Used vs. Grey Market ? (Page 2): Many brick and mortar stores use eBay as another outlet. I have seen many cameras for sale by Roberts, KEH, and 42nd St Photo, just to name a few I can...

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

sloscheider wrote:

I didn't think there were ANY formal "stores" selling on eBay - I alway take eBay for being a used marketplace. Even if they say "New" it's still a sale from one individual to another and there's no warranty you can rely on other than the sellers word they will accept it back if there's a problem.

You can buy Grey Market items at stores like B&H or Adorama and at least have the confidence they are legitimately selling you a new item, just without a US warranty.

Many brick and mortar stores use eBay as another outlet. I have seen many cameras for sale by Roberts, KEH, and 42nd St Photo, just to name a few I can remember right away.

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

Lille wrote:

So what's the difference between going to EBay and buying a $3000.00 used camera ( with no useful warranty ) and going to EBay and buying the same $3000.00 Brand New grey market camera ( with no useful warranty ) ?

Any real practical difference ?

Thanks !

If ebay camera breaks you will never get it fixed by a factory authorized repair facility. If you buy used AND not gray market, it can be fixed but you'll have to pay. That's pretty practical.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

rehess wrote:

Many brick and mortar stores use eBay as another outlet. I have seen many cameras for sale by Roberts, KEH, and 42nd St Photo, just to name a few I can remember right away.

I didn't know that, thanks.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Lille wrote:

So what's the difference between going to EBay and buying a $3000.00 used camera ( with no useful warranty ) and going to EBay and buying the same $3000.00 Brand New grey market camera ( with no useful warranty ) ?

Any real practical difference ?

Thanks !

How about a factory refurb from Canon or Nikon?
That would save some $$$
Smile,
Jimmy T Sends

Collhar Loc: New York City.

Lille wrote:

I'm interested in getting a Sony A9 but maybe I'm being penny wise and pound foolish. Maybe I should just spring for the other 500 bucks and get a new one.

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I'll just sit and think about it for a few days and look closely at the state for the piggy bank.

Thanks again !

Or as suggested go to various business that sell used/refurbished equipment and buy one of those.

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

Lille wrote:

So what's the difference between going to EBay and buying a $3000.00 used camera ( with no useful warranty ) and going to EBay and buying the same $3000.00 Brand New grey market camera ( with no useful warranty ) ?

Any real practical difference ?

Thanks !

Because the Ebay used might be a USA model, which means for Nikon anyway that the camera can be repaired in the US. Not so with the new grey market camera.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

BebuLamar wrote:

I think the A9 is about $3500 now new and not gray. If either gray or used for $3000 I would not consider. That is not sufficient discount. If it's $2000 I would consider it.

Yes....I would agree with that logic. The average warranty costs between $6oo-$750 with respect to a repair bill plus shipping charges , so anything discounted less than ......say $700 should not be considered appropriate in my view. And would be risky. Shop around further and wait for the deal cause they're out there if you are patient.

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

Blair Shaw Jr wrote:

Yes....I would agree with that logic. The average warranty costs between $6oo-$750 with respect to a repair bill plus shipping charges , so anything discounted less than ......say $700 should not be considered appropriate in my view. And would be risky. Shop around further and wait for the deal cause they're out there if you are patient.

Will Sony US allow firmware updates to gray market Sony camera's? The reason I am asking they just released a major firmware update.

khorinek

I bought my Canon 5D Mark III, 5D Mark IV, 24-70 f/4 L IS, 70-200 f/4 L IS new on grey market. The Mark III had 350,000 shots on it before I had Canon replace the shutter, my Mark IV has 75,000 shots on it, both camera work perfect and my lenses are still sharp and focus fast. All my equipment looks brand new as I take care of my stuff. The point is, I would prefer to buy grey market than used. I've been burnt on used equipment. With that being said, you can get some good used stuff on ebay. FYI, I bought my EOS RP's new from Adorama, they are great to work with.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's unlikely that both the new and the used of the same model would have the same price. Although Nikon Inc will work on some gray market cameras, they will not repair most of them, so why take a chance?

ggenova64

Shutter Count!

repleo Loc: Boston

Lille wrote:

So what's the difference between going to EBay and buying a $3000.00 used camera ( with no useful warranty ) and going to EBay and buying the same $3000.00 Brand New grey market camera ( with no useful warranty ) ?

Any real practical difference ?

Thanks !

The gray market one will have a warranty - it just won’t be a from the manufacturers US representative. You will need to fill out a customs form at the Post Office to ship it overseas.
Or you could buy a Square Deal warranty and have it repaired here - unless it is a Nikon.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

billnikon wrote:

Will Sony US allow firmware updates to gray market Sony camera's? The reason I am asking they just released a major firmware update.

I don't know and never really even considered that question. I have never updated any firmware in any of my cameras but I would think some would and some would not....depending on who the manufacturer s were at the time. Nikon would most certainly not.....Canon probably would but at current prices for the upgrades...not warrantied of course.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

Gene51 wrote:

If ebay camera breaks you will never get it fixed by a factory authorized repair facility. If you buy used AND not gray market, it can be fixed but you'll have to pay. That's pretty practical.

Not entirely true. I was considering a Canon 5DsR body and contacted the Canon Service Center in Irvine CA. Yes they will service a grey market camera; there is no warranty coverage so the cost would be all out of pocket. A new US model of the Canon 5DsR lists on Amazon or B&H for $3700 + CA sales tax of approx. $370 bringing the total to over $4000. I bought a new grey market 5DsR on Ebay for $1800 with no tax and free shipping. Arrived in 6 days in original box and packaging. Battery, charger, cords, English manual, etc included. The original ad in Ebay stated 30 day free return (I would have to pay postage). I did not have to try that as camera worked perfectly and has for a month now. Was the $2300 savings worth taking a chance of a non warranty repair for? Has to be an individual decision.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

burkphoto wrote:

Just say no. Instead:

Go to KEH.com or MPB.com and buy a used camera there. They include six month warranties. Both are solid and reliable companies specializing in the used camera/lens market. You may pay a little more than you would on eBay, but you aren't taking a crap shoot, and you aren't going to be left in the cold without support.

Other good used (and new) retailers are Adorama, B&H, and Cameta Camera.

Also Roberts Camera.