jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Mike..in both scenarios the item is purchased from an authorized dealer in the UK. In each case, he posits if the product will be covered by US warranty. The answer is the same for both scenarios. Not serviced at 'no cost' under Nikon warranty; but serviced at cost determined by Nikon. And, of course, it could be sent back to the UK for warranty service in accordance with Nikon's warranty for that region/area.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Please show me where that's written.

An earlier post that quoted a statement from Nikon USA, which said they won't repair gray market at all and made no exceptions.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

One thing to consider before pulling the trigger is to check the serial number closely, and see if it's been registered to that person, or maybe stolen???

Just because he said he bought it for a girlfriend to shoot weddings, then they broke up, doesn't mean that's what happened. I know of a person duped by someone, because he told her that he was a good Christian. I had to explain to her that a bad person, would lie about that, just like anything else.

Trust.... but verify. In God we trust, but all others pay cash... etc!

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

Please tell us how to match the serial number on a camera to a person. I have never been able to do that.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

And "overseas" could be Canada, where Nikon has completely different "standards", probably being repair at a predetermined cost.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-store/gray-market.page

Not eligible for repair service

Not eligible for Nikon USA repair service, even if you want to pay for it.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

This is not Nikon's policy regarding lenses purchased from an authorized dealer -- International Lens Warranty; and camera bodies also purchased from an authorized dealer. See my thread Nikon Warranty.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

If they registered it when purchased (which we should all do), you can find out if it's the same person. If the person claims that they bought it new, then that should be the same name.

Also, I believe there is a way to report stolen camera equipment that makes the serial number available to a data base. I haven't personally needed it, but I do remember something about that, and someone found out that a camera he was interested in, was indeed hot.

That database is somewhere, because I know that you can also find pictures taken with your camera if they are ever uploaded.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I don't think you are going to be very successful getting any information around a specific camera or lens from Nikon unless they can verify unambiguously that it belongs to you. Late last year, my local dealer returned my D850 to Melville for me as a courtesy when it needed warranty repair. When its return was delayed, I called to try to get an update on what was going on. I had both the serial number and the work order assigned, but since the camera had been shipped by the store, they would not share one bit of information with me. Think about it...I could have either returned the camera, sold it, or traded it in, and now be trying to finagle to have it shipped back to me. This camera was electronically registered to me on the NikonUSA website. Contrast this with April of this year when my D500 was also in for warranty service via a return authorization and work order issued to me, a copy of my proof of purchase included with the camera, and with return shipment directed to me from the start. Communication via both telephone and email throughout the repair was completely open, because everything had been set up in my name from the start.

Do you really want Nikon to talk freely to anyone who might gain knowledge of your camera's serial number? NikonUSA clearly states that there is absolutely no obligation to anyone as a used camera buyer. While purchasing used equipment is certainly a legitimate alternative, why would you believe that NikonUSA should support that activity at the expense of their opportunity to sell new equipment? (By the way, serial numbers which begin with the letters "US" are not constrained to the standard first digits for country or region of initial export. There is no need if the market is specifically referenced via the letters.)

All this being said, I absolutely do not support NikonUSA's repair policy beyond their warranty restrictions. Formal warranty coverage is really a courtesy intended to promote an illusion of customer goodwill. (If you think about your homeowner's warranty, for instance, it really serves to specify things that are not covered even more than enumerating what is covered.) While I do not believe that they have any obligation to provide warranty support for gray market equipment, their monopolistic steps to refuse to provide reasonable paid repair service for items that may need attention, coupled with their refusal to sell parts to independent service outlets who might choose to provide that service is morally unsupportable, even if it is within legal boundaries. This is especially true when coupled with their propensity to discontinue provision of all repair parts at a point that otherwise would be considered well within the reasonable life of their cameras and lenses

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Larry, your experience with service for your D850 can more than likely be explained-- your dealer did not properly identify your camera for 'you' and it was picked up as a dealer return. Your experience with the D500 is much like the rest of us who have sent into Nikon directly.
Your opinions about Nikon's repair policies are your's-- not right or wrong. But formal warranty coverage is not an illusion to promote good will. It is in fact a specific obligation and part of the reason you purchase a product from a manufacturer..in accordance with their policies. I have brought in a number of Nikon products under warranty to have serviced--and all went well. And I have brought in product 'out of warranty' that was serviced at a reasonable cost. And, Nikon does offer to repair 'gray market' product that has been purchased according to their requirements-- at a cost; which I don't know is reasonable or not. Your issue here is using the term gray market to include products purchased abroad, from an authorized Nikon dealer--for that region. These products have specific NikonUSA warranty coverage. (See thread for Nikon Warranty). All other product purchases--through import to the USA; or 're-bundling' by unauthorized Nikon dealers and sold to 'unaware customers' abroad-- are all Gray Market and not covered under any NikonUSA warranty. In fact, I bet these same units, purchased abroad from non-Nikon dealers for the region; are not even covered by Nikon's local warranty location. This is not a monopoly. You have choices. What choices you make has consequences. And last, but not least.....how long do you suggest Nikon continues providing 'authentic Nikon repair parts' for the market?

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

Where does one do that? I've bought two used Nikon lens from ebay sellers. I could not find a url to check that. I was able to add both lenses to my inventory on Nikon's site, but not sure if that checks anything.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I haven't heard about anything for lenses. I know that there were threads years ago, and I read it somewhere else on how to search for photos that were taken with your camera if you could upload one with Exif info, and someone else uploads one onto the interweb, somehow you would be able to find other images that someone who stole the images, or stole the camera from you. Unless they are really stupid and it's linked to a facebook page, I don't know if you can find the person who uploaded it, but you can find photos with the same exif info that identifies the camera. It would take some sleuthing.

Here's but one example
https://www.copytrack.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9raBg5y15QIVwcDACh0-oArLEAAYASAAEgID9_D_BwE


My main point is, if a deal sounds too good to be true, I pass it by, they are either passing off a dud, or otherwise going to rip you off, or they are unloading stolen goods.

Darren01 Loc: Fallbrook California

Last I heard, be it Nikon, Canon, Fuji....whatever. If I go to a different country and buy a camera, from a LEGIT dealer and keep my receipt and inform them (that would be the registration) and you might have to explain your situation. They will honor in the US for one year. After that it's on you. In Latvia where my wife is from it would be WAY more expensive to buy there anyway unless it was an emergency...so why...????? Cameras always go in carry on

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Not Nikon. In your example; Nikon camera body would be serviced by NikonUSA for a cost. Nikkor lens would be serviced for one year under Nikon's International Warranty. However, you would not receive the 4 year extended warranty provided for a USA lens from an authorized/legit dealer.

Darren01 Loc: Fallbrook California

probably so but it would be serviced. I wished all equipment bought no matter where would have a global warranty. There are certain situations, But why cant I pay double for the same camera in LONDON with proof I was there and purchased said camera, and not get an USA warranty? Does the flight affect the camera? Camera will work the same there as US...It's goofy and it sucks. It doesn't speak the Queens English..!! LOL I have purchased stuff overseas and in most part it does have a very limited warranty....except camera body's. As long as it's LEGIT there, it should be LEGIT here and everywhere for that matter...
if I'm not making sense I'm tired and I apologize