Advice about buying a DSLR in China - Fakes etc

[:username:]

Hi all.

I'm after a D-SLR and have been for a while. I made my decision on what camera a while ago through advice on here and phyically using the cameras. I'm getiing a Nikon D80 but I have to save up my money

My mum lives in Shanghai and I asked her a while ago to look into the Nikon but as I thought would happen (even with her local friends going along) she cannot tell if it's the genuine artical or a very good fake or not! The camera is around £400 new and there is a Nikon len 18-135mm (if I remember correctly) that was about £150.

So my question(s) (in a few parts) are as follows,
Has anyone bought from China before, whether online or actually there.
Are there any details to look for, however small or obvious?
What would you do in my possition because I really am 50/50 on this at the moment!

Also my mum went to a proper electrical shop not one of the big electrical markets but like she says there is so much out there you my never tell!!

Thanks in advance and I hope this is in the correct forum.

Jake

 

[nigelcampbell]

Hi - I bought a lens online from Hong kong (HKSupplies - ebay) which was cheaper and genuine - however, when it took a knock and needed repairing, it was not covered by a european warranty so I had to pay to have it fixed. Lesson learned - now I only buy from UK suppliers.

 

[R8JimBob88]

I think my biggest concern would be the warranty, i'm sure there are many fakes out there but just make sure if you get one, its from a reputable supplier

 

[Dangleman]

Hi - I bought a lens online from Hong kong (HKSupplies - ebay) which was cheaper and genuine - however, when it took a knock and needed repairing, it was not covered by a european warranty so I had to pay to have it fixed. Lesson learned - now I only buy from UK suppliers.

Surely that's not a warranty issue, but an insurance claim?

 

[:username:]

Hi - I bought a lens online from Hong kong (HKSupplies - ebay) which was cheaper and genuine - however, when it took a knock and needed repairing, it was not covered by a european warranty so I had to pay to have it fixed. Lesson learned - now I only buy from UK suppliers.

My mum in home every 2-3 months so if there was an issue (hopfully wouldn't be) she could take it back etc.
Thanks for your response

I think my biggest concern would be the warranty, i'm sure there are many fakes out there but just make sure if you get one, its from a reputable supplier

Yeah, thats another thing i'm worried about.

 

[Steep]

If you buy a camera and it doesn't have a guarantee, you can also buy a Mack guarantee to go with it, gives you international servicing. www.mackcam.com I think calumet in the uk are one reseller of these warranties.

 

[:username:]

Hi all and thanks for all the advice!

I couldn't really make the ultimate decision without being there so i'm going to get a temp. filler until I go out in October and see for myself!

I think i'm going to get a second hand Nikon D50 and continue to save for the D80 incase China doesn't work out.

Cheers all, Jake

 

[Steep]

Re your worry about fakes, I would almost expect something small like a memory card to be a fake but a camera I think is too big and too complicated to fake successfully.

 

[hotchef23]

Re your worry about fakes, I would almost expect something small like a memory card to be a fake but a camera I think is too big and too complicated to fake successfully.

Was there not a thread on here not so long ago where a load of canon gear was getting trashed?

was that not conterfeit and copied items? 0r am i wrong?

 

[Steep]

I remember that yes and Canon do seem to be popular with fakers but the fakes are usually poor copies easily recognised once the box is opened, from what I've read.
To produce a camera that would fool you hands on would take a lot of work.

 

[hotchef23]

I remember that yes and Canon do seem to be popular with fakers but the fakes are usually poor copies easily recognised once the box is opened, from what I've read.
To produce a camera that would fool you hands on would take a lot of work.

is his mum a tog of experience or not? would she be able to recognise or get caught out?

 

[:username:]

Re your worry about fakes, I would almost expect something small like a memory card to be a fake but a camera I think is too big and too complicated to fake successfully.

Hi Steep, you wouldn't beleve the amazing quallity of the 'fakes' in China now.
My friend who just visited my mum said how there are HUGE markets with quallity watches, designer glasses, ipods and much much more. I take on your point of a whole DSLR unlikely to be fake but if they can fake a very detailed item like a Cartier watch they could if they wanted to, fake a Nikon camera that costs quarter of the price of a Cartier.

This is why i'm going to wait and get to know a genuine Nikon for a while so I can make a better judgement when i'm there.
I could be getting too paranoid but i'd rather be than loose out on hundreds.

 

[Steep]

That's a wise choice m8.