No Tamron repair support

[AKPhotographer]

I bought the 100 - 400 a little less than a year ago from a company on eBay. I should have know it was a gray market product, but I didn't! On an outing the lens rolled out of my backpack. It wasn't from a stand up position, rather when I picked up the bag. The fall was not far but sufficient to mess up the VS system. I guess lTamron quality isn't the same as Canon quality. It now oscillates continually. I called Tamron and, when I gave them the serial number, they said it was a gray market lens and wanted nothing to do with it. Told me to contact the seller. The seller said they have a 30 return policy and suggested calling Best Buy. Of course Best Buy wants nothing to do with it too. OK, I accept that it is a gray market lens and their retail price has built in dollars for warranty and support. However, they made the lens, probably on the exact assembly line as the full retail lens, therefore they should at least agree to repair the lens for whatever is a fair repair cost. I guess I have to trash this $600 lens. This was my first Tamron lens and it will be my last.

 

[steelmouse3]

I bought the 100 - 400 a little less than a year ago from a company on eBay. I should have know it was a gray market product, but I didn't! On an outing the lens rolled out of my backpack. It wasn't from a stand up position, rather when I picked up the bag. The fall was not far but sufficient to mess up the VS system. I guess lTamron quality isn't the same as Canon quality. It now oscillates continually. I called Tamron and, when I gave them the serial number, they said it was a gray market lens and wanted nothing to do with it. Told me to contact the seller. The seller said they have a 30 return policy and suggested calling Best Buy. Of course Best Buy wants nothing to do with it too. OK, I accept that it is a gray market lens and their retail price has built in dollars for warranty and support. However, they made the lens, probably on the exact assembly line as the full retail lens, therefore they should at least agree to repair the lens for whatever is a fair repair cost. I guess I have to trash this $600 lens. This was my first Tamron lens and it will be my last.

Hard to prove that a Canon lens is built better than a 3rd party without putting a Canon lens through the same accident.

Does Canon repair grey market items?

 

[Mikael SB]

This ain't no product review, it's a poorly mascaraded brand review.
I give this review 0.5/5.

 

[Mark B.]

I bought the 100 - 400 a little less than a year ago from a company on eBay. I should have know it was a gray market product, but I didn't! On an outing the lens rolled out of my backpack. It wasn't from a stand up position, rather when I picked up the bag. The fall was not far but sufficient to mess up the VS system. I guess lTamron quality isn't the same as Canon quality. It now oscillates continually. I called Tamron and, when I gave them the serial number, they said it was a gray market lens and wanted nothing to do with it. Told me to contact the seller. The seller said they have a 30 return policy and suggested calling Best Buy. Of course Best Buy wants nothing to do with it too. OK, I accept that it is a gray market lens and their retail price has built in dollars for warranty and support. However, they made the lens, probably on the exact assembly line as the full retail lens, therefore they should at least agree to repair the lens for whatever is a fair repair cost. I guess I have to trash this $600 lens. This was my first Tamron lens and it will be my last.

Many OEMs will not repair grey market, in or out of warranty. You took a huge gamble buying a new lens from ebay to begin with and didn't do any research regarding the seller and ended up with a grey market item. Totally lame "product review". BTW, from what I've read Canon will not repair grey market either.

 

[Rahto]

Why not try a 3rd party repair company like KEH or somebody?

 

[SushiEater]

I bought the 100 - 400 a little less than a year ago from a company on eBay. I should have know it was a gray market product, but I didn't! On an outing the lens rolled out of my backpack. It wasn't from a stand up position, rather when I picked up the bag. The fall was not far but sufficient to mess up the VS system. I guess lTamron quality isn't the same as Canon quality. It now oscillates continually. I called Tamron and, when I gave them the serial number, they said it was a gray market lens and wanted nothing to do with it. Told me to contact the seller. The seller said they have a 30 return policy and suggested calling Best Buy. Of course Best Buy wants nothing to do with it too. OK, I accept that it is a gray market lens and their retail price has built in dollars for warranty and support. However, they made the lens, probably on the exact assembly line as the full retail lens, therefore they should at least agree to repair the lens for whatever is a fair repair cost. I guess I have to trash this $600 lens. This was my first Tamron lens and it will be my last.

