How to spot a gray market unit? at DVinfo.net

Tony Moe · August 15th, 2003, 11:54 AM

Just what is a gray market unit, and how can you identify one? I know the best way to avoid them is to buy from a reputable dealer, but what about used units? It makes me uneasy when I see VX2000s for $1300 new at digital liquidators. I assume these are gray market, but how can you be sure? I called SonyStyle and the guy did not even know what gray market was...

Thanks!
Tony

Nathan Gifford · August 15th, 2003, 12:51 PM

Buy from reputable dealers (like the sponsor here). When you see a piece of gear seriously below the street price that should be your first warning.

Stephen Schleicher · August 16th, 2003, 12:59 PM

Also be aware that if the manuals are all in japanese, that would be a dead giveaway.

Alex Zabrovsky · August 27th, 2003, 01:32 PM

Stephen, what di you mean by that ?
A used (repritedly in good shape) VX2000 brought from Japan (a japanese version) - what can you say about it ?

Alex

Stephen Schleicher · August 27th, 2003, 04:21 PM

If the manuals are all japanese, that is usually a dead giveaway that the product is gray market.

Not that there is anything wrong with gray market, but menus and manuals in japanese are a bit hard for me to read and figure out. ;)

Alex Zabrovsky · August 27th, 2003, 10:13 PM

Yeah, if you're not prepared to that...

Regards, Alex

Jeff Donald · August 28th, 2003, 05:55 AM

Usually you can call the manufacture and ask if the dealer your buying from is an authorized dealer. Most authorized dealers won't sell gray market. If they do, they can lose their dealer agreement with the manufacture. Some manufactures even go so far as to help the buyer determine the cameras status, with the help of the serial number.

Nick Kerpchar · August 29th, 2003, 03:53 PM

Tony,
In response to your original question about the Gray Market, you can go to the following site and get about all the info on Gray Market that you would ever want:

www.antigraymarket.org

Good luck, Nick

Jason Tammemagi · September 2nd, 2003, 01:51 AM

I think you'd have to ask yourself if you really have a problem with a grey market unit. Basically you buying a grey market unit is taking advantage of the global marketplace - they are legit units, just usually from a country where they are available cheaper. The manufacturers also take advantage of the global marketplace for cheap labour etc so I don't see what the problem is.

The real disadvantage has already been mentioned - the language issue. If you don't know how to use the camera then you may have a problem.

Jay.

Jeff Donald · September 2nd, 2003, 05:38 AM

Grey market cameras Do Not have a US warranty. It might have an International Warranty and could be sent to Japan or the country of export for service. It might not be a big deal for a casual home video taper. But to a pro, the major down time of having the camera repaired in Japan would be a problem.

August 15th, 2003, 11:54 AM	#1
Tony Moe New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 13	How to spot a gray market unit? Just what is a gray market unit, and how can you identify one? I know the best way to avoid them is to buy from a reputable dealer, but what about used units? It makes me uneasy when I see VX2000s for $1300 new at digital liquidators. I assume these are gray market, but how can you be sure? I called SonyStyle and the guy did not even know what gray market was... Thanks! Tony

August 15th, 2003, 12:51 PM	#2
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Buy from reputable dealers (like the sponsor here). When you see a piece of gear seriously below the street price that should be your first warning. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

August 28th, 2003, 05:55 AM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Usually you can call the manufacture and ask if the dealer your buying from is an authorized dealer. Most authorized dealers won't sell gray market. If they do, they can lose their dealer agreement with the manufacture. Some manufactures even go so far as to help the buyer determine the cameras status, with the help of the serial number. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 2nd, 2003, 05:38 AM	#10
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Grey market cameras Do Not have a US warranty. It might have an International Warranty and could be sent to Japan or the country of export for service. It might not be a big deal for a casual home video taper. But to a pro, the major down time of having the camera repaired in Japan would be a problem. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 16th, 2003, 12:59 PM	#3
Stephen Schleicher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hays, KS Posts: 188	Also be aware that if the manuals are all in japanese, that would be a dead giveaway.

August 27th, 2003, 01:32 PM	#4
Alex Zabrovsky Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 175	Stephen, what di you mean by that ? A used (repritedly in good shape) VX2000 brought from Japan (a japanese version) - what can you say about it ? Alex

August 27th, 2003, 04:21 PM	#5
Stephen Schleicher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hays, KS Posts: 188	If the manuals are all japanese, that is usually a dead giveaway that the product is gray market. Not that there is anything wrong with gray market, but menus and manuals in japanese are a bit hard for me to read and figure out. ;)

August 27th, 2003, 10:13 PM	#6
Alex Zabrovsky Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 175	Yeah, if you're not prepared to that... Regards, Alex

August 29th, 2003, 03:53 PM	#8
Nick Kerpchar Major Player Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 211	Tony, In response to your original question about the Gray Market, you can go to the following site and get about all the info on Gray Market that you would ever want: www.antigraymarket.org Good luck, Nick

September 2nd, 2003, 01:51 AM	#9
Jason Tammemagi Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 43	I think you'd have to ask yourself if you really have a problem with a grey market unit. Basically you buying a grey market unit is taking advantage of the global marketplace - they are legit units, just usually from a country where they are available cheaper. The manufacturers also take advantage of the global marketplace for cheap labour etc so I don't see what the problem is. The real disadvantage has already been mentioned - the language issue. If you don't know how to use the camera then you may have a problem. Jay.