D600: Is mine a grey import?

Traubrey

Traubrey

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Ray
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Hi

Took delivery of my D600 yesterday and instantly grew suspicious as soon as I opened the box as it looked like someone had been in before.

The manual (A6 sized rather than usual A5) was rattling around in the top of the box with a creased warranty card. In a separate clear self seal plastic covering was the software. No quick start guide.

My previous Nikon purchases have had all paperwork/manuals neatly heat sealed.

In addition it had a 3-pin adapter rather than UK plug.

I was assured it was a UK model, but are there any D600 owners out there who can tell me if that's just the way it is presented, albeit poorly.

It's all packed up and ready to go back so any opinions would be welcome.

Cheers

Ray
 
Traubrey said:
Hi

Took delivery of my D600 yesterday and instantly grew suspicious as soon as I opened the box as it looked like someone had been in before.

The manual (A6 sized rather than usual A5) was rattling around in the top of the box with a creased warranty card. In a separate clear self seal plastic covering was the software. No quick start guide.

My previous Nikon purchases have had all paperwork/manuals neatly heat sealed.

In addition it had a 3-pin adapter rather than UK plug.

I was assured it was a UK model, but are there any D600 owners out there who can tell me if that's just the way it is presented, albeit poorly.

It's all packed up and ready to go back so any opinions would be welcome.

Cheers

Ray
Click to expand...

Would help if you said where it had come from?
 
Where did you buy it from?

What does it say on the warranty card ... some of mine are Nikon BV The Netherlands, some Nikon UK Ltd, either are legitimate.
 
It was from an Amazon rated seller who via email said it was a UK camera.

If its not a grey import then it's a return/ex-display as I'm sure something is missing. Either that or I'm paranoid and Nikon's product presentation skills has slipped somewhat.
 
Don't know much about Nikon in general, but believe they have an extra year warranty thing if you register, daresay that wouldn't work if it wasn't a legit UK model

If you are not happy return under the DSR and buy elsewhere
 
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It is a grey import
 
Every Nikon I've bought has been UK stock and all the chargers have been with a 3 pin UK plug.

Opened packaging sounds dodgy too.

You have 14 days to send it back under the distance selling laws anyway regardless of whether it's faulty or not.

Get rid, buy from a proper UK dealer or a grey import dealer that will honour the UK warranty like Panamoz.
 
Traubrey said:
If its not a grey import then it's a return/ex-display as I'm sure something is missing. Either that or I'm paranoid and Nikon's product presentation skills has slipped somewhat.
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They have opened the box to pack the plug adaptor, genuine Nikon UK stuff always has a three pin plug.
 
Yeah sounds like a import. I bought a 55-200 form a seller on amazon and found it was a import, then returned it no problems.
 
I'm not up on the Nikon front, but an adapter for the power supply very strongly says non UK stock to me.

I'd be sending it back if I'd received this, especially after being told its UK stock.

As in previous post, give Nikon a bell and set your mind at rest.
 
Hi

Thanks for all your considered responses.

Called Nikon and they said the warranty card shows it is European stock, thus it is not a grey import.

The 3 pin adapter means that it was either sourced in Europe or was destined for the European market.

They confirmed that something is not right with the amount of paperwork that was rattling around in the box. Possibly a returned item.

It is definitely going back as something is amiss.

Thanks again. Helped to put my mind at rest. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Ray
 
What exactly is amiss?
Did Nikon offer to send out replacement paperwork?
Did you buy on the auspice that it was an opened box item being sold by the original purchaser?
You could check with certain software, if not Nikon's own or in the EXIF for shutter count, in case it's been reset to factory default settings.
Otherwise, is there anything wrong with the unit and are Nikon saying its warranty has already started?
 
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Might be worth checking the shutter count to see if it has actually been used before/refurb/etc
 
rpsmith79 said:
Might be worth checking the shutter count to see if it has actually been used before/refurb/etc
Click to expand...

