What Are Gray Market Products?
What Are Gray Market Products?
Finding the right gear
When I was buying my photography gear, I was shopping around for the best price. I mean, if I can save a few dollars I’m all about that! After all, I feel like that’s what most of us do when we go shopping for something, price compare! Anyways, when I took my gear to be cleaned at the end of the year, the technician asked me if these were Gray Market items. I was like gray what?! I have never heard of Gray Market anything, did he mean Black Market?
He explained to me that Gray Market items were any Nikon product that isn’t sold directly from Nikon USA. Most second-hand photography stores online can get their Nikon products from other countries and this causes problems. Gray Market items do not carry a USA warranty if a part were to break, they aren’t eligible for repairs, the accessories may not be authentic, and the gear is not eligible for rebates. Scary right?! If something were to break you would have to send it to that country for the repair! I try not to break my gear but things do happen and camera gear is so expensive!!
I went home to check out my warranty and verify my purchases and thankfully I did purchase my gear from Nikon USA. Apparently, you can tell by the serial numbers! Many Nikon USA products have “US” as part of their serial number. Who would have thought?! Here are some things to look for when purchasing your gear!
1. Does the product come with a Nikon USA warranty?
This is the easiest way to tell if it may be a Gray Market item as most Gray Market items do not have a Nikon USA warranty. This would be listed in the product description. You can always contact the seller for more information. Some stores offer original and grey market items. They will back the product by their own warranty but Nikon USA will not touch the product.
2. Does the description list the product as an “import?”
Check to see if the description uses the words “direct import,” “Nikon import,” or “import model.” It seems ordinary to us because most products we purchase are made in other countries. This is a good clue that the item is on the Gray Market and was not made in the USA.
3. Does the warranty say covered by the seller?
This is another way Gray Market sellers will trick you. They use words such as “USA Coverage by Seller,” “Seller Warranty,” and “Warranty via Seller.” If you see this in the product description it does not come with a Nikon USA warranty.
4. Reach out to Nikon!
If you still have questions about the authenticity of a product you are purchasing, contact Nikon USA! I think it’s better safe than sorry when you’re making an investment in your gear!
Finding the right gear
When I was buying my photography gear, I was shopping around for the best price. I mean, if I can save a few dollars I’m all about that! After all, I feel like that’s what most of us do when we go shopping for something, price compare! Anyways, when I took my gear to be cleaned at the end of the year, the technician asked me if these were Gray Market items. I was like gray what?! I have never heard of Gray Market anything, did he mean Black Market?
He explained to me that Gray Market items were any Nikon product that isn’t sold directly from Nikon USA. Most second-hand photography stores online can get their Nikon products from other countries and this causes problems. Gray Market items do not carry a USA warranty if a part were to break, they aren’t eligible for repairs, the accessories may not be authentic, and the gear is not eligible for rebates. Scary right?! If something were to break you would have to send it to that country for the repair! I try not to break my gear but things do happen and camera gear is so expensive!!
I went home to check out my warranty and verify my purchases and thankfully I did purchase my gear from Nikon USA. Apparently, you can tell by the serial numbers! Many Nikon USA products have “US” as part of their serial number. Who would have thought?! Here are some things to look for when purchasing your gear!
1. Does the product come with a Nikon USA warranty?
This is the easiest way to tell if it may be a Gray Market item as most Gray Market items do not have a Nikon USA warranty. This would be listed in the product description. You can always contact the seller for more information. Some stores offer original and grey market items. They will back the product by their own warranty but Nikon USA will not touch the product.
2. Does the description list the product as an “import?”
Check to see if the description uses the words “direct import,” “Nikon import,” or “import model.” It seems ordinary to us because most products we purchase are made in other countries. This is a good clue that the item is on the Gray Market and was not made in the USA.
3. Does the warranty say covered by the seller?
This is another way Gray Market sellers will trick you. They use words such as “USA Coverage by Seller,” “Seller Warranty,” and “Warranty via Seller.” If you see this in the product description it does not come with a Nikon USA warranty.
4. Reach out to Nikon!
If you still have questions about the authenticity of a product you are purchasing, contact Nikon USA! I think it’s better safe than sorry when you’re making an investment in your gear!
