Generally, a manufacturer works with a single importer who can sell and support their products in a given region. The importer usually has local dealers and distributors who resell the imported products; this is called a "distribution channel". Gray Market refers to merchandise that is imported and sold by methods other than these normal channels.
Gray Market items are not designed to be sold in a particular market and cannot be supported by the authorized importer because they may not meet mandatory safety and certification codes. Because these items are not designed for a particular market they may not function properly, or the authorized importer may not be equipped to provide service, support or software.
With the opening of international borders and the use of the Internet to sell goods, Gray Market equipment has become extremely common in the photographic and consumer electronics markets. Many different types of equipment are brought into North America for sale without the proper documentation and US consumers do not always know what they are purchasing.
Because the resellers' cost is less they can sell Gray Market items for less. Unfortunately this price savings is only on the initial purchase; because service and support is more difficult to obtain it may end up costing the consumer more in the long run.
Nikon Incorporated USA is the sole authorized importer of Nikon Corporation of Japan for photographic devices. Nikon Inc. USA pays shipping into the USA, import duties and taxes, and provides service, support and downloads for these products. Nikon Inc. USA ensures that the products they import are fully certified and safe for use in the USA market.
Nikon Inc. USA cannot provide service, support or downloads for products that have not been imported by Nikon Inc. USA.
Additionally, a genuine Nikon Inc. USA product will include an Owners' Manual and Warranty Registration card in English. It will also include power cables (if applicable) designed for US style plugs. Any other language on the printed material or wrong cables indicates a Gray Market item.
Another indication of a Gray Market product would be photocopied manuals or manually created software CD's. Nikon Inc. USA always provides professionally printed or duplicated materials with genuine products.
Nikon Inc. USA cannot provide any technical support or warranty service on Gray Market items. Additionally Nikon Inc. USA cannot perform any fee-based repair work on Gray Market items. Please do not contact Nikon Inc. USA for help with any Gray Market products. Please contact the reseller or importer of your Gray Market items for warranty and service information as well as software updates and downloads.
No! All Nikon products come with a warranty by the manufacturer. The designated Nikon service center will always repair "in warranty" Nikon products and perform "out of warranty" repairs. If you own a Gray Market product it will need to be returned to the reseller or importer for service. Refer to your reseller or to the warranty cards included with the product for service contact information.
Source: http://support.nikonusa.com
A word from Sanyo Australia..
Parallel imports of Sanyo LCD Projectors including PLV Z2000.
Thank you for your inquiry on this matter. Sanyo Oceania’s policy it to only provide warranty protection for Sanyo projectors purchased through authorised dealers (as listed on our website).
This policy has been established to ensure that our customers will enjoy the on-going benefits of dealing with well established businesses that have the necessary expertise to support all aspects of the purchase experience. Ranging from a high level of professionalism obtained from the depth and breadth of knowledge and initial information provided, to a comprehensive after sales service back up in the event this should be required.
We believe that our customer’s best interests must be protected, and it is only by supporting businesses that have demonstrated the ability and willingness to maintain the necessary processes and procedures can this be achieved. For this reason we will actively avoid supporting importers who are not able to meet the minimum standards Sanyo Oceania and our customers expect.
Yours faithfully,
John Gillam
National Service Manager
The Gray Market and Fake Link
Gray market phones not only employ fake International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers—which are used by wireless networks to identify valid devices—but also do not carry test/quality certifications or network entry permits. The makers of these products profit illegally by generally not paying value-added taxes to the government.
Source
Nortel Networks
Besides the danger of an unsatisfactory business relationship with a Grey Marketer, you are also exposed to other risks associated with the grey market product.
For example:
• Grey Marketer’s terms and conditions reflect the fact that there is value in who you deal with.
In other words – YOUR WARRANTY (IF ANY) IS WITH THE GREY MARKETER NOT WITH THE MANUFACTURER.
• Although some grey marketers offer warranty periods, they usually do not have resources or in many cases the capability to meet such warranty commitments.
• Software Right To Use (RTU) licenses are non-transferable by non-authorized parties. Nortel Networks software may only be licensed by Nortel Networks or its authorized channels, which leaves the customer liable for various types of intellectual property rights infringement.
• Performance issues with the unknown and not properly tested equipment. Such products are not covered by a Nortel
Networks warranty, and are not entitled to receive repair and replacement services and other type of customer support, including software upgrades.
• Some equipment may be stolen, and software provided may be illegal.
• Additional costs which will drive the total cost above the authorized Channel Partner’s price.
