Walmart Nikons gray? (Page 4): Buy it and return it if it's not what you expected.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

wulffm wrote:

Leaving my Nikon SLR behind for good. Time for digital (and not just my iPhone!). Getting ready to purchase a D7200 body. Saw online at Walmart for $788.95. Seemed too good to be true so I called. They claim it is a US warranty camera with full English manual - not gray market. Nikon & Amazon list at $999, so I'm skeptical.

Excited to get on the D-train!

Anyone know for sure, or how to confirm its not gray?

Buy it and return it if it's not what you expected.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

MtnMan wrote:

Oh, I see. The fine print says "One year limited manufacturer warranty". That means Nikon so if it is grey market you have a basis to return it. Print and save the ad till after you try to register it.

Not necessarily. Nikon USA is a Distributor; Nikon in Japan is the manufacturer. If Nikon USA didn't import it from Nikon Japan, with the US on the serial number, it its considered "grey market".

rocket111

Dan Mc.
I agree with you to a point. It the dishonest way of advertising. I think the odds of something going bad are high. But 5 or 6 years from now you will have a very hard time getting any repair no matter how big or small. If they explained what you are buying that would be great. If you spend a $1000.00 dollars on a camera and find out it's not what you thought it would be. And return it your just gave some dishonest guy say $100.00 dollars or more. Nobody likes to be deceived. That is what Wal-Mart is doing they put there name in big bold letters on the advertising. And in fine print shipped from Honest Joe. That's just so wrong in so many ways.
I read something about Wal-Mart getting into selling used cars. That would fit. We all know how honest used car sales are. Sold by Honest Joe.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I guess you then have a problem with Amazon, Best Buy & a whole host of other companies that do the same thing...As for getting something repaired that is 5-6 years old or older , many times the OEM no longer has the parts for the repairs anyway (depending on the item) . It's called planned obsolescence. Then they tell you to buy the latest & greatest iteration.

rocket111 wrote:

Dan Mc. br I agree with you to a point. It the dis... (show quote)

rocket111

Screamin Scot
Best Buy to dam. I got to admit, These ads are pointed at folks just like me. But I'm smart enough to know if I don't know what I'm doing I don't mess with it.
And at the ripe old age of 63 I have never bought anything on line. However I have seen stuff advertised on the internet and made a phone call and ordered. Two or Three times.
I bought a D3300 I know it most likely won't last a long time. Ya get what you pay for. But if I spent a $1000.00 dollars on a body and it only lasted 4 or 5 years Yep I would be very mad

rocket111

What's Amazon

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Jeff Bezos's online marketplace...See here you youngster. I'll be 68 this year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Bezos

rocket111 wrote:

What's Amazon

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Dan Mc wrote:

I have to scratch my head about all of this "gray market" hand wringing and brow wiping.

Seriously....we have no issues with lenses made in Thailand, Japan, China...no issues at all. Ditto accessories...everything from flashes to bags...no issues.

Really, when was the last time you had a catastrophic fail on your camera? I just don't see it as a deal breaker or boycott action.

It isn't about where the camera is made, especially since none of them are made in the US. It's about whether or not the camera has a valid US warranty. If it doesn't then there is a good chance that Nikon will not service it no way, no how. Even with a seller warranty, where will they be getting the repair parts from? It won't be from Nikon, most likely. This applies throughout the life of the camera, not just during the initial warranty period. They can all break, pretty much whenever they feel like it. Many people just don't feel that the savings are worth the risk. It also affects the resale value.
Nikon has loosened up their repair policy lately and will repair some grey market gear, but not under warranty. You pay the going rate if the camera is one day old or ten years.

Rob Almeda Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Just get one from Costco or bid for $750 or less at Greentoe and you will get a US version.

wulffm wrote:

Leaving my Nikon SLR behind for good. Time for digital (and not just my iPhone!). Getting ready to purchase a D7200 body. Saw online at Walmart for $788.95. Seemed too good to be true so I called. They claim it is a US warranty camera with full English manual - not gray market. Nikon & Amazon list at $999, so I'm skeptical.

Excited to get on the D-train!

Anyone know for sure, or how to confirm its not gray?

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

LFingar wrote:

It isn't about where the camera is made, especiall... (show quote)

Lots of sellers are franchised Nikon repair locations:, B&H, Adorama, KEH. Cameta. They have access to Nikon parts and their people are Nikon trained.

Pinenuts Loc: Genoa, NV

I bought a refurbished D7100 from Adorama. The first digit in the serial number is 2 (Japan). Would that be considered grey market?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

The serial number of the D7100 I bought new from Best Buy when the camera was introduced starts with a 2 as well. Had Nikon USA warranty card enclosed in the box though.

Pinenuts wrote:

I bought a refurbished D7100 from Adorama. The first digit in the serial number is 2 (Japan). Would that be considered grey market?

Ctrclckws

Given the popularity of the D7100 Nikonusa extended the range of serial numbers by taking some of the 2's.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

romanticf16 wrote:

Lots of sellers are franchised Nikon repair locations:, B&H, Adorama, KEH. Cameta. They have access to Nikon parts and their people are Nikon trained.

This is true, but in the case of those retailers it all comes down to whether or not Nikon has restrictions on what cameras their parts can be used on during repairs by the stores you mentioned. Does Nikon? I don't know, but such a policy would not surprise me. In the OP's case though, the seller is not an authorized dealer and it is unlikely they have access to genuine parts for any repairs.
Being an authorized dealer, Mt Shooter would be the one to answer those questions.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Many of the independent facilities utilize cameras beyond repair to scavenge parts from. Especially older models where Nikon or any other OEM no longer stocks the parts on.

LFingar wrote:

This is true, but in the case of those retailers it all comes down to whether or not Nikon has restrictions on what cameras their parts can be used on during repairs by the stores you mentioned. Does Nikon? I don't know, but such a policy would not surprise me. In the OP's case though, the seller is not an authorized dealer and it is unlikely they have access to genuine parts for any repairs.
Being an authorized dealer, Mt Shooter would be the one to answer those questions.