Grey imports and UK repairs since December 2015

[dkh]

I went to my local Jessops this afternoon and after a bit of a discussion the owner told me that since December 2015, Nikon and Canon will not touch cameras that have a serial that does not match the UK batch!

History - I have two D750's which have both been to and from Nikon UK (Richmond) since I got them in late 2014 / early 2015 - firstly for the two call-backs and then because the focus was out.

For me, if both CanNikon will not touch the grey bodies, it would seriously make me think about buying from the likes of Panamoz etc.

Anyone have recent experience or better knowledge?

 

[minnnt]

A load of rubbish mate. I contacted Panamoz yesterday about a potential issue with my D750 and they told me to contact Nikon UK to get it repaired. I emailed them and told them straight away that i purchased it from Panamoz and they gave me the form to fill in to return it.

They just treat it as any other camera out of UK warranty. Well, Nikon do at least anyway.

 

[owenb]

Well it is jessops if they are anything like my local store (the only decent one is the manager who knows a bit) the staff didn't even know what a step up ring was when I asked they just went what's one of them...... and another gem was trying to sell a bloke a tamron 70-300vc for indoor lowlight portraits...... legends. .mmmmm don't believe a word

 

[stu.artd]

I went to my local Jessops this afternoon and after a bit of a discussion the owner told me that since December 2015, Nikon and Canon will not touch cameras that have a serial that does not match the UK batch!

History - I have two D750's which have both been to and from Nikon UK (Richmond) since I got them in late 2014 / early 2015 - firstly for the two call-backs and then because the focus was out.

For me, if both CanNikon will not touch the grey bodies, it would seriously make me think about buying from the likes of Panamoz etc.

Anyone have recent experience or better knowledge?

That's one way to try and drum up some business I suppose. It seriously makes me think about ever buying from Jessops again.

 

[tesco]

Nikon don't repair them anyway it's three sub contracted private companies that do it

 

[chrism_scotland]

I went to my local Jessops this afternoon and after a bit of a discussion the owner told me that since December 2015, Nikon and Canon will not touch cameras that have a serial that does not match the UK batch!

History - I have two D750's which have both been to and from Nikon UK (Richmond) since I got them in late 2014 / early 2015 - firstly for the two call-backs and then because the focus was out.

For me, if both CanNikon will not touch the grey bodies, it would seriously make me think about buying from the likes of Panamoz etc.

Anyone have recent experience or better knowledge?

I know with Nikon I'd be sending it to AJ Johnson in Glasgow, not Nikon directly and I've never had an issue, not in their interest not to take the money, at the end of the day Panamoz are paying for the work if needed.

Its funny though because I understand certainly until recently that it was the case in the US that they wouldn't touch grey stock at all.

 

[Vertigo1]

That's one way to try and drum up some business I suppose. It seriously makes me think about ever buying from Jessops again.

Jessops were a disgrace and deserved to go out of business. Just a shame that Peter wotshisface resurrected them again.

Jacobs on the other hand - they were far more enthusiastic and knowledgable and it was a real shame they went.

 

[twist]

E.g. Nikon UK turning down 250 quid for an out of warranty shutter replacement? Me thinks not.

 

[odd jim]

Jessops will tell you anything to sell you a camera.

Canon and Nikon will repair any body, it's only the warranty costs they won't cover for an import but after 12 months it's the same for a UK body.

 

[mikew]

I did wonder if there had been a change of attitude,i take it Richmondcameras are gray importers,there prices look to be between the cheapest gray and official Nikon, they offer a three year warranty on lenses and bodies,the instructions say if its fails just send it to your nearest Nikon repair center,can some one else read it and see if i am missing something.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Nikon...156866?hash=item1a0cc17d82:g:qpAAAOSwpRRWoujt

 

[StewartR]

Richmondcameras... offer a three year warranty on lenses and bodies,the instructions say if its fails just send it to your nearest Nikon repair center...

Well, what's interesting is that they say send it to your nearest Nikon repair centre and they (Richmond Cameras) will cover the costs. For an item which was an "official" import, Nikon UK would cover the costs. That's pretty much the standard deal with grey importers; your warranty is with them, not with the manufacturer, so you need to decide whether you think the retailer is going to (1) stay in business, and (2) honour it.

 

[odd jim]

Canon's website only stipulates that they won't honour the EU warranty or cash back deals on out of EU Purchases, which is to be expected. They will still complete a customer repair as with any product. .

Also, what happens to someone who lived in Hong Kong (for ease of example) and moves to another country. His expensive 1dx gets dropped and needs repair - "no, you bought it in another country, on your bike!".

