1ArtPhoto Loc: Southern California

Please, forgive this long note but I’ve tried to anticipate your questions.
After waiting nearly ten weeks for a local “authorized” retailer to deliver the Nikon D5600 camera and two lenses I ordered, because my beginning photography class was starting, I bought online from the biggest general retailer. You know who I mean. It was not advertised as a used or refurbished camera; I contracted for a new camera. I’ve had it for 32 days. It was a credit card purchase.

When comparing the Nikon D5600 I received with those shown in online tutorials, I noticed some differences in the camera bodies and menus. Concerned about whether this Nikon D5600 is authentic, I consulted Nikon’s website and Nikon’s Customer Service directly. The website lists what I should have received with a new camera. Noticeably, I didn’t get a Warranty card (needed for registration with Nikon), the Quick Guide or CDRom (with the owner’s manual). Nikon’s Technical Service rep told me that Nikon hasn’t changed the body since its introduction in 2016 and that Nikon won’t warrantee or repair cameras that weren’t manufactured for use in the USA! The rep wondered whether it might be a “grey market” camera! Nikon can’t give me a clear answer about its authenticity without inspecting it.

The online seller contracted with a “third party seller” who refused my request to return the camera. My local seller now has the camera it ordered for me. How do you think I should proceed?

rcarol

What is the serial number? US cameras start with the number 3 as I recall. The Nikon website lists serial numbers for each country.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Most cameras will never experience a problem. You probably should tell us who you bought it from and the price you paid for the camera. All authorized sellers are authorized for a single common price across the US. If you paid less, that's a strong indication you bought a grey market model. Was it the same price or cheaper than the model you ordered from the authorized reseller?

Again, you'll likely never experience a problem. If the body is a grey market, you can use it or try to sell it, likely losing a significant amount on an otherwise as good as new camera. It seems you considered this issue for too long before deciding to act within the standard time-frame. You likely don't need two bodies. The D5600 body should easily last you 10+ years use with no problems, and at that future time, it wouldn't have much resale value at all, justifying your slightly lower initial purchase price.

1ArtPhoto Loc: Southern California

Looking at the bottom plate, the serial number has seven digits starting with an 8 and an adjacent sticker that says “1538.”

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

I had a similar issue. I purchased a P950 from Walmart thru a 3rd party. Mine came w/o a warranty card or CD. Plus the camera had issues from the start. I contacted Nikon support, and was told it wasn't sold for the US. They wouldn't support it.
I was able to return the camera to WALMART.
I re-purchaed one from the am.
This one has a US sn. 3xxxx

If Nikon won't support it, I would demand a refund

1ArtPhoto Loc: Southern California

The price I paid at Amazon was very close to that of the local authorized dealer and Best Buy (probably not an authorized dealer). For that price and convenience, I bought two lenses and received a macro lens, filters, a 32 gig card, a tulip hood, a really flimsy card reader and some other stuff. My local vendor had included a bag, 64 gig card, and three filters.

1ArtPhoto Loc: Southern California

Thanks, for your response. I’ve gone to the next level. I’m sure I’ll end up paying more for the extras I got but I’d rather not live with the regret.

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

According to Thom Hogan's webpage for Nikon serial numbers if the serial number begins with an 8 it was intended for the UK market and is therefore gray market.

Nikon USA will not repair the camera should something go wrong...I would return the camera if possible.

I do not know what you mean by "the biggest general retailer" but if you are talking about either Walmart or Amazon please note that some of their 3rd party suppliers do sell gray market items.

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

You purchased an authentic, new Nikon with an international warranty, and hopefully you paid a lot less than the domestic model. It's your choice to keep or push the issue. If the seller represented that it was NOT grey market or international model, then it's a case of fraud and you can work with your credit card company to get it returned. A grey market camera is not automatically used or refurbished. Personally, I would never buy grey market Nikon products - Nikon USA will just not support them except for a very limited number of models.

repleo Loc: Boston

You may never have a problem with it. If you do, just send it to the UK (see above) service center. It may be a bit more complicated filling out a customs form but the post office can walk you through it.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

When purchasing brand name camera equipment from Amazon, it is important to look at who the seller is before your purchase. The seller is always listed. If the seller is Amazon itself, you can be assured it is a USA warranted item. If the seller is a third party, it is often grey market.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

No, we don’t know who you mean.Why don’t you just tell us who? If you are telling us the truth there is nothing the company can do to harm you.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Here is the current list of authorized Nikon dealers. If the dealer you bought from is not on this list then your camera is almost certainly grey market.
https://cdn-6.nikon-cdn.com/where-to-buy/nikon_img_auth_dealers.pdf
Unless you are prepared to deal with the warranty issues of grey market Nikons I suggest you return it, if possible, and buy authorized. If you can't return it, you probably saved some money for an identical camera and odds are that you will never have a warranty claim anyway. Grey market is less of an issue with Canon but I still only buy from authorized Canon dealers.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Good choice. An ounce of prevention is worth ... we you know how the saying goes. You may never need service, but if you do .......

In the meantime, if your course concerns post processing, seeing, etc use your phone. If an iPhone shoot in HEIC format, download to your computer with Image Capture [Applications -> Image Capture on a Mac; not sure of a work-alike on Windows] in HEIC format; load into LR and you will get a perfectly useable 16-bit image.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

So vague. I don't know what you mean by "gone to the next level". So you went ahead and bought the other one and now you have two? So I guess you'll sell the first one or you'll just have two?