Grey Import Body only

Would you or wouldn't you buy?

Frosticles wrote in post #15574647
Would you or wouldn't you buy?

Nothing wrong with grey market items, just depends on who are you buying from and
how much are you saving.

Do come with a 3 year "Seller" warranty. Just curious

Who is giving a 3 year seller warranty? Never heard of that one. Sounds to good to be true???????
Not to say it could not happen, but I would be careful on that one.

Hdewcameras are a legitimate company in the Uk who sell grey imports and you get a three year warranty. Ive just bought my 7D with them

What is a grey import??

Grey market imports are "unofficial" imports, not through the manufacturer's regular distribution channels. It's rather common practice among some major camera retailers. The big New York camera stores started it years ago... they'd make a trip to a market where exchange rates and other differentials make the camera cheaper, buy a large lot and import themselves.

The problem with most grey market items is that for all practical purposes the manufacturer's warranty is void and any needed repairs or replacement through the manufacturer would be at your own expense. Some of the big stores get around this by offering their own warranty. That might be find, but you may have only one place to send the camera if anything occurs, while manufacturer's "official" warranty support should extend worldwide and often includes factory service centers and licensed/authorized independent repairers and dealers.

There are also third party warranty programs, some offering extended terms. However those are usually at extra cost and might more than offset any savings that buying grey market may offer.

OP, it depends on where you are and what you're looking at.... Consumer protection laws vary country to country and there are excellent trustworthy retailers, as well as shysters hawking their goods on the Internet. A basic "rule of thumb" for buyers here in the U.S... if prices are much lower than offered by Adorama or B&H Photo, be skeptical and very cautious. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

D-Pearce92 wrote in post #15574830
Hdewcameras are a legitimate company in the Uk who sell grey imports and you get a three year warranty. Ive just bought my 7D with them

Thank you.

D-Pearce92 wrote in post #15574830
Hdewcameras are a legitimate company in the Uk who sell grey imports and you get a three year warranty. Ive just bought my 7D with them

Frosticles wrote in post #15575224
Thank you.

+1 from me.

+1 from me just bought a 5d3 before xmas at hdewcameras ,straight sailing all the way

I've often wondered about Hdew's warranty cover through 'Xtendcover Limited'. Anybody had to claim through them directly?

They don't appear to be a UK registered company. I wondered if it was just a paper exercise for Hdew.

I always purchase grey.

tutwood wrote in post #15576030
+1 from me just bought a 5d3 before xmas at hdewcameras ,straight sailing all the way

And +1 from me, got my 5d3 from them before xmas and no problems at all. Communication good and fast delivery.

If you have a good copy you are a winner, but if it is a bad copy and say it should be replaced then you have problems.
On a 7D and above I personally would not like to risk it with the dodgy importers. I heard a lot of them are now physically messing with the serial numbers. so no body can trace who in the authorised distribution chain is breaking the rules - this can cause you big big problems in the future; as serial nos are linked to spare part revision levels etc. it also will make it difficult to spot actual fakes.
Sure if a big honest outfit like b+H video sells an import that say has a Japanese serial number I d have no issue with this.

Another +1 from me for Hdew Cameras. I bought a 5D2 and 24-105 f4L kit from them in november 2011 and then a 5d3 in march 2012. Excellent service and excellent value both times and both bodies come with 3 year warranty (1sy year by Canon, remaining 2 years by Hdew) and they use Canon approved service centres for repairs.