How to avoid buying stolen gear?

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Steve922

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I'll soon be looking to buy an entry-level DSLR and some extras. I'm quite keen on buying used but am worried that the gear might be stolen. Is there any way to check? Like a 'stolen goods register' or something?

In similar vein; is there a way to check if a used camera was a grey import?

Steve
 
Its impossible to check every item if stolen.. buy from a reputable used dealer and they will look aftre you..

As for grey import... if your buying used then who cares.. they are exactly the same as uk ........ grey import doesnt mean anything unless buying new..
 
Steve Bak said:
I'll soon be looking to buy an entry-level DSLR and some extras. I'm quite keen on buying used but am worried that the gear might be stolen. Is there any way to check? Like a 'stolen goods register' or something?
Steve
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Some people will only buy equipment that's boxed with all the paperwork and bits, since that's probably less likely to be stolen.
 
@KIPAX Thanks for the reply but...

'Reputable Dealers' rules out most of the used market. Actually, how do THEY check gear is not stolen?

Isn't it the case that manufacturers will refuse any support for Grey Imports. I'm not talking warranty here, more like servicing, information, spares, etc. - as is the case for cars.
 
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Steve Bak said:
@KIPAXIsn't it the case that manufacturers will refuse any support for Grey Imports. I'm not talking warranty here, more like servicing, information, spares, etc. - as is the case for cars.
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No. Just had an out of warranty body and lens fixed by Canon.
 
digital said:
No. Just had an out of warranty body and lens fixed by Canon.
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Yes, out of warranty is fine but would they have fixed it if it were originally a grey import? A car manufacturer won't.
 
Steve Bak said:
Yes, out of warranty is fine but would they have fixed it if it were originally a grey import? A car manufacturer won't.
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Your post said 'Isn't it the case that manufacturers will refuse any support for Grey Imports'. My response was 'No'.

The body and lens in question were grey imports.
 
Excellent! So the only real disadvantage of a grey import is the lack of a warranty? Did you get any warranty with your camera as a grey import? When you said it was 'out of warranty' I took it to mean that it originally had a warranty and assumed that it wasn't a grey import because of that. Sorry.
 
Steve Bak said:
@KIPAX Thanks for the reply but...

'Reputable Dealers' rules out most of the used market. Actually, how do THEY check gear is not stolen?
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but i didnt say they dont have stolen gear did i? i said they will look after you....ie if its found after that its stolen ? :)

Steve Bak said:
Isn't it the case that manufacturers will refuse any support for Grey Imports. I'm not talking warranty here, more like servicing, information, spares, etc. - as is the case for cars.
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most of my gear is imported.. had warranty repairs and paid repairs.... theres no reason on earth to refuse a paid repair because its a grey imporrt.. why on earth would they even care let alone turn it away :) some warranties on camera bodies (not lens) might be a problem.. but seriosuly.. not on used for paid work.. never heard that ever..
 
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Steve Bak said:
Excellent! So the only real disadvantage of a grey import is the lack of a warranty?.
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no... for canon they will cover warranty on any lens... on bodies only if a uk reciept.. grey import or not so long as uk reciept..
 
digital said:
No. Just had an out of warranty body and lens fixed by Canon.
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i agree,... but you quoted my name and his message? I dont know why people get so hung up about grey imports... OP you ahve some strange thoughts.. where are you hearing all this twaddle about people refusing to work on greys ?
 
Steve Bak said:
Excellent! So the only real disadvantage of a grey import is the lack of a warranty? Did you get any warranty with your camera as a grey import?
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It came from Panamoz. With a 12 month warranty.
 
@KIPAX - regarding my impressions of Grey Import problems. These stem initially when I was looking for a new car earlier this year. A local company to me (Motorpoint, Derby) offer some really good deals but googling them and grey imports has really put me off. Things like not honouring warranties, inability to obtain spare parts or even information, etc. This is backed up by various warnings from the photo sites I've visited. Posts like this one:- https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...rey-imports-and-other-assorted-topics.512133/ and many others.

I'm very tempted by deals such as this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141673657188?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

compared to this one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D7100...d=1434381342&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+d7100+body

but I'm just trying to be careful.
 
