47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Let me start out by saying that of the major photography vendors, Adorama has always been my goto prior to this incident. And I'm not saying that they won't be in the future, but.... well, read on. On Apr 27th, I ordered a Sirui T-2205X tripod from Adorama through Amazon. Prior to placing the order, I went to Adorama's website and investigated the tripod a little more since the sale was through them and not actually sold by Amazon. The price was very competitive and I saw from the product page on Adorama's website that there was a 6-year Sirui warranty. It was shipped directly from Adorama and arrived in only 3 days. After examining it, I requested and received an invoice from Adorama, necessary for product registration, which I did online via the Sirui website. Lo and behold, yesterday, I received an email from Sirui stating that Adorama is not an authorized-seller of Sirui products and the note further suggested that I return the product and purchase from an authorized seller to receive warranty coverage. I immediately went to the Adorama website and went into chat mode. Chat is with a sales representative and he/she acknowledged a lack of knowledge about the issue but agreed from their webpage that a 6 year factory warranty is more than just implied. As suggested by chat, I then called Adorama customer service and explained my concern. He asked if there was a problem with the tripod and I said, "no, I expected the warranty, which apparently isn't available because you aren't an authorized seller?" I then told him about the email I had received and I think he sounded genuinely surprised, especially after I read the email to him. He then asked that I forward the Sirui email to him and that he would personally look into the situation and get back to me within two days, which is COB tomorrow, May 9th. Wouldn't you think that a major photography merchandise seller would know if it's an authorized seller or not? I hope this all gets resolved favorably or else, the tripod simply gets returned. I know due diligence is the buyer's responsibility, but this was (still is) a complete surprise. I'll follow up later with what happens .....

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

I've never known Adorama not to be an authorized seller of a product. Very odd. Good luck.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Contact Helen Oster here on UHH as she is an Adorama rep...

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Could it be because you went through Amazon? Why didn't you just buy it directly from Adorama?

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the Sirui rep was the one who was misinformed. Either way I would not have posted possibly damning information until I was sure of its validity.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

A little research from their site - Sirui
shows a link for Where To Buy and the only countries listed are United Kindom and Ireland -
The Service - Warranty page specifically exludes countries:
SIRUI Europe GmbH is not responsible for the following continents:
Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, North America or Eastern Europe (in part)

And has a "Right to Refuse" paragraph:
SIRUI Europe GmbH reserves the right to refuse a warranty claim or service if the SIRUI product was purchased in a country for which we are not responsible, even if the dealer is present in a country for which we are responsible. You will still be to make use of the warranty as stated, but you will have to contact the dealer where you purchased the product.

Your call on if you want to keep it...

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Here is her user profile from which you can send her an email...

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=7308

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Maybe there is a Sirui America that should have been contacted.
Or this is a Gray market problem?

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

The rep provided a link to Sirui's list of authorized sellers. Adorama was not listed. Even though my situation is not resolved and may turn okay (?), I thought it important to present the information. As I stated, I'm waiting for the Adorama customer service to come back. The tripod is still available on Adorama's website for the same price I paid. Alternatively, I could have waited for everything to play out and acknowledge that to some, that would've been preferred. But, let's say that the dust doesn't get settled for a week or more, regardless of "the way I'd like it or not." If I were a UHH forum member, I would prefer to get to know as early as possible, especially if I were considering the same purchase. Like I said, it is a really inviting price and others might be tempted. As soon as I saw it, I went directly to Adorama's webpage and thoroughly read everything. There is a statement on the product description page in the link section that says all products are covered by the manufacturer's warranty. In my mind, the question of validity is whether Sirui USA mistakenly omitted Adorama from its list of authorized sellers or whether Adorama mistakenly (or not) failed to present their Sirui line of products correctly.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I did contact Sirui with the attempt to register. The email was very courteous and even apologized for any inconvenience.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

That's not the USA website so naturally no coverage. Here is the USA website... I won a travel tripod of theirs years ago... Sold it as my 3 Legged Thing Eddie Evo was better...
https://www.sirui.com/

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I went through the Sirui USA website

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Thank you - I searched for Sirui USA and found no matches - I'll book mark this one -

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I went through Amazon but it was 'sold' by Adorama. The result would have been the same. My invoice says sold by Adorama.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Adorama is good about identifying "international" versions of products they sell.