I don't think so.

After the warranty period all cameras are the same.

Jessops are pitiful, don't believe a word their salesmen mutter! I love the fact they even embellished the lie with a date :/

 

[mikew]

Well, what's interesting is that they say send it to your nearest Nikon repair centre and they (Richmond Cameras) will cover the costs. For an item which was an "official" import, Nikon UK would cover the costs. That's pretty much the standard deal with grey importers; your warranty is with them, not with the manufacturer, so you need to decide whether you think the retailer is going to (1) stay in business, and (2) honour it.

Sorry i may not have made it clear what i was curious about,i have always understood the gray import implications,my interest was peeked because its often said Nikon will not repair gray imports (even when your paying) but this and posts in this thread would indicate they will.

 

[odd jim]

Sorry i may not have made it clear what i was curious about,i have always understood the gray import implications,my interest was peeked because its often said Nikon will not repair gray imports (even when your paying) but this and posts in this thread would indicate they will.

I've never heard that Canon / Nikon would refuse a repair, and I'm not aware of anyone actually being refused a repair. The internet doesn't bring up any examples of this either.

It's always been the case that Canon and Nikon will repair as with anything but it'll cost you the price of the repair. As it would anyone after 12 months of ownership.

 

[mikew]

Canon's website only stipulates that they won't honour the EU warranty or cash back deals on out of EU Purchases, which is to be expected. They will still complete a customer repair as with any product. .

Also, what happens to someone who lived in Hong Kong (for ease of example) and moves to another country. His expensive 1dx gets dropped and needs repair - "no, you bought it in another country, on your bike!".

I don't think so.

After the warranty period all cameras are the same.

Jessops are pitiful, don't believe a word their salesmen mutter! I love the fact they even embellished the lie with a date :/

Jessops are great,if you have one local and know what you want if you want intelligent info forget them.

Some one will probably correct me but ime sure in the 80s/90s when jessops ran there wholesale side supplying smaller independent shops they sold gray imports,the reason i think this is my wife was manageress of a camera shop and warranty repairs where returned to jessops.

 

[realspeed]

Jessops tried to pass off to me a used Nikon D300 as new a few years back. The sales patter was "Well we have to try out all new cameras first before we sell them" . Maybe someone new to photography will fall for it but not me. It took me mentioning going to trading standards to complain before they replaced it with one in an unopened box. Oh the one they tried to pass off on me as new had something like 1000 shutter actuations

 

[dkh]

I thought it was hot air and it was the manager telling me this info - I told him I was looking for a 77mm CPL, this discussion then changed to the new policies of canikon because of the 'new serial numbers' (new serials???) and how they can now tell what country the camera was meant for - obvious I thought.

 

[odd jim]

I thought it was hot air and it was the manager telling me this info - I told him I was looking for a 77mm CPL, this discussion then changed to the new policies of canikon because of the 'new serial numbers' (new serials???) and how they can now tell what country the camera was meant for - obvious I thought.

Utter b*llocks! They've always known that from the serial number. Jessops don't do themselves any favours.

Jessops will disappear from the High St again soon and TBH they deserve to.

 

[big soft moose]

Utter b*llocks! They've always known that from the serial number. Jessops don't do themselves any favours.

Jessops will disappear from the High St again soon and TBH they deserve to.

Sigma went through a phase of refusing to repair grey imports, but it was a widely ignored policy and these days they've reverted their position to match the others - ie that they won't honour warranties but they will repair if you pay them.

 

[odd jim]

Sigma went through a phase of refusing to repair grey imports, but it was a widely ignored policy and these days they've reverted their position to match the others - ie that they won't honour warranties but they will repair if you pay them.

My understanding was they simply wouldn't honour the warranty after people had attempted to apply for the free extended 3 year warranty when the serial number didn't match a UK stock number. There were actually a lot of "grey stock" in Sigma's official UK supply chain!

I've not heard of Sigma refusing a paid repair?

 

[Phil V]

Jessops were a disgrace and deserved to go out of business. Just a shame that Peter wotshisface resurrected them again.

Jacobs on the other hand - they were far more enthusiastic and knowledgable and it was a real shame they went.

The main Jessops in Doncaster had some brilliant staff, likewise the one at Monks Cross in York (the 2 branches I have used most). I have also been in some where the staff were shocking, but I don't believe it's fair to slag off a company with so many shops with such a broad brush. Likewise the only Jacobs I ever used was appalling, but I wouldn't judge them by one shop.

