I ordered a 5D+24-105 at 2679$ from 42nd street photo (www.42photo.com), and they informed me they they were that the US version was out of stock, but more was on order, and offered me a European version at $300 more if I wanted the camera immediately. I repectfully declined and ordered from Adorama at 70$ more instead (still waiting for the order to be processed).
Was this an attempted bait-and-switch scam or was it a genuine out of stock issue?
6.53 out of 10 for customer satisfaction, and many of the 'positive' ones seem a little fishy.... likely bait and switch... Good move going to Adorama, enjoy your new camera!
Is grey market product really such an issue? I'm about to place an order for a US version 300/2.8 IS from B+H and for me it's grey market. All the Canon lenses come out of Japan so I don't really see it as a problem. As long as my warranty is safe, I'm happy to save a couple of thousand dollars.
Saving by ordering from the US may make sense when you are in the UK, but at B&H the gray market 300/2.8 L IS lens is only $50 less than the USA version. As far as warranty issues, you should carefully check out what you will end up with that can be handled in the UK, or if you need to have things done through B&H.
The classic out of stock line is why I deal with B&H only. Their on line stock status is nearly always correct. Adorama is not quite as good at stock status on line, but seem to be fairly good otherwise. It is not worth it to me to find our about other suppliers.
PierreB wrote:
Is grey market product really such an issue? I'm about to place an order for a US version 300/2.8 IS from B+H and for me it's grey market. All the Canon lenses come out of Japan so I don't really see it as a problem. As long as my warranty is safe, I'm happy to save a couple of thousand dollars.
There have been a number of threads about this recently.
Check directly with Canon. You will find that most lenses now come with a world wide warrantee. There seems to be a different case for DSLR bodies and a US body will not be warranteed in Europe.
The 5D from Adorama is currently in the hands of UPS, and will be delivered to my aunt's house tomorrow, and my parents will bring it back to Norway over the weekend. Can't wait to play with the new toy
Grey market items are not covered by US warranties because you are not paying the 'extra' to cover the manufacturer's expense of providing a warranty!
They build the expense of providing a warranty into the US price.
As the above article succinctly puts it, GM items are the 'bait' in bait and switch.
I saw a 30D on one site for $499! Guess what, if it dies in 6 months you'd wish you had saved your shekels and gone the safe route.
SpeedyGonzales wrote:
I ordered a 5D+24-105 at 2679$ from 42nd street photo (www.42photo.com), and they informed me they they were that the US version was out of stock, but more was on order, and offered me a European version at $300 more if I wanted the camera immediately. I repectfully declined and ordered from Adorama at 70$ more instead (still waiting for the order to be processed).
Was this an attempted bait-and-switch scam or was it a genuine out of stock issue?
Nigel2112 wrote:
As the above article succinctly puts it, GM items are the 'bait' in bait and switch.
ONLY if an unscrupulous retailer chooses to exploit uninformed customers that way. In and of themselves, "grey market" items are no more or less bad than any other product.
The importer may offer some kind of coverage (even calling it a "Full USA Warranty") but it'll be loaded with fine print and next to worthless.
Educate yourself before shopping and buy from ethical retailers and you'll be fine. That ethical retailer will explain exactly what coverage you'll get from him. He may also offer after-market warranties to augment that coverage, and your credit card may provide additional protection.
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Henry Posner B&H Photo-Video
