Grey Market Camera Nikon P7100

[frozen_bohemian]

I was shopping for a new Nikon Digital camera and found a unbelievable deal .......yeah I know too good to be true.. run away.

But here is the deal, it is a grey market import, not intended to be sold in the USA, so Nikon will not warrantee the camera, the warrantee is from the "dealer". That probably means no warrantee.

Does anyone have experience on grey market cameras? List price is 500 bucks, the camera is sold thru most discount places at 350, the super deal is for 210 bucks. Is it worth it to save the 140 bucks?

 

[JC23]

I used to buy em that way. It's a matter of playing the odds.

Nikon builds good stuff so chances are are, it won't break. But what if YOU break it? You might be SOL. Then agin, they can be repaired. But will the cost justify repair?

 

[cide1]

If it is new, in the box, it is probably worth saving the money and buying grey market. If it breaks, the dealer doesn't honor the "warranty" and you only have $210 in it, there very well may be a newer model you can upgrade too at that point instead of fixing it.

 

[Jefe]

My advice would be to avoid those retailers at all costs. What tends to happen is you fill out your information and check out online. Then instead of saying "thanks for your order" it says "a representative will call you to discuss your order." When they do call you, they tell you you "must buy our memory card or you camera will not work." Or "you must buy our warranty." If you refuse, your order will be magically cancelled. These grey market sellers are scum. Don't give them your time or money.

 

[enz]

My advice would be to avoid those retailers at all costs. What tends to happen is you fill out your information and check out online. Then instead of saying "thanks for your order" it says "a representative will call you to discuss your order." When they do call you, they tell you you "must buy our memory card or you camera will not work." Or "you must buy our warranty." If you refuse, your order will be magically cancelled. These grey market sellers are scum. Don't give them your time or money.

absolutley correct
you are better off buying refurbished from an authorized dealer like

http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-Coolpix-P7100-Digital-Camera-Black-Factory-Refurbished-65094.cfm

 

[Toolfool]

I was in the photographic industry for 15 years. The gray market hurts the legitimate importers. I equate it to buying a stereo out of the back of a van. Support an illegal industry and it will continue.

 

[rlitman]

edit: double post, whoops.

 

[rlitman]

absolutley correct
you are better off buying refurbished from an authorized dealer like

http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-Coolpix-P7100-Digital-Camera-Black-Factory-Refurbished-65094.cfm

THIS! I bought my D300 from them. Took it home right from their tiny showroom. Their retail space is smaller than my garage (I knew I could make it garage relevant somehow). I'd say 90% of their business is shipped from their warehouse.

Then you have a real warranty. Is not having the warranty worth $140. Perhaps, but for $30, I wouldn't think twice about buying it legit.
Anyway, I would ALWAYS by refurbished before I bought grey market. With a refurbished item, you KNOW it works.

BTW, check eBay. Seriously. Cameta sells there too, and sometimes you can buy the camera bundled with a case and memory card for the same price they retail it bare.
(ok, today it is the same price, but shipping is free):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Coolp...804992?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item20cdecd9c0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_nkw=P7100&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_osacat=0&_ssn=cametaauctions

 

[805gregg]

I bought a Nikon 7000 for a lot more, from a reputable dealer and I love it, save money else where, buy a good camera.

 

[MDSPHOTO]

Grey is fine as long as you buy from a reputable dealer. I highly recommend BH Photo and Adorama, both are in NYC and ship anywhere. I have purchased all of my equipment from both, some grey, with never a problem.