Authorized Dealers - Where to buy

Wait...thought Willoughby's was authorized. If they're authorized, why are they selling grey?

Good for you Rush! Sounds like soon Panasonic will be distributing solely from EVS. Better stock up on the gum.
 
I recently noticed that Willoughby's price went up on the dvx100a it is now the same price as B & H photo so I would buy from B & H they seem the most reasonable that is authorized. I also noticed that Buy dig seems like the cheapest on the dvx100a and it seems like most people on here have had good experiences buying through them. I noticed that Buy Dig and Beach Camera are selling the Dvx 100a for the same price both sites look identical and they both state that the DVX 100a includes AY- DVMCL Cleaning tape but says nothing about the AY- DVM 63 MQ 63 minute tape. Does this mean that they are selling a "grey" camera or could it be just a typo. I know Buy Dig is not authorized but it seems like buyers are getting US camera through them although it seems like people have returned the cameras for new a one. So right now I am looking at Buy Dig & B&H photo and I know that B & H photo is authorized but Buy Dig seems to have the US DVX 100a for a cheaper price. Just wondering if anybody could give me some advice. Thanks
 
Paris1900 said:
**WARNING!** BUYER BEWARE!! A week ago I purchased 2 DVX's from Willoughby's and Panasonic confirmed yesterday that they were grey market out of Canada! Jus wanted to give you all a heads up and let you know that in my book Willoughby's is not "authorized" anymore.
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so what are u gonna do now?
are you gonna return them?
 
keithsoucy said:
Wait...thought Willoughby's was authorized. If they're authorized, why are they selling grey?

Good for you Rush! Sounds like soon Panasonic will be distributing solely from EVS. Better stock up on the gum.
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You never know! But I like competition, it is what makes a democracy great. Any company of worth welcomes competition, it sharpens its reflexes, keeps it honest and on its toes :)

Primarily, though, B&H is the company I consider a true competitor more than any. They have my unequivocal respect in this business, a worthy competitor. :thumbup:
 
hmmm i got my camera from broadway photo and i didnt have any problems, i thought. but now after reading this....i did end up getting some accessories bc they were VERY persistent about it, and now i dont even know if i saved any money. they said theyd give me the camera for 2800.00 but now the total after deciding to get their "package" with filters, a 10hour NON-INFOLITHIUM battery (no it doesnt work in the sony), and a hardcase the total ended up being about what anywhere else would charge me. they are, however, supposedly exchanging the battery so i'll see how that goes. everything seems in good working order besides this battery ordeal, it was def a brand new camera. oh and i forgot, i got charged 200 dollars for shipping. i learned my lesson, a bit of a hard pill to swallow for a college student though :undecided :thumbdown

edit: i am talking about the HDR-FX1 not the dvx
 
Bridges,

I would bet that it is gray market at that price. If someone is selling at a price that isn't in the ball park of B & H or EVS, it is just simply some scam to get you to buy gray product.

Like with the DVX, if they offer the Rebate up front, then guess what it is gray, no question because we would not reimburse the dealer. So where is he going to make up the rebate? This is the most frustrating part of my job. These guys will advertise a low price and then stock up the sale with below par accessories and then close the door to returns. Unfortunately since we started the rebate program, I have seen every dirty trick played on unsuspecting customers. Some even advertise the rebate, customers buy the product and then when they get the product and realize that they can't get the rebate, it takes monumental effort to get them to take it back.

Anyhow folks be very careful, make the lack of the Magic Bullet, the DVX Book, and the rebate part of the reason that you can return it. If it doesn't have these then they will be getting the product back. Believe me they will tell you anything to get you to keep it.

Best regards,

Jan
 
I am quite amazed that people who are internet users, do not know of resellerratings.com. And I'd be more than amazed if they did know and didn't use it.

In less than a few seconds you can see that Broadway Photo are a bunch of scamming wankers.

Come on guys, there is no excuse for being ripped off these days - if you're internet savvy. There are plenty of legit dealers and we all know of them. Simply go to any respectable forum (HEre, DVInfo) and ask and you'll find out in an instant.

I am truly sorry for people's losses and hassles, that really does suck but at least next time, go with an Authorised dealer or one recommended by respected people and forums.

