Grey Market Warranty

[Photofarmer]

Interesting.
Buying gray-market camera equipment has always been a bit of a sticky subject and if a recent report is anything to go by, it could become even stickier. According to Nikon Hong Kong has announced an administration-fee charge for gray market repairs or maintenance, as high as HK$5,000 (roughly $638 / £473 / AU$890), and that’s in addition to the necessary repair/maintenance costs. The worry for gray-market buyers, or prospective buyers elsewhere, is whether or not this policy will one day expand to other regions.

Doesnt affect me ive bought everything except camera back pack which was second hand and lightning triggers elsewhere but all my gear from bricks and mortar family owned camera store. Get a corporate discount last two years kinda loyalty discount.

But I digress one company does the above they will all follow

 

[Archibald]

I've always assumed that official Nikon (and other brand) merchants charge a higher price to cover the expected average warranty service that will need to be performed. Gray market merchandise comes without that surcharge and without that warranty. Or the surcharge goes to another company (for instance Nikon Japan instead of Nikon USA).

So if service is required on a gray market item, they will know they never got paid for that service. Companies used to flatly refuse service. Or you had to send it to the other jurisdiction (for instance to Japan if it was bought there). At least Hong Kong will service it now, but for a fee.

 

[Philnick]

I always buy my cameras from Canon USA through their Loyalty Program, which gets 20% off of a camera that's been on the market for at least half a year. All you have to do is call them and read them the serial number of a camera old enough that they don't service it any more. They also offer a smaller discount on a refurbished camera - but the new one often costs less.

They also do this for lenses.

 

[David Stallard]

I always used to buy from Canon or one of our reputable dealers - but then started to use Panamoz and never looked back example R1 is £4110.00 from them but UK price is £6399.00 on top of that Panamoz offer a 3 year warranty as opposed to the 2 year from UK, if there are any issues you pay for the repair and email them receipt and it's paid back to you same day.
Savings I have made over the years with lenses is outrageous - only one I couldn't get through them was the RF100-300, that was direct from Canon on the first release day ;-)