Should have gotten Sigma. They do repair grey market for $250 minimum charge.

Your second post and you already blaming company that follows strict rules just like majority of other companies. It is double fault of yours so don't blame the company but blame yourself. Oh, Canon is crap.

 

[AKPhotographer]

Rahto, thanks for the KEH suggestion. I just emailed them and they responded immediately telling me they could not repair the lens because Tamron will not sell them the parts. Now I' totally discussed with Tamron.

As I said in my original post, I know I screwed up buying gray market, , , , , , , , my bad. However, at the time I didn't the extra $200 to go full retail with warranty. I leaned my lesson.

I still feel, since they made the product, have a lab setup with parts, why not make some more money off me. They obviously sold the original product to a wholesaler and made a profit on that sale.

In response to the comment, does Canon repair gray market, I don't know the answer, I've never had a problem with my Canon lens. I will tell you about an experience I did have with a Canon lens. I was loading up the back of my truck, got distracted by another family member and laid the Canon EF 300mm IS lens on the bumper. I took off, went around a corner, it went flying off to the side of the gravel road. It was later returned to me by a good Samaritan and I'm still using it. The stabilizer works perfect and the lens is still tack sharp.

 

[Smitty1]

Rahto, thanks for the KEH suggestion. I just emailed them and they responded immediately telling me they could not repair the lens because Tamron will not sell them the parts. Now I' totally discussed with Tamron.

As I said in my original post, I know I screwed up buying gray market, , , , , , , , my bad. However, at the time I didn't the extra $200 to go full retail with warranty. I leaned my lesson.

I still feel, since they made the product, have a lab setup with parts, why not make some more money off me. They obviously sold the original product to a wholesaler and made a profit on that sale.

In response to the comment, does Canon repair gray market, I don't know the answer, I've never had a problem with my Canon lens. I will tell you about an experience I did have with a Canon lens. I was loading up the back of my truck, got distracted by another family member and laid the Canon EF 300mm IS lens on the bumper. I took off, went around a corner, it went flying off to the side of the gravel road. It was later returned to me by a good Samaritan and I'm still using it. The stabilizer works perfect and the lens is still tack sharp.

Frustrating, yes. But you should be mad at yourself for not doing your homework. At least you learned something. :-|

Sigma will repair grey but only for an additional 250 dollar fee. https://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/important-information-regarding-gray-market-sigma-products

So if you're buying lenses, it is probably smarter to buy retail or used with a known non-grey serial. I bought a used Tamron lens a few months ago and emailed Tamron support before purchasing, they got right back to me to let me know it was a USA copy. Just something to remember to do if buying used (or grey) or otherwise its a gamble. That or just buy brand new retail from a licensed dealer and remove the risk.

200 dollar discount became a 600 dollar headache. Maybe you can sell it for 300 dollars for parts or find a parts copy and do the repair yourself?

 

[lokatz]

To you zealots out there who think the companies are right to refuse service and one should never buy 'gray':

Do you realize that all your equipment becomes 'gray' whenever you leave the country where you bought it? That following your twisted logic, you say that it is ok if the manufacturer refuses to repair that lens damage you suffered while on an extended trip across Europe because you bought the lens in the US, no matter how long your trip? That if you ever move to another country, temporarily or permanently, every piece of equipment needing repair first requires you to make a trip back home if the same manufacturer you bought it from is allowed to refuse repair in the country where you now reside?

To me, it is perfectly understandable when companies refuse to honor warranties on gray equipment. Even slapping an extra fee on gray equipment repairs may be justified. Refusing to repair it at all, however, is wrong and should be made illegal. It actually is in some countries.

 

[Mark B.]

