Once More.. I just had an interesting and frustrating exchange with Nikon. I asked them to reparse my D7200, actually applied with serial number. They gave me permission to return it.

RichKenn Loc: Merritt Island, FL

I just had an interesting and frustrating exchange with Nikon. I asked them to reparse my D7200, actually applied with serial number. They gave me permission to return it. When the received it, they told me it was grey market but if I would send them proof of purchase in the US, they could repair it. I sent them POP from Abes of Maine (don't say it). Then they told me they were returning it unfixed because they could not tell which country it was intended for and that cameras were constructed differently for different countries.
All this leads me to the often asked and answered question, who does repair grey market Nikons? Of course, I never kept a record of previous answers.
I will appreciate any help.

Bill_de Loc: US

This is not a recommendation, just a suggestion that if you search the internet using Google or other search engine you should be able to find someting.

https://www.royalcameras.com/nikon-camera-repair-service/?gclid=CjwKCAiAgbiQBhAHEiwAuQ6BkpS2fxSMNZ3omkwh9Gp6Uinevkscsewxa2QBXacLXAxvvC9gwK_DSxoC5wwQAvD_BwE

Good Luck!

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

What is broken and is a DSLR from 2015 (discontinued 2017) even worth repairing? A used one might run you $575 at KEH and you probably could do better on ebay. This all might be a sign to upgrade, or just replace with another used, depending on the nature and cost estimate of a repair.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

What a kettle of rotten fish from the big brand NIKON! Saying they construct a camera model differently for different markets and countries. How revealing. Yet they couldn't tell from the physical camera just where they had made your model for. I guess that is how they keep their prices up. And then for Canon to suggest it is now an antique when only 4 years out of production and maybe it should be discarded in favor of the latest and greatest. Try some of the excellent camera repair shops in Chicago. I had a camera repaired some years ago by some Chinese who had moved to the Loop from SanFranciso. But I cannot find their name---excellent repair and reasonable. I guess your experience says a lot about NIKON?---------

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

"Then they told me they were returning it unfixed because they could not tell which country it was intended for and that cameras were constructed differently for different countries."

I am not sure I believe this statement. Just because an individual rep said it doesn't make it true.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

OldSchool-WI wrote:

What a kettle of rotten fish from the big brand NI... (show quote)

I agree. Do you mean to tell me that the serial number doesn't tell them anything? That's a bunch of garbage.

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

RichKenn wrote:

I just had an interesting and frustrating exchange... (show quote)

midwestcamerarepair.com to the rescue

BebuLamar

CHG_CANON wrote:

What is broken and is a DSLR from 2015 (discontinued 2017) even worth repairing? A used one might run you $575 at KEH and you probably could do better on ebay. This all might be a sign to upgrade, or just replace with another used, depending on the nature and cost estimate of a repair.

Only people with full working camera want to upgrade.

BebuLamar

OldSchool-WI wrote:

What a kettle of rotten fish from the big brand NI... (show quote)

The one thing I think Nikon sucks is that if you tell them the camera serial number they can't tell if it's gray market.

Canisdirus

BebuLamar wrote:

The one thing I think Nikon sucks is that if you tell them the camera serial number they can't tell if it's gray market.

I doubt any company can with accuracy.
The serial number is definitely assigned a market region...
But once it goes off property...who knows what happens to it...who buys what and sends where for resale.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

BebuLamar wrote:

The one thing I think Nikon sucks is that if you tell them the camera serial number they can't tell if it's gray market.

And just what is wrong with importing through channels not "official?" One of my cameras was purchased from a Japanese seller in Japan. You mean that is somehow called Gray Market? I find ebay sellers in Japan to have products in better shape and not out to scam with faulty gear like I have run into more than once from US scammers on eBay. I believe the Japanese take better care of things generally and would loose face if they made fraudulent sales which happened to me just last week with a woman on eBay!!!--(I am getting my money back---but I am still trying to figure out how to get eBay to get me the $15. return postage. It is nearly impossible to contact ebay customer service even if you have an open claim!--

pete menter Loc: London, England

I own a Nikon D7200, it's my workhorse - I don't subscribe to the digital rot theory - unless it is a poor quality digital camera something like my Kodak DC215 Zoom (it never took a decent photo in anycase). Still using a Nikon D300 (2007) as well, these are both good cameras and take superb photos. But obviously the cost of repair needs to be weighed against sourcing another D7200 or an upgrade to secure use of your lenses.

Canisdirus

OldSchool-WI wrote:

And just what is wrong with importing through chan... (show quote)

No.

You bought a used camera...grey market designation (or otherwise) is irrelevant in your case.
This is about warranties and repair eligibility...again...irrelevant in your case.

BebuLamar

Canisdirus wrote:

I doubt any company can with accuracy.
The serial number is definitely assigned a market region...
But once it goes off property...who knows what happens to it...who buys what and sends where for resale.

Now if they can't tell just by the serial number what do they check to find out if it's gray market????

BebuLamar

Canisdirus wrote:

No.

You bought a used camera...grey market designation (or otherwise) is irrelevant in your case.
This is about warranties and repair eligibility...again...irrelevant in your case.

I am most concerned about gray market is in the used equipment. Brand new if I buy it from places like B&H and I didn't choose the import version I am sure I will get a USA unit and with the warranty card.
If I buy used there is no warranty but if the camera needs to be fixed Nikon won't fix it even for a fee. That is where my concern.