EBAY VS LOCAL?? HELP! Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon

Detroit · Mar 17, 2014

Hi,
I want to buy a Sigma 17-50 f.28 EX DC OS HSM for Nikon.
They cost about $569.00 locally and via the internet at stores like B&H.
Here is my question.
I found this lens, NEW on Ebay for $200.00 cheaper!!! for a BRAND NEW Sigma lens.
The catch is that it ships from Japan. (free shipping)
I am told it is the same lens as the one sold in the USA, but the difference is that Sigma will not service it if it needs service.
On the other hand, there are other places that fix lenses if you need it.

Here is the question,
Do I buy it locally or from B&H,
or do I save the $200.00 and order it on Ebay?
Your thoughts?
Thanks! -Aaron

link to the ebay auction --> Sigma EX DC OS HSM 17-50 mm F 2.8 OS HSM DC Lens For Nikon | eBay

yioties · Mar 17, 2014

Have you looked to find it used locally in your area?

goodguy · Mar 17, 2014

yioties said:
Have you looked to find it used locally in your area?

Yeah like craigslist or kijiji ?

sm4him · Mar 17, 2014

I'm all for saving money, and I have no problem buying from Ebay, from someone with great feedback, which the seller in your link has.

And of course, Ebay buyer protection works pretty well if you don't get what you paid for.

But I dunno$200 less? That makes warning bells go off in my head, and when the warning bells go off, I do NOT make the purchase, I just walk away.

Maybe it doesn't make your warning bells go off. But I suspect if they weren't ringing like crazy, you wouldn't have posted this question here.

Me, I'd pass on the Ebay listing and keep looking.

robbins.photo · Mar 17, 2014

The reason Sigma lenses from Japan are so much cheaper is because SigmaPhoto is... wait for it, wait for it.. based in Japan. Yup, it's a Japanese company. So buy a lens like that in Japan and you've got no import fees, no tariffs, etc.

However that is not to say that such a purchase is not without risk. The warranty would be pretty much useless, as Sigma USA would not work on it. If you did have a problem with the first couple of weeks and your dealing with a reputable seller, sure, you could return it - but with a pretty high shipping cost and turn around time. So yes, there is a lot more risk assumed here and that is something to seriously consider before making a purchase like this.

sifelaver · Mar 17, 2014

that is the rub with grey market. it's a risk but a good savings.

bigal1000 · Mar 17, 2014

Best of luck........

KmH · Mar 17, 2014

Where does Sigma USA say they won't work on Sigma gear sold by an authorized Sigma dealer?

Service & Support | Sigma

Detroit · Mar 17, 2014

KmH said:
Where does Sigma USA say they won't work on Sigma gear sold by an authorized Sigma dealer?

Service & Support | Sigma

I did call Sigma. They confirmed that they will not work on a lens bought it this manner, as it has NO USA warranty.
The man I talked to was SUPER nice and friendly. He also said that I could take a chance and buy it if I wanted to, and that there are other places to have a lens fixed besides Sigma.
I was so impressed with him, and his answer, that I know that I will be buying this lens.
The question is from who?
Also, I do not want a used lens. I want to buy this new.
Thanks

robbins.photo · Mar 17, 2014

KmH said:
Where does Sigma USA say they won't work on Sigma gear sold by an authorized Sigma dealer?

Service & Support | Sigma

The hangup you'd run into is the "authorized Sigma Dealer" - An authorized dealer probably wouldn't stay authorized for long if they started competing with Sigma USA for USA sales, I didn't see anything in the ad stating that the seller was an authorized dealer and it's very unlikely that they would be under the circumstances.

CaptainNapalm · Mar 17, 2014

Provided the buyer is legit and the lens is legit, I really think the risk for not being able to repair the lens locally is worth saving the $200. Put it this way, even in the unlikely event you need this lens fixed or serviced out of pocket, it likely won't set you back more than $200 anyway. I'm yet to have a problem with any of my lenses needing repair under warranty, and I've have a few lenses for a few years, knock on wood.

TheLost · Mar 18, 2014

I debated the same thing last month when i bought my Sigma 17-50... the ebay japan dealers are very tempting. But in the end i bought mine from a local shop just in case i wanted to swap it with a different copy.

I didn't have to swap mine (its super sharp) and when i asked the store how often they get people bringing Sigma lenses back the answer was "We haven't had any returned in the last few years"..

~$370 (shipped free.. no tax) from Japan... you'll have to wait a few weeks for it to show up. You risk getting a bad copy and having to send it back or live with it (You could also just try and sell it local for $350 and cut your losses).

~$570 (amazon, b&h, adorama.. or local)... You pay more but can return if you get a bad copy. you get the 4 year warranty.... and you don't have to wait for it.

There you go... no help at all!

It is a great lens!

Designer · Mar 18, 2014

Detroit said:
I did call Sigma. They confirmed that they will not work on a lens bought it this manner, as it has NO USA warranty.
The man I talked to was SUPER nice and friendly. He also said that I could take a chance and buy it if I wanted to, and that there are other places to have a lens fixed besides Sigma.
I was so impressed with him, and his answer, that I know that I will be buying this lens.
The question is from who?
Also, I do not want a used lens. I want to buy this new.
Thanks

I'm going to assume here for the moment that you do not understand what, exactly, a warranty is.

Think of a warranty as something like a pre-paid insurance policy. The manufacturer would like to be paid up front for any possible future repair work that the item may need. So you pay the extra $200 now, and when (or if) the lens needs repair, the factory will repair it "at no cost". Of course there is a cost, and you've already paid it.

So now; do you take a chance that the lens might need work at some time within the next four years? Or do you take a chance that the lens will work fine for the next 10 or more years without needing anything?

Detroit · Mar 18, 2014

Designer said:
Detroit said:

I did call Sigma. They confirmed that they will not work on a lens bought it this manner, as it has NO USA warranty.
The man I talked to was SUPER nice and friendly. He also said that I could take a chance and buy it if I wanted to, and that there are other places to have a lens fixed besides Sigma.
I was so impressed with him, and his answer, that I know that I will be buying this lens.
The question is from who?
Also, I do not want a used lens. I want to buy this new.
Thanks

Click to expand...

I'm going to assume here for the moment that you do not understand what, exactly, a warranty is.

Think of a warranty as something like a pre-paid insurance policy. The manufacturer would like to be paid up front for any possible future repair work that the item may need. So you pay the extra $200 now, and when (or if) the lens needs repair, the factory will repair it "at no cost". Of course there is a cost, and you've already paid it.

So now; do you take a chance that the lens might need work at some time within the next four years? Or do you take a chance that the lens will work fine for the next 10 or more years without needing anything?

Thanks Designer,
I'm going to assume that you are an actuary, seeing that you know exactly what a warranty is.
Could you please explain to me what the odds are that I will need to use the four year USA warranty during the time I own this lens?
Here is a formula that might help you calculate this for me since you understand these things so well.