Lens imports

[timmyquest]

I'm buying a $1000 lens next week and can save rougly 100 if i buy the import.

I saved a few bucks on my import 550EX and crossed my fingers as i opened the box hoping that the buttons were in english.

How about canon L lenses though?

[roanjohn]

My 70-200 f4 L is an "Imported" lens from B&H. The manual is in 4 different languages including english. The text on the lens are also in english. I think the only different is the coverage...........Canon won't honor your warranty............you have to buy a separate warranty to have it covered.

Ro1

Oh.......and you can't take advantage of the rebates ;-)

[UK_Terry]

[quote="roanjohn"] I think the only different is the coverage...........Canon won't honor your warranty............you have to buy a separate warranty to have it covered.

quote]

when is this rip off going to stop?
why will canon NOT honor THEIR warranty on THEIR lens?

when we buy a renault car in the UK we get full warranty and the car is made in France and imported in.

why do photographic stores/dealers etc get away with it?

as for warranty ask the salesman "Is this Canon made piece of equipment likely to break down?"

if he says its possible ask him for a discount.

[DaveG]

[quote=roanjohn] I think the only different is the coverage...........Canon won't honor your warranty............you have to buy a separate warranty to have it covered.

quote]

when is this rip off going to stop?
why will canon NOT honor THEIR warranty on THEIR lens?

when we buy a renault car in the UK we get full warranty and the car is made in France and imported in.

why do photographic stores/dealers etc get away with it?

as for warranty ask the salesman "Is this Canon made piece of equipment likely to break down?"

if he says its possible ask him for a discount.

Canon USA are the ones who will not honour the warranty and it's their right to do so. Part of what you pay for when you buy a Canon-America lens goes to provide that service. If you don't pay for it why do you expect to get it?

I bought a bunch of non-USA stuff from B&H and I accept the fact that B&H will handle any waranty repairs. I did get a discount and I do know that if man makes it, it'll break. So you pay your money and you take your chances.

[Belmondo]

-----I do know that if man makes it, it'll break. So you pay your money and you take your chances.

I wish you could tattoo that on the backs of everyone's eyelids so they never lose sight of it. Too many people have unrealistic expectations as to what a manufacturer's responisibilities are to them, especially when they go 'outside the loop' to make their purchases.

Good point.

[Cadwell]

I wish you could tattoo that on the backs of everyone's eyelids so they never lose sight of it. Too many people have unrealistic expectations as to what a manufacturer's responisibilities are to them, especially when they go 'outside the loop' to make their purchases.

Good point.

There is a reason why people go "outside the loop" though, particularly if you are in somewhere like the UK where manufacturers "price fix" to what they think the target market is prepared to pay. Canon are by no means alone in doing the old dollars = pounds trick over here but it's still very annoying. "Rip off Britain" is still very much thriving.

I can't honestly see it continuing for many more years though. The internet is making the world a smaller place and buying from abroad is becoming so much easier.

[rick barclay]

You go outside the loop because it's too expensive to buy anything within
it. But of course, when you're outside the loop you lose the protection
offered within it. Caveat Emptor.

[robekert]

If I was going to buy a "grey market" (Import) lens, I would buy from Adorama www.adorama.com. Adorama supplies a 1yr. "Adorama Warranty" with the grey market lens. If you have a problem with the lens, you send it to Adorama for service. Hey I bought my 1D Mark II from Adorama. It was in my hands 4 days after the US release date. I have purchased 5 items, lenses, camera and misc. things. Good service each time. I even returned a lens that I bought. Credit was issued within 5 days from the mailing of the lens.
Rob

[joeseph]

I agree that having to go outside the loop is essential - especially for the folks not lucky enough to live next door to B&H.

For example, a 100-400L is proudly displayed on a N.Z. website at the "discount" price of NZ$4999 (USD$3149)

I wonder if they sell anything?