imported grey market vs. USA

[Riggaberto]

I've noticed on adorama and other sites that they often have the same product 2 ways, USA, and imported. My question is if there is any quality difference whatsoever. The difference in cost is small enough to where I will just get the USA model unless for some reason imported would be different. So is there any quality difference? I'm assuming they are all made by the same factories?

 

[The_Traveler]

Grey market is typically not covered by manufacturer warranty in US.

 

[forzaF1]

Unless you HAVE to have the manufacturer's warranty, there is no reason not to save the money and go for the grey market.

 

[Riggaberto]

Unless you HAVE to have the manufacturer's warranty, there is no reason not to save the money and go for the grey market.

Is not having a warranty worth saving $15 bucks on a $1000 lens? I'm kinda thinking a resounding no.

 

[forzaF1]

Is not having a warranty worth saving $15 bucks on a $1000 lens? I'm kinda thinking a resounding no.

I always been a lot more than $15 for me.

 

[RMThompson]

In some cases it can also mean availability. For example Ritz and Adorama are BOTH telling me that they are having a backorder situation on the Nikon 50mm 1.8 lenses from Nikon themselves... However some sites have the non-US version (for 10 dollars less) available.

 

[The_Traveler]

BHPhoto has their own warranty for Nikon grey market products.

 

[Riggaberto]

BHPhoto has their own warranty for Nikon grey market products.

Just Nikon though?

Well either way I'm just going to get the USA one, because the canon ef 24-105 L is only a 15 buck difference.

 

[BAB]

BHPhoto has their own warranty for Nikon grey market products.

I thought that B&H had their own warranty for Grey Market for other brands as well as Nikon, so long as the equipment in question was bought from B&H?

 

[darich]

All equipment bought from either store comes with a warranty.
Grey import stuff will have to be returned to the vendor for any warranty work. Non import items can be taken to any Canon/Nikon repair specialist for warranty work.
At least that's my understanding of it.

As for price difference, i've seen price differences of $10-15 quite often but occasionally it's more. I suppose it all depends on what item you're looking at.