To you zealots out there who think the companies are right to refuse service and one should never buy 'gray':

Do you realize that all your equipment becomes 'gray' whenever you leave the country where you bought it? That following your twisted logic, you say that it is ok if the manufacturer refuses to repair that lens damage you suffered while on an extended trip across Europe because you bought the lens in the US, no matter how long your trip? That if you ever move to another country, temporarily or permanently, every piece of equipment needing repair first requires you to make a trip back home if the same manufacturer you bought it from is allowed to refuse repair in the country where you now reside?

To me, it is perfectly understandable when companies refuse to honor warranties on gray equipment. Even slapping an extra fee on gray equipment repairs may be justified. Refusing to repair it at all, however, is wrong and should be made illegal. It actually is in some countries.

LOL, nobody said companies are right to refuse to do any service on grey market. What we are saying is it's a matter of educating yourself about grey market. I won't buy grey market Canon b/c it's been my understanding they won't repair it out of warranty. So it's not worth saving a few bucks should the need ever arise. And, I've had very good experiences with both in and out of warranty repair with Canon service.

Mark

 

[SushiEater]

To you zealots out there who think the companies are right to refuse service and one should never buy 'gray':

Do you realize that all your equipment becomes 'gray' whenever you leave the country where you bought it?

Wrong. If you buy from an authorized dealer your camera doesn't become grey no matter where you are in the world. What you lose is the extended warranty. So if in US you have 6 year warranty and you move to another country you might only have 1 year warranty.

 

[SushiEater]

To you zealots out there who think the companies are right to refuse service and one should never buy 'gray':

Do you realize that all your equipment becomes 'gray' whenever you leave the country where you bought it? That following your twisted logic, you say that it is ok if the manufacturer refuses to repair that lens damage you suffered while on an extended trip across Europe because you bought the lens in the US, no matter how long your trip? That if you ever move to another country, temporarily or permanently, every piece of equipment needing repair first requires you to make a trip back home if the same manufacturer you bought it from is allowed to refuse repair in the country where you now reside?

To me, it is perfectly understandable when companies refuse to honor warranties on gray equipment. Even slapping an extra fee on gray equipment repairs may be justified. Refusing to repair it at all, however, is wrong and should be made illegal. It actually is in some countries.

LOL, nobody said companies are right to refuse to do any service on grey market. What we are saying is it's a matter of educating yourself about grey market. I won't buy grey market Canon b/c it's been my understanding they won't repair it out of warranty. So it's not worth saving a few bucks should the need ever arise. And, I've had very good experiences with both in and out of warranty repair with Canon service.

Mark

There is no OEM warranty on the grey market goods unless you buy aftermarket warranty. Not just photographic equipment either. Sound, video, appliances most companies have this policy. So far I discovered only Sigma will do it for $250 charge.

 

[lokatz]

To you zealots out there who think the companies are right to refuse service and one should never buy 'gray':

Do you realize that all your equipment becomes 'gray' whenever you leave the country where you bought it?

Wrong. If you buy from an authorized dealer your camera doesn't become grey no matter where you are in the world. What you lose is the extended warranty. So if in US you have 6 year warranty and you move to another country you might only have 1 year warranty.

Wrong. I know for a fact that service centers of several well-reputed brands refuse repairs of US-bought (non-gray) equipment here in Europe.

 

[SushiEater]

To you zealots out there who think the companies are right to refuse service and one should never buy 'gray':

Do you realize that all your equipment becomes 'gray' whenever you leave the country where you bought it?

Wrong. If you buy from an authorized dealer your camera doesn't become grey no matter where you are in the world. What you lose is the extended warranty. So if in US you have 6 year warranty and you move to another country you might only have 1 year warranty.

Wrong. I know for a fact that service centers of several well-reputed brands refuse repairs of US-bought (non-gray) equipment here in Europe.

And I know for sure that Tamron will repair my lens bought in Canada. B&H for example ships to Europe. And you can repair equipment bought from B&H.

 

[jeffnles1]

Rahto, thanks for the KEH suggestion. I just emailed them and they responded immediately telling me they could not repair the lens because Tamron will not sell them the parts. Now I' totally discussed with Tamron.

As I said in my original post, I know I screwed up buying gray market, , , , , , , , my bad. However, at the time I didn't the extra $200 to go full retail with warranty. I leaned my lesson.

