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Buying lens from gray market.

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NewbiePanda

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I understand some people have had terrible experience when it comes to buying bodies from shady websites like Jet Cameras, especially for Nikon and Canon users. However, is it worth it to buy a gray market lens?

I was recommended the Sony FE55mm, but that lens costs a grand brand new, so I was looking at some gray market sites and used ones from ebay. I know gray market products don't have any warranty, but neither do the ones I found on e-bay or Craiglist.

What's your opinion on this? Gray market or used lens?:-|
 
NewbiePanda said:
I understand some people have had terrible experience when it comes to buying bodies from shady websites like Jet Cameras, especially for Nikon and Canon users. However, is it worth it to buy a gray market lens?

I was recommended the Sony FE55mm, but that lens costs a grand brand new, so I was looking at some gray market sites and used ones from ebay. I know gray market products don't have any warranty, but neither do the ones I found on e-bay or Craiglist.

What's your opinion on this? Gray market or used lens?:-|
Click to expand...
I have bought both camera bodies as well as lenses from grey market sites on eBay, usually out of Tokyo or Hongkong. Never had a problem whatsoever. Shipping via EMS is just as fast as shipping from NY to West coast US.

Dollar is relatively strong, so it is harder to find good grey market deals these days.

Checkout greentoe - you can get deals as good as grey market, but with full US warranty from official US dealers. Has saved me hundreds already.
 
I have bought gray market cameras/lenses over the years for Canon, Nikon and Sony. Canon USA repair centers do not seem to track such and will repair them; whereas, Nikon and Sony will not touch them, for warranty purposes.

Today, I would buy a gray market manual-focus lens, but not an auto-focus lens. I prefer to use Greentoe or buy used... mostly off Fred Miranda, so I haven’t purchased gray market in ages. Getting gray market products repaired can be a chore and purchasing the 3rd party warranty often creates a purchase price near the US version.

--
Jeff
Florida, USA
http://www.gr8photography.com
 
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Thank you for your reply!

I'm planning to buy a used lens from a Japanese store on ebay, Do I have to pay VAT or duties when I get it?
 
NewbiePanda said:
Thank you for your reply!

I'm planning to buy a used lens from a Japanese store on ebay, Do I have to pay VAT or duties when I get it?
Click to expand...
You live in Europe? Yes, you will have to pay VAT, and expect very long lines at the customs duty office :( Many people order from eBay without knowing this. May depend on exactly what country you are going to import to, and how strict they are. My experience is based on Germany.
 
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NewbiePanda said:
I understand some people have had terrible experience when it comes to buying bodies from shady websites like Jet Cameras, especially for Nikon and Canon users. However, is it worth it to buy a gray market lens?

I was recommended the Sony FE55mm, but that lens costs a grand brand new, so I was looking at some gray market sites and used ones from ebay. I know gray market products don't have any warranty, but neither do the ones I found on e-bay or Craiglist.

What's your opinion on this? Gray market or used lens?:-|
Click to expand...
For me depends a lot on the price difference.

I think like this: if the gray market (or used) price is cheaper than one full repair cost, it is worth it. If not, the warranty is better.

Also, if you make a living out of photography (I don't, I am just an enthusiast) for sure don't buy gray market. It is a working tool and you will need full support.

Here is some examples:

- I was thinking about the Sony GM 16-35 f2.8. Very expensive lens, $2200 USD. I found a mint condition used gray market one for $1800 ($400 less). The seller have 30 day return policy so I can heavily test the lens during a month. So, for me, the $400 cheaper lens wins, and if I have it break in the future I think $400 can maybe pay for the repair. So, it is like "postponing" the cost based on a failure chance (statistics :D).

- Found a used (and probably gray market) Tamron 28-75 f2.8 for $750 and for me the $49.99 difference is just not worth it. I vastly prefer the warranty.
 
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bsas said:
NewbiePanda said:
I understand some people have had terrible experience when it comes to buying bodies from shady websites like Jet Cameras, especially for Nikon and Canon users. However, is it worth it to buy a gray market lens?

I was recommended the Sony FE55mm, but that lens costs a grand brand new, so I was looking at some gray market sites and used ones from ebay. I know gray market products don't have any warranty, but neither do the ones I found on e-bay or Craiglist.

What's your opinion on this? Gray market or used lens?:-|
Click to expand...
For me depends a lot on the price difference.

I think like this: if the gray market (or used) price is cheaper than one full repair cost, it is worth it. If not, the warranty is better.

Also, if you make a living out of photography (I don't, I am just an enthusiast) for sure don't buy gray market. It is a working tool and you will need full support.

Here is some examples:

- I was thinking about the Sony GM 16-35 f2.8. Very expensive lens, $2200 USD. I found a mint condition used gray market one for $1800 ($400 less). The seller have 30 day return policy so I can heavily test the lens during a month. So, for me, the $400 cheaper lens wins, and if I have it break in the future I think $400 can maybe pay for the repair. So, it is like "postponing" the cost based on a failure chance (statistics :D).

