Grey or UK?

[GetBusyLiving]

Just buy used, it's half the price and just as good. I changed from Nikon full-frame (too heavy for old me) to Olympus MFT and all used. It all works perfectly, and all is in excellent condition. Comes with a warranty too and, generally-speaking, if it doesn't break in the first week, it probably won't break at all.

 

[ajophotog]

Just buy used, it's half the price and just as good. I changed from Nikon full-frame (too heavy for old me) to Olympus MFT and all used. It all works perfectly, and all is in excellent condition. Comes with a warranty too and, generally-speaking, if it doesn't break in the first week, it probably won't break at all.

I bought used last week and had to return it as it was ghosting and got my money back and bought new grey for not much more.

 

[tijuana taxi]

Still grey though, I got my Olympus 150-400 from them when supply through official channels was very patchy. Confirmed with Olympus UK later that year at their stand at the Birdfair.

My wife bought a camera for her school science department from UK Digital.
I can assure you they wanted and received a vat invoice, try asking for one of them from Cotswold.

 

[Stephen L]

Had a look at there website but could not see any Nikon equipment, maybe need new glasses

No, they don’t do Nikon. Mainly Canon, OM, Panasonic and Hasselblad.

 

[The Duke of Bork]

My wife bought a camera for her school science department from UK Digital.
I can assure you they wanted and received a vat invoice, try asking for one of them from Cotswold.

The tax status doesn't change the fact that they are not official Olympus/OMS imports.

 

[Kingo46]

Just to nit-pick, UK Digital is a real UK shop in Clitheroe. Quite close to me, use it frequently.

Thanks for that I'll look when I'm back over there I used to live in long Preston and work in the paper mill in settle

 

[Stephen L]

Thanks for that I'll look when I'm back over there I used to live in long Preston and work in the paper mill in settle

Small world! Roberts paper mill is still there and running.

 

[jerry12953]

I've bought a fair amount of kit from HDEW. In most cases it was painfree but with a Canon 5dmk4 the camera had a fault or developed one but I didn't realise for sometime after the purchase. The battery drained quite quickly even if everything was switched off and sitting in a cupboard. At first HDEW told me to send it to their preferred repairer (fair enough) but it came back with the same fault. It ended up with me sending it back to Canon who agreed there was a fault but because I'd bought it from a grey retailer they wouldn't replace it them selves. I had to wait for HDEW to send me a new one. So although it turned out OK in the end it was more hassle than it would have been if i'd bought it through the official channels.

 

[Chris P Bacon]

I’m considering putting down a fair amount of money on a camera (OM3) and couple of lenses (all relative I realise).

I understand there are established grey importers like Panamoz, HDEW, and Cotswold Camera and some over 3-5 year warranties.

So my question is given the significant saving over UK prices what are the risks?

As a hobbyist it can save me potentially £1000 so it’s a genuine question. I like to support UK businesses but I’ve checked and emailed there’s no offers anywhere ..

Yes, +1 for Panamoz from me.

I've had a very shabby deal with UK dealers who, to me, act more like a cartel than independent dealers. I've lost several £k over the last 2 years [it's a long story so I'll not bore you] and decided that it was time to take the risk with grey imports. I did my research, selected Panamoz & have never looked back. Their customer service is second to none. I wanted to split payment to put X amount on credit card [it was a big bill] to give me some buyer protection - they organised it - I was nervous but all unfounded. Once paid the paperwork [emails] flowed & even their estimated delivery was beaten! A very polite delivery man stood on the doorstep with some large packages!

Absolutely spot on.

There's been no spam advertising emails since other than to check all was OK & I was happy with their service. There was an invitation to leave a review if I wanted but no pressure.

3 year local warranty - IF needed but no reason to think I'll need to use it. - Sleep easy

It's a "No brainer" for me - I saved enough to buy another high end body if I wanted to.

YMMV

 

[BlackDogPhoto]

Thanks all for the advice and feedback. Due to availability, last night I ordered some items from Cotswold Cameras and a lens from HDEW and hope it all works out!