If the price seems way cheaper than most others often it is beccause the product is Gray Market or non-genuine.
Epson has launched a program designed to stamp out unauthorised sales of point of sale (POS) products, following incidents where agents had imported products not designed for the Australian market.
There had been incidents in the past where some resellers had sold products that had not been configured for, or did not have the necessary regulatory approval, for Australia and New Zealand markets. This had affected end users.. these grey market products could have differences in firmware or lack a C-tick approval.
POS products in question could include receipt printers, touch-screens, and invoice printers
Gray Market is also known as Parallel Importing.
Nikon
For local safety regulations and certifications (FCC, CE, UL, etc.) and government requirements a manufacturer provides special packaging (manuals in the appropriate language, power cables designed for the local receptacle, etc.) and product engineering designed to meet local codes. Manufacturers also have service and support agreements with the authorized importer.
Gray Market items are not designed to be sold in a particular market and cannot be supported by the authorized importer because they may not meet mandatory safety and certification codes. Because these items are not designed for a particular market they may not function properly, or the authorized importer may not be equipped to provide service, support or software.
Because the resellers' cost is less they can sell Gray Market items for less. Unfortunately this price savings is only on the initial purchase; because service and support is more difficult to obtain it may end up costing the consumer more in the long run.
If the deal was just too good to be true, it probably was. One of the first indicators that a piece of Nikon merchandise might be Gray Market is if the price is considerably less than most other resellers.
Please contact the reseller or importer of your Gray Market items for warranty and service information as well as software updates and downloads.
The main concern is Warranty & Power. Is this item C-Ticked for 240V & covered by an Australian Warranty?
CR Kennedy & Company Pty Ltd
Parallel and Grey Imports are described as product imported directly into a country by a company or persons other than the manufacturer's authorised distributor in that country.
CR Kennedy & Company Pty Ltd does not provide any warranty or guarantee for parallel /grey imports. We will not honour any warranty or guarantee supplied by parallel importers such as camerasdirect.com.au, d-d.photographics.com.au, dwidigitalcameras.com.au, dwidigitalcameras.com.au and globalmediapro.com.
2) Products sourced from America and Japan requiring battery chargers, etc, will not meet Australian electrical standards. Plugs will require an adaptor. Adaptors supplied by parallel /grey importers are often not electrically approved.
3) In many instances products supplied for Australia have special modifications for the Australian market. iriver MP3 players for example have a different operating system to the unit supplied in the USA. If you purchase parallel grey imported product you risk purchasing product that may not easily work under Australian conditions.
4) We have had a recent case where product supplied by an e-bay vendor was found to be stolen goods. This instance is now a police matter.
5) CR Kennedy & Company Pty Ltd. operate in a global market place. The lines we represent in Australia are globally competitive in price. The savings by purchasing from parallel/grey importers are small. The risks are great.
There is a big difference between "Australian Warranty" and "Genuine Manufacturers Australian Warranty".
Ebay Trader Goes Bust
ONE of the biggest Australian sellers on eBay has gone bust and its owner is in China, leaving hundreds of buyers hundreds of thousands out of pocket, according to some estimates.
The Queensland seller, known on eBay as ebusiness-supplies and registered in Australia as EBS International Pty Ltd, was wound up on Friday and was under administration, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission said.
Hundreds of customers around the country who bought exercise equipment, pocket bikes, quad bikes, electric guitars, furniture and other household items from EBS International now have little chance of receiving their items or a refund from the seller.
Those who paid with PayPal, which is owned by eBay, would be entitled to refunds through a fund set up specifically to deal with this matter, said PayPal's managing director, Andrew Pipolo.
Queensland police confirmed its fraud department was investigating 12 complaints against the company but there was no evidence of criminality so far.
Sydney Morning Herald - Asher Moses
Handy Tips:
- Make sure the product is not Gray Market, ask them did they import it? Is it Gray Market?
- Gray Market products are imported by the original purchaser then they sell to you, it may now be second hand at least in terms of warranty cover.
- Read the fine print, who does the repairs?
- Any warranty could rely on the seller staying in business. What happens if they close up shop?
- Choose a product backed by an Australian Channel Authorised repairer.
- Note too that some items even though they look identical may not be, they may not be certified in Australia for 240V use, (C-Tick) in the event of fire you may not be covered.
- Why take the risk?
Gray Market is sometimes linked to counterfeit items, this may not be apparent to the general user till there is a problem.
Look for this logo
Feel free to tell us your story, please use the contact form.
