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Hi, I'm looking around to find a good price on a new Nikon D80 with 18 - 135 Nikon lens. I have been looking at HK Supplies and also ManCams Digital on ebay.

I have read a few ebay stores 'declarations' and can someone please tell me what is meant by "gray market" or "parallel import" merchandise.

Should I be wary of these two suppliers or can someone tell me if I buy - Will I be getting the real thing.

Not sure,
Regards David

Grey markets goods are just goods purchased from a market not the one you reside in.

For instance, if you purchase a camera from either America or Hong Kong while you live in Australia, you're buying grey market. You're still getting the same merchandise (more than likely) and it's likely that it's authentic, especially when talking photographic equipment, but it's just coming from a different country.

Hi, Thanks heaps - really appreciate the quick feedback. Cheers, David

I have bought from Discount Digital Photographics who sell parallel imports and have had no problems at all. The beauty of buying a grey from an Australian importer is that you don't risk paying duty and they are already here and you have a local contact to deal with, but still cheaper than the shops. It's slightly more expensive than ebay though.
OR, make the required amount of posts here and access the bargain section, which is fantastic and highly recommended - you know you will get it quickly and with confidence.

... Obsolete ...

Having dealt with Photo Continental a couple of times, they get a big tick for a recommendation.

Another thing I have found is that if you actually place the order via email or over the phone with Photo Continental, they'll try to give you a better price than through their online store.

DD are good - and Photo Buff are great too... As long as you are comfortable with the T's&C's of gray market - then there is no reason not to buy it gray...

Cheers, Nathan.

VK4CP wrote:The moral of the story, well two, actually;
* Don't assume an on-line seller is cheaper
* Shop around

No don't assume they are cheaper. However, when I bought my stuff they definitely were, and I did shop around. Bear in mind though, that I live in a small country town and ANYTHING is cheaper!! But I agree - shop around!

i have bought a sb600 from dd, it came quickly (3 days of sending my eft) and was great.

after some time (about 6 montsh) the flash stopped working. i emailed DD and they called me within 2 days (was a public holiday weekend) and said that i just needed to send it back with a written description of the problem and theyd have a look.

5 days after mailing them the flash, i had a new one in my hands, and only had to pay the postage to send my flash back (they paid for the postage to send me the new one).

it probably would have been more of a pain to get my flash warenteed if it was aus stock (i'd bet id have to run through hoops for the dealer and nikon aus!)