the UK the only effect of owning a non-UK purchased item is warranty is invalid unless returned to origin.

Maybe Nikon themselves need to have a chat with Nikon US?

spdmn54 Loc: Avon Lake, Ohio

It definatly is in the serial number, I bought a Nikon lens from a private seller, supposedly new, still in the box, bought locally. Lens world great for about a year, then I had focus problems. Sent it to Nikon for repair and was informed of was very market, no warranty, can't repair unless I want to pay alot. Lesson learned.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

RichardSM wrote:

It sounds like it's time for a class action suite to filed. What if you buy from a private party and need repair down the road. To me this is absolute crappie customer service support on the part of Nikon?

Goos luck with that. This is a very reasonable position, even if you don't understand basic economics. You can still get the camera serviced, just not by Nikon, and there will be no warranty in the USA.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

PCity wrote:

How can you tell if a used Nikon DSLR is a USA origination (thereby repairable by Nikon USA), or a Gray Market unit which Nikon USA will NOT repair?

If new you can tell when you go to register it, but if its used, how will you know its status?

With a new camera, it's not difficult, as others have said. With a used camera, you have to rely on the serial number. Try to register it on Nikon's site. If it's not accepted, it gray market. That's how I found out my new D90 was not USA model. Fortunately, I was able to return it.

http://petapixel.com/2014/12/17/top-10-tips-brand-new-photographer-slightly-not-brand-new-one/

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

So the implication is that that grey market items will have to be sent back to the country of origin overseas in order to use the Nikon warranty? That implies a high shipping charge, unless there is some arrangement with the reseller to send it back. So are there are non-Nikon authorized repair shops in the US that would work on grey market items? Suddenly I am wondering if this is much ado about nothing. How many auto repairs are done by the dealer? You trust your life to your friendly neighborhood mechanic instead of the dealer you purchased your car from, why would there be such a fuss over photography equipment? Aren't there non-Nikon camera repair shops? Is it illegal for a non-Nikon shop to work on a Nikon camera? Or is this like another "sport of Kings", where, for instance, you don't take your Jaguar motorcar to anybody but a Jaguar repairman? But then Jaguar owners are very rare, you almost have to a "noble" to have one to afford the upkeep. But Nikons are really mass market items.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

RichardSM wrote:

Hi Pcity.
my sentiment exactly this is one of the reasons I don't buy Nikon products even if used and not a USA sold camera no SERVICE!!! With Canon never a problem even if it's a gray market camera they will repair for the going rate. I have been loyal to Canon for more than 50 years they stand behind what make and sell my opinion is of them that they are a superior company when it comes to customer satisfaction. My 2cents.

This problem is not unique to Nikon. It's also a Canon problem.

http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/canon-issues-gray-market.html

Nikon does not do warranty repairs. It's NikonUSA that does the warranty repairs. NikonUSA is a subsidiary of Nikon, but Nikon has shoved all the responsibility of maintenance onto the subsidiary. That saves Nikon Money by shifting costs to the subsidiary. NikonUSA is the source of all non-gray market Nikons that are sold in the USA. Since gray market cameras don't go through NikonUSA they don't see any income from those sources, so they don't support them. I suppose Canon has a similar model.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

georgevedwards wrote:

So the implication is that that grey market items ... (show quote)

"Grey Market" means there is no factory (Nikon) warranty period, even if new. However it is NOT illegal and most Grey retailers have been around a while. They purchase a camera in another country taking advantage of lower tariffs and exchange rates, and then resell the same camera. Thats why there is no factory warranty. Nikon or whomever has already sold that Serial number. Grey retaillers realize a new camera with no warranty is not a good idea for them, so they align them selves with a 3rd party warranty company. This is usually why you have to send your camera back to them for repair.

You can find repair shops to work on them in the USA, just not under any warranty

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Capture48 wrote:

... Grey retaillers realize a new camera with no warranty is not a good idea for them, so they align them selves with a 3rd party warranty company. This is usually why you have to send your camera back to them for repair.

You can find repair shops to work on them in the USA, just not under any warranty

The problem there is that Nikon has tightened restrictions on selling parts. They only sell parts to "authorized service centers" whatever that means.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

georgevedwards wrote:

Suddenly I am wondering if this is much ado about nothing. How many auto repairs are done by the dealer? You trust your life to your friendly neighborhood mechanic instead of the dealer you purchased your car from, why would there be such a fuss over photography equipment? Aren't there non-Nikon camera repair shops? Is it illegal for a non-Nikon shop to work on a Nikon camera?

Nikon does not supply parts to unauthorized repair shops.