I would have liked to have support the local high street camera shops but when the difference is £100s rather than a few pounds or pence I have to make the best financial choice for me!

 

[Graham W]

NB. Posted elswhere on TP but seemed relevant here.

Recently up-dated my Nikon DSLR and F mount stuff to mirrorless and Z mount:
Zf
Z9 x2
FTZ adapter
Z40mm f2.8 SE
Z14 -24mm 2.8
Z24-70mm 2.8
Z70-200mm 2.8

Total bill from Panamoz £11,560 (Inc multi purchase discount £300.00)
Total cost from LCE £19,642
Total saving £8,082

So you could say I got the Zf and all three lenses for just over £1000.00

I would have loved to have given the business to my local LCE...but not to the tune of £8,082

 

[BlackDogPhoto]

Thought I’d update this thread…

Having listened to others feedback in ordered 1 lens from HDEW ( as my other items were out of stock) and 2 lenses and a camera body from Cotswold Cameras.

All items received within a week. The lens from HDEW was in a “white box” which I wasn’t aware of,, but I’m not planning to sell it so not overly worried. Think overall I saved around £1500 from high street retailers and even over buying used from MPB etc.

All items registered with OM systems no problem. As first experiences go I’d definitely recommend.

 

[Stephen L]

Anyone heard of these people? OnBuy.com

This deal seems to good to be true:

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/p/sony-a7r-iii-full-frame-compact-system-camera-body~p7929988/?exta=idealo&stat=eyJpcCI6IjEwNTAuMDAiLCJkcCI6IjAuMDAiLCJsaWQiOjYyNzU1Njk1LCJzIjoxNSwidCI6MTc1NTc0NzY3NiwiYm1jIjowfQ%3D%3D&clickId=2508211353011030733&iclid=1-22cef4ef-bdd3-3acd-80cd-0ad3bdeff4ce-a79610

I'm sure there was a thread about this a very short while back, but I can't find it just now. But generally if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

 

[cedge]

I've just jumped in and ordered an OM-3 from Cotsworld. It looks like a film camera, so I might be able to hide it better on the shelf

 

[todders]

I've just jumped in and ordered an OM-3 from Cotsworld. It looks like a film camera, so I might be able to hide it better on the shelf

Good luck with that they always know really

 

[cedge]

Just as an update, ordered from CC Mon 1 Sep 25; delivered just now (Thu 4 Sep 25) via RMSD so a lot quicker than their 7-10 day estimate; I guess they hold some stock at their depot in the UK. Now, just got to unpack it, hide the packing materials and blend it on my shelf next to the OM-2n and Pen-F SLRs....

 

[Graham W]

Now, just got to unpack it, hide the packing materials and blend it on my shelf

We've all been there!

 

[Stephen L]

We've all been there!

The difficulty is the timing of the DPD driver! Ours usually shouts from the top of the drive “got another parcel for you Stephen!”.

 

[Plain Nev]

She'll know. They can smell your fear.

 

[whyone]

Just buy used, it's half the price and just as good. I changed from Nikon full-frame (too heavy for old me) to Olympus MFT and all used. It all works perfectly, and all is in excellent condition. Comes with a warranty too and, generally-speaking, if it doesn't break in the first week, it probably won't break at all.

I looked at used prices when buying Canon R5 bodies and a RF100-500 lens....buying new from reputable grey importers was cheaper.

 

[cedge]

Mission accomplished so far; just got to act not too excited when using the camera for the first few weeks...

 

[cedge]

I looked at used prices when buying Canon R5 bodies and a RF100-500 lens....buying new from reputable grey importers was cheaper.

Agree; a few years ago I always used to buy used but recently used prices tend to be more than new grey which has forced my hand really. I've also had a bad experience with used gear from actual stores so that has pushed me this way. Can't fault either of HDEW or Cotsworld Cameras at this point.

