Gray Market Sigma and Tamron Lenses
Feb 19, 2015 15:22:30 #
I notice a fair number of Sigma and Tamron gray market lenses at significantly reduced price; some from China and some claiming from Japan.
As most here know Nikon USA has a very negative view on gray market items. Not only will they not honor the warranty but they refuse to work on them if needed.
Does anyone know if Sigma and/or Tamron have similar policies? I am particularly interested relative to lenses.
As most here know Nikon USA has a very negative view on gray market items. Not only will they not honor the warranty but they refuse to work on them if needed.
Does anyone know if Sigma and/or Tamron have similar policies? I am particularly interested relative to lenses.
Feb 19, 2015 15:31:35 #
Google turned up this
http://www.tamron-usa.com/lenses/gray_market.php
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/important-information-regarding-gray-market-sigma-products
http://www.tamron-usa.com/lenses/gray_market.php
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/important-information-regarding-gray-market-sigma-products
MtnMan wrote:
I notice a fair number of Sigma and Tamron gray market lenses at significantly reduced price; some from China and some claiming from Japan.
As most here know Nikon USA has a very negative view on gray market items. Not only will they not honor the warranty but they refuse to work on them if needed.
Does anyone know if Sigma and/or Tamron have similar policies? I am particularly interested relative to lenses.
As most here know Nikon USA has a very negative view on gray market items. Not only will they not honor the warranty but they refuse to work on them if needed.
Does anyone know if Sigma and/or Tamron have similar policies? I am particularly interested relative to lenses.
Feb 19, 2015 15:36:18 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
Thanks!
So I interpret it that Tamron is the same as Nikon: they won't recognize warranty AND won't work on a gray market item even if you are willing to pay for it.
Sigma seems to not recognize the warranty but doesn't say they won't work on something.
Is that how others interpret it? Any actual experience with either of them?
Feb 19, 2015 16:55:40 #
Is that how others interpret it? Any actual experience with either of them?[/quote]
Mtn,
See excerpt from Sigma warranty below, noting the last sentence. It's clear here where they stand. It is not in the previous link provided.
Product Warranty
Beginning July 1, 2013, all brand new Sigma Products purchased from authorized Sigma dealersare covered under the 1 year America warranty (North and South America) and 3 years U.S.A. extended warranties for a total period of four (4) years against defects in manufacturing and workmanship only. Your warranty period begins the day you purchase your Sigma camera, lens and/or flash and runs for a period of four years total from that date. (Please refer to the warranty policy included with your product or see the warranty registration page for each Sigma Product). Please note that the Sigma warranty is valid only to the original purchaser and is not transferable. Grey market products will not qualify for the Sigma warranty coverage.
Mtn,
See excerpt from Sigma warranty below, noting the last sentence. It's clear here where they stand. It is not in the previous link provided.
Product Warranty
Beginning July 1, 2013, all brand new Sigma Products purchased from authorized Sigma dealersare covered under the 1 year America warranty (North and South America) and 3 years U.S.A. extended warranties for a total period of four (4) years against defects in manufacturing and workmanship only. Your warranty period begins the day you purchase your Sigma camera, lens and/or flash and runs for a period of four years total from that date. (Please refer to the warranty policy included with your product or see the warranty registration page for each Sigma Product). Please note that the Sigma warranty is valid only to the original purchaser and is not transferable. Grey market products will not qualify for the Sigma warranty coverage.
Feb 19, 2015 16:59:32 #
It addresses warranty repairs but not out of warranty repairs... Lenses bought used may not have transferable warranties.
Feb 19, 2015 18:58:26 #
Tools wrote:
Is that how others interpret it? Any actual experi... (show quote)
Yes, I got that the warranty isn't covered. I didn't expect that.
But Nikon won't even work on a gray market item if you are willing to pay. It appears that Tamron is the same. It looks like Sigma might at least be willing to work on them if you pay.
I'm thinking of getting a used one. Probably the Sigma. Most lenses nowadays keep working once good but it might influence my decision if one will work on them in case something happens and one won't. I suspect in most cases repair might cost more than buying another used one anyway so it isn't a huge factor for me but might influence my decision.
