Is Sony's warranty international?

[MK]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

 

[Impulses]

I don't think so, AFAIK nearly all camera manufacturers changed their policy on this quite a few years ago to curb grey market sales, I remember it happening in relatively quick succession from one to the next. The savings could still be worth it, specially since you might have a chance to test it right then and there, but yeah caveat emptor.

 

[Nokiron]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

No. Not unless you specifically buy the "Overseas" models of their items. Which might not save you that much money.

https://www.sony.jp/overseas/en/

 

[4Photos]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

The other issue: how are you going to get it through US customs? If you declare it and pay the import tax, is it still a good value?

Also, if you get a poor (let's say decentered) copy, are stores in Japan as lenient as US photo stores "no questions asked returns"?

If you want to save money: use BHphoto with their Payboo credit card: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/introducing-the-new-payboo®-credit-card

 

[MK]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

The other issue: how are you going to get it through US customs? If you declare it and pay the import tax, is it still a good value?
Also, if you get a poor (let's say decentered) copy, are stores in Japan as lenient as US photo stores "no questions asked returns"?

If you want to save money: use BHphoto with their Payboo credit card: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/introducing-the-new-payboo®-credit-card

I have already considered everything you suggested. Some of the items I was looking at are 30-33% cheaper than B&H's prices and you don't have to pay local sales tax. Many, if not all, big camera stores in Japan offer 15 day returns no questions asked. You do have to do your homework while there of course. As for US Customs, you do know you have a dollar amount per person/family allocated with no import tax? Do a search and you'll realize it's not insignificant.

I was asking about the warranty. Thanks.

 

[MK]

I don't think so, AFAIK nearly all camera manufacturers changed their policy on this quite a few years ago to curb grey market sales, I remember it happening in relatively quick succession from one to the next. The savings could still be worth it, specially since you might have a chance to test it right then and there, but yeah caveat emptor.

Tbanks! Yeah, you have to do the math. If you save 30-35% and put that in a rainy day fund in case of repairs, you may or may not come out ahead depending the actual dollar savings. It could still be worth it like you said.

Every big store I took a look at in Japan have a generous 15 day return period no questions asked so you can test the lens while you're still in the country.. Now whether the rest of the family is interested in lens testing during vacation is a whole other question. :-D:-D:-D

 

[MK]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

No. Not unless you specifically buy the "Overseas" models of their items. Which might not save you that much money.

https://www.sony.jp/overseas/en/

Thanks! I will have to inquire when I get there. It's only Sony that I'm aware of where you can't set the language in the menus. So if you buy a body, you need to get an export model so you can get English else everything will be in Japanese. Other manufacturers don't do that.

But for lenses, there really is no Japanese language lenses per se (other than, perhaps, the instruction manual).

 

[4Photos]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

The other issue: how are you going to get it through US customs? If you declare it and pay the import tax, is it still a good value?
Also, if you get a poor (let's say decentered) copy, are stores in Japan as lenient as US photo stores "no questions asked returns"?

If you want to save money: use BHphoto with their Payboo credit card: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/introducing-the-new-payboo®-credit-card

I have already considered everything you suggested. Some of the items I was looking at are 30-33% cheaper than B&H's prices and you don't have to pay local sales tax. Many, if not all, big camera stores in Japan offer 15 day returns no questions asked. You do have to do your homework while there of course. As for US Customs, you do know you have a dollar amount per person/family allocated with no import tax? Do a search and you'll realize it's not insignificant.

I was asking about the warranty. Thanks.

My apologies that I brought up things you did not directly ask for.

 

[Nokiron]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

No. Not unless you specifically buy the "Overseas" models of their items. Which might not save you that much money.

https://www.sony.jp/overseas/en/

Thanks! I will have to inquire when I get there. It's only Sony that I'm aware of where you can't set the language in the menus. So if you buy a body, you need to get an export model so you can get English else everything will be in Japanese. Other manufacturers don't do that.

But for lenses, there really is no Japanese language lenses per se (other than, perhaps, the instruction manual).

Yes, but you asked about the warranty.

If you buy a domestic model, you will have to send the lens back to Japan for service.

If you buy the overseas models, you get international warranty.