I still feel, since they made the product, have a lab setup with parts, why not make some more money off me. They obviously sold the original product to a wholesaler and made a profit on that sale.

In response to the comment, does Canon repair gray market, I don't know the answer, I've never had a problem with my Canon lens. I will tell you about an experience I did have with a Canon lens. I was loading up the back of my truck, got distracted by another family member and laid the Canon EF 300mm IS lens on the bumper. I took off, went around a corner, it went flying off to the side of the gravel road. It was later returned to me by a good Samaritan and I'm still using it. The stabilizer works perfect and the lens is still tack sharp.

I hate to tell you but if you bought a gray market lens from Nikon, Canon, and probably Sony, they, too would refuse to repair it and 3rd party repair shops could not get parts. That's the way the cookie crumbles. You would have similar results with any brand not just Tamron.

I'm not defending Tamron and, honestly, I feel the same way about their refusal to repair grey market; however they all do it and singling one manufacturer out over others is misinformed at best and disingenuous at worst.

The fact is you bought a gray market lens and were ill informed about the situation and the risk. The seller is at fault for not disclosing the status of the lens or you just didn't fully understand the risk. Neither of those are Tamron's fault.

 

[lokatz]

To you zealots out there who think the companies are right to refuse service and one should never buy 'gray':

Do you realize that all your equipment becomes 'gray' whenever you leave the country where you bought it?

Wrong. If you buy from an authorized dealer your camera doesn't become grey no matter where you are in the world. What you lose is the extended warranty. So if in US you have 6 year warranty and you move to another country you might only have 1 year warranty.

Wrong. I know for a fact that service centers of several well-reputed brands refuse repairs of US-bought (non-gray) equipment here in Europe.

And I know for sure that Tamron will repair my lens bought in Canada. B&H for example ships to Europe. And you can repair equipment bought from B&H.

Yes. If you ship it back to B&H.

 

[SushiEater]

Nope. If they refuse to fix the equipment contact the headquarters of the company.

 

[Mark B.]

To you zealots out there who think the companies are right to refuse service and one should never buy 'gray':

Do you realize that all your equipment becomes 'gray' whenever you leave the country where you bought it? That following your twisted logic, you say that it is ok if the manufacturer refuses to repair that lens damage you suffered while on an extended trip across Europe because you bought the lens in the US, no matter how long your trip? That if you ever move to another country, temporarily or permanently, every piece of equipment needing repair first requires you to make a trip back home if the same manufacturer you bought it from is allowed to refuse repair in the country where you now reside?

To me, it is perfectly understandable when companies refuse to honor warranties on gray equipment. Even slapping an extra fee on gray equipment repairs may be justified. Refusing to repair it at all, however, is wrong and should be made illegal. It actually is in some countries.

LOL, nobody said companies are right to refuse to do any service on grey market. What we are saying is it's a matter of educating yourself about grey market. I won't buy grey market Canon b/c it's been my understanding they won't repair it out of warranty. So it's not worth saving a few bucks should the need ever arise. And, I've had very good experiences with both in and out of warranty repair with Canon service.

Mark

There is no OEM warranty on the grey market goods unless you buy aftermarket warranty.

Exactly. And personally I'd rather any service be performed by the manufacturer.

 

[hikerdoc]

They refuse to do work under warranty, or they refuse to service the products under any circumstances?

I know in US Nikon will do service on products purchased through another region’s authorized network for a fee.

Is the EU support network even more restricted than the US?

 

[SushiEater]

They refuse to do work under warranty, or they refuse to service the products under any circumstances?

I know in US Nikon will do service on products purchased through another region’s authorized network for a fee.

Is the EU support network even more restricted than the US?

Read this thread.

Nikon DSLR warranty question (buy one country/service in another)

Anyone know if I buy a DSLR (D800) while in another country (Malaysia) and then return home to my country (Canada), will the balance of the warranty still apply in my home country and be honored by my local Nikon service centre ? Seems to be a lot of issues with Nikon warranties unless you...

www.dpreview.com