This, it maybe that they've only opened it to check contents before dispatch and to include the adapter ;)
 
Traubrey said:
Hi


Called Nikon and they said the warranty card shows it is European stock, thus it is not a grey import.
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If Nikon said this is not a grey import then they are wrong! Bloomin' idiots
 
strange because when i started a thread on grey imports i was shot down and thread closed. :suspect:


a lot of people said it didnt matter if it came from panamoz etc.even though less had been paid for it,unsure warranty etc.
yet i was sure we would all want to know where the equipment came from.

there is european stock and there is UK stock

from reputable UK sellers the warranty will say Nikon UK on the papers.:)
 
admirable said:
If Nikon said this is not a grey import then they are wrong! Bloomin' idiots
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Well if they're happy to honour the warranty what's the issue, if its euro stock then the correct tax etc should have been paid
 
My new UK Nikon came with a 2 pin charger with a 3 pin adapter. Registered with Nikon and had Nikon cashback. Bought from Jessops.

Al
 
Incidentally, both the body and lens warranty cards state Nikon Europe.

Al
 
As long as I had manufacturers 2 year warranty from date I placed the order and the shutter count was not sky high then I would be happy
 
I have been looking at Amazon s website for a D600 and have noticed few sellers that are selling the body alone for just under £1300 which is quiet cheap for UK stock. This doesn't mean it's grey import but if it is European stock then they should let you know
 
MWHCVT said:
Well if they're happy to honour the warranty what's the issue, if its euro stock then the correct tax etc should have been paid
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I never said there was any issue, with warranty or tax.
 
All sorted, packed up and waiting collection.

Decided to call my local Nikon dealer who did me a good deal on a new D600 with a grip. He even registered the camera for the 2 year warranty whilst I did some shopping.

He looked at the photos I had taken of the one from Amazon and confirmed there was something amiss about it for a supposed UK supplied model. When I opened my new D600 box it only served to confirm it.

The real added bonus was that whilst I was waiting for him to confirm he could match a deal my eyes started wandering across the stock of Nikon gear behind the glass. After spending a day looking and calling about the increasingly rare 16-35mm lens with no luck (4-6 week lead time) one was sat there. I had a double take moment as my brain could not quite compute there was a hens teeth lens to buy. He even did a price match against Wex price for their non-existent.

So, what started out poorly has ended well.

Thanks for all your input. Let's hope this camera is worth it. :)

Have a good weekend.
 
OK, a friend received a D600 for his Christmas, His wife asked me about charging the battery in order for him to be able to use it on Xmas day. She brought the battery and charger along to me and I charged it for her. It was bought from John Lewis and had a UK 3 pin plug.

So there is obviously a difference between a D600 boxed for the UK and a D600 boxed for Europe. If this is so then it is a grey import.

I also note that AL1944 has bought one from Jessops with 3 pin adapter and Nikon Europe warranty card so it is just possible that Nikon are in the process of supplying all European countries with the same charger lead but including the relevant adapter for the country. Seems unlikely but you never know. If this is the case then they will all be parallel imports but I would have thought Nikon Customer Services would have explained all this.

I'm presuming here we are talking about a separate 3 pin adapter and not a universal plug designed with clip on attachments to suit the specific plug type.
 
Traubrey said:
All sorted, packed up and waiting collection.

Decided to call my local Nikon dealer who did me a good deal on a new D600 with a grip. He even registered the camera for the 2 year warranty whilst I did some shopping.

He looked at the photos I had taken of the one from Amazon and confirmed there was something amiss about it for a supposed UK supplied model. When I opened my new D600 box it only served to confirm it.

The real added bonus was that whilst I was waiting for him to confirm he could match a deal my eyes started wandering across the stock of Nikon gear behind the glass. After spending a day looking and calling about the increasingly rare 16-35mm lens with no luck (4-6 week lead time) one was sat there. I had a double take moment as my brain could not quite compute there was a hens teeth lens to buy. He even did a price match against Wex price for their non-existent.

So, what started out poorly has ended well.

Thanks for all your input. Let's hope this camera is worth it. :)

Have a good weekend.
Click to expand...

Good stuff, all's well that ends well.

I bet you feel better now within yourself now that it's sorted. :thumbs:
 
Traubrey said:
All sorted, packed up and waiting collection.

Decided to call my local Nikon dealer who did me a good deal on a new D600 with a grip. He even registered the camera for the 2 year warranty whilst I did some shopping.

