B Stock & Warranty?

C

Chuck Rose

New member
Hello-
I just recently purchased a HPX-170 from a N.Y. store and when delivered, I noticed the video camera to be B Stock.
I am not familiar with B Stock products, are they somehow tainted or returned?

The bottom of the camera reads: This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules.
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Does this mean that this camera is not an Authorized USA product or is it?

Also, Panasonic gives a 5 year extended warranty on this camera. I was just wondering if anyone knew if the warranty would be accepted at any Panasonic repair shop in California (where I live) or would it have to be shipped out of state or country.

When ordering this camera, I was never informed it to be B Stock and the company's website doesn't state it to be. Should it be returned or is this common practice?

Thanks...concerned!
 
Hello Chuck,

'B-stock' can mean a few different things, but essentially you have a camera that is no longer 'A' -- factory sealed, brand new.

If it's B-stock from an Authorized Dealer, from Panasonic: these are quality checked BY Panasonic and come with all the standard accessories. Generally they were opened for a show or demo, and usually have very light use (if they were even turned on... we've seen quite a few 0 hours, open box 'B'-stock' from Panny). They also have a 90 day manufacturers warranty, and they do not qualify for current promotional rebates or the extended warranty (although you should still register your camera).

If it's B-Stock from a 'Crooklyn' bogus internet reseller: no telling what the history of the camera is. I'm sorry to say, the Canadian inspection sticker sounds awfully suspicious. An open camera from one of these guys could be anything from graymarket, to used equipment, to stolen goods. There's no guarantee on the condition of the camera. It will not have any warranty (unless the reseller offers some kind of warranty themselves -- in which case, your mileage will vary).

Either way -- if the camera was SOLD to you as a NEW camera, you need to do something about it! First, try calling the company you purchased it from. Hopefully, this was a misunderstanding or even a shipping mistake. See if you can resolve it with them first.

If they are difficult or unresponsive, you may want to call your credit card company. They all have buyer protection and will be able to tell you what your rights are and if you can get your money back. You may have to return the camera -- keep the shipping label and all the packaging material, the easiest way will be to refuse the shipment (which you can do even days after it was delivered).

We should be able to find out if it is a US camera or not, based on the full model # and serial #. In fact the serial tells a lot about a camera, when and where it was manufactured.

Here's some helpful links, about Authorized Dealers vs. internet resellers, graymarket equipment, etc:

DVXUser.com Thread "Where to buy the HVX: a small guide
DVXUser.com - Barry's list of Authorized Dealers and others. This is an older list, but still accurate
Graymarket Camera FAQ

Hope this helps!

Best,
Jasmine Moore
Administrative Assistant
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
jasminem@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
 
looks like another person fell for the "crooklyn" scam... well, at least you got a camera. thats better than most people do in those deals.

id call panasonic and ask them directly.

and yeah. im another dedicated spec-comm customer. they are great to work with!
 
Spec Comm-
Thanks for the information...I checked out the link you provided and I turns out the company I purchased from, is an Authorized Panasonic Reseller.

I might just be confused, the owners manual states: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules.

Is there a difference between Class B and B Stock? Or is this one in the same?

Thanks...
 
Yes, there's a massive difference between "Class B" and "B Stock". "Class B" is a governmental designation for what category the electronic item fits in, and has nothing to do with "B Stock". All new cameras are going to have the "Class B" designation.

B Stock means it's used. Not that it's been sold to someone else yet, but that it's been used for demo purposes, or at a trade show, or something like that. It's a step above used because used means it's actually been sold to someone else. B stock, as far as I know, has never been sold to anyone, so it can still be sold with the full manufacturer's warranty, but it is not classified as "new" because it's been taken out of the box and used.
 
Interesting,

I purchased a "B stock" (zero hrs, HPX170) camera from Texas Media systems and made sure it qualified for the extended warranty, I got that in writing and when I registered it, Panasonic said that this camera qualified for the 5 year warranty program.

Here is the Panisonic e-mail.



Dear user of Panasonic P2HD equipment,

Thank you very much for purchasing Panasonic P2HD product and
registering it for P2 Asset Support System (PASS).
This email is a confirmation that your Panasonic P2HD product listed on
the attached Certificate qualifies for and has been accepted into
Panasonic Broadcast & Television System Company P2HD 5 YEAR WARRANTY
PROGRAM (1 year Regular Warranty + 4 Year Extended Warranty).

Please read page 2 of the attached P2HD 5 YEAR WARRANTY PROGRAM
Certificate for details of BENEFITS OF PASS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS, as
well as LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS of the free extended 4-Year Limited
Warranty beyond the regular 1-Year Limited Warranty.

If any term or condition of this P2HD 5 YEAR WARRANTY PROGRAM is
inconsistent with any term or condition of any other written agreement
made between you (or your company) and Panasonic (or any of its
subsidiaries) relating to support for Panasonic products purchased by
you (or your company), the term or condition of the other written
agreement shall override the inconsistent term or condition of this P2HD
5 YEAR WARRANTY PROGRAM.

You may need to present the copy of the certificate to Panasonic
Broadcast & Television Systems Authorized Service Center any time
service is needed, before warranty service is rendered.

FOR THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER in the USA use "find a servicer" on
Panasonic website http://www.panasonic.com/support/
FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT CALL 1-800-524-1448 or email:
pbtscservice@us.panasonic.com

Regards,

Service Department of Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company
50 Meadowlands Parkway, 2A-4
Secaucus, NJ 07094
800-524-1448
pbtscservice@us.panasonic.com
 
That's because B-stock hasn't been sold to any other customer yet, so you are in fact the first purchaser, and eligible for the warranty.

It's probably been used at a trade show or something like that, then put back in the box and sold to you. It can't be marketed as "brand new" because it isn't, but it hasn't been sold to anyone else, so you are the first purchaser and therefore eligible for the warranty.
 
B-stock can be a great deal, especially on a camera like the 170, which doesn't really have any moving parts in the transport. As long as it was represented to you as a B-stock camera. If not, I would return it or ask for a sizable discount to keep it.

Dan
 
I got a great discount and Texas Media Systems were awesome to work with and gave me confidence in my purchase. No taxes and no shipping fees. As I opened the box, everything had the original packaging and tape seals. Nice!

I am surprised by the statement from Spec com that says B stocks are not eligible for the 5 year warranty. I think I even saw that on their site.

Quote,
"They also have a 90 day manufacturers warranty, and they do not qualify for current promotional rebates or the extended warranty (although you should still register your camera)."

Brian
 
Barry_Green said:
Yes, there's a massive difference between "Class B" and "B Stock". "Class B" is a governmental designation for what category the electronic item fits in, and has nothing to do with "B Stock". All new cameras are going to have the "Class B" designation.

B Stock means it's used. Not that it's been sold to someone else yet, but that it's been used for demo purposes, or at a trade show, or something like that. It's a step above used because used means it's actually been sold to someone else. B stock, as far as I know, has never been sold to anyone, so it can still be sold with the full manufacturer's warranty, but it is not classified as "new" because it's been taken out of the box and used.
Click to expand...
Barry Green-
Thanks for the helpful information. I was just uncertain between the
FCC Class B and B Stock. I feel better now! Cheers!
 
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