Gray Market stuffs in Singapore?

[canturn]

Just wondering if there are places in singapore that sells gray market stuffs (those w/o warranty)...

Came across some NEW canon L lenses that are selling way below market rate at TCW. E.g. a new canon 16-35mm 2.8L is going for $2100+ with GST whereas competitors like CP and AP are going for $2300.

Prices sure are tempting...don't know if they're too good to be true....

Any comments?

[Kit]

Quote: Originally posted by canturn Just wondering if there are places in singapore that sells gray market stuffs (those w/o warranty)... Came across some NEW canon L lenses that are selling way below market rate at TCW. E.g. a new canon 16-35mm 2.8L is going for $2100+ with GST whereas competitors like CP and AP are going for $2300. Prices sure are tempting...don't know if they're too good to be true.... Any comments?

Well, you've answered your own question. TCW does sell gray. The marked down price you get is most probably the gray price.

[ckiang]

At a price difference of only $200, it makes a lot more sense to get the original one with warrantee. What's $200 when you've spent more than 10 times of it already?

Regards
CK

[canturn]

ic... just wondering about this gray stuff thingy... can't expect myself to ask the saleman "excuse me, are these gray market stuffs?" heh Thanks guys.

[Kit]

Quote: Originally posted by canturn ic... just wondering about this gray stuff thingy... can't expect myself to ask the saleman "excuse me, are these gray market stuffs?" heh Thanks guys.

Why not? Its no secret at all.

[kingpin]

In fact it is wrong of you not to question the sales person. You have the right to know what you are buying. Also it is a test of the integrity of the shop. If they waiver with this query, you should be even more suspicious. Some try to sell off mint second hand equipment as new! (prevalent in HK) Its better to get the camera from a reputable shop even at a slight premium as you are better assured of the genuine product and its warranty.

I think it's ok to get grey lah. You talking about canon and not nikon right? Canon will service your equipment( of course must pay lah.) regardless of grey or not. Where there is canon, there is service.

[Kit]

Quote: Originally posted by Cleophas I think it's ok to get grey lah. You talking about canon and not nikon right? Canon will service your equipment( of course must pay lah.) regardless of grey or not. Where there is canon, there is service.

Doesn't Nikon do the same as long as you pay for the service?? I don't see any reason why they would reject grey items completely as long as they're paid. Afterall, grey Nikons are still Nikons.

[kongg]

For me, for accessories ie battery grip, remote cord, I will consider grey items. But for lens above 1k..........i will get from the authorised dealers.

Kit, as I recall from comments of Nikon users in this forum, Nikon does not service equipment that is grey. Read about this when I was contemplating getting a F80 from HK a couple of months back. As for Canon, I know they do for sure as I had emailed them regarding this.
Maybe can check with Mr. Ian about this.

[Kit]

Quote: Originally posted by Cleophas Kit, as I recall from comments of Nikon users in this forum, Nikon does not service equipment that is grey. Read about this when I was contemplating getting a F80 from HK a couple of months back. As for Canon, I know they do for sure as I had emailed them regarding this. Maybe can check with Mr. Ian about this.

Thanks for that. Luckily, I haven't bought any grey Nikons yet. Bought a few grey Canon items in the past though.

[Barrios]

Is there a way for Canon or Nikon to know that the equipment brought in for servicing is gray? Moreover, consumers can always buy their equipment overseas and send them for servicing here.

Unless the manufacturers provide the local distributors with all the serial numbers of their warrantied sets, it is very difficult for them to identify gray equipment.

Can someone please share how it all works? How are local distributors able to spot the difference?

[Kit]

Quote: Originally posted by Barrios Is there a way for Canon or Nikon to know that the equipment brought in for servicing is gray? Moreover, consumers can always buy their equipment overseas and send them for servicing here. Unless the manufacturers provide the local distributors with all the serial numbers of their warrantied sets, it is very difficult for them to identify gray equipment. Can someone please share how it all works? How are local distributors able to spot the difference?

I'm guessing here but I do believe they have a record of the serial numbers of the stuff they bring in themselves.

[Barrios]

It is not right to refuse servicing of equipment not bought locally as equpiment bought overseas also come with International Warranty.

[Kit]

Quote: Originally posted by Barrios It is not right to refuse servicing of equipment not bought locally as equpiment bought overseas also come with International Warranty.

Well if your equipment comes with International Warranty then its not considered grey isn't it?

Hello again. I am not saying that Nikon stuff bought overseas will not be serviced. I am refering to the grey products as I was thinking of getting one from HK, where the market is flooded with them. Grey means original products from manufacturers BUT not bought through the authorised agents. Thus no warrenty cards and the serial numbers are also not recorded. I believe Nikon does keep track of the serial numbers. I think this is to protect the interests of their agents.
Again, I may be wrong. Let's wait for Mr. Ian to shed some light on this

[canturn]

Yea, I do agree about accessories like batteries and remote...in actual fact, I bought a remote for the D60 at $68, whereas CP is selling at $80, John 3:16 going for $85...and it works fine

[kingpin]

Nikon Singapore will service or repair any Nikon equipment. If no warranty then u pay. Simple. There's no need to doubt any Nikon equipment. After all they do make money from servicing too.