Would you buy gray market Lens, Camera?

[TonyUSA]

Hello,

Would you buy gray market Lens, Camera on ebay?

EDIT.... Say if the Camera or Lens cost $10,000.

 

[ac12]

That depends.

• Check if Canon USA will repair a grey market camera/lens, even if they charge you for the repair.

• I understand that Olympus USA will void the original non-US warranty, but they will repair at a charge.
  
• Nikon USA will NOT repair a grey market camera/lens, even if you offer to pay for the repair. So if it needs repair, it could turn into an expensive "door stop," if you can't find an independent shop that will repair it. So NO, I do not buy a grey market Nikon.

 

[tvi]

Where I live it is really worth it to buy grey market camera hw. I mean, they are almost half the price. Just bought an Olympus OM-D E-M5 MARK II for $610. From an official importer that will be $1130. Seller offers a 3 years warranty and after web reviews it is a really great place to buy.
So yes, I buy grey market hardware.

 

[Derrel]

It depends on how expensive the item is. I would not buy a $10,000 AFS lens gray market from some random vendor. But I might buy a $1500 camera body.

 

[TonyUSA]

It depends on how expensive the item is. I would not buy a $10,000 AFS lens gray market from some random vendor. But I might buy a $1500 camera body.

Yes, that what I was thinking. In my case the lowest I seen was $9,375 for $10,000 retail from AD. But for the gray market was $8,700 so I save other $670 over AD but I guess if something go wrong with the lens then I will be in trouble.

 

[ac12]

It depends on how expensive the item is. I would not buy a $10,000 AFS lens gray market from some random vendor. But I might buy a $1500 camera body.

Yes, that what I was thinking. In my case the lowest I seen was $9,375 for $10,000 retail from AD. But for the gray market was $8,700 so I save other $670 over AD but I guess if something go wrong with the lens then I will be in trouble.

Warranty is like insurance.
You buy insurance, gambling that you WILL or MIGHT have a lost for the insurance to cover.
If you don't think you will have a loss, you don't buy insurance.

Or is the grey cost low enough that even with the cost of a repair, you are still below the AD price?

As Clint Eastwood said "do you feel lucky?"

 

[Fujidave]

Quick and short answer, NO.

 

[greybeard]

I have never bought any gray market cameras or lenses. I doubt I will in the future but that could change.

 

[Overread]

Far as I know Warranties are nearly all tied to the region of retail that the item is meant for; this is partly because the money to pay for warranty repairs comes out of the regional budgets for the company rather than the companies entire budget. So most times with most manufacturers if you want a warranty repair on a grey market item you have to send it back to where it came from.
Higher end/bigger grey market stores will often have their own warranty support on top so that it negates the need for you to have long postage times.

Canon will also repair a lens if you pay for it no matter where it was bought (far as I can tell Nikon is the only company that seems to refuses lenses even for paid repair, if they come from another territory).


I've bought grey market before and not had any issues; most higher end lenses shouldn't need to use their warranty. That said always get from a trusted retailer for proper after-purchase support. No-name retailers are a risk since if something does go wrong you could be on your own with a big shipping bill and wait time .

 

[Designer]

If you know of some independent repair shop that can get parts, then gray market equipment might not be terribly important.

People have almost an irrational fear of gray market equipment, but if you "feel lucky", then go for it.

More to the point; yes, I would consider a gray market camera, and I have purchased several used lenses. Buying used equipment is about the same as taking a chance on gray market, and if I can save money by shopping around, then I'll probably do that.

 

[chuasam]

Personally no. Would I recommend it? No.
Unless it’s for some unusual stuff where there is no official channels.

 

[ac12]

If you know of some independent repair shop that can get parts, then gray market equipment might not be terribly important.

People have almost an irrational fear of gray market equipment, but if you "feel lucky", then go for it.

More to the point; yes, I would consider a gray market camera, and I have purchased several used lenses. Buying used equipment is about the same as taking a chance on gray market, and if I can save money by shopping around, then I'll probably do that.

Again, it depends on the importer and their repair policy.
- With used Nikon gear, if it needs repair, you can send it to Nikon USA.
- With a used grey market Nikon gear, Nikon will NOT repair it.

What I do not know is what is the repair policy agreement between the importer and independent repair shops for spare parts.
Do they have to provide serial number to the importer if they repair certain things, like a circuit board. Then they may be caught in the grey market rule. If parts is parts, then the importer does not have to know that the independent shop is repairing a grey market item.

 

[petrochemist]

I've never had to send any of my kit of for repair, so yes I would unless I could get the same item used

 

[greybeard]

I would have to agree that it depends on who is selling it. If B&H or Adorama was selling gray market I would figure the instore warranty would be fine.

 

[peterweter]

I got my Nikon 70-200mm FL for 2/3 of the price new from an eBay company in Ireland almost two years ago. They told me up front the lens came from Azia. For me it is still worth it. [emoji16]