He looked at the photos I had taken of the one from Amazon and confirmed there was something amiss about it for a supposed UK supplied model. When I opened my new D600 box it only served to confirm it.

The real added bonus was that whilst I was waiting for him to confirm he could match a deal my eyes started wandering across the stock of Nikon gear behind the glass. After spending a day looking and calling about the increasingly rare 16-35mm lens with no luck (4-6 week lead time) one was sat there. I had a double take moment as my brain could not quite compute there was a hens teeth lens to buy. He even did a price match against Wex price for their non-existent.

So, what started out poorly has ended well.

Thanks for all your input. Let's hope this camera is worth it. :)

Have a good weekend.
Click to expand...

Hello, can I be cheeky and ask about your deal as Im looking to buy a D600, best I can see is £1450 body and £1799 kit... tia!
 
To answer a couple of points my biggest gripe was that someone had clearly been rooting about in the box. The opening flaps were creased back, the box had a couple of dings and scratches and looked more used than my two year old camera box.

That coupled with the issue that the instruction manual didn't look like one produced for UK market and what looked like a cheap 3 pin plug adapter started to make me suspicious.

I specifically asked before buying if it was new and a UK camera. I was assured it was yes on both counts and clearly that was not the case. If they had been honest I would have had the choice. It may not be important to everyone but it is to me.

At best it was used as a display model and I'm just not happy with that. Interestingly the seller has yet to respond to my questions about the camera, one day after emailing. That says a fair amount as they may incriminate themselves using Amazon's messaging system.

I'm more happy now as a local shop gets my money and i have peace of mind. Paid a little more but it was worth it. Then there's the 16-35mm. That was the cherry in the cake.

Cheers

Ray
 
admirable said:
OK, a friend received a D600 for his Christmas, His wife asked me about charging the battery in order for him to be able to use it on Xmas day. She brought the battery and charger along to me and I charged it for her. It was bought from John Lewis and had a UK 3 pin plug.

So there is obviously a difference between a D600 boxed for the UK and a D600 boxed for Europe. If this is so then it is a grey import.

I also note that AL1944 has bought one from Jessops with 3 pin adapter and Nikon Europe warranty card so it is just possible that Nikon are in the process of supplying all European countries with the same charger lead but including the relevant adapter for the country. Seems unlikely but you never know. If this is the case then they will all be parallel imports but I would have thought Nikon Customer Services would have explained all this.

I'm presuming here we are talking about a separate 3 pin adapter and not a universal plug designed with clip on attachments to suit the specific plug type.
Click to expand...

That doesn't make it a grey import. Its entered the EU market legitimately and qualifies for a Nikon European warranty. However i would still prefer a model that says UK on it.
 
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When you say there was a UK plug on it - was the plug on the end of a cable or attached to the back of the charger?

This is what mine is like. Once the 3 pin part is fitted it doesn't seem possible to remove it.

Untitled_zps593e7943.jpg
 
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rjbell said:
That doesn't make it a grey import. Its entered the EU market legitimately and qualifies for a Nikon European warranty. However i would still prefer a model that says UK on it.
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What doesn't make it a grey import?
 
admirable said:
It does if the contents are different
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It's not, nikon couldn't treat one eu country differently to another its essentially the same market, it has to be a european warranty. Also shipping from one eu county to another eu country is not actually importing or exporting at all, its known as dispatches or removals. Grey Imports refer to the illegitimate import.
 
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But they are different, if you buy your D600 in France you only get 1 year warranty. If you buy it here you get 2 years warranty.

It doesn't matter if it's Nikon or Nissan, a grey import has something different between the UK supplied product and the imported product.

With a parallel import the spec is exactly the same.
 
wex

tells it like it is


http://www.wexphotographic.com/?/aboutus/no-grey-imports.html



"We would like to be absolutely transparent on this. We are committed to selling UK sourced stock and do so across the board, with the exception of a few specialist lines (e.g. Kirk and Lenscoat) where there is no UK distributor and the only way of sourcing stock for our customers is from the manufacturer directly. In such cases we will handle any returns issues on behalf of our customers."
David Garratt - CEO
 
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