Cameras - Digital Cameras

There are gray market cameras out there that you need to be aware of. What is a gray market camera?

The Grey Market

Almost all of the "amazing deals" found on the internet are gray market products. These are products that are made by a popular, reputable manufacturer, and intended for and shipped to a foreign market. They are purchased by a dealer that accepts gray market products, and then resold in the US, usually at a discount. While it may seem like a bargain to buy the "same" name brand at a lower cost, the risks and headaches that come with it usually far outweigh the few dollars saved, and you could end up with a camera you can't even use. If the price of the digital camera you're about to buy sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Before buying, find out if it is a gray market model and, if so, be cautious.

You need to get complete information about the warranty, included accessories, and if they are valid or usable in your country BEFORE you buy. Aside from manuals and menus that may not be in a language you even recognize, and cords that won't plug in to American systems without some adapter, these purchases maintain one overriding risk. They do not come with a US warranty from the manufacturer. This means that if something, anything, goes wrong with that camera, you may be completely out of luck. In fact, some manufacturers will not service gray market cameras in the US at all, even if you are willing to pay for it yourself. So if you want to get that camera fixed, it may require shipping it to a foreign country and hoping for the best.

However, not all gray market digital cameras are disapproved by the manufacturer or ineligible for repair. The camera may simply be direct imported with a valid warranty that is backed by the merchant instead of the manufacturer. Get it in writing, though to be sure you will have some type of warranty. If you're the kind of person who doesn't worry about a warranty, then a gray market camera is for you. You'll save a lot of money, but be aware that the camera probably won't work as well as its name brand counterpart, and if it breaks, you're usually out of luck. How can you spot a gray market camera? The product doesn't come with a manufacturer's US warranty. In fact, this is the first tip-off that a camera is a knock-off.

If there is a warranty, make sure it states BOTH manufacturer's and US. If it doesn't, it's gray market. If the site is not an authorized dealer for that brand, you don't know what you are getting. Authorized dealers usually stay away from gray market products, as this tends to hurt the manufacturer, jeopardize the camera retailer's dealership, and most importantly, hurts the consumer.

Read the fine print carefully! Many websites will attempt to cover themselves by burying details about the nature of their products in the fine print descriptions. Any site that mentions "May be missing original packaging, cables, manuals etc." should be avoided, unless you want to risk buying an incomplete camera. Not many people know about gray market products. If you come across a deal that seems too good to be true, pick up the phone and call the retailer and ask if their product is gray market. Most will be up front with you about it if they're asked. And it's better to be safe than sorry!