 

[4Photos]

I don't think so, AFAIK nearly all camera manufacturers changed their policy on this quite a few years ago to curb grey market sales, I remember it happening in relatively quick succession from one to the next. The savings could still be worth it, specially since you might have a chance to test it right then and there, but yeah caveat emptor.

Tbanks! Yeah, you have to do the math. If you save 30-35% and put that in a rainy day fund in case of repairs, you may or may not come out ahead depending the actual dollar savings. It could still be worth it like you said.

Every big store I took a look at in Japan have a generous 15 day return period no questions asked so you can test the lens while you're still in the country.. Now whether the rest of the family is interested in lens testing during vacation is a whole other question. :-D:-D:-D

I am curious, which lens is 30% off compared to US prices? I may have to get one myself.

 

[MK]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

The other issue: how are you going to get it through US customs? If you declare it and pay the import tax, is it still a good value?
Also, if you get a poor (let's say decentered) copy, are stores in Japan as lenient as US photo stores "no questions asked returns"?

If you want to save money: use BHphoto with their Payboo credit card: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/introducing-the-new-payboo®-credit-card

I have already considered everything you suggested. Some of the items I was looking at are 30-33% cheaper than B&H's prices and you don't have to pay local sales tax. Many, if not all, big camera stores in Japan offer 15 day returns no questions asked. You do have to do your homework while there of course. As for US Customs, you do know you have a dollar amount per person/family allocated with no import tax? Do a search and you'll realize it's not insignificant.

I was asking about the warranty. Thanks.

My apologies that I brought up things you did not directly ask for.

No worries. Written words carry no body language.

(I'm not directing this at you.) It's annoying when you try to ask for info and then there's massive thread drift. It happens on all the forums. Someone asks about Olympus 4/3 and a person will post asking the OP to consider Nikon full frame. :-D:-D:-D

Anyway, to your question in your earlier post above. Some examples.

Sony 20mm f/2.8 pancake: B&H-$350+tax, Map Camera Tokyo-$210 out the door.

Sigma 18-50 f/2.8: B&H-$550+tax, Map Camera Tokyo-$365 out the door.

Not every item has such a price difference. The Sony 10-20 f/4 is $650/$515 only because there's a current promo of $100 off. If really want to compare apples to apples it's really $750+tax vs. $515 out the door. But even $650+tax vs. $515 out the door is still nothing to sneeze at.

 

[ZilverHaylide]

I don't think so, AFAIK nearly all camera manufacturers changed their policy on this quite a few years ago to curb grey market sales, I remember it happening in relatively quick succession from one to the next. The savings could still be worth it, specially since you might have a chance to test it right then and there, but yeah caveat emptor.

Tbanks! Yeah, you have to do the math. If you save 30-35% and put that in a rainy day fund in case of repairs, you may or may not come out ahead depending the actual dollar savings. It could still be worth it like you said.

Every big store I took a look at in Japan have a generous 15 day return period no questions asked so you can test the lens while you're still in the country.. Now whether the rest of the family is interested in lens testing during vacation is a whole other question. :-D:-D:-D

(My bolding)

An important consideration. You might wake up in a hospital, with a lens-shaped dent in your skull!

 

[MK]

I don't think so, AFAIK nearly all camera manufacturers changed their policy on this quite a few years ago to curb grey market sales, I remember it happening in relatively quick succession from one to the next. The savings could still be worth it, specially since you might have a chance to test it right then and there, but yeah caveat emptor.

Tbanks! Yeah, you have to do the math. If you save 30-35% and put that in a rainy day fund in case of repairs, you may or may not come out ahead depending the actual dollar savings. It could still be worth it like you said.

Every big store I took a look at in Japan have a generous 15 day return period no questions asked so you can test the lens while you're still in the country.. Now whether the rest of the family is interested in lens testing during vacation is a whole other question. :-D:-D:-D

(My bolding)

An important consideration. You might wake up in a hospital, with a lens-shaped dent in your skull!

Or...in an orifice that could not possibly hold a lens!!!!! :-O

 

[ZilverHaylide]

I don't think so, AFAIK nearly all camera manufacturers changed their policy on this quite a few years ago to curb grey market sales, I remember it happening in relatively quick succession from one to the next. The savings could still be worth it, specially since you might have a chance to test it right then and there, but yeah caveat emptor.

