Zeke4351 Loc: Kentucky

There are many stories about anything and everything on the web. Sad but probably about 50% wrong information from people that read something on a forum and then pass it on as the truth. Grey market camera equipment is fine if bought from a known source. Yeah even B&H offers up some things. The seller offers a 12 month warranty included with purchase and also will sell you more warranty but no need as far as I am concerned. If you have homeowners insurance and it is of good quality (lots of people have sorry insurance but don't know it yet) you can add all your cameras and photography equipment to your policy. Cell phones too or anything you list with a receipt and serial number. Your equipment is then covered for anything that happens. They fix or replace and there is no deductible. Be aware there are a lot of big name insurance brands that are not worth a crap and you never know until you need it. Just because Nikon won't work on your camera there are many shops that can and will just as an example of getting repair. The only time to stay away from grey market is when there has been known problems with a product. Example Nikon 200-500 or Nikon 300 F4 VR. You would still be covered but I would avoid them unless buying from an individual that I trusted that has tested the lens. They were either good or bad. When you pay full price you are paying for a warranty. Insurance is much cheaper. You pay dearly for that 6 year factory lens warranty.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

You may be correct, but in which 50% is the information and advice you have given?

Zeke4351 Loc: Kentucky

Guess. I am speaking from my own use of grey market and insurance. Sorry you don't understand.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I fully understood your post but it is simply only your own personal experience and views, that does not necessarily mean it is the norm, correct or incorrect.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I'm going to respond on a different tack. If, a person is comfortable with grey market then, go for it. I have!

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

The problem is more about companies selling grey market equipment without revealing that fact.

BebuLamar

May be OK for other brands but for Nikon it's not OK. Nikon won't fix grey market camera and I know there are a lot of problems with the camera which only the manufacturers have parts and tools to fix it.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Very true, where bodies are concerned. For lenses, more agreeable. To me.

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

Well, it appears there is a dilemma. Nikon absolutely does not support third party, non-authorized repair facilities - no manuals, no training, no parts - nada. So even if you think you can get your grey market camera repaired, there is no assurance that it is repaired in accordance with Nikon's specifications.

Also, grey equipment takes a big hit on resale value. I have returned gear that I have purchased because Nikon wouldn't fix it, or even look at it.

So, other mfgrs may be a little less restrictive, but honestly, is it worth the risk?

And homeowner's insurance is NOT what you want. The minute you make a claim you are on their radar. I had two unrelated claims in one year when I used a rider to insure my camera gear for replacement value. One was for camera gear, and the other was for a plumbing mishap that caused considerable damage while we were away on vacation. Come renewal time, the insurance company refused to issue us insurance, and worse, we were listed as high risk, and had a lot of trouble getting insurance that was reasonably priced from any carrier.


NANPA - North American Nature Photographers Association offers their membership competitively priced, comprehensive equipment insurance through Chubb. That is a much better policy than anything you'd get on a homeowner's rider, and claims do not affact your homeowner's policy.

A grey market 200-500 is $1039 from a non-authorized dealer, and $1198 from B and H. Non-authorized dealers generally have the best prices and the worst customer service - and there is no assurance that you are getting a new product - it is not beyond them to re-pack a returned lens and sell it as new.

No, there is no rationale to justify buying grey market, for the small savings up front.

Your educational moment has little fact to support the claims you make. Consider yourself educated - to the reality of buying grey market and camera insurance.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Just buy U.S. Models used from reputable suppliers. Insurance if you care to pay for it. Insurance is simply a bet - insurance providers bet that nothing bad will happen, you bet it will. Mostly they win, and a few even welsh when they loose. Make a claim only when it is unavoidable. Been there.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Agree. When I read the OPs post ... 50% true ... that’s exactly what I thought of the post. DO NOT insure valuables through home owners insurance they overcharge you then drop you for a claim. When I inquired about a rider for valuables from Traveler’s, they were honest enough to say they will do it, but recommended I look elsewhere. There is almost always a better plan out there offered by industry groups. You mentioned one for photography, buy insurance for your guns through the NRA. You want to have your photography equipment serviced by the original manufacturer. At least for Nikon, they will not service gray market equipment and non-authorized repair shops, which can be iffy, will need to get parts outside of the USA.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

It would seem that 50% of your post was wrong. But, I only read 25%.

toxdoc42

All of my cameras are covered by my homeowners. That covers loss or damage, but not normal wear and tear of manufacturers defects, or am I wrong? I use USAA.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

This OP post brings to mind Benjamin Franklin's quote. "The bitterness of poor quality (service) remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

Zeke4351 Loc: Kentucky

A lot of insurance companies are crooks to put it mildly and the sorry ones cancel you or raise your rate after 1 claim. Now I had a grey market D750 and was not having problems with mine even after 4 recalls. When the last recall was issued my serial number was on the list. Nikon replaced the shutter at no charge. By everything you read that don’t happen. They even paid shipping. All you have to do is ask an attorney about what insurance companies have bad reputation for paying legitimate claims. I don’t recommend buying grey market from just any company or using your insurance if you don’t know how they operate. You never know how good your insurance is until you need it. I have been with the same company since I was 16 and have had many claims. I am now 68. Buying grey market is not for everyone and it’s not idiot proof but if you know who you are dealing with it works fine. I was glad when I learned this a few years ago and figured some of you might be as well. I also knew that a lot would have nothing but negative comments. I am waiting for someone to claim grey market has different components. Counterfeit is out there too. Know who your dealing with. I have figured out one dealer advertises grey market and sells USA at grey market price. It’s all about the money.