 

[big soft moose]

I've not heard of Sigma refusing a paid repair?

no neither have I , I do remember finding a pdf leaflet from sigma saying they wouldnt repair grey imports a couple of years back, but either they've taken it down, or my google fu has weakened as i can't find it now, and its not mentioned in their "going grey" flyer (reading which i'm always distracted from the content by the sheer level of cheese in the illustrative pictures) - these days their policy would appear to be that any warranty claim not imported by sigma uk is required to be accompanied by proof of payment of VAT (and duty where appicable) on import .

Calumet say on their don't buy grey thing

Often, brands will refuse to carry out chargeable repairs on products that have come from the grey market. Yet again, this results in extra unwanted costs for the end user.

but they don't provide any evidence to back that assertion up - and of course as a white market dealer they would say that (i'm not sure what Calumets own policy is on repairing grey import kit, i couldnt find that on their website)

Tamron USA have a policy that they will not repair grey imports http://www.tamron-usa.com/lenses/gray_market.php

Tamron USA, Inc., or its authorized agents, will not repair any product that is not an officially imported product and sold through an authorized Tamron USA dealer. In other words, there will be no authorized repair service under any circumstance for grey market products. In such a case, the user must return the product to the dealer at which it was purchased for unauthorized repair service.

but ive no idea what Tamron UKs policy is as their website is much less explicit (this makes me wonder if what i was looking at before was sigma usa )

 

[odd jim]

no neither have I , I do remember finding a pdf leaflet from sigma saying they wouldnt repair grey imports a couple of years back, but either they've taken it down, or my google fu has weakened as i can't find it now, and its not mentioned in their "going grey" flyer (reading which i'm always distracted from the content by the sheer level of cheese in the illustrative pictures) - these days their policy would appear to be that any warranty claim not imported by sigma uk is required to be accompanied by proof of payment of VAT (and duty where appicable) on import .

Calumet say on their don't buy grey thing




but they don't provide any evidence to back that assertion up - and of course as a white market dealer they would say that (i'm not sure what Calumets own policy is on repairing grey import kit, i couldnt find that on their website)

Tamron USA have a policy that they will not repair grey imports http://www.tamron-usa.com/lenses/gray_market.php

but ive no idea what Tamron UKs policy is as their website is much less explicit (this makes me wonder if what i was looking at before was sigma usa )

Yes white market sellers will use shock tactics to scare people into buying UK stock, which is just what Jessops did to the OP. Companies like Jessops know how much more expensive their stock is, even against official UK supplies such as Amazon. It's not surprising they come up with such rubbish.

I think a big company would be on very dodgy ground legally and commercially if they point blank refused to repair one of their, very technical and specialist products.

And someone buying a used body might not have anyway of checking anyway, which would alienate a lot of potential customers (ie, they'd go on to buy lenses and other kit from the manufacturer).

 

[Riz_Guru]

Slightly off-topic but don't you hate the way you can't transfer the warranty to the next owner when selling a Nikon or Canon item?

 

[JulesP]

I've never heard that Canon / Nikon would refuse a repair, and I'm not aware of anyone actually being refused a repair.

I've been refused a repair on a grey Tokina lens by Kenro, the U.K. authorised repairer/distributor of Tokina kit.
I even said I would pay up front for any repairs but they flat refused to touch it at all.

 

[big soft moose]

The tech must exist for the manufacturers to make life difficult for grey importers if they wanted to - so i suspect that globally they don't much care as a sale is still a sale regardless of which subsidary it goes through.

For that matter it would be relatively easy for HMRC to put the grey dealers out of business if the wanted to by taking more action than demanding payment when goods are intercepted (like for example anything found to be misdeclared will be forfeit ) I suspect they don't because they lack the people to enforce effectively and are too busy foccusing on imports like drugs/guns/people trafficking etc

 

[Vertigo1]

The main Jessops in Doncaster had some brilliant staff, likewise the one at Monks Cross in York (the 2 branches I have used most). I have also been in some where the staff were shocking, but I don't believe it's fair to slag off a company with so many shops with such a broad brush. Likewise the only Jacobs I ever used was appalling, but I wouldn't judge them by one shop.

Fair point, it's just that every single Jessops I've ever been in has been staffed by muppets and filled with grossly overpriced stock.

 

[odd jim]

I've been refused a repair on a grey Tokina lens by Kenro, the U.K. authorised repairer/distributor of Tokina kit.
I even said I would pay up front for any repairs but they flat refused to touch it at all.

Did you get it repaired by someone else? How much of a fuss did you make of it? I honestly think they would be on very dodgy ground doing that.