Feb 20, 2015 07:20:44 #
MtnMan wrote:
Thanks!
So I interpret it that Tamron is the same as Nikon: they won't recognize warranty AND won't work on a gray market item even if you are willing to pay for it.
Sigma seems to not recognize the warranty but doesn't say they won't work on something.
Is that how others interpret it? Any actual experience with either of them?
So I interpret it that Tamron is the same as Nikon: they won't recognize warranty AND won't work on a gray market item even if you are willing to pay for it.
Sigma seems to not recognize the warranty but doesn't say they won't work on something.
Is that how others interpret it? Any actual experience with either of them?
It's interesting that Tamron says "...if handling during transportation or storage is not adequate, defects or malfunctions may occur."
It sounds like they're trying to scare potential buyers away from products not imported by Tamron USA. Not only will they not repair it, but it might arrive broken.
Feb 20, 2015 08:08:30 #
jerryc41 wrote:
It's interesting that Tamron says "...if handling during transportation or storage is not adequate, defects or malfunctions may occur."
It sounds like they're trying to scare potential buyers away from products not imported by Tamron USA. Not only will they not repair it, but it might arrive broken.
It sounds like they're trying to scare potential buyers away from products not imported by Tamron USA. Not only will they not repair it, but it might arrive broken.
Yes.
I don't understand the marketing philosophy. Parhaps they bring on the problem by selling their stuff for higher prices in the U.S.
Feb 20, 2015 08:27:36 #
MtnMan wrote:
Yes.
I don't understand the marketing philosophy. Parhaps they bring on the problem by selling their stuff for higher prices in the U.S.
I don't understand the marketing philosophy. Parhaps they bring on the problem by selling their stuff for higher prices in the U.S.
Someone has to pay for the warranty work, and I guess that's how they do it.
Feb 20, 2015 09:16:49 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Someone has to pay for the warranty work, and I guess that's how they do it.
Jerry, you are right on. Sadly, like everything else, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Tamron USA, Nikon USA, etc won't provide service for a camera they didn't sell and therefore have no financial interest in. Simple as that. ;)
Feb 20, 2015 09:18:50 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Someone has to pay for the warranty work, and I guess that's how they do it.
That doesn't explain why they refuse to work on it if you are willing to pay.
Feb 20, 2015 09:42:04 #
If they did, more people would buy Gray market items knowing that Nikon USA would eventually service them. Thus they would lose out on sales of items they imported... It would be like cutting off your nose to spite your face...
MtnMan wrote:
That doesn't explain why they refuse to work on it if you are willing to pay.
Feb 20, 2015 11:18:04 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
If they did, more people would buy Gray market items knowing that Nikon USA would eventually service them. Thus they would lose out on sales of items they imported... It would be like cutting off your nose to spite your face...
Since Nikon makes money on all the things they sell it isn't that exactly. They also warranty the items sold outside the U.S.
It likely has to do with their corporate structure and their desire to price for the market; i.e. higher in the U.S. and even higher in the U.K. and Australia. But whatever it seems they all do it.
Toyota will work on your car imported from Japan.
Feb 20, 2015 11:56:52 #
MtnMan wrote:
That doesn't explain why they refuse to work on it if you are willing to pay.
They want people to buy products that they import so that they make some money. If people knew that repairs for g-m products were easy to get, there would be no incentive to buy legitimate imports. I've owned lots of lenses, but I've never had work done on any of them - but, you never know.
Feb 20, 2015 13:04:32 #
MtnMan wrote:
Since Nikon makes money on all the things they sell it isn't that exactly. They also warranty the items sold outside the U.S.
It likely has to do with their corporate structure and their desire to price for the market; i.e. higher in the U.S. and even higher in the U.K. and Australia. But whatever it seems they all do it.
Toyota will work on your car imported from Japan.
It likely has to do with their corporate structure and their desire to price for the market; i.e. higher in the U.S. and even higher in the U.K. and Australia. But whatever it seems they all do it.
Toyota will work on your car imported from Japan.
I'll bet there isn't much of a in grey market for Toyota to worry about but if there were I'm guessing they would have a similar policy... ;)
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