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Not grey market but maybe not 100%?
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May 9, 2022 17:28:13   #
JohnR Loc: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
 
Just curious - are there 2nds in the photographic world? Maybe not grey market but cameras/lenses which do not meet the manufacturers stringent quality standards and are sold off cheaply.
I ask as I'm looking to buy a Tamron lens here in Australia and find 5 out of 6 retailers price is A$1200+ with the 6th selling supposedly the same lens at more than 20% discount - A$850. The retailer insists its genuine Australian stock with full warranty and offers 14 day return if not satisfied. As a retiree that saving is very attractive but I'm concerned I may be buying a substandard product. I don't want to have to try out their 14 day return policy if I do get a poorer quality lens.
Does anyone know if this is a possibility - substandard goods being sold off cheaply?

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May 9, 2022 17:34:26   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
Maybe it's a factory refurb? They often carry a full warranty. Someone returns a lens, they clean it up, confirm it meets spec, but can't sell it as new, out of the box.

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May 9, 2022 17:37:42   #
luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC
 
If this is a scam (probably) then you are possibly out the $850 since they may find a loophole to their policy. You could also find yourself in a legal hassle trying to get your money back. Wouldn't it be better to wait until you can afford the $1200 and have the peace of mind knowing that you have the true guaranteed product.

JUST MY OPINION

Dodie

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May 9, 2022 17:48:58   #
rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
 
JohnR wrote:
Just curious - are there 2nds in the photographic world? Maybe not grey market but cameras/lenses which do not meet the manufacturers stringent quality standards and are sold off cheaply.
I ask as I'm looking to buy a Tamron lens here in Australia and find 5 out of 6 retailers price is A$1200+ with the 6th selling supposedly the same lens at more than 20% discount - A$850. The retailer insists its genuine Australian stock with full warranty and offers 14 day return if not satisfied. As a retiree that saving is very attractive but I'm concerned I may be buying a substandard product. I don't want to have to try out their 14 day return policy if I do get a poorer quality lens.
Does anyone know if this is a possibility - substandard goods being sold off cheaply?
Just curious - are there 2nds in the photographic ... (show quote)


No, there is not a market for new but substandard name brand camera products, like Canon, Nikon or Sony. There is often a large profit margin on lenses. There are places that buy bundles, or kits, and then sell the lenses separately at a discounted price. They make money on volume. Do some research on the retailer; check their reputation. Odds are if they are a legit retailer, they are not trying to scam you

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May 9, 2022 18:01:15   #
radiojohn
 
About 10 years ago Sony had a bad batch of chips and a lot came back. I bought an excellent Fuji "rangefinder style" camera and nice Fuji superzoom bridge camera with direct WiFi connection to my tablet for a LOT less than new.

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May 9, 2022 18:01:36   #
radiojohn
 
About 10 years ago Sony had a bad batch of chips and a lot came back. I bought an excellent Fuji "rangefinder style" camera and nice Fuji superzoom bridge camera with direct WiFi connection to my tablet for a LOT less than new.

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May 9, 2022 18:52:52   #
Stardust Loc: Central Illinois
 
Number of reasons has been given. A couple others is a retailer is dropping a particular line, closing out closer to cost. Or they got a special deal for a volume purchase, etc.

Here is an idea I have used in past, if is applicable in Australia. Make sure you have written proof about returning in 14 days, use credit card, can always file claim through credit card company. They credit your account, debit the seller if not resolved in 30 days.

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May 9, 2022 19:39:29   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Ask them directly why their price is too good to be true. Remember, it's too good to be true as you listen to their logic / reasoning, and decide if you want to risk it. Can you afford to find out it's too good to be true?

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May 9, 2022 21:04:35   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
Don't forget to look at shipping and handling fees. Some retailers compensate lower prices with higher fees.

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May 10, 2022 07:29:05   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
JohnR wrote:
Just curious - are there 2nds in the photographic world? Maybe not grey market but cameras/lenses which do not meet the manufacturers stringent quality standards and are sold off cheaply.
I ask as I'm looking to buy a Tamron lens here in Australia and find 5 out of 6 retailers price is A$1200+ with the 6th selling supposedly the same lens at more than 20% discount - A$850. The retailer insists its genuine Australian stock with full warranty and offers 14 day return if not satisfied. As a retiree that saving is very attractive but I'm concerned I may be buying a substandard product. I don't want to have to try out their 14 day return policy if I do get a poorer quality lens.
Does anyone know if this is a possibility - substandard goods being sold off cheaply?
Just curious - are there 2nds in the photographic ... (show quote)


No.

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May 10, 2022 07:40:58   #
Craig Meyer Loc: Sparks, NV
 
As a US retiree in similar circumstances, I'd say this trick if for folks who can afford to lose the $850. If this was a horse race, would you bet $850 to "save" $300 (round numbers). Not me. I didn't even have $20 on the Kentucky Derby...............................

Perhaps a Used from a reputable vendor or refurb from a reputable vendor or the manufacturer. But this deal as presented has too many loose strings to sound safe to me. It is ALL in how good the vendor is---. If you haven't ever heard of them, there's not much reputation for them to lose---versus your $850!

C

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May 10, 2022 08:16:18   #
Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Ask them directly why their price is too good to be true. Remember, it's too good to be true as you listen to their logic / reasoning, and decide if you want to risk it. Can you afford to find out it's too good to be true?


I love common sense.

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May 10, 2022 08:17:52   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
I think used, open box, and refurb is as close as you'd get to a "second." Maybe "scratch and dent," too. I wouldn't buy a camera that I knew was defective if I intended to use it to take pictures.

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May 10, 2022 08:48:14   #
charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA
 
Is the company selling the lens a reputable seller.

Good luck with your lens purchase. I will be curious what the result is.

Chuck

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May 10, 2022 09:09:09   #
Jack47 Loc: Ontario
 
JohnR wrote:
Just curious - are there 2nds in the photographic world? Maybe not grey market but cameras/lenses which do not meet the manufacturers stringent quality standards and are sold off cheaply.
I ask as I'm looking to buy a Tamron lens here in Australia and find 5 out of 6 retailers price is A$1200+ with the 6th selling supposedly the same lens at more than 20% discount - A$850. The retailer insists its genuine Australian stock with full warranty and offers 14 day return if not satisfied. As a retiree that saving is very attractive but I'm concerned I may be buying a substandard product. I don't want to have to try out their 14 day return policy if I do get a poorer quality lens.
Does anyone know if this is a possibility - substandard goods being sold off cheaply?
Just curious - are there 2nds in the photographic ... (show quote)


Send us the name of the retailer. That’s the only way I would make a recommendation.
Having said that I doubt that any manufacturer would sell off defective lenses. It would give them a bad rep.

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