Grey imports

[RobinOakapple]

As someone who is contemplating a substantial equipment purchase I find the subject of grey imports coming sharply into focus.

First, a petite rantette-

Why are grey imports even an issue? Why the fk do manufacturers supply their equipment at lower prices in other parts of the world? Are their prestigious London branches so much more expensive to run than those in Hong Kong (for instance) and even if they are, why should UK purchasers have to make up the difference?


So the situation I find myself in is having to choose whether the advantages of buying from a UK official supplier are worth more than a thousand pounds. It seems those advantages revolve around the equipment going wrong, and I should think the chances of that are quite small, and in any case, the UK based grey importers have legal obligations which should reduce the risk further.

Any thoughts I should take into consideration?

[K12beano]

Yup - can be annoying.

If you're looking at Nikon, there's even different policy across the globe depending on whether you're buying a body or a lens; with the latter having worldwide service.

[tilley441]

I have a grey import never had a problem, the way i see it is its the same as buying it if you were on holiday.

[Mroad]

Different prices around the globe are due to taxation in various forms (import duty, VAT etc.).
If you add on the taxes a grey or parallel import will be around the cost of an official UK market product.

I've no problem buying grey imports BUT you have to do your homework buy from decent companies what provide a good customer service and backup when things go wrong.
I have used Hdew Cameras who have a physical presence in the UK. They import to their UK offices and then send out from there rather than direct from abroad like some where import duty can be charged by the courier (e.g. DigitalRev etc.). Hdew also offer their own warranty, often 3 years for DSLR or more expensive equipment.
Panamoz are also well regarded.

The only downsides are warranty work may take longer to sort and if you come to trade in your equipment later on some companies will not buy grey/parallel imports due to possible unpaid taxation implications.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Are SLRHut and DigitalRev "grey" importers?

I have purchased from DR before and basically got the equivalent of Next Day shipping (ordered friday, had it first thing monday) from HK!. Their prices are marked in GBP and they had some spiel about duties being included in the price and if you needed warranty you send it back to their UK base and they sort it.

Would go with them again for an upcoming purchase but SLRHut are considerably cheaper and they too seem to be well regarded if googles shopping reviews are anything to go by.

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Friday 15th January 16:21

[nellyleelephant]

Otispunkmeyer said:

Are SLRHut and DigitalRev "grey" importers?

I have purchased from DR before and basically got the equivalent of Next Day shipping (ordered friday, had it first thing monday). Their prices are marked in GBP and they had some spiel about duties being included in the price and if you needed warranty you send it back to their UK base and they sort it.

Would go with them again for an upcoming purchase but SLRHut are considerably cheaper and they too seem to be well regarded if googles shopping reviews are anything to go by.

They are both importers, Digital Rev are reasonably well respected, I wouldn't touch SLRHut with a very long barge pole.

If you want the lowest risk (that I know of) grey importer, HDEW are your friend.

[DibblyDobbler]

Import every time for me - Panamoz have never let me down

[russy01]

I bought from HDEW. The product was fine (they had in stock) and they delivered quickly. However I found their operation to be a little dated, their website and their attitude.

Also whilst I fully understand that this industry with high value stock is a prime target for fraud - these people need to make sure they dont make customers feel like fraudsters! I was simply trying to get delivery to an address other than the card address (Personal card registered to home, with delivery to work - was a complete no go!)

But Id still recommend HDEW, I got my 70d £200 less than the cheapest UK retailer and all seems well. The product shipped with a UK charger and I instantly had a £200 lens budget!

[steveatesh]

Another one for HDEW, I've bought two lens from them (Nikon), far cheaper than a certain high street shop as well as other online outlets, plus their own warranty for extra confidence.

Quick delivery too.

My camera was bought as a grey import from a different online outlet.

no problems as far as I'm concerned.

[Thunderace]

If the price difference is significant I'll normally use Panamoz. Canon 7D2 was about £800 last October when they were approx £1200 in the UK. Came with a 3 year UK warranty too.

It's not just the Far East that can be cheaper. 1Dx was selling for about £3k over the counter in a normal high street retailer in Canada when they were about £4.8k here

[Fastpedeller]

RobinOakapple said:

Why are grey imports even an issue? Why the fk do manufacturers supply their equipment at lower prices in other parts of the world? Are their prestigious London branches so much more expensive to run than those in Hong Kong (for instance) and even if they are, why should UK purchasers have to make up the difference?

I agree entirely - Price fixing surely.
Some 30 years ago a friend wanted cycle parts, he could get these from a respected mail order supplier at 10% less than the 'official importer' who ranted at him that he shouldn't buy from mail order man. Friend asked "are the ones from mail order man the same? ie not fake products?" to which the OI could only give one answer. They were subsequently sourced from MO man.

[Otispunkmeyer]

nellyleelephant said:

Otispunkmeyer said:

Are SLRHut and DigitalRev "grey" importers?

I have purchased from DR before and basically got the equivalent of Next Day shipping (ordered friday, had it first thing monday). Their prices are marked in GBP and they had some spiel about duties being included in the price and if you needed warranty you send it back to their UK base and they sort it.

Would go with them again for an upcoming purchase but SLRHut are considerably cheaper and they too seem to be well regarded if googles shopping reviews are anything to go by.

They are both importers, Digital Rev are reasonably well respected, I wouldn't touch SLRHut with a very long barge pole.

If you want the lowest risk (that I know of) grey importer, HDEW are your friend.

Funny about SLRHut, google have them down as Certified shop and they have nearly 5/5 on reviews by over 5k people. What is the reason you wouldn't go there?

HDEW don't sell what I want unfortunately, but Panamoz and DR do. Leaning toward Panamoz anyway as while the camera is some £30 more expensive, their shipping sounds like its quicker (SLRHut quote 5-8 days free, 3-5 rush for £20 and 1-2 express for £40!!) and accessories like memory cards seemed better priced. Oh and more warranty is offered.

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Sunday 17th January 13:00

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Sunday 17th January 13:11

[Craikeybaby]

The only problem I've had with grey imports is when I have tried to part ex a grey import lens.

[rich888]

I can't complain about delivery from digitalrev, I placed my order for a camera and a few lenses on the Monday and the delivery was made on Thursday, so top class service from them to date.

Thing is you need to keep an eye out for the special offers because even UK stores can sometimes discount to very reasonable rates or perhaps throw in extended warranties.

I also noticed that Amazon and eBay can sometimes be cheaper for lens hoods and filters so just be aware.

[Mr.Tremlini]

In my experience new photographic equipment is all the same regardless of where the Japanese freight company deliver the packages. When I know what I want I always look for the cheapest option with a confirmed warranty and I've never had a problem, and this has been a substantial amount of kit over the years. Buying direct from distributors is a costly business and what extra do you get?

[StuH]

I ordered another lens from DigitalRev on Saturday afternoon, after good experiences previously, and it's just arrived direct from HK! £300 cheaper than buying here - and with a warranty.

[IanH755]

I've used both HDew and DigitalRev for multiple expensive purchases and never had a issue. HDew tend to a tadge cheaper than DR but their range is more limited. I've not have to use any warranty with either yet so if/when that happens it could be a different kettle of fish!

[uk_vette]

K12beano said:

Yup - can be annoying.

If you're looking at Nikon, there's even different policy across the globe depending on whether you're buying a body or a lens; with the latter having worldwide service.

I just bought a Nikon and a Nikkor.

Both substantially cheaper not in UK.

Mine came from USA.

Edited by uk_vette on Tuesday 19th January 17:12