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We recently received a query from a reader asking about the differences between so-called "gray" market merchandise and "U.S." products. She also wondered if the difference in advertised prices made buying gray market products worthwhile.
To begin with, there is no difference between a camera or lens listed as a "U.S."product and its gray market counterpart. The difference is the way the merchandise comes into this country. Products carrying a "U.S." warranty are imported by the manufacturer or his authorized distributor and are backed by an extensive service operation. These products are also eligible for various rebates and special offers as listed by the distributor.
Gray market products are brought in by various third parties. For example, a dealer in Europe may have an overstock and will resell these items to a dealer in New York who may then resell them once more to the retailer. Despite tall tales told by overzealous salesmen, gray market cameras don't have markings in Japanese and instruction books in Swahili. Gray market lenses are not made from defective glass mounted in soft plastic mounts.
The only difference we find is that often a company may use different model designations for products shipped to the American market and for those destined for Europe or Asia.
The more serious difference is the warranty. Gray market cameras are generally not covered by the manufacturer's warranty. If they require servicing, you may have to pay for the repair or, even worse, in some cases the American distributor may refuse to have anything to do with your gray market product.
Gray market items are often used as the "bait" in "bait and switch" ploys. A product is advertised as at irresistible price but when you try to order it, you get an "out of stock" or "backordered" response. Our shoppers have uncovered numerous examples of items not being available at the advertised price but the "U.S." version is on hand for immediate delivery...at a higher price, of course. This price, often enough, is the legitimate retail price of the product listed by all of the other advertisers.
Unless there is a really significant difference in price between "gray" and "U.S." products, we generally advise our readers to go with the American version. Frankly, there's nothing like the security of knowing that the manufacturer's service department is available almost on call to help you. When you buy a "U.S." product, you can be sure that all the bits and pieces the manufacturer packs into the box will be there...particularly important in the case of digital cameras with come complete with an array of software.
One final warning. If you have any doubt as to whether or not a retailer is an authorized dealer, check with the manufacturer. For your convenience, we have a list of major manufacturers and their telephone numbers in each issue of Popular Photography placed usually just before the Mail Order section.
If you have any questions about any aspect of shopping from either the pages of the magazine or the Web Site, feel free to call Harold Martin at 212-767-6048. If you do call and there's no one available, leave a message on Voice Mail and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
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