Certified European stock v Asian stock

cowboyBuilder

Hi,
Just saw on Conns cameras site under "Why buy from us?"

We sell only certified European stock, not grey imports.

Grey imports ?

is there a difference between a Canon SLR from Europe or one from Hong Kong ?

Both are made in Japan - just wondering as the prices can vary a lot and maybe the reason it's a lot cheaper is there is some undisclosed defect ...

cowboyBuilder

Sorry mods, I was supposed to post this in Camera + Accessories , can you please move thx..

Effects

No defect, just no warranty or comeback if anything goes wrong with it.

Paulw

All down to warranty. Canon won't warranty repair any US/Asian grey import in Europe, and vice versa. They will repair it at a price though. Otherwise, you must send it back to where you purchased it, and get them to get it to Canon for a warrant repair (through whereever they imported it from).

magicbastarder

apart from the warranty issue, it's not a bad message to send that they're completely legit, and get their stock through the standard channels.

cowboyBuilder

magicbastarder wrote: »

apart from the warranty issue, it's not a bad message to send that they're completely legit, and get their stock through the standard channels.

Sure of course.
I was just wondering was my SLR slightly less quality then one bought in Europe.

Paulw

cowboyBuilder wrote: »

I was just wondering was my SLR slightly less quality then one bought in Europe.

Not a single technical difference. Identical in every way. All are produced in the same factory, same software, etc.

Effects

Some grey market sellers avoid import taxes, Conns don't.
If my camera breaks and has to be sent back for repair then Conns give me a replacement while I'm waiting.

Splinters

For the likelihood of something actually breaking and the potential savings I'd go with grey import every time. Obviously there is some risk of it potentially costing more which I'm prepared to accept.

CabanSail

When you live in different places around the world then some of your gear will always be Grey. It varies depending on where you are at the time. Generally the glass is the same worldwide.

Jofspring

I'm probably going to buy Grey market when the funds allow for it. I'm all for supporting local but I can't afford the €400 extra cost to stay local. If something is a few quid dearer off someone local I will always buy from them. But sometimes it's just too much of a gap.