2nd hand cameras - overpriced grey imports in disguise?

[Crotal Bell]

I was looking at a Swiss supplier of the G9II, cheaper than the UK, and comes with a UK plug adapter.

Then I was looking at UK camera shops selling 2nd hand units, and some come with these UK plug adaptors, while most don't have these in the box ?

They're cheaper than a new UK model, but not really any cheaper than a brand new unit from a foreign dealer.

Do UK camera stores take in used units originally from abroad? and sell them at roughly the same price as they were new from abroad?

I suppose it's not an issue if the shutter count is low and you have 6 months warranty, and if it's the case, then still safer than ordering from Switzerland, Italy, Japan etc ?

 

[f/1.2]

Do UK camera stores take in used units originally from abroad? and sell them at roughly the same price as they were new from abroad?

I suppose it's not an issue if the shutter count is low and you have 6 months warranty, and if it's the case, then still safer than ordering from Switzerland, Italy, Japan etc ?

For years used dealers haven't differentiated between U.K stock and grey market and treat them the same when it comes to used items. So the one's you have seen will likely just be stuff they have taken as part exchange. They then price it the same way as they would used U.K stock, they don't price it cheaper because it was originally grey import which is why it can be priced similar to just buying brand new grey import.

I don't see how it would be safer than ordering new, as you are getting new stock rather than used for similar or often less money. Especially if you are ordering from the more reputable grey import companies. Over the last 13-14 years I have purchased around £80,000 worth of equipment from Panamoz for example and never had any issues. They provide a 3 year warranty which I have made use of a few times and have found them to deliver a much higher level of service than what I have received from companies based in the U.K.

 

[Phil V]

As above, buying 2nd hand doesn’t mean you’re more or less likely to get grey imports. Just a product that they’ve bought in.

If you want to save money, a grey import will often come with a 3 yr warranty, and there’s plenty of safe options. Panamoz and HDEW being the most trusted.

The legality of the tax avoidance is an entire other issue. And just like paying your builder in cash, is a personal choice.

 

[leaky5]

I was looking at a Swiss supplier of the G9II, cheaper than the UK, and comes with a UK plug adapter.

Then I was looking at UK camera shops selling 2nd hand units, and some come with these UK plug adaptors, while most don't have these in the box ?

They're cheaper than a new UK model, but not really any cheaper than a brand new unit from a foreign dealer.

Do UK camera stores take in used units originally from abroad? and sell them at roughly the same price as they were new from abroad?

I suppose it's not an issue if the shutter count is low and you have 6 months warranty, and if it's the case, then still safer than ordering from Switzerland, Italy, Japan etc ?

WEX recently took in Olympus I had bought from Cotswolds.
It had a non standard power adapter and they knocked me back a few £ and returned it with a lens they did not want.
No question of where the camera had come from

 

[Gandalf]

WEX took £100 off my a9 as a part ex, they said it came from outside the uk, I purchased it from Jessops so was rather annoyed.

 

[Box Brownie]

WEX took £100 off my a9 as a part ex, they said it came from outside the uk, I purchased it from Jessops so was rather annoyed.

Interesting, are you saying that you bought it new from Jessops or was it secondhand?

 

[f/1.2]

WEX took £100 off my a9 as a part ex, they said it came from outside the uk, I purchased it from Jessops so was rather annoyed.

Weird my local W.E.X took my A9 from Panamoz without any quibbles they actually gave me slightly more for it than what the website quoted at.

They will definitely have sold yours at the same price as a used U.K stock A9 in similar condition.

 

[Gandalf]

@Box Brownie It was purchased new from Jessops.

@/f2.8 That’s what made me annoyed, it’s why I hate moving camera on, I find we lose out most of the time and they make the profit.

 

[Box Brownie]

@Box Brownie It was purchased new from Jessops.

I wonder what checks WEX performed to ID it as 'Grey Market', as I would have thought that Jessops were a legitimate UK retailer of and for Sony kit.
Did you take the matter up with Jessops?

NB perhaps there is an accessible Sony database that WEX can access

@/f2.8 That’s what made me annoyed, it’s why I hate moving camera on, I find we lose out most of the time and they make the profit.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I would take the discount up front and worry about resale later. Even if WEX buy it for slightly less, you work out even anyway so it doesn’t matter.

 

[snerkler]

I’ve never had issues selling/trading in grey market gear to UK stores, I’ve never been asked where it was from or whether it was UK.