Gray market lenses are not made by Nikon. All of Nikon's products, cameras or lenses in our case, are original Nikon products to be sold through their distribution chain. And not all Nikon products have the same firmware installed or electric connection--all depends on the area of distribution. Gray market product refers to product meant to be sold through/in the 'local' Nikon Authorized Distribution chain and shipped to another Nikon Distribution area in order to allow customers to buy at a discount compared to their local Authorized Nikon Dealers.
And Nikon does not say that they will not repair a product under warranty or repair for a price. Nikon will advise you to send it to the Nikon Service Center for which that product is 'linked'. i.e. Buy from UK..UK service center/Buy in Delhi--Delhi Service Center. and so on....
We all understand that most people purchase grey market goods to save money instead of purchasing through the approved local distribution.
Nikon is not 'failing' in stating its warranty policies. Nikon provides product in each country in accordance with that country's warranty policies and merchantability of goods sold.
There are differences. Check out Britain.
So, the only issue that is valid, imho, is how sites such as Walmart and Amazon educate their customer regarding what it is that they are buying.
We all need to be accountable to ourselves and not place responsibility where it does not belong.
Why is the product so much less expensive than what all other Nikon USA dealers are selling it for? This is not a look how lucky I am to find such a good price. Ask why is this so.
I suspect it is very few who actually fall into this category without further investigation.
Others, many here, are fans of purchasing grey market product, and they fully understand the pros and cons. They have made a choice.
And others who buy grey because of the price may need to 'pay the price' to ship it to parts unknown for Nikon to service their product. Consequences.
Of course it would be nice if Nikon would service these products 'locally' so one doesn't have to jump through hoops and extra costs.
If they did this then the entire network of Country specific authorized dealers would be turned upside down. There would be no reason to buy locally if you could purchase it better through grey market distribution. Why would I want to be a local dealer and stock and service clients if all they do would be to come in, handle our merchandise, pick our brains, and then buy elsewhere? We are all complaining about the loss of local bricks and mortar camera stores. Imagine if our USA major online/bricks + mortar companies reduced their Nikon presence due to this 'new policy'. And, if one suggests that all products should be priced the same worldwide--then this is not realistic.
The two key service centers in the USA are in LA and Melville, NY. Does anyone think that the cost to maintain their locations and staff are the same throughout the world?
A lot to say here, and most not pointed to Wotan..but venting about 'woe is me' and Nikon's legal responsibilities.
Buy from a local Nikon Authorized Dealer and forget about any of these issues.
(*And yes, Nikon still has (I think) a separate policy that addresses your purchase when abroad, with appropriate documentation, when you return to your home base.)
www.nikonusa.com
