Information and our Policy on Gray Market Goods

Read this before buying any camera on the internet!

Almost any "amazing deal" you find on the internet can be traced back to what is referred to as a “gray market product.” These are products that are made by a popular, reputable manufacturer, but are intended for and shipped to a foreign market. The gray market products are then imported from that foreign country; bypassing the manufacturer’s authorized dealers.

Gray market products often are missing integral parts of the camera (i.e., cables, memory cards, etc.) and have no warranty. Gray market products’ manuals and menus are also often written in the original country of origin’s language, and if you are lucky enough to receive the camera’s cords, many times they won't plug in to American systems without an adapter!

While it may seem like a bargain to buy the "same" name brand at a lower cost, the risks and headaches that can arise far outweigh the few dollars saved; and you could end up with a camera you can't even use!

Warranty? What warranty?

Gray market products do not come with a US warranty from the manufacturer. This means that if any problems occur with that camera, you may be completely out of luck. Often, manufacturers will not service gray market cameras in the US at all, even if you are willing to pay for out-of-pocket for the expense. This means that if you want to get that camera repaired, it may require shipping it to a foreign country and hoping for the best.

How can I spot Gray Market "deals"?

• Authorized Dealer- If the site is not an authorized dealer for that brand, you never know what type of product you many receive. Authorized dealers stay away from gray market products, as this tends to hurt the manufacturer, jeopardize the camera retailer's reputation, and, most importantly, hurts the consumer.
• US Manufacturer's Warranty- If the product advertised does not come with the manufacturer's US warranty (always ensure that the product you are purchasing has both a US warranty and a manufacturer's warranty), chances are you are getting a gray market product.
• Fine print- Many websites will attempt to cover themselves by burying details about the nature of their products in the fine print descriptions. Any site that mentions, "May be missing original packaging, cables, manuals etc." should be avoided, unless you are willing to risk buying an incomplete camera.
• Ask- Many people do not have the knowledge to ask about gray market products. If you see a deal that seems "too good to be true" take the time to call the seller and ask. Most sites will be up front about their products and policies if asked directly, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

PhotoCraft’s Gray Market Policy

PhotoCraft does not sell any gray market cameras, ever. PhotoCraft has always had a sterling reputation and would never gamble that reputation or their customers’ satisfaction on grey market products. The inevitable problems associated with gray market cameras are far too numerous to risk.

PhotoCraft always stands behind every sale; from our return policy, to the fact that 100% of our new cameras come with a US manufacturer's warranty. With PhotoCraft you always know you are getting the highest quality product backed by the highest quality service.