Thomas Firth

I have an interesting response from Nikon regarding USA and Grey marked cameras. It looks like Nikon implies that my Nikon USA D850 camera a grey market one after I sell it. Has anyone run into this before?
I have the warranty but the buyer won't be the original owner.

TOM




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Question details:
Warranty transferable? What is Nikon's definition of Grey Market? Will authorized Nikon repair centers fix a D850 purchased outside the US?
Created: 03/24/2019 by Email | Reference #: 02852452
Response from Alexander V.
Warranties are NOT transferable.

The Nikon definition of 'Gray Market' is clearly defined on our web site. https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-store/gray-market.page Just like the support site says- If the product does not include a Nikon Warranty, the product is probably Gray Market. However, If you are the original owner with a proof of purchase from an authorized Nikon reseller, you are entitled to Nikon repair at set prices. To see the repair costs, go to https://www.nikonusa.com/en/service-and-support/service-and-repair.page and select 'Schedule a Repair'.

Nikon service centers probably will not repair a gray market D850. If you find a service center that will repair the D850, you will be subject to the service center's prices, schedule and possibly limited parts. If you have a D850 with a valid Nikon warranty, or you are the verifiable original owner of an out of warranty product, you should first contact the Nikon service center in the country where you purchased the product. Feel free to contact Nikon support to find a service center in the country where the D850 was originally purchased.

Nikon highly recommends you purchase all equipment through authorized Nikon resellers. Purchasing used equipment, trades, and equipment from non-authorized resellers is very risky and not recommended.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

You Nikon USA D850 will never become a grey market camera. The warranty however is NOT TRANSFERRABLE so any future owners will have to pay for any needed repairs.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It is as simple as this. If you bought the camera in a USA authorized dealer you have a warranty that will last for one year from the date of purchase. If you bought gray market then Nikon will not honor a warranty.
A camera bought here from an authorized dealer IF transferred to another owner it will not be serviced by Nikon UNDER warranty because that warranty is not transferable and instead they will charge for any repairs to the new owner. Refurb products by Nikon carry a 90 days warranty to the original owner only. If the refub camera or lens needs repairs after the 90 days warranty Nikon will repair it at the cost they will indicate to the original owner or to the person that bought the camera from the original owner.
I do not agree that buying a used lens is that risky. I have bought most of my cameras and lenses used and I NEVER had an issue with them.

Bertk Loc: NY

Very interesting, so unless refurbished by Nikon, the warranty expires. I am glad I did not buy from a unauthorized seller.

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

Watching the Nikon warrenty question for years, I am glad I did not buy a Nikon.
What a headache.

I should add that I do own a D70 that I like.

repleo Loc: Boston

Nikon and its ridiculous warranty policy again!!! Why do Nikon owners put up with this protectionist garbage? I will never buy a Nikon and I think anybody who does is a total id.....

No! I won't say it - I'll just shake my head in wonder.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Their language is a little vague, but what they are saying is that it's gray market if it did not come through the proper distribution channels. That means if in the USA, from an authorized reseller. If you buy one while travelling in an other country, if you obtain it from an authorized reseller in that country, it is NOT gray market, but it will not be eligible for USA warranty coverage, only international coverage, with proof of purchase.

But when buying used, you always run the risk of buying gray market, even from authorized resellers. It's happened to me.

repleo Loc: Boston

But, if you sell it on to someone else, it becomes gray market.

From the referenced Nikon web page:
"Nikon products that are imported and sold by anyone other than Nikon Inc. USA are considered Gray Market products.
and
"Not eligible for repair service. Not eligible for Nikon USA repair service, even if you want to pay for it."

Nothing vague about that.

Lesson: Never buy a used Nikon product.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

What a moronic statement. Clearly you cannot read the english language

BebuLamar

If you buy a USA camera and sell it the new owner won't have the warranty but it's not a gray market. Nikon would still fix it for a fee.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

MT....the language that says "if you are an original owner with an out of date warranty then you should contact your original service center" doesn't say anything about being a second owner. The language almost makes it sound as though only original owners can get Nikon's serviced by Nikon.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Only original owner are offered FREE warranty service during the warranty period. Secondary owners always have to pay for service no matter how old the camera is. Nikon or ANY camera warranty works the same way, no camera warranty is transferrable. Period!
If a warranty is "out of date" do not send it to Nikon for "in warranty" repairs. You then need to get a repair estimate before sending to any service center. And you will always pay for out of warranty repairs, original owner or not.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

It is very common...the norm, in fact...that original warranties are not transferable beyond the original owner for most consumer items. We have had homeowner's warranties that are transferable and homeowner's warranties that are not transferable. The only warranties that I know of that are fairly universally transferable are for new automobiles.

Warranties are a privilege, not a right. If anything, they are intended to promote brand loyalty, not as a convenience for a purchaser who bails on a product while it is still new. It would seem appropriate to maybe dial back the energy around this topic a little bit.

Oh...I just looked. Canon warranties are not transferable either.

repleo Loc: Boston

Gene51 wrote:
.... If you buy one while travelling in an other country, if you obtain it from an authorized reseller in that country, it is NOT gray market,...

I replied:
But, if you sell it on to someone else, it becomes gray market.

Again...if you buy it abroad, bring it back to the USA and sell it on to somebody else it becomes gray market
-unless your name is 'Nikon Inc. USA'

"....imported and sold by ANYONE other than Nikon Inc. USA are considered Gray Market products. "

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

So why do you think this is a Nikon issue? No different than any other camera or lens manufacturer that has a USA Specific warranty program.