D7000 'grey import' advice.

Hi guys,
I've been having a poke on eBay and found a seller called UKBNS, studied their feedback and all of their products seem to be 'grey imports' most feedback is pretty good bar this detail.

I know there would be no warrenty. I would look at purchasing insurance from a broker on a camera anyway as I am super clumbsy to cover water damage, accidental damage etc. I guess I need to read into T&Cs to see if they cover imports.

I see a few comments 'no English manual' and 'non-uk charger/plug' - I have ordered David busche's D7000 manual, and can buy an adapter or powertransformer plug from maplins.

Is there anything else to watch out for with grey imports? I.e will there be comparability issues?

Thanks, Scott

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All I can say about the gray market items is to be sure the price difference is enough to cover the cost of a typical repair job. Both my D7000 and D800 required some warranty work and I was very thankful it was covered 100%. A gray market camera can quickly become very expensive, especially these high end and very technical cameras like a D7000. Personally, I feel much more comfortable with a fully warrantied camera and would consider the difference in price an insurance policy.

Basically, it's the same product, but since it was not sold by your country's importer, there will be no warranty support. Not sure an independent insurance could cover that.
The way it works is that the importer (whether Nikon Canada, Nikon US or other) buys from Nikon. They are an independent company in that country and will sell with a profit. Now that's pretty normal so far. Where it gets interesting is that the importer buys from Nikon without the warranty. It is the importer that is actually selling the warranty to you through it's profit margin. So, if you don't buy from an "authorized" reseller, you won't get support from their service center. And since Nikon now won't sell parts to independent repair shops, it could get difficult to have your camera serviced. They can actually refuse to even look at your camera… So it might deserve a second thought BEFORE you buy.

Just my opinion that does not involve any of your money.

I can't imagine the savings being worth the risk.

Points taken , thanks for the advice - yeah the initial saving pro does not outweigh the warrantless con .

Thanks Scott

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Well!

Note: Below is not advertisement or discouragement! only info for reference,

Adding some substance to this thread I thought i'd add some details I have come accross:

Item I was watching on ebay: Nikon D7000 Twin Lens Kit + AF-S DX 18-55mm VR + DX 55-300mm VR ~ Ship from UK | eBay

Items included in the above bundle but searched independantly on a price comparison website:
D7000 Body: Digital Cameras :: Nikon :: Nikon D7000 Camera Body - Onestop Digital
18-55mm: Camera Lenses :: Nikon :: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G DX VR Lens (Unboxed) - Onestop Digital
55-300mm: Camera Lenses :: Nikon :: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR DX Lens - Onestop Digital

So the Ebay grey import: £819.99

The same kit via a price comparison website: £851.93

HAHA! SO I STOPPED WRITING HERE! - Look at this! - Onestop Digital reviews | Customer reviews of Onestop Digital

UNBELIEVABLE! who can you trust apart from your highstreet retailers..

Comparison website: Moneysupermarket.com (supposed to be repituble)

thanks, Scott

I never consider buying a camera gray market, but I have purchased some of the lower cost Nikkor lens that way, with great savings. Depends on the lens, been very lucky, except for when I do my own clumsy drop, or rain damage, I have never needed warranty work on a lens, and the other lens work were always my fault.

I am so bad with sending in the dam paper work, and Nikon is so fussy about sending it in within the first 4 weeks, by the time I remember, it is always too late. In this day of electronic purchase thru credit card or such, it should be automatic by now.

so, remember if you are buying,, fill out that paperwork, copy those receipts, send in the registration on the day that you purchase, otherwise, you might as well buy gray market.

if it comes through UK customs look out for a big bill too.

Fair enough - I do try to be careful but just clumsy. I will get insurance on the camera I buy even if it is covered by warranty - water damage and dropping is what I worry about.

I probably won't by grey market but it just shocks me how easy it is to get hold of grey market goods without knowing, but then a simple search soon uncovers the truth. - not saying grey market is bad, there are loads of good reviews from customers but do they know the full extent of their purchase.
Don't exactly say 'I've saved loads and I mind about not having warranty'.

I feel a bit deflated with the comparison website too - expected better than that from a site I thought was very reputable.

Anyway! Glad I know a bit more than I did about the subject and hopefully this helps make others aware.

Many thanks for all the info & honest opinions.

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In Aus we have a "grey" store that are about $300 dollars cheaper then the official Nikon stores...D7000 & lens kit

They have 12 months warranty and if you desire you can purchase extended warranty..

I've bought several things off them including my D300...Mostly it's as cheap to buy from them as overseas...

yes but you have no import duty under A$ 1000 ..lived there done that