Does anyone know how to tell whether or not a Nikon camera is a USA model or gray market based on the serial number. Is there a website that shows the serial number range for various Nikon USA models.
Thanks Al
Thanks Al
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I don’t think that information is available. From what I have seen you need proof such as an original sales receipt or the us warranty card. Even b h photo says they can’t verify origin on their used equipment.
I don’t know this for a fact but I suspect Amazon sells refurbished lenses that are actually gray market. They currently have 400mm tc vr lenses for about $2500 below new price. I have thought about getting one but is it a safe choice?
Will nikon repair these cameras and lenses?
I'd like to see a lot more evidence that they'll repair it. I've seen far more than just a "conception" that they won't repair gray market stuff. Heck, I feel like I've seen stuff from Nikon themselves saying this.yes Nikon will repair it. just had my Z9 + 400TC repaired in January 2024.
there is a common misconception about gray market that Nikon won't repair it. the truth is they won't do WARRANTY repair. which is irrelevant, because as soon as used gear trades hands - any/all warranty is voided anyways.
I'd like to see a lot more evidence that they'll repair it. I've seen far more than just a "conception" that they won't repair gray market stuff. Heck, I feel like I've seen stuff from Nikon themselves saying this.
Telling you 100% they will not touch it if it's grey market. They will open it up and see it's not a USA market item and close it up and ship it back to you.I've got the purchase receipts with serial numbers from eBay, the pictures of the damage, and the receipt from repair from Nikon. not much more evidence could exist.
You'll also find that Nikon NEVER says anything about refusing to repair gray market. Their own website gives you a definition of gray market, and doesn't say anything about refusal to repair.
I suspect that perhaps in the past they might have refused to repair, but that certainly isn't the case today.
Telling you 100% they will not touch it if it's grey market. They will open it up and see it's not a USA market item and close it up and ship it back to you.
Call Nikon Melville or LA and they will tell you that. They do not repair gray market items whether that's the case in other countries as in if you buy a gray market item in the UK and Nikon UK maybe they will repair it could be the same way with Canada I have no idea what those but I know multiple people that have had this happen to them and you can call Nikon and ask them yourselfSame as the last time you posted this on FB, I asked for proof which you never provided.
You have no proof of your argument, I have proof of mine. Seems like a done deal, no?
How do you explain that I bought my gear from Japan, I have an email from the vendor saying it's gray market, and then I have the entire path through Nikon repair without issues? You think that myself and everyone else with this experience is just a fluke? But everyone who suggests refusal to repair without proof, is somehow right?
You just had to go and ask!Will nikon repair these cameras and lenses?
I’ve participated in (or spectated) so many of these debates about grey market over the years. If I contribute (like now?) I like to refer to what is known in the US as a warranty of fitness, that absent any express exclusions (e.g. ‘as-is’) a seller and/or manufacturer are required to make their consumer whole when a product fails, at least if the problem arises from some defect or other failure to deliver a product as described with respect to its merchantability etc. It’s all common (contract) law (and sense), though one may have to press to be satisfied… Note that this warranty is separate from any written warranty, though it’s not (necessarily) constrained by such (e.g. limited term warranties).
Yeah, you’re right… I’m not a lawyer, but I try to be an informed consumer.
Same as the last time you posted this on FB, I asked for proof which you never provided.
You have no proof of your argument, I have proof of mine. Seems like a done deal, no?
How do you explain that I bought my gear from Japan, I have an email from the vendor saying it's gray market, and then I have the entire path through Nikon repair without issues? You think that myself and everyone else with this experience is just a fluke? But everyone who suggests refusal to repair without proof, is somehow right?
Same as the last time you posted this on FB, I asked for proof which you never provided.
You have no proof of your argument, I have proof of mine. Seems like a done deal, no?
How do you explain that I bought my gear from Japan, I have an email from the vendor saying it's gray market, and then I have the entire path through Nikon repair without issues? You think that myself and everyone else with this experience is just a fluke? But everyone who suggests refusal to repair without proof, is somehow right?
Curious if the tech that opened the camera/lens didn't perform the requisite check before doing the service if he indeed had a grey market item repaired.Just curious, what is the proof that yours was gray market? An ebay purchase could originally have been from a legit source, no?
You're saying you received your repair and I don't have any reason to doubt you, but there are literally hundreds of reports just like this one - simply the first result of many that turned up from a search - and I have no reason to doubt them, either. In fact, I have the volume of their reports up against yours, with you being the only person I've ever heard say that Nikon was willing to repair a gray market item. I've seen plenty of reports from trusted longtime members of various forums talking about what they've been told by Nikon regarding a refusal to repair gray market items. Why did they repair yours? Who knows. It could be anything from them not noticing to the possibility that perhaps they will repair gray market sometimes but will refuse to other times and you got lucky.
Now I am wondering if something has changed. The Nikon USA website currently says this: "Nikon Inc. USA won’t provide warranty service on Gray Market products."
However, I have found references quoting the same page as having formerly said "Nikon Inc. USA and Nikon Authorized Dealers won’t provide technical support, repair or warranty service on Gray Market products."
Just curious, what is the proof that yours was gray market? An ebay purchase could originally have been from a legit source, no?
Curious if the tech that opened the camera/lens didn't perform the requisite check before doing the service if he indeed had a grey market item repaired.
If you can Nikon and give them the serial number of a lens or camera, they will tell you they can not confirm if it's a grey market or USA model. They will tell you they will need to see it before letting you know. They need to open the unit and whatever is inside be it a code or serial or to see certain parts they use for certain countries, i don't know,
I can tell you i know of 2 people, personally, that in the last 8-14 months had their grey market item returned to then with no option for Nikon to repeat it. One was in "warranty", they other was out of "warranty" so so if was after that time period maybe Nikon did make a change but without calling then and verifying repairability, proceed with caution