Caveat emptor regardless of the store. In the 60s and 70s there were several major photo stores in Manhattan (Olden, Willoughby's, Peerless and many smaller ones). 42nd Street Photo was one of the discount leaders as was Spiratone. You could spend hours in the stores looking at all sorts of equipment and getting "free" education and advice from both employees and other shoppers. That was before the era of big box stores and mail order.

When interested in purchasing new equipment, I asked for a price of a specific lens. When told their price, I remarked that I had seen the lens for much less on the internet. I was told by my local camera store that the reason mail order sell so much less expensively is that the equipment is all "grey" market. When I quoted the prices I found on the internet, they said there was no way I could purchase the equipment for that price. I do understand the concept of grey market. Often, the batteries, etc., I purchase have information in multiple languages, probably not intended only for US consumption. I also understand that there may be less expensive versions of some equipment available, although no one can substantiate that such equipment is any better or worse that those sold in the US market.

Well, after the discussion in the store, I went home and on the internet, I googled the lens and checked the site for Beach Camera before ordering. The ad specifically said the lens I wanted came with a USA Nikon warrantee. I ordered the lens and it came 2 days later. They sold the lens for $30 less than the local store and yes, it came with the US Nikon warrantee that was accepted by Nikon when I registered it, the shipment also included a free filter, lenshood, caps, cleaning kit, none of which I really expected!