Buying Abroad - International Guarantees

tullaman

I'm planning to buy a Nikon D40(x) and as it happens I know someone going to NY soon so they could buy it there for me (about eur460 incl NYC sales tax at bhphotovideo). The cheapest I can see here is Pixmania or Komplett both about 640 so a eur180 saving - enough to get me a sbc600 flash. I'm assuming that physical camera shops here are a good bit more expensive again.

My main worry is the guarantee. Will it honoured by any Nikon dealer in Ireland ? Or would I have to send it at my own expense to Nikon UK? Or is just worthless outside the US?

Alternatively I would considering buying second hand. I have heard that dSLRs keep a shutter activation count (like a mileometer in a car) is that true of the D40?

Thanks for any help/advice.

snellers

to be honest it would be better getting the answer straight from the horses mouth....(if you ring in the late afternoon you will get through as the time difference not that much) - you will have complete peice of mind!

p.s. be aware that you may incur duty to pay on the camera on its trip home if packaged in its original box.......
(not that I'm suggesting you do anything to avoid this potential cost...just making you aware)

Thirdfox

USA has the special US only warranty (but they get it for 5 years instead of our 1 year international warranty).

My D40 has around 18000 shutter activations (and not a problem...kinda - I've heard reports of some people's D50 lasting well into 50-70,000). But shutter activation should not be the only factor you take into consideration.

In regards the warranty question, if you buy from any country other than the US you'll get an international warranty that will be honoured around the globe (buying from Hong Kong etc.)

dazftw

b&h in NY offer there a good warranty mines 7 years I think they have a place in dublin to send stuff to get it fixed if needs be.. Atleast thats what the man told me

There all really good in b&h though I doubt an amish person would try to rip you off lol

snellers

7year warranty? sounds very similar to one I obtained with a lens from Kea in Hong Kong recently ...the warranty is with a 3rd party company 'Mack' (Mackcam.com)- not Nikon ....I havent had time to check out the terms and conditions on mine yet but I am guessing it wont be same as a Nikon one. might be worth checking out unless you are sure its a Nikon 7 year.....

Zzippy

dazftw wrote: »

b&h in NY offer there a good warranty mines 7 years I think they have a place in dublin to send stuff to get it fixed if needs be.. Atleast thats what the man told me

There all really good in b&h though I doubt an amish person would try to rip you off lol

Think they're actually Jewish. The Amish don't have any dealings with modern technology, electricity, even the combustion engine, so I somehow doubt they would be engaged in selling digital cameras!
Anyway, I'm heading over there tomorrow, so I'll be sure to ask them when I'm there!

snellers

ok just managed to find my 'Mack' warranty and it just states in the event of a problem contact them for a returns reference - it is at my cost then sent to wherever they advise it needs to be, then repaired or replaced at no charge......it doesnt state where I would have to send the lens...hope I dont have to find out!

dazftw

I thought amish people had the hair like braids down the front..? lol doesn't really matter there nice guys!

It was a mack warranty!

Thirdfox

Lol you wouldn't catch many Amish selling electronic goods

rymus

"tis no camera, but sure tis a fine barn English..."

Thirdfox

They may sell camera obscura or pinhole ones...

qwertz

This is incorrect. With Nikon for certain products (DSLR's for example) you will get a regional warranty (ie, buy in HK gets you Asian or even SE-Asian warranty, buy in Europe and you get European warranty...). Lenses are treated different, so are flashguns.

Thirdfox wrote: »

In regards the warranty question, if you buy from any country other than the US you'll get an international warranty that will be honoured around the globe (buying from Hong Kong etc.)

Thirdfox

Okay I stand corrected... just that when I bought in China I got an international warranty (from Nikon).

Maybe you had a different experience or that Hong Kong is different.

DotOrg

i bought a mack policy with my 20D and they sent me a cheque when i had mine fixed covering the full amount. (It was repaired via ISS just off Wexford St)

qwertz

It depends on the reseller. Some in include the local only, others Eurpoean or international. And I got lucky with my gear from good old China as well.

Thirdfox wrote: »

Okay I stand corrected... just that when I bought in China I got an international warranty (from Nikon).

Maybe you had a different experience or that Hong Kong is different.

missingtime

I bought a canon 400d in the philipines and everything appeared legit. must take a propper look at the warranty again though...hmmmm.

tullaman

At the risk of answering my own question

Nikon digital products sold in Europe have a warranty which is honoured by Nikon European offices in the countries listed below. This warranty is not supported by Nikon offices outside of Europe. Nikon digital products sold outside Europe also have localised warranties and are not supported in Europe.

http://www.europe-nikon.com/home/en_GB/local/broad/386/1.html

tullaman

Thanks for the info on Mackcam warranty. Couldn't really figure out where to buy those extra warranties tho.

Rael

Hey,

I'm just back from NYC (got back on Monday) and bought a Panasonic TZ3 from B&H. You can buy an international Sagemax warranty which means if your camera gets damaged, they will courier it to your local service centre, get it repaired and courier it back to you at no cost. In the case of it being unrepairable, they will replace the item.

I got a 2 year warranty for $30, so for peace of mind its worth it considering how cheap it was (about €20).

tullaman

Rael wrote: »

Hey,

I'm just back from NYC (got back on Monday) and bought a Panasonic TZ3 from B&H. You can buy an international Sagemax warranty ... for $30, so for peace of mind its worth it considering how cheap it was (about €20).

Cool. I rang them at one point but this wasn't mentioned to me - maybe coz the guy was p*ssed off as I had come through to a spanish speaking line!!