Aaron
 
trustthewake said:
http://royalcamera.com/info.html

What about stores like this one with a price like this? Is this a scam? I know amazon has prices like this attached to scams.
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$1600? Why not just flush the money down the toilet? Save yourself some time and give Rush a call at EVS. Not only are you getting the lowest authorized price from him, but also his technical support and knowledge of what he's selling sets him apart from the rest!
 
This is a scam. When I called them they said that this price was on the camera that came out of the Chinese factory and I would have to wait 6 weeks to get it. They did have a US one available for $2800 though. I asked them for the serial number and they could not produce it.

Every one that I have looked up for a customer has been gray. I would not do this.

Best,

jan
 
except warranty - whats wrong with grey market stuff anyway ?
they ARE produced by Panasonic isnt it ?

What if its made for Japan or Canada or Singapore - they work just like they do in USA - or does it mean Japan, Canada and Singapore get sub-standard quality than US?

I will not buy grey - but if someone wants to save $1500 and take the risk...sure why not ? you can prolly put $1000 in bank as insurance for repairs.

just my .2c
 
Read the reviews of gray-market sellers to find out what's wrong with gray market.

It's not the product... the cameras are all produced by Panasonic Japan. The problem is a) the sellers who lie about the product and what you'll get, b) the lack of warranty coverage, and c) the lack of expected bonus items (like the DVX Book, $300 rebate, and Magic Bullet Editors).

The thing about gray market sellers is that they have no relationship to, nor any contractual obligations to, the manufacturer. So buying from them is not a guaranteed experience, like authorized resellers have to give. A gray market seller can say "$2400 for a DVX", and if you agree to that, you may find that all you get is a DVX. No box, no manual, no battery, no charger, no lens hood, maybe not even any XLR covers. And what's to stop him from doing that to you? Nothing. Because he's not a dealer. He's a private seller who bought a product and is now selling it to you, basically like a used car dealer. He may offer to sell you the battery (another $200), the charger (that's $300), the manual (add $50), etc... and by the time you piece the package all back together, you'll spend as much as you would have from an authorized dealer.

Except you still won't have a warranty.

Some sellers are definitely better than others. And some are outright frauds.

Gray market is legal, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. You will not get "something for nothing", that's for sure.
 
mmm....Barry_Green what are u doing in THIS forum (instead of HVX200) when Panasonic is doing its press conference?! :)

Its like Jan hitting the slots instead of the NAB in Vegas :)
 
Barry_Green said:
Read the reviews of gray-market sellers to find out what's wrong with gray market.

A gray market seller can say "$2400 for a DVX", and if you agree to that, you may find that all you get is a DVX. No box, no manual, no battery, no charger, no lens hood, maybe not even any XLR covers. . . .
Click to expand...

The most common problem I read about with these low ball prices is that there is no way in the world you will ever get it from them for that price. Try as you may, but it won't happen. IF you buy a huge amount of overpriced extras, you may get it for that price, but then you're no farther ahead than buying it from an authorized dealer. If you withstand the pressure to buy the extra stuff, they won't ever ship it and say it is on backorder and simply wait for you to call them back a few months later (because you need a camera and need to get on with your life) and cancel the order. Any pricing like $2500 for a DVX simply means you will never get it for that price, period.

I know this situation has been described elsewhere on this site (and in this very long thread). But new potential buyers come to the table all the time and need to be alerted not to be taken in by this scam.

I really believe that some state attorney generals need to investigate this type of faulty business practice. I think magazines and internet sites need to stop taking advertizing dollars from these operations.
 
i think the "do not buy from grey market" preaching has been told to death in this never ending thread. people DO get the point. you guys do not need to keep posting that buying from greay market is bad.. there are tons of posts on it already...

if someone chooses to buy from a grey market supplier after knowing that the supplier is grey market...well thats their business. you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink the water...
 
Maybe there could be a permanent sticky describing what appears to be the two big complaints about non-authorized dealers - not getting all the stuff and the low ball price you'll never get. Then post a link like Rush put up to Panasonic's official list of authorized dealers. Everyone could be forwarned. That way, a thread like this could supplement that permanent sticky to discuss people's experiences - such as the fact that some non-authorized dealers are pretty reputable and give a good experience (e.g., Profeel and BuyDig) as well as discuss the places to avoid.
 
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