Out of interest I've looked at the repair sections of all the big players, none of them stipulate that they won't repair a non UK / EU sourced lens or body, only stating the warranty won't be recognised.

 

[big soft moose]

I honestly think they would be on very dodgy ground doing that.
.

why ? surely legally speaking they arent obliged to take any particular job they don't want to, and can form any guidelines they like (that don't violate the anti discrimination) about what jobs they will take ?

The only contract to repair that exists when you purchase is the warranty and we've already established that doesnt apply to out of zone imports

 

[odd jim]

why ? surely legally speaking they arent obliged to take any particular job they don't want to, and can form any guidelines they like (that don't violate the anti discrimination) about what jobs they will take ?

The only contract to repair that exists when you purchase is the warranty and we've already established that doesnt apply to out of zone imports

Both legally and commercially, possibly, they aren't obliged to as you say, and I'm not sure what consumer rights you'd have here for a product not purchased here? That said, technically you are still a consumer of the product, albeit from the Hong Kong (etc) office rather than the London one. There must be some part of the Consumer Rights Act that *could* apply there, as a company cannot operate unfairly. It depends whether they are bound by that if the product was bought from another region, even if it was bought from a Canon street outlet (of which I saw many whilst in HK!). But I suppose there would be no contract to be bound by so possibly not? Who is your contract with over here? It's not Canon, it would be Jessops, Amazon, whichever seller your purchased from. The only difference is the warranty, so if they refuse a paid repair they would, I think, be operating unfairly which they can't do. You might not be a 'customer' but you are still a 'consumer' of their product. And it's still a product of Canon / Nikon etc etc.

I think commercially they'd take a hit on lenses and accessories as people would be less inclined to buy used where the supply chain couldn't be proved. These people would have then bought lenses, accessories etc from UK outlets. I have a couple used bodies I bought from LCE that I have no idea where they were originally shipped from!

Even Sigma fell foul of this when HK stock ended up on Amazon, even though Amazon is a UK retailer for Sigma. If people thought they wouldn't get a certain brand repaired even at cost I think some people might avoid the brand.

 

[Phil V]

Fair point, it's just that every single Jessops I've ever been in has been staffed by muppets and filled with grossly overpriced stock.

It wasn't 'overpriced' until the interwebs pulled the rug from under the retail sector.

But I appreciate some of the staff were awful.

 

[JulesP]

Did you get it repaired by someone else? How much of a fuss did you make of it? I honestly think they would be on very dodgy ground doing that.

Out of interest I've looked at the repair sections of all the big players, none of them stipulate that they won't repair a non UK / EU sourced lens or body, only stating the warranty won't be recognised.

Made a bit of fuss which is why I offered to pay up front. Ended up getting it sent up north somewhere - can't remember now where it was (a few years ago now) and they took about 2 months to source a part and repair it.

 

[StewartR]

... so if they refuse a paid repair they would, I think, be operating unfairly which they can't do. You might not be a 'customer' but you are still a 'consumer' of their product. And it's still a product of Canon / Nikon etc etc.

Sorry Jim, but that's rubbish. You simply can't force a company to offer a service they don't want to offer.

 

[odd jim]

Sorry Jim, but that's rubbish. You simply can't force a company to offer a service they don't want to offer.

You're probably right, I'm just exploring possible legal options if that ever happened.

I'm not aware that it has though and if it had become policy I think we'd have heard lots about it, I think we're OK.

 

[OldCarlos]

You simply can't force a company to offer a service they don't want to offer.

Unless it's a Christian wedding cake maker who doesn't want to make a cake for a gay wedding.

 

[Tricky01]

Has the world changed at all in the last 9 years - on the above topic I mean, let’s not get into geopolitical security and climate crisis

 

[gramps]

Has the world changed at all in the last 9 years - on the above topic I mean, let’s not get into geopolitical security and climate crisis

The world, yes - policy on repairs, no.

 

[hunnymonster]

Odd - Canon UK have repaired two items of mine (at cost) but they would've been chargeable for a UK sourced device too.

If you're talking about grey warranties - depends on the grey importer - Panamoz definitely cover the cost. The delay to me (over the standard warranty) was 16 minutes while they sent the funds to pay the bill.

 

[Phil V]

Has the world changed at all in the last 9 years - on the above topic I mean, let’s not get into geopolitical security and climate crisis

9 years later and if there'd been real problems getting grey market goods repaired, you'd have been able to find a body of evidence. The fact you had to dig up this thread to ask probably answers your question