fetzler Loc: North West PA

Enjoy your camera and and if it breaks throw it in the garbage.

BebuLamar

I think the price in the US is lower than in most part of the world even in poor countries where people don't have a lot of money the price is still higher than in the US.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Here's n article on grey market:

https://photographylife.com/gray-market-camera-gear

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

Correct me if I'm wrong, but no name-brand camera manufacturer provides an international warranty, correct? It would seem to me that a crawler or banner in every ad for every camera could be included to offer the sale of an international warranty selling for $xx.xx and is not included in the price of the camera. It would be optional and would make people aware of these unusual camera company policies worldwide. If you're never going to leave East Podunk or places nearby, you won't need it but if you do need it, it's there (for more money)... no hassles. Ubiquitous cell phones and laptops could arrange repairs worldwide. Surely, somebody more competent than I could work out the details of such a program. The result would be that everyone would soon become aware that no international warranty is included in the purchase price of a camera regardless of the manufacturer. Ignorance of the limitations on international warranties would no longer be a tool of unscrupulous dealers. Having said that, I've purchased several gray market items over the years with no problems. YMMV

pego101

don't like not doesn't like

Also I have bought from Abe's too with no problems. Not sure why the negative bias?

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

How do you like the D780? I think it’s a great body. Is yours a grey market version? I also picked up the Nikon 70-200 f/4 VR glass. It’s fantastic. Every bit as sharp as it’s f/2.8 brethren.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You're lucky.

Many people who try to save a little buying from Abe's end up regretting it.

They are not an authorized dealer for most of the major manufacturers, including Nikon. Therefore any Nikon product bought from them will be "gray market" and won't be covered by a Nikon factory warranty. Nikon has loosened up a bit, but can refuse to work on gray market products too, if repairs are needed. This is particularly a problem with Nikon because they also will not sell parts for other shops to repair their products, so the only place you can get any work requiring replacement parts is with from the Nikon USA facilities.

If you question the lack of a warranty or the "international warranty" they claim, they will offer to sell you a "store warranty"... which will usually end up costing more than if you had just purchased through an authorized dealer at a little higher price.

Another common trick Abe's uses is to pull the accessories from the package... such as the batteries, charger, strap from a camera... then offer to sell them to the camera buyer at an inflated price. Again, you may end up paying more than if you'd just gone to a more reputable dealer.

Another thing Abe's will do is inform you that the camera's menu is in a foreign language and that they can sell you an English language version for a slightly higher price (it's in another language because it's gray market, was intended to be sold in another country). It costs nothing to simply replace the firmware in the camera with an English version.

They are quite difficult to get refunds from and charge restocking fees.

The Better Business Bureau of NY revoked their membership 15 years ago "due to the company’s repeated and unauthorized use of the BBB logo and failure to eliminate the underlying cause of complaints on file concerning: non-delivery of products, misrepresentation of availability of merchandise, refusal to honor cancellations or provide timely refunds, unprofessional conduct, failure to resolve customer complaints, overcharging, undisclosed cancellation of orders, improper upselling tactics, and bait & switch selling."

As best I can tell, Abe's has closed their Brooklyn store and now is reduced to a single location in New Jersey.

Don't trust online review websites. You'll find a lot of flowery praise for Abe's on some of those. That's fake. They're paying people to give them good reviews on sites like Trustpilot and Resellerreview.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Did you get the official Nikon USA warranty?
Or a store warranty?

PSims46 Loc: Maryland

Only for a extended warranty.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Again is your warranty a Nikon USA warranty?

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

I reckon that while we were living in Dresden it was good that I did not buy a camera. Of course, many years ago in the early 60's while in Germany I bought a Praktina IIA, East German manufacture. I still have that camera. In those days I wasn't interested in Japanese cameras although I did buy a Petri Green Window Rangefinder camera in 1960 while in the Army at Fort Bragg. Now Canon and Nikon more or less rule the roost. I gave my Canon to a granddaughter. The Nikon I still have. I don't get too excited over either camera company. I buy my equipment used so don't worry about sending it to them for repair. I'll just buy another used camera.

rangel28

Nothing wrong with buying a grey market camera or lens until it breaks. I never had any issues with any Nikon camera or lens I bought until recently, when the Nikon 70mm-300mm AF-P lens I have stopped focusing consistently. I bought it from a authorized dealer (I think Amazon, about four years ago) and it was still under warranty (Nikon offered 5 year warranties until a few years ago). I sent it in to Nikon and it was repaired and returned to me in less than 10 days, no charge (I did have to pay shipping). If this was a grey market lens, I would have had to pay for a repair (somewhere) since Nikon won't touch grey market items.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

For me, B&H takes the worry out of making a major photography purchase.
Why? They have Always met or exceeded my expectations and their written promises.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu
B&H
PS: Please see my response on page 2 for any questions.

epd1947

The issue is that Nikon products are imported into this country by Nikon USA - cameras imported through other back door channels are not the responsibility of Nikon USA. Buying expensive gear without a proper US warranty is a foolish economy.

therwol Loc: USA

Prices in the UK tend to be higher than here in the US. I don't know about the rest of Europe. The gray market importers are getting their equipment from a source or sources at prices that allow them to undercut the Nikon USA prices by a considerable amount.