potica69

Greetings!

Does anyone have any experience using Amazon and one of its suppliers called *** Five Star Camera ***?

Their prices sound good.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B010RAAOIK/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1543848081&sr=8-1&keywords=af-s+dx+nikkor+16-80mm+f%2F2.8-4e+ed+vr

Thanks

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Research "grey market" sellers.
Then avoid them like the plague!

potica69

So ***Five Star Camera*** sells a lot of grey market products?

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

I have to respectfully disagree about avoiding grey market dealers. It certainly is true that some of them are not very reputable. But it is not fair to tar them all with the same brush.

If a dealer is up front that an item offered is new but does not have a USA Warranty, this is a good sign. The ones not to trust are the ones that do as much as they can to conceal the fact that an item does not have a USA warranty but are offering a significantly cheaper price.


I would certainly check out a potential grey market dealer to make sure they are reputable. Most offer a store warranty on grey market items sold new. Sometimes you can save considerable money buying grey market, but you if the product is defective you may have more of a hassle getting it resolved.


The fact that grey market products can be significantly cheaper reminds one of the USA pharaceutical industry - American drug prices are far higher than in many other countries, and the industry lobbys hard for laws to protect this inequity. Camera gear is a little different - Europeans typically pay more for gear, even before VAT is added.

I think it is disgraceful that Nikon for example will refuse to repair a grey market item at all, instead of simply charging the price for an out of warranty repair. I suspect if someone took them to court on that they would lose - they ought to! It really is just saying to the USA customer that "We make you pay more because you are an American."

End of rant.

Cheers

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Under no circumstances do "grey market" and "reputable" belong in the same sentence. If a seller were REPUTABLE then they would not have to sell grey market products. Simple.

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

Selling grey market products can offer the buyer a significant cost advantage as long as he or she are aware of the implications. As long as there is full disclosure, how can this be not reputable?

jlocke Loc: Austin, TX

It does not appear that they sell grey market products, but mostly used equipment. Their description on Amazon:

"Get deep discounts on open-box, like-new, refurbished, or used products that are in good condition but do not meet Amazon.com's rigorous standards as "new". Prior to offering an item for sale on Five Star Camera, we verify its physical and functional condition. If you are unsatisfied with the product for any reason, you can return it in accordance with Amazon's return policy. For further assistance, please contact Amazon customer service.
Please note that used products are not covered by the original manufacturer's warranty."

I don't know if they are an Amazon 'front', but I notice almost all the negative reviews have this reply attached: "Message from Amazon: This item was fulfilled by Amazon, and we take responsibility for this fulfillment experience."

mleuck

You are wrong and sound very narrow minded.

hj Loc: Florida

.... says a photographic dealer.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

MT Shooter is basically right purchasing a Nikon gray market item and something goes wrong with it then Nikon USA will not repair it and there are few independent repair facilities in the US that will repair it and those that do use cheap Nikon similar parts made in China. Purchasing gray market you take a chance.

hj Loc: Florida

That's not what MTShooter said. We all know the points you make. He basically said grey market dealers are not reputable.

Eddy Vortex

Sooo..who here is speaking from experience re:grey market purchases ?

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Well, both B&H and Adorama both sell grey market stuff, but they do label it accordingly (B&H uses the "international" description). I guess then, according to your way of thinking, they, and many other businesses are not reputable, eh ? You might want to reword your comment somewhat.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Grey market = Asking for trouble. IMHO.

Kuzano

I think any one can sell on Amazon. Due diligence is warranted. With Amazon, as one might imagine, the only consideration is the income a seller produces for them. I would not place Amazon as a highly rated seller of photography equipment. Nor them weed out Grey Market. Proceed with caution. Jeff Bezos is not looking out for you. He's set for life, methinks!