gray market G1

[jhturner]

Can anyone shed some light on the so called gray market or "international' model G1s. I called some New York outfits advertising the G1 for around $600. One dealer explained to me that there are two versions of the camera and that I really want to spend the money and buy the US version. He informed me that the international version uses inferior ccds and other parts. What should I believe?

Thanks

John

[oops]

I have read that the difference is not in the camera. Canon makes the camera, regardless. The difference may be what you get with the camera (I have read about photocopied manuals and non-labeled software cd's) and Canon's response to warranty problems on your G1 if the serial number is "grey market". It would seem the seller must assume all warranties which they claim they gladly do.

This would scare the hell out of me, considering the overnight rise and fall of internet companies. Let the buyer beware. "If you walk around with you panties down, somebody will take advantage of you." My grandmother said this having made and lost over two mil. in her lifetime. I am a good boy and quote her every chance I get.

I didn't buy my G1 from Bestbuys but, from following forum threads, they have an embarrassing "satisfaction guaranteed" period (like 50 years or something) that is WELL worth the money.

[anotherbrian]

oops wrote:
I have read that the difference is not in the camera. Canon makes the camera, regardless. The difference may be what you get with the camera (I have read about photocopied manuals and non-labeled software cd's) and Canon's response to warranty problems on your G1 if the serial number is "grey market". It would seem the seller must assume all warranties which they claim they gladly do.

Indeed. I bought my G1 in May from Cathay Photo (www.cathayphoto.com.sg) while on a business trip to Singapore. The box, and included contents, appear to be identical to what you get in the US, save the power cords are different, and it came configured for PAL (rather than NTSC).

My G1 *IS* considered grey market now, and if I have any problems with the camera, I'll need to either ship it back to Singapore to be serviced under warranty, or foot the bill to have the work done here.

I didn't buy the camera in Singapore to save money, I bought it for the convenience of having it that instant (and the following week while in Tokyo). I'm keeping my fingers crossed that if it fails, it'll wait until after the warranty expires.

Cathay Photo was a legit photo store though. In the smaller camera shops, I wouldn't be surprised if the contents of the boxes changed. A friend bought a Sony telephoto lens for his G1 at one store (it seemed like a good deal), only to later find out that it had been a promotional item that stores typically held back and sold on the side.

I'd liken the fly-by-night camera shops on the web to those small shops in Singapore (and HK, and NY). The highly regarded NY mail-order shops will sell gray market, but I've always found them to be truthful about what you get (perhaps different features, but definately no US warranty).

[dbookbinder]

I bought my Powershot G1 from Broadway Photo, in Brooklyn, NY. Their come-on camera was also the "international" version. They told me it came without warranty and with the wrong cables for the U.S. I paid another $60 for the U.S. version, which was less than they charge for a one-year store warranty. Apparently they use the international versions to lure people into buying from them and then have the sales department call to switch you to the more expensive camera (a strategy which, in my case, worked).

[sjguenard]

Before I bought my G1 a few weeks ago, I called the Canon Customer Service presale line ( 1 800 ok canon) and asked to speak with tech support person with some real knowledge (not a know nothing phone rep). He told me all Canon cameras are built with the same warranty. If it was bought in USA and goes bad it goes to Canon USA repair. "Gray market" is a bait and switch (my words) sales gimmick. I'd hang up if some schlock sales rep gave me that line.