Tbanks! Yeah, you have to do the math. If you save 30-35% and put that in a rainy day fund in case of repairs, you may or may not come out ahead depending the actual dollar savings. It could still be worth it like you said.

Every big store I took a look at in Japan have a generous 15 day return period no questions asked so you can test the lens while you're still in the country.. Now whether the rest of the family is interested in lens testing during vacation is a whole other question. :-D:-D:-D

(My bolding)

An important consideration. You might wake up in a hospital, with a lens-shaped dent in your skull!

Or...in an orifice that could not possibly hold a lens!!!!! :-O

LOL! Then you should probably only consider lenses with good weather-sealing!

 

[Brian_Smith]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

Part of your purchase price goes to provide the warranty in the country you purchase the product. If you purchase in Japan your warranty is from Japan and if you purchase in the U.S. your warranty is in the U.S.

 

[MK]

I don't think so, AFAIK nearly all camera manufacturers changed their policy on this quite a few years ago to curb grey market sales, I remember it happening in relatively quick succession from one to the next. The savings could still be worth it, specially since you might have a chance to test it right then and there, but yeah caveat emptor.

Tbanks! Yeah, you have to do the math. If you save 30-35% and put that in a rainy day fund in case of repairs, you may or may not come out ahead depending the actual dollar savings. It could still be worth it like you said.

Every big store I took a look at in Japan have a generous 15 day return period no questions asked so you can test the lens while you're still in the country.. Now whether the rest of the family is interested in lens testing during vacation is a whole other question. :-D:-D:-D

(My bolding)

An important consideration. You might wake up in a hospital, with a lens-shaped dent in your skull!

Or...in an orifice that could not possibly hold a lens!!!!! :-O

LOL! Then you should probably only consider lenses with good weather-sealing!

You owe me a keyboard! Coffee just came out of my nose all over my keyboard!

 

[aagirlz]

For Sony lens, are their warranty international? If I go on vacation to Japan, purchase a lens, will I have a valid US warranty when I come home?

Concerned about getting a high dollar lens in Japan and the only warranty is sending it back to Japan from the US for service. Yikes!

In Australia you get 1 year instead of 2 I think on lenses

 

[4Photos]

My experience is, that a lens is either a dud, i.e. instant return cause it fails the basic tests, or it will last way way beyond the warranty period.

Personally, I never had a lens fail during the first year or two of service. Maybe just my luck, but I would not worry too much about lens warranty. Main issue for me is: can I return t hassle free should there be issues.

 

[MK]

Just to update everyone.

We just got back from a 15 day stay in Japan and it was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!! Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka. We wished we could stay another 15 days. The people and food were wonderful and I've never been to a place that was so clean and respectful of others. (I grew up in Manhattan, NYC.)

I got my lens from MAP Camera! Wonderful people to deal with though English is SLIGHTLY problematic. A few times we had to use Google Translate back and forth.

For price comparison, I got my 20mm f/2.8 for $188 out the door, compared to B&H's already good price of $372 delivered.

The advantage is that if you flash your passport they remove their 10% use tax.

As for the warranty, it's a Japan only warranty as verified by the staff and in the paperwork that comes with the lens. For cheapie stuff like this, it's a no brainer. But if you're going to blow $2,000 you have to consider the risk. I'm not sure if sending it back to Japan would work as they may not send it back to you half way around the world.

They do offer a 7 day no questions ask return period. We were in Tokyo for 4 nights so I had plenty of time to test and play with the lens. My copy was perfect, as perfect as that lens can perform.

I also got a spare battery. Genuine Sony for $50+ whereas B&H would have been $80+.

Of course you're not going to spend $10k on a trip to Japan so you can avail yourself to these bargains but if you happen to be there on holiday...

BTW, I'm also a N-Scale model railroad enthusiast and their model train equipment have similar discounts. Some items you can't even get in the US too so there's that. The whole Japanese society is so focused on trains, 1:1 and model, that there's not a place around the corner where that are things train related.

Here's a quickie picture out of my Samsung S22 phone. The Golden Temple in Kyoto. I have yet to review my 1000+ photos yet as jet lag is still present.

 

[4Photos]

Great photo, thanks for showing this. It makes me miss Japan. Have you read Mishima's book about this Temple? If not: highly recommended!