 

[realspeed]

Nowadays we have a wider choice of where to get a camera or lens. Long gone is the time when high street retailers were the only option. We have several options open to us now ,for example direct personal import - grey imports - good used equipment- private sellers thanks to the interweb.
The trick is to check the product before buying- ask loads of questions if in doubt- view on computer if possible -double check seller reviews- make sure there is a return policy in the advert.
Having bought personal imports from Japan and also grey imports I have yet to have any issued with the products. Just be aware of what your getting.

 

[Graham W]

Mission accomplished so far; just got to act not too excited when using the camera for the first few weeks...

Just stay calm with a "What? This old thing!" attitude and you'll be fine.

 

[Plain Nev]

Just stay calm with a "What? This old thing!" attitude and you'll be fine.

He won't if he keeps posting pictures of it on here.

 

[JonRA]

Another vote for Cotswold Cameras and HDEW - three purchases from CC and one from HDEW. No problems at all and, as has been said, the prices are very, very keen.

 

[hashcake]

Cotswold cameras get my vote too.
I bought a Canon R10 and a couplr of lenses from then and was delivered a week after ordering.
I was also able to register the R10 with Canon UK.
At some point I will also order .an RF 100-400 from them.
I've bought from other grey selling the past without any problems.

 

[cedge]

Just following on from this, has anyone had any issues trading in grey gear to UK camera shops. I have had success with mpb who didn't bat an eyelid but has anyone had any success with Wex/Park/the others?

 

[todders]

Just following on from this, has anyone had any issues trading in grey gear to UK camera shops. I have had success with mpb who didn't bat an eyelid but has anyone had any success with Wex/Park/the others?

No issues with MPB or Park but had issues twice with wex when selling grey items.They offer under the original quoted cost every time they try and find the smallest issue as well which is great for buyers not so much for sellers. I would never use wex again no matter what I was selling and the way they have treated a couple of members when their systems went down was a disgrace.

 

[whyone]

I've only traded grey (Canon) items through MPB....absolutely no issues at all.

 

[cedge]

I've only traded grey (Canon) items through MPB....absolutely no issues at all.

Yeah, I've done so before as well but I dithered today on a trade in (OM-3), ended up cancelling it but have now changed my mind and the re-quote is much lower .....Live and learn.

 

[todders]

Yeah, I've done so before as well but I dithered today on a trade in (OM-3), ended up cancelling it but have now changed my mind and the re-quote is much lower .....Live and learn.

That happens all the time did that last week with a Z6 and 24-70 quote when down by £60 infuriating to say the least.

 

[cedge]

No issues with MPB or Park but had issues twice with wex when selling grey items.They offer under the original quoted cost every time they try and find the smallest issue as well which is great for buyers not so much for sellers. I would never use wex again no matter what I was selling and the way they have treated a couple of members when their systems went down was a disgrace.

Just following this up, going the Park route (they have offered £110 more than mpb) but on the Used Sale Form you need to confirm and warrant that "The products were purchased inside the EU. You also acknowledge that we reserve the right to require documentary evidence confirming this to be the case. "

I guess technically I did purchase it within the EU (UK), it just originated from outside of the EU by Cotswold Cameras....

In before anyone else, I guess you could call this a grey issue....

UPDATE1 - Just as a final update, it was bothering me so I emailed Park Cameras direct and asked them and they said it was fine to proceed so all good.

UPDATE2 - All good, just received email from Park confirming payment to be made of the agreed condition.

 

[robj20]

I think so

I think some of the grey importers will pay you back if you get stung with import charges.

They do I had it once with Panamoz sent them a photo and they just sent me the money to pay the import.
EInfinity do it better they bulk ship to the UK then forward it onto customers.
Used both a lot over the years with no issues, but I have never needed the warranty.

 

[cedge]

They do I had it once with Panamoz sent them a photo and they just sent me the money to pay the import.
EInfinity do it better they bulk ship to the UK then forward it onto customers.
Used both a lot over the years with no issues, but I have never needed the warranty.

I've never had that situation but then I think both times I've ordered, its been shipped from stock that they have had at their depots as delivery was quick.