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Cameras from big box stores?
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Jan 11, 2018 15:18:08   #
sirlensalot Loc: Arizona
 
Cameta Camera said they only sell USA warranty products. As far as I know B&H sells both. Don't know about Adorama or Costco or BB.

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Jan 11, 2018 15:24:08   #
joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois
 
SueScott wrote:
I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as Costco or Best Buy - do they fall into that category? I'm not looking for a new camera but this is something I've been wondering about.


Over the years I have purchased from BB the D90 and D500 cameras as they were on back order else ware. All were US warranty. Had no problem with Nikon registration. Bought a lens last summer...same deal.

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Jan 11, 2018 17:24:23   #
bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
 
sb wrote:
Be aware that "Amazon" is not only a store but a mall available for anyone to rent space and sell from. If an item says that it is provided by Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc., then it is coming from the manufacturer. But if it says "42nd Street Photo", then Amazon is only the roof over the head of that store.
Good point. However, if "42nd Street Photo" (or any other Amazon concessionaire) tries to screw an Amazon customer, they are not likely to get away with it. They are in a room with 2 other beings: (1) the customer they are trying to mess with, and (2) a mega-ton-sized elephant named Amazon.

As Cheetah once told Tarzan, "Bwana, NEVER sneak up behind the elephant."

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Jan 11, 2018 17:52:52   #
cameralLady
 
Buy a camera from big box store or not? When I purchased my Cannon D-80 I shopped big box stores, Amazon, ruputable mail order such as Adorama. B &H, the local camera dealer and direct purchase from Cannon. ALL dealers had the same price to the penny. Adorama may give you a "free accessories kit" which includes things you might already have such as camera bag, tripod,lens cleaner,and they try to up sell you a better bag, better SD card so one spends more then they initially planned on.

If one purchases from a reputable mail order company like the Manufacture, B&H Adroma you MAY save some money by not paying your states sales tax. Shipping cost may be charged.

Choice between buying local from Best Buy or local camera dealer GO TO LOCAL DEALER. They are will give you free help, are very knowledgeable, will tell the truth what a setting is for and not give you made up b.s. answer. The local camera store may give free camera lessons with camera purchase which for me is easier than reading the book. All sources selling Cannon are the same price, I don't know about other brands.

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Jan 11, 2018 17:54:12   #
cameralLady
 
Buy a camera from big box store or not? When I purchased my Cannon D-80 I shopped big box stores, Amazon, ruputable mail order such as Adorama. B &H, the local camera dealer and direct purchase from Cannon. ALL dealers had the same price to the penny. Adorama may give you a "free accessories kit" which includes things you might already have such as camera bag, tripod,lens cleaner,and they try to up sell you a better bag, better SD card so one spends more then they initially planned on.

If one purchases from a reputable mail order company like the Manufacture, B&H Adroma you MAY save some money by not paying your states sales tax. Shipping cost may be charged.

Choice between buying local from Best Buy or local camera dealer GO TO LOCAL DEALER. They are will give you free help, are very knowledgeable, will tell the truth what a setting is for and not give you made up b.s. answer. The local camera store may give free camera lessons with camera purchase which for me is easier than reading the book. All sources selling Cannon are the same price, I don't know about other brands.

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Jan 11, 2018 18:06:00   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
SueScott wrote:
I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as Costco or Best Buy - do they fall into that category? I'm not looking for a new camera but this is something I've been wondering about.


Costco does not sell gray market. The Photo Shop store that has much experience in selling those items is 42nd Street Photo Shop. I am not a member of Costco, but I do visit the Best Buy Store in my community. You can order online from both stores, but you have to be a card member to purchase from Costco in the store and online.

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Jan 11, 2018 20:06:27   #
PLT Loc: Seattle
 
mizzee wrote:
The big boxes won't be able to provide advice, answer questions, or help you choose, in any way, which camera would meet your needs. I've been doing business with Hunt's and B and H for years. Both are as good and honest over the phone as they are in person.

Not always true, several big boxes have very qualified experts.