- Found a used (and probably gray market) Tamron 28-75 f2.8 for $750 and for me the $49.99 difference is just not worth it. I vastly prefer the warranty.
Click to expand...
If you live in US, check out greentoe - often better prices than grey market new - and comes with full US warranty from US delaers.

OP live in Europe, so greentoe would not work, and EU is much more strict about import duties and fees than US.
 
BBQue said:
bsas said:
NewbiePanda said:
I understand some people have had terrible experience when it comes to buying bodies from shady websites like Jet Cameras, especially for Nikon and Canon users. However, is it worth it to buy a gray market lens?

I was recommended the Sony FE55mm, but that lens costs a grand brand new, so I was looking at some gray market sites and used ones from ebay. I know gray market products don't have any warranty, but neither do the ones I found on e-bay or Craiglist.

What's your opinion on this? Gray market or used lens?:-|
Click to expand...
For me depends a lot on the price difference.

I think like this: if the gray market (or used) price is cheaper than one full repair cost, it is worth it. If not, the warranty is better.

Also, if you make a living out of photography (I don't, I am just an enthusiast) for sure don't buy gray market. It is a working tool and you will need full support.

Here is some examples:

- I was thinking about the Sony GM 16-35 f2.8. Very expensive lens, $2200 USD. I found a mint condition used gray market one for $1800 ($400 less). The seller have 30 day return policy so I can heavily test the lens during a month. So, for me, the $400 cheaper lens wins, and if I have it break in the future I think $400 can maybe pay for the repair. So, it is like "postponing" the cost based on a failure chance (statistics :D).

- Found a used (and probably gray market) Tamron 28-75 f2.8 for $750 and for me the $49.99 difference is just not worth it. I vastly prefer the warranty.
Click to expand...
If you live in US, check out greentoe - often better prices than grey market new - and comes with full US warranty from US delaers.

OP live in Europe, so greentoe would not work, and EU is much more strict about import duties and fees than US.
Click to expand...
That too.

For me is always something like this: I see a good price on gray market or used and I try that on Greentoe. If no one answers my offer in the first 2-3 days I go for it.

In the worse case scenario someone answers my offer on Greentoe on the 5-6 day, then I buy it (again) and I resell the used/gray one. The money I loose reselling it I consider as an extended warranty cost :D
 
NewbiePanda said:
I understand some people have had terrible experience when it comes to buying bodies from shady websites like Jet Cameras, especially for Nikon and Canon users. However, is it worth it to buy a gray market lens?

I was recommended the Sony FE55mm, but that lens costs a grand brand new, so I was looking at some gray market sites and used ones from ebay. I know gray market products don't have any warranty, but neither do the ones I found on e-bay or Craiglist.

What's your opinion on this? Gray market or used lens?:-|
Click to expand...
I buy everything grey, never had an issue. Where are you? If UK there are loads of options with no VAT to pay and who offer local warranty...
 
bsas said:
BBQue said:
bsas said:
NewbiePanda said:
I understand some people have had terrible experience when it comes to buying bodies from shady websites like Jet Cameras, especially for Nikon and Canon users. However, is it worth it to buy a gray market lens?

I was recommended the Sony FE55mm, but that lens costs a grand brand new, so I was looking at some gray market sites and used ones from ebay. I know gray market products don't have any warranty, but neither do the ones I found on e-bay or Craiglist.

What's your opinion on this? Gray market or used lens?:-|
Click to expand...
For me depends a lot on the price difference.

I think like this: if the gray market (or used) price is cheaper than one full repair cost, it is worth it. If not, the warranty is better.

Also, if you make a living out of photography (I don't, I am just an enthusiast) for sure don't buy gray market. It is a working tool and you will need full support.

Here is some examples:

- I was thinking about the Sony GM 16-35 f2.8. Very expensive lens, $2200 USD. I found a mint condition used gray market one for $1800 ($400 less). The seller have 30 day return policy so I can heavily test the lens during a month. So, for me, the $400 cheaper lens wins, and if I have it break in the future I think $400 can maybe pay for the repair. So, it is like "postponing" the cost based on a failure chance (statistics :D).

- Found a used (and probably gray market) Tamron 28-75 f2.8 for $750 and for me the $49.99 difference is just not worth it. I vastly prefer the warranty.
Click to expand...
If you live in US, check out greentoe - often better prices than grey market new - and comes with full US warranty from US delaers.

OP live in Europe, so greentoe would not work, and EU is much more strict about import duties and fees than US.
Click to expand...
That too.

For me is always something like this: I see a good price on gray market or used and I try that on Greentoe. If no one answers my offer in the first 2-3 days I go for it.

In the worse case scenario someone answers my offer on Greentoe on the 5-6 day, then I buy it (again) and I resell the used/gray one. The money I loose reselling it I consider as an extended warranty cost :D
Click to expand...
I think you need more patience with greentoe. They take a percentage of the sales price (fro matching seller with buyer), so it is in their interest to sell high. I find I get better offers after a week.
 
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