Grey Import

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mrk123

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Hi Grey Imports...

Am i missing something??

Global Digital Store: Can I trust them?
 
Assuming you mean camera bodies, be careful not to buy something with Chinese/Japanese firmware and instruction manuals.
 
I got my 7D from hdew cameras, it is a grey import. The instruction manual was English and the charger also of UK-spec. Their customer service was excellent and they were very upfront about what I was buying (give them a call, they're very helpful).

Personally, I felt that the cost saving was worth it (I paid around £725, the equivalent on Amazon was ~£1100) and I would have no hesitation to use them again.

Note: a grey import body will NOT be covered by a traditional Canon warranty (don't know about Nikon et al.); if there is a problem during the warranty period (I got a free extended 3 year cover with my deal) you must send the camera back to Hdew and they will fix the problem on your behalf. Inevitably then, this is likely to take longer than a traditional warranty. Conversely, L series lenses are covered by the Canon international warranty so you can buy them anywhere and they will be covered in your home country. Worthwhile being aware of.
 
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Just an update.
I bought the Nikon D7100 with 18-70 (vr) lens for £890 of the above mentioned company.

Not too bad. They assured me via live chat (I now have a transcript emailed to me) that I WOULD NOT PAY ANY IMPORT or CUSTOMS.

So now I just got to wait 2 days.

Let's hope it's as easy as that!

I guess the whole customer device element is their only saving grace.
 
KIPAX said:
Yes it will if you bought it from a UK company.. Thats a tried and tested fact :)
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Oh really...?

The Canon warranty is European and it covers all lenses and bodies. Important bit for any non-EWS stock:

Any costs of secure transportation of the product to and from the Canon service centre will be borne by the customer. If the product is brought into a country which is not covered by EWS and which does not accept the warranty card, the product must be returned to the country where it was purchased in order to benefit from the warranty.
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Despite the fact that Hdew are a UK-registered limited company, they import their stock from HK which, as stated in the warranty Ts&Cs, means that the stock is not covered by the EWS.

Source: Canon EWS warranty

If you know something different though, I'd be interested to hear it...
 
veedub said:
Oh really...?
Click to expand...

hahaha here we go :)

veedub said:
If you know something different though, I'd be interested to hear it...
Click to expand...


You posted a blanket statement
Note: a grey import body will NOT be covered by a traditional Canon warranty

This is untrue.. If you buy a camera from a UK company wiht a UK reciept.. how are you to know where they got the camera from? Canon will honor the warranty if you bought from a UK company.. If you bought from a UK company advertising grey import or whatever then you are probably on dodgy ground... But I replied to your blanket statement..

Hope that helps? :)
 
I was under the impression that Canon didn't hand out warranties to Non Fully UK companies?

Either way the serial numbers would or wouldn't tell canon if it was UK stock or not surely?

When I have imput all my gear onto my canon logon they are all registered to UK etc along with my Sigma lenses and their extended 3 year warranties they gave out to UK stock.

To be honest if it works then it doesnt matter.... just i've never had the balls to buy anything from import and always used Jessops, Currys and LCE etc.
 
dalegt4 said:
I was under the impression that Canon didn't hand out warranties to Non Fully UK companies?
Click to expand...

Canon dont hand out warranties to any company.. the warranty comes wiht the camera..

I ahve sent a lot of stuff to canon thats grey import.. so long as I send my UK invoice from a UK company then they deal wiht it..

heres the logic..

if you go to a shop in the uk and buy a camera and a month later it doesnt work.. you send it to canon... they cant refuse to fix it saying its a grey import... how on earth could you be expected to know that or even know what a grey import is? you bought it in the UK its not up to you to find out where the shop gets its stock.. you bought in good faith..

heres the proof...

myself and countless other people on TP have grey import stock and we have all sent stuff back... if you search TP you will see lots of references to it..and never a problem.
 
good point that there, never thought of it like that like.

I think its one of those piece of mind things where if its officially from the UK it makes you feel better kind of thing.

With regarding Sigma though that was a definate for me as the 3 year warranty was worth the extra few hundred pounds I have spent as you never know if something might happen
 
Totally agree about the piece of mind thing.. I asked my canon rep before i bought my last camera... his simple reply was.. so long as i source it from a UK company then its covered..

Sigma.. I only ever bought UK sigma and never needed any warranty work..have to say though.. sigma UK where very very helpful over phone and email when i did want a non warranty repair... cant speak too highly of them from my expriences..
 
probably worth differentiating between grey import which has had VAT/duty paid (some of the more legit importers like HDEW who will provide the VAT receipt upon request) or those that avoid it

Canon will repair the former but not the latter is my understanding
 
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