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Jan 11, 2018 20:10:19   #
PLT Loc: Seattle
 
Edia wrote:
Costco has one of the best warrantee and return policies available. On computers, you get an additional year of protection and Concierge service and on cameras, you have a 90 day return for full refund. Costco only sells equipment with US warrantee and does not deal in grey market equipment. I bought a Dell computer and a Samsung monitor from them and had a problem. I called the Costco Concierge and they set up a conference call with Dell, Samsung and me. We found that the graphics card was faulty. Two days later, a Dell technician was at my house with a replacement card. When I had problems with previous Dell products, I could never get that kind of service and response from Dell on my own. B&H will only give you a 30 day return for refund. If you need guidance with your purchase or want equipment that Costco doesn't carry, then go to a camera store like B&H. If you know what you want and Costco has it, buy it from Costco with peace of mind.
Costco has one of the best warrantee and return po... (show quote)

I like them too and buy lots there but they have for many years sold grey market products in the electronics department that they call majors. This may be only a small selection of items but it is still grey market.

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Jan 11, 2018 22:14:41   #
MrGNY Loc: New York
 
SueScott wrote:
I know that one of the marks of a grey market camera is that it is not sold by an authorized dealer. So, what about cameras that are sold in places such as Costco or Best Buy - do they fall into that category? I'm not looking for a new camera but this is something I've been wondering about.

Best Buy is a authorized dealer for all the major brands. Also got a great deal on my D7500 with price matching.

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Jan 12, 2018 00:09:40   #
Sc dancer
 
I just bought a new Canon 5D Mark IV from Best Buy at a comparable price with Adorama and B&H and several accessories ..all legit...I was happy with the sales guy who was knowledgeable and took my list of items and filled it quickly. I also buy from B&H in NYC in the summers when I'm in the city ...you could spend hrs in that store. I tried Best Buy because it was a store I could go in person to get the products and have someone to deal with in person should problems develop.

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Jan 12, 2018 01:04:30   #
IDguy Loc: Idaho
 
henryp wrote:
That is true. A grey market camera or lens we sell will be labeled "Imported." That will link to a paragraph saying, "Items marked 'Imported' are imported and/or distributed by other entities and are warranted by B&H Photo-Video. 'Imported' products do not qualify for manufacturers rebate programs.There is no difference in the item itself."
That in turn links to https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/USGrey.jsp


Unfortunately that does not comprise full disclosure. The bigger problem with grey market Nikon products, anyway, is that Nikon refuses to work on them at all...even if the customer is willing to pay. This is much more important than a warranty issue.

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Jan 12, 2018 02:42:14   #
jdub82 Loc: California
 
rocket111 wrote:
I had asked a question very similar to yours a year or so ago. I had saw some adds on line for Walmart. They were advertising cameras with there name and logo. They were a lot cheaper than B&H and the more trusted stores. The advertising was very deceiving. At the very bottom of the page it would say international model. Or it might say no in store pickup. Some would say shiped from Honest Jim's. I think that type of advertising is just dishonest. You think you are buying something from Walmart when in fact your not. A lot of folks let me know that many stores practice this. I have seen fake reviews from stores like 42nd St and so on. I have gotten to the point I think there are more people trying to deceive than honest dealers. So I mostly just buy from stores like B&H and so on. Its just not worth the trouble. I did buy my D3300 bundle deal and laptop from Best Buy. I got a very good price. But I could see what I was buying. No black and white boxes. Ya just have to be very careful.
I had asked a question very similar to yours a yea... (show quote)


Walmart offers items from multiple vendors, similar to Amazon. I've seen some of the Walmart Ads for steeply discounted prices on cameras, and it is always from a 3rd party seller. I wouldn't trust a 3rd party seller on Walmart.com. With amazon, you have to be careful of 3rd party vendors as well. If Amazon is the seller, their customer service and return policy is good. If it is from a 3rd party vendor, there are no guarantees your item won't be grey market, and return policies vary per the individual seller.

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Jan 12, 2018 07:39:10   #
JBledsoe Loc: Caldwell, Idaho
 
.

So is there any difference in quality in "grey model" cameras compared to "authorized dealer" cameras? Or is the warranty the primary issue?

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Jan 12, 2018 08:24:04   #
Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
 
IDguy wrote:
Unfortunately that does not comprise full disclosure. The bigger problem with grey market Nikon products, anyway, is that Nikon refuses to work on them at all...even if the customer is willing to pay. This is much more important than a warranty issue.


Perhaps Henry would be willing to clarify the point. If B&H will offer a warranty on a Nikon grey market / imported product then they may also be able and willing to perform repairs after the warranty expires.

If that is the case, then it is a non issue.

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