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  4. How to tell if used camera is grey market/international model?

How to tell if used camera is grey market/international model?


4 years 7 months ago #658643 by Ryan Obryan
When you are buying a used camera, or lens for that matter, is there a way you can tell if the camera or lens is USA model or grey market/international?  

I know with Nikon for example has dot next to serial number for refurbished gear.  Is there any sort of markings on cameras for grey market/international?  
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4 years 7 months ago #658646 by Nikon Shooter
Only through a serial number tracing history, Ryan.

Nikon knows where gear was bought and shipped to,
territorial distributors follow the gear to the retailers.
Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 7 months ago #658660 by Ryan Obryan
So, someone could tell you that you are buying USA model and you wouldn't know any different till you get home and able to run check?
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4 years 7 months ago #658662 by garyrhook
That is correct.

Just ask the seller for the serial number. There's no reason to not supply that, unless the camera is hot. In which case you don't want it anyways.
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4 years 7 months ago #658672 by Ryan Obryan
So you would get this ahead of time?  or are these database easy to access by anyone?

OR you just picking up the phone to call the manufacture?  Actually that might be the easiest assuming it falls within time of business.  
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4 years 7 months ago #658707 by garyrhook
Yes, ahead of time. For example, eBay sellers often list the s/n of lenses.

I can't say anything further, as I rather doubt that every manufacturer does the same thing. You'll have to do some investigation.
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4 years 7 months ago - 4 years 7 months ago #658751 by Piechura
Just out of interest, if the products are used anyway, does it make any difference if they're grey market? Would a used local model still be covered under warranty?
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4 years 7 months ago #658757 by effron

Piechura wrote: Just out of interest, if the products are used anyway, does it make any difference if they're grey market? Would a used local model still be covered under warranty?


Nikon for instance won't repair a gray market unit, of course all cameras they see in repair are used to some extent. There are repair facilities not affiliated with Nikon that might do the work, for my money I avoid gray market gear.
Why so serious?
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4 years 7 months ago #658761 by fmw
The unintended consequences of trying to manage the free market.  The manufacturers deserve what they get.
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4 years 7 months ago #658766 by garyrhook

fmw wrote: The unintended consequences of trying to manage the free market.  The manufacturers deserve what they get.


Just to spell it out:

The cost of warranted repairs is incorporated into the price; we don't get that five years (Nikon) of coverage as a courtesy. So I understand the higher price for the "US" version.

The problem here is that that extra cost in the US is a cash cow. If everyone understood that the risk of not having that coverage is very, very low (per all the anecdotal information here and elsewhere), then no one would buy the US version. Bye-bye cash flow. So, I understand the policy.

However, after 6 years (-ish) from the manufacture date, I think then charge for repairs no matter where the device came from. Or some such. Punishing people for buying used equipment is, in my mind, problematic.
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4 years 7 months ago - 4 years 7 months ago #658789 by Piechura

effron wrote:

Piechura wrote: Just out of interest, if the products are used anyway, does it make any difference if they're grey market? Would a used local model still be covered under warranty?


Nikon for instance won't repair a gray market unit, of course all cameras they see in repair are used to some extent. There are repair facilities not affiliated with Nikon that might do the work, for my money I avoid gray market gear.

They won't repair even if you pay them to, or they just won't repair for free?

As someone who lives in different countries quite a lot, I might as well buy the grey market models, because most electronics manufacturers will also refuse to repair something if it was bought in a different territory. It's surprising how many 'global' companies can suddenly become very local when it suits them.
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4 years 7 months ago #658835 by effron

Piechura wrote: They won't repair even if you pay them to, or they just won't repair for free?
.


I could be wrong and maybe things have changed, but I think I remember Nikon USA not touching a gray market item, though there were "Nikon approved" facilities that would fix for a cost. A couple years ago Nikon made a move to stop selling parts to many of those shops, so I'm not certain where that leaves a gray gear owner.....
Why so serious?
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4 years 7 months ago #659021 by Jackson Rieger
Ask, always ask.  
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4 years 7 months ago #659057 by Roy Wilson
You bought it from one of those cameras stores in NYC that aren't B&H or Adorama :rofl:
Canon 5D Mark II, 30D, 40D, 50 1.2L, 16-35 2.8L Mark II, 24-105 4L IS, 24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS, 85 1.8, 4 x 580 EX(II)
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4 years 7 months ago #659419 by Paula_Gor
A couple years ago I was looking to buy a used 200 f/2 and called Nikon to determine whether it was U.S. or not. The customer support rep said that the lens was "probably" U.S. but only the technicians can know for sure. It's pretty frustrating. I didn't buy the lens.
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