Amazon: Sigma Grey Import!!

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

:razz:

I'm shocked:

My superb 17-50mm Sigma f2.8 has just been declared by Sigma UK as a Grey Import and will not issue the extended warranty I applied for 2 weeks ago.

It was bought from AMAZON UK, not a trader or similar.

To say that I'm pee'd off is an understatement. They said, they'd refund me the money. Well that leaves me lens-less for a while, probably unable to buy it £550.
But more to the point, where do I stand legally as it is not advertised as such, and Sigma are quite "funny" about these imports.

I purposely didn't buy at £420 as I knew it would be an import, but Amazon UK... you gotta be kidding me.

tee_tee · 14 Oct 2011

At £550 it should not be a grey import, infact thats rough price they go for at places like jacobs. I'd be well pee'd off to find that its not a uk model.

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

Just spoken to CameraWorld who assure me they get stock only from Sigma UK. Might just get a refund from Amazon and go with them.

Sigma sounded a bit pee'd also as they said it's not the first time it's happened, and they can't dictate where Amazon source their stock from. What I find hard to swallow, is that it should be illegal or at very least against trading standards, for Amazon to not state these are Grey Imports.

tee_tee · 14 Oct 2011

They do occasionally stock stuff that is import, but obviously its usually reflected in the price. @ £550 Amazon are being well cheeky, I would be looking at a refund at the very least, and demanding some sort of compensation for the inconvenience.

andyred · 14 Oct 2011

Matty777 said:
Just spoken to CameraWorld who assure me they get stock only from Sigma UK. Might just get a refund from Amazon and go with .

I certainly would, if cameraworld are the same price, then it's a no brainer, get a refund straight away from amazon. Chances are you'll not need the extra warranty, but for peace of mind it's well worth having

mortimerhill · 14 Oct 2011

Two things here:

it's not illegal to sell grey imports and secondly remember, buyer beware, it's up to you to do your due dilligence.

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

mortimerhill said:
.... buyer beware, it's up to you to do your due dilligence.

Eh??

Is this a wind up?? Buyer beware of Amazon UK??

"Due diligence" for paying full price from Amazon UK??

Whatever next, character references for Marks and Spencers, full market research for John Lewis??

Your remarks are wise for buying from eBay or a HK imported, but are a little extreme for Amazon and alike.

mortimerhill · 14 Oct 2011

Matty777 said:
Eh??

Is this a wind up?? Buyer beware of Amazon UK??

"Due diligence" for paying full price from Amazon UK??

Whatever next, character references for Marks and Spencers, full market research for John Lewis??

Your remarks are wise for buying from eBay or a HK imported, but are a little extreme for Amazon and alike.

Is it that difficult to ask if the goods have full UK guarantee?

gramps · 14 Oct 2011

Matty777 said:
Eh??

Is this a wind up?? Buyer beware of Amazon UK??

"Due diligence" for paying full price from Amazon UK??

Whatever next, character references for Marks and Spencers, full market research for John Lewis??

Your remarks are wise for buying from eBay or a HK imported, but are a little extreme for Amazon and alike.

I agree, shouldn't be necessary, and if it is a grey import at an inflated price then it certainly will be 'buyer beware' at Amazon from this customer.

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

mortimerhill said:
Is it that difficult to ask if the goods have full UK guarantee?

YES. It's states in the advert 3 years UK Warranty, is it that difficult for you to go and look for yourself. I do more research than most before I buy, and DO NOT expect to ripped off by Amazon.

Now go and troll another thread :thumbsdown:

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

The admonishing PM I have just received has been reported to a Moderator.

Jimmy_Lemon · 14 Oct 2011

We are moderators, not your mothers!

mortimerhill I think you have made your point, if you have nothing more to add then please refrain from posting in this thread further.

Matty if you do feel he is trolling then please just ignore him.

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

Jimmy_Lemon said:
We are moderators, not your mothers!

mortimerhill I think you have made your point, if you have nothing more to add then please refrain from posting in this thread further.

Matty if you do feel he is trolling then please just ignore him.

Ok Thanks Jimmy, I will.

"Ignore" button duly pressed. :naughty:

mortimerhill · 14 Oct 2011

I am still waitng for Matty777 to apologise for calling me a troll

gramps · 14 Oct 2011

{sigh}

TheBigYin · 14 Oct 2011

mortimerhill said:
I am still waitng for Matty777 to apologise for calling me a troll

I fear you will be waiting a long time my friend - he's no longer viewing posts from you. :shrug:

I suggest you step away from the thread as suggested earlier. Maybe go out and take some photographs :thinking:

mortimerhill · 14 Oct 2011

TheBigYin said:
I fear you will be waiting a long time my friend - he's no longer viewing posts from you. :shrug:

I suggest you step away from the thread as suggested earlier. Maybe go out and take some photographs

if he doesn't apologise he should be banned

Jimmy_Lemon · 14 Oct 2011

mortimerhill said:
if he doesn't apologise he should be banned

You aren't exactly helping the idea that you are not a troll to be completely honest. We don't like personal insults on these forums, and we don't like people calling each other trolls, but it is NOT a bannable offence. A slapped wrist, maybe.

gramps · 14 Oct 2011

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory,[2] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[3] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.

