Cameras from big box stores? I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as...

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as Costco or Best Buy - do they fall into that category? I'm not looking for a new camera but this is something I've been wondering about.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

SueScott wrote:

I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as Costco or Best Buy - do they fall into that category? I'm not looking for a new camera but this is something I've been wondering about.

Costco and Best Buy are US Factory Warranted. Check their WEB sites they can mail order many additional products not in the store as well. I've bought two computers so far from Costco and they shipped straight from Dell!

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I believe many products currently sold by the biggest box of all - Amazon - are not as well ‘vetted’ as they could be concerning their status as Authorized or Gray Market. Amazon will take items back (with some restrictions), but care when purchasing is suggested. Actually, Costco has a pretty good rep in this regard. Best Buy less so. While we have access to B&H, Adorama, Cameta, KEH and some smaller (but not less worthy) boxes like Dodd, Roberts, Hunts and others, what does it matter?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

SueScott wrote:

I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as Costco or Best Buy - do they fall into that category? I'm not looking for a new camera but this is something I've been wondering about.

For peace of mind even though I am a COSTCO member, I would buy from B&H.Just me.

Bill_de Loc: US

Best info is on the camera manufacturer's website as they are usually up to date.

Example:

https://cdn-6.nikon-cdn.com/where-to-buy/nikon_img_auth_dealers.pdf

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hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

Bill_de wrote:

Best info is on the camera manufacturer's website as they are usually up to date.

Example:

https://cdn-6.nikon-cdn.com/where-to-buy/nikon_img_auth_dealers.pdf

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Looks like most big box stores are covered

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Amazon is safe. I have been dealing often with them going on 8 years. Every once in a while there's something comes up that I want to return an item. They never hassle -- even on big ticket items. I get a mailing label from them & back it goes, for a full refund. They do ask the reason, via a pull-down menu of reasons. Only if the reason is "buyer's remorse" do you have to pay return shipping. Otherwise Amazon pays it. VERY hassle-free.

I have bought a number of top-brand, big ticket items (guitars, cameras, etc) from them over the years. All of them had manufacturer's warranties that were readily registered on-line with the maker. If Amazon ever got hoodwinked with a grey item, & unknowingly sold it to me, I feel very sure they would make good on refunding me.

rocket111

I had asked a question very similar to yours a year or so ago. I had saw some adds on line for Walmart. They were advertising cameras with there name and logo. They were a lot cheaper than B&H and the more trusted stores. The advertising was very deceiving. At the very bottom of the page it would say international model. Or it might say no in store pickup. Some would say shiped from Honest Jim's. I think that type of advertising is just dishonest. You think you are buying something from Walmart when in fact your not. A lot of folks let me know that many stores practice this. I have seen fake reviews from stores like 42nd St and so on. I have gotten to the point I think there are more people trying to deceive than honest dealers. So I mostly just buy from stores like B&H and so on. Its just not worth the trouble. I did buy my D3300 bundle deal and laptop from Best Buy. I got a very good price. But I could see what I was buying. No black and white boxes. Ya just have to be very careful.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Be aware that "Amazon" is not only a store but a mall available for anyone to rent space and sell from. If an item says that it is provided by Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc., then it is coming from the manufacturer. But if it says "42nd Street Photo", then Amazon is only the roof over the head of that store. Amazon will stand behind any sale, though. But discerning whether a product is gray marker or not is sometimes difficult.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

Thanks for all your replies with interesting information - as I said in the OP, I was curious about the situation. I'm grateful to have access to an actual camera store within easy driving distance to be able to physically see and handle equipment.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bellgamin wrote:

Amazon is safe. I have been dealing often with them going on 8 years.

Your comment got me wondering. I looked on Quicken, and my first purchase from Amazon was on 1/5/1999. I've never had a bad experience with Amazon. It looks like it was all CD/DVD and books back then.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

SueScott wrote:

I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as Costco or Best Buy - do they fall into that category? I'm not looking for a new camera but this is something I've been wondering about.

Not true. B&H (for example) is an authorized Nikon Dealer, and they sell grey market as well. See: https://cdn-6.nikon-cdn.com/where-to-buy/nikon_img_auth_dealers.pdf

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

The big boxes won't be able to provide advice, answer questions, or help you choose, in any way, which camera would meet your needs. I've been doing business with Hunt's and B and H for years. Both are as good and honest over the phone as they are in person.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

SueScott wrote:

I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as Costco or Best Buy - do they fall into that category? I'm not looking for a new camera but this is something I've been wondering about.

I purchased a Nikon DSLR kit from Costco about 5 years ago. It was a USA model with all the US warranty papers.

Jim Bob

SueScott wrote:

I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as Costco or Best Buy - do they fall into that category? I'm not looking for a new camera but this is something I've been wondering about.

Some "big box" stores are authorized dealers, some are not. Simply Google authorized dealers for the brand in question and you will have a direct answer.