D500 USA or Grey Market? I'm going to look at a used D500 with 21000 actuations for $800. Great price. I asked if it's grey market or USA. The seller states that it's USA. How would I...

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

I'm going to look at a used D500 with 21000 actuations for $800. Great price. I asked if it's grey market or USA. The seller states that it's USA. How would I know??

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Ava'sPapa wrote:

I'm going to look at a used D500 with 21000 actuations for $800. Great price. I asked if it's grey market or USA. The seller states that it's USA. How would I know??

From what I have seen posted in the past the serial number may not give you the answer unless you can get Nikon to verify it. Seems to be mixed opinions on how likely that is. Hopefully, the seller will have the original box with all the paperwork, including the warranty card. Not everyone mails them in. I never have and I include them with any camera or lens that I sell.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Get the serial number of the D500. 21,000 clicks on that camera is less than one fifth of its shutter lifespan. A USA DX camera of that quality, is a bargain for $800. If, it is a Gray Market, I wouldn't buy it. Even for $800.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

mas24 wrote:

Get the serial number of the D500. 21,000 clicks on that camera is less than one fifth of its shutter lifespan. A USA DX camera of that quality, is a bargain for $800. If, it is a Gray Market, I wouldn't buy it. Even for $800.

If it's grey market (like you) I won't buy it. That's why I'm trying to find out how to tell the difference.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

LFingar wrote:

From what I have seen posted in the past the serial number may not give you the answer unless you can get Nikon to verify it. Seems to be mixed opinions on how likely that is. Hopefully, the seller will have the original box with all the paperwork, including the warranty card. Not everyone mails them in. I never have and I include them with any camera or lens that I sell.

I'm like you, i always save the paperwork. Hopefully this person has the paperwork.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

The long shot is if they have the original documentation look for the warranty card. If not, get the serial number then contact Nikon. If it's a private buy don't let them pressure you until you know for sure and, hopefully, you know how to thoroughly check it out. If it's a camera shop, you need to ask how they check their used gear and ask about their return policy.

You will be told don't worry about it because there is no warranty on used gear, but you will run into a problem if you need to get it serviced as authorized Nikon repair shops will not work on it. You may find a non-authorized shop, but they will need to get parts from overseas. I read a story about a buyer who ended up having to find a repair shop in Mexico City, Mexico to get his camera fixed.

IMHO, don't buy private, especially off of Craig's list and beware Ebay. Stay with reputable camera shops or online sellers like keh.com or adorama.com.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

Strodav wrote:

The long shot is if they have the original documen... (show quote)

I'm having second thoughts already.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Ava'sPapa wrote:

If it's grey market (like you) I won't buy it. That's why I'm trying to find out how to tell the difference.

The serial number as mention in my first sentence. Then Nikon USA should be able to confirm. Others mentioned that too.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Ava'sPapa wrote:

I'm going to look at a used D500 with 21000 actuations for $800. Great price. I asked if it's grey market or USA. The seller states that it's USA. How would I know??

If the serial number starts with 3 it is USA. If it starts with any other number it's grey market.

bigjoe

Ava'sPapa wrote:

I'm going to look at a used D500 with 21000 actuations for $800. Great price. I asked if it's grey market or USA. The seller states that it's USA. How would I know??

First let me say just buy it $ 800 for whatever reason The warranty depending is good or not depends on how old it is there’s plenty a reparable camera repair stores that will work on it for a reasonable price

But if you still want to know you can do what I did when I bought a Lens from a less than honest camera store on the East Coast I contacted Nikon give them the serial number and they were able to tell me where the lens was intentionally set to Like Asia [ Bangkok. Thailand. ] it turned out the lens was originally sent to Bangkok for sale there and was shipped to United States [ gray market] They assured me that if anything went wrong with the lens they would fix it but it $800 sounds like a good deal I use a D 500 and I love it . It is worth the price being Gray market don’t mean a whole lot if something happens to it there’s a lot of places that can fix it

bigjoe

Ava'sPapa wrote:

I'm having second thoughts already.

You should buy it as a used camera the warranty may not be enforce regardless of where it came from it’s the same camera where you to bought in Asia or in the United States I’ve had nothing go wrong with My D 500 in the last several years

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

No problems with my D500 since I bought it

dean100 Loc: New-Biden did steal 500,000+ votes in OH

mas24 wrote:

Get the serial number of the D500. 21,000 clicks on that camera is less than one fifth of its shutter lifespan. A USA DX camera of that quality, is a bargain for $800. If, it is a Gray Market, I wouldn't buy it. Even for $800.

The D500 shutter is rated for 200,000 actuations so it's more like one tenth but it not something I ever worry about. If the S/N starts with a 3 it's a US model, mine is 3000224.

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

I have a D70s with a 2, a D90 with a 3, and a D7000 with a 2. All are made in Thailand. I have had no problems with any and I know that if I did have a problem that I would have to pay for any repair. No big deal.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

MT Shooter wrote:

If the serial number starts with 3 it is USA. If it starts with any other number it's grey market.

I’m in Canada (Toronto) and bought a used US model D300s. I had it serviced at Nikon Canada with no difficulty. When I asked, they advised me that they were unconcerned about the origin of the equipment. I have also had Nikon equipment serviced at the independent Sun Camera not too far from my office and they are authorized by Nikon and can get any parts needed if Nikon Canada has inventory. With exchange rate, I’d suggest that all you Americans worried about “gray market” seriously considering dealing with more friendly Canadian repair services.