Suggest that if you don't want to be called a troll, you don't act like one.

Back on topic, it is quite reasonable to expect a UK company advertising a full UK product with a 3-year warranty to in fact be providing a full product with a 3-year warranty. If the product was in fact a 'grey import' then it should have been made known and priced accordingly if customer credibility is desired.

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

I really just don't believe this.

I post in good faith hopefully to alert others who seek to buy Sigma gear from Amazon that all may not be as it seems.
I'm not exactly in the best of moods, sat here with £550 worth of gear that is getting sent back, with a holiday and photography course coming very soon.
What I didn't not want is opinion about whether I should be wise to a sellers devious ways, as stated this is Amazon UK and not a Hong Kong retailer or ebay. If we can't trust Amazon then just who the hell do we trust.

I will not respond to demanding PM's that have, in my interpretation, almost have a threatening undertone. and as for being banned, I have been here 4 years, and possibly got involved only in an occasional opinionated debate. You on the other hand have been here 4 days and have started a row with me and also been involved in another reprimand by using the term "Muppets" on another thread which caused offence to another forum user. That's not a great start in my very humble opinion.

I will stick to the definition of said name mention above and in particular to the phrase "intent of provoking readers into an emotional response"

The only apology I'm issuing is to those that have happened upon a thread only to see this sort or carry on.

Trig's · 14 Oct 2011

I've brought a few bits of glass from Amazon & have yet to "cop" an import - although when I did get one which didn't state "NIKON UK" on the warranty but something like Netherlands B.V (not 100% what it was TBH) on the slip I did ask them about it also asked Nikon but did get the reply that it was legit and was NOT an import/gray model....

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

Mine looked like any other lens I've bought as in packaging and enclosed documents, it was only when Sigma UK rejected my registration for extended warranty, I rang them to be informed it had not passed thru Sigma UK and therefore was a Grey Import via either Germany or direct from HK or Japan. Either way they wern't going to touch the warranty

JohnN · 14 Oct 2011

When I got my Sigma a while back I checked their site and noticed Amazon were not on there so rung Sigma direct and they warned me about this, I think I mentioned it on here before once, but it was a long time ago, I was as amazed as the OP that Amazon could sell grey imports, I was just luckier.

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

I'm going for a refund tomorrow and going to get one from CameraWorld. At least they are a recommended Sigma dealer.

That was my whole intention of this thread, that is if you want Sigma and it's extended warranty I'd think more than twice before going to Amazon!

cyclamens · 14 Oct 2011

Without wanting to be called a troll or sumsuch - again it goes to show that looking for the cheapest price is not always the best way.

I will only ever spend this amount of money with a shop I can go back to - tbh I am even doubtful about CF cards bought through this lot........but at less than £15 for a 4gb Sandisk it's not such a risk

andyred · 14 Oct 2011

Matty777 said:
I'm going for a refund tomorrow and going to get one from CameraWorld. At least they are a recommended Sigma dealer.!

And CameraPriceBuster are showing they're £10 cheaper

Hope you get it sorted ...

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

cyclamens said:
Without wanting to be called a troll or sumsuch - again it goes to show that looking for the cheapest price is not always the best way.

I will only ever spend this amount of money with a shop I can go back to - tbh I am even doubtful about CF cards bought through this lot........but at less than £15 for a 4gb Sandisk it's not such a risk

lol...that's a fair point, and made diplomatically

But Amazon were about even with others for the price, I ordered due to convenience and having had good stuff before.
Normally stuff that appears to cheap to be true, has usually a reason. But this appears the case this time, but without being cheap!

cyclamens · 14 Oct 2011

Matty777 said:
lol...that's a fair point, and made diplomatically But Amazon were about even with others for the price, I ordered due to convenience and having had good stuff before.
Normally stuff that appears to cheap to be true, has usually a reason. But this appears the case this time, but without being cheap!

Understood and yes when the price is similar, like you for the convenience I would have possibly done the same thing. Were you buying from an Amazon 'partner' I would be doubtful, but you are right - you wouldn't expect it from the main 'accredited' supplier.

Just goes to show you need to be on your mettle eh?

