Buying from Amazon.co.uk

rossm208 · 29 Jun 2016

Hi guys,

I've been looking to buy a zoom lens for a while with the intention of using it for motorsports events and general photography.

After lots of research I've decided to go for the Canon EF-S 55-250 mm f/4-5.6 IS STM but Amazons prices seem too good to be true. When reading the reviews I read a few comments about the lenses being a 'grey imports' and as the lens is not sold directly from amazon this is quite possible. Has anyone had any experience with buying from other sellers on amazon or can anyone offer other advice for buying lenses online?

Thanks

Ross

connersz · 29 Jun 2016

Well it's different in all cases. You can choose the Amazon one or one which is just fulfilled by Amazon. If the lens is a grey import is that going to be an issue?

ukaskew · 29 Jun 2016

Whatever you do, absolutely do not order via one of the sellers on Amazon that asks you to email them to arrange payment. Photography gear gets targeted daily by these scams, Amazon remove them pretty quickly then they reappear again later. They are very easy to spot, they usually price items 30-40% lower than the going rate and will always put 'email me first' in the description.

Looking at your lens in particular, the cheapest price currently is a 'Fulfilled by Amazon' one, so that looks fine. The actual seller is independent but Amazon hold the stock and send it to you directly.

Hugh Jarse · 29 Jun 2016

rossm208 said:
Hi guys,

I've been looking to buy a zoom lens for a while with the intention of using it for motorsports events and general photography.

After lots of research I've decided to go for the Canon EF-S 55-250 mm f/4-5.6 IS STM but Amazons prices seem too good to be true. When reading the reviews I read a few comments about the lenses being a 'grey imports' and as the lens is not sold directly from amazon this is quite possible. Has anyone had any experience with buying from other sellers on amazon or can anyone offer other advice for buying lenses online?

Thanks

Ross

All mad really

E-Global were recently selling new EF-S 55-250mm STM in a Canon retail box (not white box) via EBay, delivered from France for £103. Now there is a Dublin based seller doing the same retail packaged lens at £109 delivered.

Camera Price Buster is listing Amazon as cheapest with a price of £150.60 with the dearest retailer at £327.50. (MISCO)

No wonder the Grey market is popular when margins are so varied.

rossm208 · 30 Jun 2016

connersz said:
Well it's different in all cases. You can choose the Amazon one or one which is just fulfilled by Amazon. If the lens is a grey import is that going to be an issue?

The only downsides I can see about getting a grey import lens is that there is no warranty and the Canon cash back deal wouldn't be an option. Other than amazon are there any other sites you would recommend buying from?

connersz · 30 Jun 2016

rossm208 said:
The only downsides I can see about getting a grey import lens is that there is no warranty and the Canon cash back deal wouldn't be an option. Other than amazon are there any other sites you would recommend buying from?

Some of the grey imports do come with warranties and is there even a cashback offer on at the moment?

rossm208 · 30 Jun 2016

connersz said:
Some of the grey imports do come with warranties and is there even a cashback offer on at the moment?

It would just be hard to know if the seller would provide warranty as the description of the product is the same for each seller, I'd only go for a grey import if I knew the supplier provided warranty. As for the cashback, on the Amazon website this lens was listed as eligible for Canon cashback but when I checked the Canon website it seems that it is not?? Weird.

I think im going to order the Amazon one and pay the extra £30 to be certain that the warranty card will be included.

Thanks for the advice[emoji1]

connersz · 30 Jun 2016

rossm208 said:
It would just be hard to know if the seller would provide warranty as the description of the product is the same for each seller, I'd only go for a grey import if I knew the supplier provided warranty. As for the cashback, on the Amazon website this lens was listed as eligible for Canon cashback but when I checked the Canon website it seems that it is not?? Weird.

I think im going to order the Amazon one and pay the extra £30 to be certain that the warranty card will be included.

Thanks for the advice[emoji1]

If £30 is the difference between getting the Amazon one and the grey import I would go for it. I have ordered grey import goods from DigitalRev which is very good but the difference needs to be much more than that for me to order.