adamsonpro1

I find it interesting to see all the negatives regarding purchasing gray market Nikons. While I understand that Nikon will not repair these cameras (that is starting to change with certain models being added and Canon already doing this), the fact is that the cameras are identical. Nikon does not make separate cameras for the US, so the arguments about the quality is B.S. A manufacturer does have a responsibility in the U.S. to service it’s products, so what Nikon USA is doing is not legal, and that is likely why they are starting to add models they will service, which is pretty compelling that these are identical products, and that what they are doing is not legal, but pressure from Canon doing the right thing is having an impact apparently on Nikon USA dictatorial policies.

This is nothing but a way for Nikon USA to control pricing by making it difficult to get your camera serviced should there be an issue. Since this is the present situation and has been for sometime, it is not going to stand in today’s global market, and saving $300 to $400 for the identical product may be worth the gamble that your Nikon is going to break for many people so people do have a choice and given draconian policy of Nikon USA and it being allowed by Nikon itself, needs to come into modern times just like Canon, and you can bet it will change (as it is already starting too) as Canon takes market share from Nikon on global sales. For the record, I own both gray and USA Nikons and have never had one require any kind of warranty or out of warranty repair, but it is total B.S. for Nikon USA to pull this crap.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Apparently, you don't know the workings of the distribution system.
--Bob

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

I would have thought Nikon would be willing to fix it no matter where you bought it. They will just charge you for it. I expect you could send them a 40 year old camera and it will get fixed for a fee.

Gray market or not, I've always been baffled by people buying "new" from eBay.... I have always thought of eBay as a used marketplace. No formal vendors, just folks selling stuff they got their hands on, maybe they got a truckload of something and perhaps they specialize but still just some individual selling stuff. I expect zero warranty unless specified and even then, how do you expect to contact them other than through eBay?

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Cameta, a year warranty, all others 90 days on refurbs.

adamsonpro1

Actually Bob I do. I worked as Vp of legal for Toyota motor Corp for 30 years and I am familiar with distribution processes, as well as manufactures production processes. I also spent 5 years in distribution for Canon, so I may not be as smart as you but I do have a pretty good handle on this.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Then you should have a commanding grip on why Nikon USA won't fix cameras it didn't distribute.
--Bob

adamsonpro1

Actually Bob, I do. I was Vp for Toyota and Canon worldwide. May not be as smart as you about distribution though.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If that's true, why make the comment to which I originally replied?
--Bob

adamsonpro1

The manufacturer has a responsibility to service its products regardless of where they are purchased, provided they are made by said manufacturer. That Nikon is allowing its US importer to restrict trade in order to control market share is against the Sherman antitrust act. To the best of my limited knowledge, it would not be possible to create a “fake” Nikon,Canon, etc high end camera and be able to sell it as a working product.

I have a Mercedes that I brought over from Germany and the warranty and all servicing is done by any Mercedes dealer in the world. They also freely sell parts to anyone qualified to install them. This is common in virtually all goods. If you can provide me with a name of any other major branded product that will not service its products, I would be interested to know who that is. Sadly, Nikon is allowing its USA importer to get away with this practice, which really amounts to restriction of fair trade. Nikon would be in safe legal territory if they were will to make repairs to these models at cost to the customer on out of warranty products at a higher price point, but they really are required to honor the warranty on any product that bears their name and with proof of purchase. That they are getting away with this is a travesty, unless you like the communist way of doing business.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Apparently, they didn't cover this part in class, or maybe you were absent. Nikon USA is a company that purchases and distributes Nikon equipment to a defined region of the world. With each purchase, they make from Nikon and subsequent sale to regional/local distributors, actuaries figure how many of those cameras are going to possibly need warranty repair. That is figured into the prices charged to the regional distributors. Additionally, Nikon USA purchases a supply of parts estimated to cover the number of possible repairs needed. They may not even stock them, but order them expedited from Nikon. However, they still have to pay for them. This is all done with a very tight budget in mind.

So, now someone comes along and wants a camera repaired that was purchased through another supply line. Nikon USA has not figured that cost of repair into their budget. Nor have they figured the cost into their having to order additional parts and inventory them. Yes, it seems simple, but behind the scenes, there's a lot of paper that gets generated each of these steps cost additional money the accountants haven't taken into consideration. So, why should Nikon USA fix, under warranty, a camera from which it made no profit in selling?

As of Mercedes, that's Mercedes. It's a totally different topic.
--Bob

adamsonpro1

I guess we will never agree, but that is not how distribution for a world traded product works, and there is no viable way to predict with any accuracy and profitability how many warranty parts you will need for a given model. This is why even companies like Honda, Toyota, Samsung and others with world class distribution and analytical capabilities, frequently do not have a specific part in stock for warranty or non warranty repairs. The comparison of Mercedes to Nikon is a fair comparison of world class product distribution, and if the importer should not be the importer if they do not have the wherewithal to service their products provide a client can provide proof of purchase. It is also sad that a soldier serving outside the U.S. cannot buy a Nikon in his or her country of deployment and get it fixed if it breaks when he gets home, all in the name of profit, price fixing, and market control.

My final argument, since this is a site for learning and sharing, is what then is this not a problem for Canon who do provide repairs for any camera with their name on it? And why is Nikon finally starting to accept these items (limited to certain models so far)if this is not the trend in providing customer service.

I

Jim Bob

The OP is seeking repair advice, not purchase advice.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I wish the OP luck.
--Bob

Video Vinny Loc: Pahrump

Hey everyone, I've been away for a few days and catching up. I appreciate you all. Will be bogged down for a couple of days but will get on all the replies.

I appreciate everyone who, in their own way, tried to help. Thank you again, I will get back to you and let you know what happened. V

Video Vinny Loc: Pahrump

Hey everyone, I've been away for a few days and catching up. I appreciate you all. Will be bogged down for a couple of days but will get on all the replies.

I appreciate everyone who, in their own way, tried to help. Thank you again, I will get back to you and let you know what happened. V