Tri State Camera: What is the reputation for Tri State Camera? As with bad Abes, Tri State is offering the D500 for $1,138.00. They claim "Brand New." Includes charger and EN-EL 15...

old poet

What is the reputation for Tri State Camera? As with bad Abes, Tri State is offering the D500 for $1,138.00. They claim "Brand New." Includes charger and EN-EL 15 battery, usb cable, strap, manual, body cap. And free shipping. What's wrong?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

USA manufacturer's warranty or retailer warranty.

FTn

If it isn't $1497 it is probably gray market. Nikon USA sets the prices for their authorized dealers. Keeps everything fair. Just checked Nikonusa.com and Tri State Camera is NOT on the list of authorized US dealers. Run don't walk away from this one.

-FTn

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Les Brown wrote:

What is the reputation for Tri State Camera? As with bad Abes, Tri State is offering the D500 for $1,138.00. They claim "Brand New." Includes charger and EN-EL 15 battery, usb cable, strap, manual, body cap. And free shipping. What's wrong?

Grey Market. No Nikon repair possible.

Bill_de Loc: US

NikonUSA sets the prices for all their authorized dealers. No sense to shop price if you want a NikonUSA warranty.

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

Les Brown wrote:

What is the reputation for Tri State Camera? As with bad Abes, Tri State is offering the D500 for $1,138.00. They claim "Brand New." Includes charger and EN-EL 15 battery, usb cable, strap, manual, body cap. And free shipping. What's wrong?

No mention of a USA warranty. Good luck getting it fixed if it breaks or trying to get top dollar when you sell it down the road. It's gray market and just not worth the hassle, especially since as of April 1. This is not an April Fool's prank, but you will be the one pranked of you buy from anyone other than an authorized Nikon dealer, which neither of the two above are. Don't be such a bargain hunter - you'll be happier in the long run.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

PixelStan77 wrote:

Grey Market. No Nikon repair possible.

It is still produced by Nikon.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

FTn wrote:

If it isn't $1497 it is probably gray market. Nikon USA sets the prices for their authorized dealers. Keeps everything fair. Just checked Nikonusa.com and Tri State Camera is NOT on the list of authorized US dealers. Run don't walk away from this one.

-FTn

GOOD advice!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Les Brown wrote:

What is the reputation for Tri State Camera? As with bad Abes, Tri State is offering the D500 for $1,138.00. They claim "Brand New." Includes charger and EN-EL 15 battery, usb cable, strap, manual, body cap. And free shipping. What's wrong?

Any price that is under what B&H or Adorama is asking you can bet it's GRAY MARKET. And will NOT have a US warranty. If you buy and you need warranty service, you will have to send it back to the country of origin. And, Nikon USA will not service it even after the camera's warranty runs out.
Personally, I only buy from folks who give me a US NIKON WARRANTY.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

billnikon wrote:

Any price that is under what B&H or Adorama is asking you can bet it's GRAY MARKET. And will NOT have a US warranty. If you buy and you need warranty service, you will have to send it back to the country of origin. And, Nikon USA will not service it even after the camera's warranty runs out.
Personally, I only buy from folks who give me a US NIKON WARRANTY.

And the country of origin in this case is Japan.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Les Brown wrote:

What is the reputation for Tri State Camera? As with bad Abes, Tri State is offering the D500 for $1,138.00. They claim "Brand New." Includes charger and EN-EL 15 battery, usb cable, strap, manual, body cap. And free shipping. What's wrong?

I would stay away from Abe's of Maine, 42nd Street Photo Shop, and Tri-State. I knew about 42nd Street Photo on this forum. A friend almost made a purchase from Tri-State, before I checked them out. And from what has been mentioned, from some uhh members, is that Abe's of Maine, use to be a reputable seller, until they were bought out. By, not so trusted new owners. Two of my three cameras were bought at B&H. The third one at Best Buy Store. None of them are gray market. The above-mentioned Photo Shops, have been known to sell gray market Nikon DSLRs.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

FTn wrote:

If it isn't $1497 it is probably gray market. Nikon USA sets the prices for their authorized dealers. Keeps everything fair. Just checked Nikonusa.com and Tri State Camera is NOT on the list of authorized US dealers. Run don't walk away from this one.

-FTn

It’s also called price fixing.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Keep away from them.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

traderjohn wrote:

It is still produced by Nikon.

Yeah, but they will not repair grey market cameras whether under warranty or not.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

sr71 wrote:

And the country of origin in this case is Japan.

Not entirely correct, it could also come from China, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, South America, Canada, or elsewhere. Nikon exports their camera's to these locations.(say, Nikon exports the camera to Asia, then Asia sends it to Tri-State Camera, then that Nikon camera's country of origin is Asia) Any camera not sent to a US Nikon authorized dealer (through Nikon USA as the importer) is considered a GREY MARKET camera and does not come with a US warranty. (some exceptions exist)
If the camera comes from Asia into the US, it is a grey market camera and the person buying this camera will have to send the camera in Asia Nikon for warranty work(the country of origin). And, Nikon US will not work on that camera ever.
Most camera bodies coming to be sold in the US by authorized nikon dealers have a unique serial number know to Nikon US warranty services.