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

It was from the main Honcho's themselves Amazon, not any dealer or person trading under their name.

cyclamens · 14 Oct 2011

Matty777 said:
It was from the main Honcho's themselves Amazon, not any dealer or person trading under their name.

That's what I meant - unless it is Amazon themselves selling I don't trust it.

I appreciate you were buying from the big A themselves in this instance

Matty777 · 14 Oct 2011

Just going to be a bummer, arranging collection with Amazon and ordering the new one from CameraWorld.
I have to have it by Friday, as going to Cornwall then doing a day Photography Course the start of the next week

parkmoy · 15 Oct 2011

I agree it's very naughty of Amazon not to highlight it's a grey import but one thing I do like about them is that they have never quibbled about a refund or a replacement when I've had a problem.

For that reason I usually choose to use them if they are about the same price as others.

mithrandir · 15 Oct 2011

What did Amazon have to say about this issue?

For the 3 years warranty they specified, would it be something they would honour directl should problems arise?

I'd be interested to know as the lens is a Sigma lens at the end of the day and would be manufactured to the same standard as any others (I assume) - just not some knock off from a backyard chinese factory.

Matty777 · 15 Oct 2011

Indeed it is the real McCoy and it's just pure politics why Sigma don't cover the imports. Also agree that Amazon are normally very good about returns.
I'm expecting a call this morning from Customer services, have no idea what they can suggest other than a refund, which I'm going to take.
But to be honest it's not just good enough to refund then sweep it under the carpet. As some unsuspecting punter is going to buy one in good faith, then 1 year and 3 days into warranty they are going to get told by Sigma that the repair they need doing on the extended warranty free, is just about to cost them £100+ !
The point here is, as they are charging an average price, they should be selling Sigma UK ones like most of the other UK dealers. If they were selling at £430 then I'd just cover it for £48 on the 3 year extended insurance, as there is nothing wrong with the lens.

Jonathan Shl · 16 Oct 2011

Matty777 said:
Indeed it is the real McCoy and it's just pure politics why Sigma don't cover the imports. Also agree that Amazon are normally very good about returns.
I'm expecting a call this morning from Customer services, have no idea what they can suggest other than a refund, which I'm going to take.
But to be honest it's not just good enough to refund then sweep it under the carpet. As some unsuspecting punter is going to buy one in good faith, then 1 year and 3 days into warranty they are going to get told by Sigma that the repair they need doing on the extended warranty free, is just about to cost them £100+ !
The point here is, as they are charging an average price, they should be selling Sigma UK ones like most of the other UK dealers. If they were selling at £430 then I'd just cover it for £48 on the 3 year extended insurance, as there is nothing wrong with the lens.

The worst thing is, that Sigma are probably counting anything that comes from the Eurozone (that's just my guess as to where it came from) as a grey import!

Hodders · 17 Oct 2011

Matty, I wouldn't worry too much about mortimerhill. It is always a bit silly when new members start off by getting into a tiff with established members.

New members are often not aware of the culture and rules on fora and would often do well to err on the side of caution before wading in.

For the record - I would be expecting more than a refund from Amazon, I would be getting in touch with Watchdog and kicking up a right fuss.

Matty777 · 22 Oct 2011

Resolution to this:

Amazon have admitted in shipping from Germany and therefore falling foul of Sigma UK's extended warranty conditions, so will only have a standard 1 year warranty.
Due to me "bringing this to their attention", they have now removed the "3 Year UK warranty" from the description and said they are working with Sigma UK to see if they will co-operate on the extensions.
I received a very small token of goodwill and a very prompt return of my cash.

Bought it for £15 cheaper at CameraWorld.

So I'm fairly happy at the outcome. Hope nobody finds out 13 months in to ownership if they have a problem with a "Deutsch Version!"

Jonathan Shl · 7 Nov 2011

Matty777 said:
Resolution to this:

Amazon have admitted in shipping from Germany and therefore falling foul of Sigma UK's extended warranty conditions, so will only have a standard 1 year warranty.
Due to me "bringing this to their attention", they have now removed the "3 Year UK warranty" from the description and said they are working with Sigma UK to see if they will co-operate on the extensions.
I received a very small token of goodwill and a very prompt return of my cash.

Bought it for £15 cheaper at CameraWorld.

So I'm fairly happy at the outcome. Hope nobody finds out 13 months in to ownership if they have a problem with a "Deutsch Version!"

That is just plain wrong on Sigma's part. If my new Sigma lens turns out to be of eurozone origin (I'm still waiting!), then I will blame Sigma.

odd jim · 9 Nov 2011

My 70-200 which I purchased from Amazon direct was UK stock, which Amazon honoured the warranty on...

Amazon: Sigma Grey Import!!

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