Grey Market Camera Gear Again! (Page 6): You say it's getting difficult to tell a "US" version from an imported version. I'm curious, just exactly where is that "US" version made?

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

fotojeff wrote:

I just bought a new Nikon 16-35 from Nikon USA. It arrived in a box that didn’t have the 5 year emblem, did not have the 5 year warranty card that you usually see and no “us” designation in the serial number. I has to call Nikon USA to verify it was a us model with the 5 year warranty. Verified, however my issue is they are making it more difficult to be able to identify a us version from an import.

You say it's getting difficult to tell a "US" version from an imported version. I'm curious, just exactly where is that "US" version made?

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Yes, they are all made in the same factory BUT, different manufactures have the US importers respond to problems with the equipment not sold thru them differently. All the same till you have a problem if you have that brand.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

BebuLamar wrote:

They should use the words "Gray Market". Many people may not understand it but nobody will misunderstand it.

If many people don't understand it then isn't it probable they could misunderstand it?

BebuLamar

rmorrison1116 wrote:

If many people don't understand it then isn't it probable they could misunderstand it?

If you don't know what it is you would research or ask and find out what it is. "Import" everyone knows the meaning of import and thus they would misunderstand for the camera made outside of the US and that's a normal thing. So the word "Import" is misleading.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Manny time the word "import" for camera equipment will indicate it is not a "authorized" (imported by the exclusive manufactures) national supplier. In short it aint gonna get warranty or even factory repairs.

therwol Loc: USA

rmorrison1116 wrote:

You say it's getting difficult to tell a "US" version from an imported version. I'm curious, just exactly where is that "US" version made?

All versions of the same camera/lens are made in the same factory, usually in Asia. The US version is one imported by the "official" importer for the US. In the case of Nikon, that would be Nikon USA. For the price that Nikon sets for gear, you get a warranty and the knowledge that they will work on your equipment if something fails. (Unless it's very old and they don't have parts any longer.). It is legal for anyone to import this stuff into the US. This "grey market" merchandise doesn't come with a US warranty, and Nikon USA will not work on it if there is something wrong. The warranties that the sellers of grey market equipment offer are usually questionable.

Zeke4351 Loc: Kentucky

therwol wrote:

To me, the greatest risk in buying a grey market c... (show quote)

Nikon repaired my grey market D750 as has been stated earlier in this thread.

therwol Loc: USA

Zeke4351 wrote:

Nikon repaired my grey market D750 as has been stated earlier in this thread.

Yes, but they won't do it any longer. They shut down that window.

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

luvmypets wrote:

My Nikon D750 was part of the recall. At the time it worked perfectly but I sent it in and they replaced the recall parts, cleaned it and gave it a going over. Had my D750 been a grey market and the shutter failed the cost of repair would be on me for that manufacturer's defect. Also, I prefer knowing that if any of my Nikons need repair that I can send them to Nikon and not have to find a repair shop that will work on a grey market model.

JUST MY OPINION!!

Dodie

In 2014, my husband bought a grey market Nikon from BH& (not knowing it was grey market, or even that there was a grey market). A year later it needed small repair, and Nikon repaired it under warranty. So, in MY OPINION, based on actual experience, Nikon does repairs under warranty on grey market merchandise.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

scallihan wrote:

In 2014, my husband bought a grey market Nikon from BH& (not knowing it was grey market, or even that there was a grey market). A year later it needed small repair, and Nikon repaired it under warranty. So, in MY OPINION, based on actual experience, Nikon does repairs under warranty on grey market merchandise.

Your husband's repair was six years ago and Nikon has changed their policies a couple of times. So my question would be: If a "grey market" Nikon camera that was less than 1 year old needed repair today, would Nikon repair it or refuse?

Dodie

therwol Loc: USA

luvmypets wrote:

Your husband's repair was six years ago and Nikon has changed their policies a couple of times. So my question would be: If a "grey market" Nikon camera that was less than 1 year old needed repair today, would Nikon repair it or refuse?

Dodie

Refuse.