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Its the used and stolen bit thats confusing things then :)

nothing wrong with being carefull.. I was so carefull with my canon purchase that i contacted canon themselves.. I was paying 6 thousand for a lens (saving about 500 quid by importing) ... They replied by email saying any lens they will honour the warranty.. but for camera bodies they will only honour if a UK reciept..

thus it didnt matter if it was a grey.. so long as my reciept was UK for a body.. lens it didnt matter..


But thats canon... Nikon may be different..

Point being its not a blanket thing.. will be per manufacturer..

above comments based on new... as for fixing on none warranty i stand by other posts :)
 
digital said:
It came from Panamoz. With a 12 month warranty.
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Ah! I get it now. I hadn't heard of Panamoz so I've just visited their site. I see they offer their own warranty on new imports. Considering the huge discounts they are offering combined with this warranty, I'm surprised anyone is paying full price any more! Thanks again.

Steve
 
Steve Bak said:
Ah! I get it now. I hadn't heard of Panamoz so I've just visited their site. I see they offer their own warranty on new imports. Considering the huge discounts they are offering combined with this warranty, I'm surprised anyone is paying full price any more! Thanks again.

Steve
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I really wouldnt bother with a shop/distrubutor warranty.. stick to manufacturors... cut out the middle man and lots of time by using the manufacturors warranty
 
Steve Bak said:
Ah! I get it now. I hadn't heard of Panamoz so I've just visited their site. I see they offer their own warranty on new imports. Considering the huge discounts they are offering combined with this warranty, I'm surprised anyone is paying full price any more! Thanks again.

Steve
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Morals? ;)
 
Steve Bak said:
Ah! I get it now. I hadn't heard of Panamoz so I've just visited their site. I see they offer their own warranty on new imports. Considering the huge discounts they are offering combined with this warranty, I'm surprised anyone is paying full price any more! Thanks again.
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I've just checked on the price of stolen gear. Considering the massive discounts I'm surprised anybody is trying to avoid this route.
 
hollis_f said:
I've just checked on the price of stolen gear. Considering the massive discounts I'm surprised anybody is trying to avoid this route.
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actually if our local pawn shop type chain is anything to go by stolen gear is damn near as expensive as legit second hand - i think you probably need to set up as a fence yourself to get the good deals :lol:
 
hollis_f said:
I've just checked on the price of stolen gear. Considering the massive discounts I'm surprised anybody is trying to avoid this route.
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I've always thought that if you're willing to buy stolen gear then you're creating a demand for it and can't complain when someone steals from you.
 
Steve922 said:
I'm surprised anyone is paying full price any more!
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Many people here will have seen this discussed about 1000000 times before, but since you haven't: "Full price" includes VAT and (on some types of equipment) import duty. Most grey-market retailers use a variety of tactics to evade these taxes. Most grey-market retailers structure the contract of sale so that you, not they, are responsible for the tax evasion. It's a free country and if you choose not to comply with the law then that's your decision, but it should be an informed decision.
 
Wow!
StewartR said:
Most grey-market retailers structure the contract of sale so that you, not they, are responsible for the tax evasion. It's a free country and if you choose not to comply with the law then that's your decision, but it should be an informed decision.
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Wow! How do they do that? So if I decide to 'go grey' to save some money, I'll be breaking the law? I wouldn't want to do that. Buying a camera is a bit of a minefield ain't it!
 
Steve922 said:
Wow!


Wow! How do they do that? So if I decide to 'go grey' to save some money, I'll be breaking the law? I wouldn't want to do that. Buying a camera is a bit of a minefield ain't it!
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Steve, there's a sticky that's worth a read; https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...rey-imports-and-other-assorted-topics.512133/

Bottom line is, most grey goods avoid paying what they should.
They act as agents/suppliers (some pretending to be UK based) & it is the purchaser who is the importer & responsible for any taxes. (although many will recompense you if you are caught)
Any warranty is usually with the supplier, not the manufacturer.

Plenty/hundreds? of threads if you search the subject. :cool:
 
Steve922 said:
Wow! How do they do that?
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I think I can answer that myself after reading some more (especially T&Cs). Crafty, aren't they! I'm spending too much time on this, especially since I'm not actually intending to buy grey - just grabbing information at the moment (intended mainly about how to check used goods are not stolen.) Most likely I'll go for little-used, few-years-old equipment from a largish dealer; there seems to be some good bargains to be had there.

Steve
 
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