Buy a camera in Japan? I found that for certain model of cameras the prices in Japan is significantly less expensive than in the US. If I buy from Japan and bring it back would Nikon...

BebuLamar

I found that for certain model of cameras the prices in Japan is significantly less expensive than in the US. If I buy from Japan and bring it back would Nikon USA honor the warranty or even service it for a fee?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

no

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Nikon will not honor warranties for offshore cameras. They won't even touch it for service. That being said, in Los Angeles, I have the benefit of a world class camera retailer, Samys, who has access to independent Nikon service centers.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

from https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-store/gray-market.page

(Download)

BebuLamar

But why is it gray? I buy from an authorized dealer in Japan.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

BebuLamar wrote:

I found that for certain model of cameras the prices in Japan is significantly less expensive than in the US. If I buy from Japan and bring it back would Nikon USA honor the warranty or even service it for a fee?

Not only will Nikon never do warranty work on this camera, they will not repair it for a fee either. You'd have to take it to a 3rd party repair center and hope that they use genuine Nikon parts if they can get them.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

BebuLamar wrote:

But why is it gray? I buy from an authorized dealer in Japan.

Take it back / send it back to Japan to be covered by the Japanese warranty ...

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

BebuLamar wrote:

I found that for certain model of cameras the prices in Japan is significantly less expensive than in the US. If I buy from Japan and bring it back would Nikon USA honor the warranty or even service it for a fee?

I just returned from Japan and found after visiting several Camera Stores that their prices even after discounts and duty free most cameras including Nikon are still more expensive than buying in the States.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

There seems to be different opinions on this. I suggest you contact Nikon and get the fact.

BebuLamar

letmedance wrote:

I just returned from Japan and found after visiting several Camera Stores that their prices even after discounts and duty free most cameras including Nikon are still more expensive than buying in the States.

Some models especially the few that Nikon still make in Japan are less expensive.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

letmedance wrote:

I just returned from Japan and found after visiting several Camera Stores that their prices even after discounts and duty free most cameras including Nikon are still more expensive than buying in the States.

I have friends who live overseas in various countries and buy camera equipment when they visit the USA in order to save money.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

BebuLamar wrote:

But why is it gray? I buy from an authorized dealer in Japan.

Million dollar question. The cameras are all made by the same Chinese factory. Nikon, while I think it is a great camera, is narrow minded when it comes to repairs. The parts and repairs are the same, no matter where it is sold, but Nikon will not work on cameras or lenses that were originally sold in another country. Stupid.
Just my opinion.
And my rant.

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

orrie smith wrote:

Million dollar question. The cameras are all made by the same Chinese factory. Nikon, while I think it is a great camera, is narrow minded when it comes to repairs. The parts and repairs are the same, no matter where it is sold, but Nikon will not work on cameras or lenses that were originally sold in another country. Stupid.
Just my opinion.
And my rant.

It is a protection scam. Nikon USA many moons ago even before the internet, made that arrangement with Nikon Japan... They are not related, in name only! This has been going on for years and it really, really wrong...

Bob

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

blue-ultra wrote:

It is a protection scam. Nikon USA many moons ago even before the internet, made that arrangement with Nikon Japan... They are not related, in name only! This has been going on for years and it really, really wrong...

Bob

Why is it wrong? If they are separate companies, as you say, why should Nikon USA provide services for products for which they received no money?

therwol Loc: USA

BebuLamar wrote:

I found that for certain model of cameras the prices in Japan is significantly less expensive than in the US. If I buy from Japan and bring it back would Nikon USA honor the warranty or even service it for a fee?

My understanding from reviewing several sources is that if you buy from a dealer in another country, and if you have a receipt to prove it, then the camera is not considered gray market. Nikon USA will repair the camera for a fee, but since you did not buy their warranty (which inflates the prices here), they will not do warranty repair on it if it breaks. You have to send it back to the country where you bought it.