Agreed. Australia? That's down south somewhere, isn't it?
AC90: Barry's book?
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Agreed. Australia? That's down south somewhere, isn't it?
Barry_Green
Moderator
Of course it'd be a gray market import. B&H is a USA dealer, not a NZ dealer. You'd be buying a USA model, not an NZ model. Therefore, it is gray market.
The camcorders are made for sale in certain geographical regions (hence why they have different model numbers; AF100 in the USA, AF101 in Europe, AF102 in Aus/NZ, etc). They are sold by geographical sales companies (Panasonic USA in USA, Panasonic EU in Europe, Panasonic Asia Pacific for India/southeast Asia, Panasonic Australia for Australia, etc). Factory ships camcorders to the sales company for a particular region; sales company ships them to dealers in that region, dealers sell to customers in that region. That's white market.
Gray market is when a dealer sells to a customer who's outside of their geographical region. If a Canada customer buys from B&H, they're buying a gray market import. If a USA customer buys from a Canada dealer, they're buying a gray market import. If an Aussie buys from a UK dealer, they're buying a gray market import. Importing a camera into a territory that it was not intended for sale, is gray market. Gray (not black) because it's legal, but gray (not white) because it's violating the sales territories agreements and therefore won't be eligible for warranty service.
Each territory markets the cameras and supports their dealers, and the dealers have the exclusive right to sell to customers within their region. If a dealer sells outside his region, then he's cheating that region out of a sale; therefore the cheated region won't support that customer with warranty service. If you buy from your region, part of that sale goes towards warranty support. If you bought outside that region, then your sale went to warranty support in that other region, and not to your local company. So when you try to make your local company support you, they're entitled to say "get lost, go to the company that you bought it from". Which is why you, in NZ, would have to ship your camera to the USA for warranty work (if you bought from B&H). B&H is a USA authorized dealer, and should only be selling to customers in the USA; anyone outside the USA buying from B&H is, inherently, buying gray market.
Thanks for that Barry,
I do support my local dealers and have purchased two cameras from them. One of which did require some warranty work, so it supports the regime of buying locally. They also explained about the warranty not being international, and I had always assumed that Greys were from non approved sources rather than accredited dealers but just different countries. (you know , murky imports from Hongkong etc).
I do also promote this policy to people I speak to, as it obviously is the best route. Your explanation of Grey and white markets makes it very clear and clears up my misconception. (and of course I received your book with my 160A!)
Cheers!
Rod
I do support my local dealers and have purchased two cameras from them. One of which did require some warranty work, so it supports the regime of buying locally. They also explained about the warranty not being international, and I had always assumed that Greys were from non approved sources rather than accredited dealers but just different countries. (you know , murky imports from Hongkong etc).
I do also promote this policy to people I speak to, as it obviously is the best route. Your explanation of Grey and white markets makes it very clear and clears up my misconception. (and of course I received your book with my 160A!)
Cheers!
Rod
I didn't realize the greater impact of the "grey market", makes sense to most folk probably.
With the world getting smaller and smaller there are more and more people who are frequent international "travelers". For them they would constantly be living in the grey market because they live in different countries from year to year. Both of my daughters fit that bill, so this territory and regions policy would be quite an inconvenience if by chance they need warranty service. I am wondering if they are such a small few (or indeed part of a much larger group), who travel that these warranty policies won't need to be adjusted in the future.
Vaughan Wood
Well-known member
Hopefully your daughters won't need any service under their warranty, or you'll have to send them back! (LOL).
Cheers,
Vaughan
rzr219
Well-known member
I just bought a printer from Amazon because I like the one I had same model, even bought the first one from them. When I got the box I noticed no book (yes I get a real book with it complete US version printer certain model) and allot of French on the box. Yep it was a grey market model. So Now I look very carefully at what I buy from them and what company is selling it. As for cameras there are other vendors beside B&H, here is where I bought mine from. Don't go off there web price, if you call they are very helpful family owned business. They matched the other retailers on price.
I work in the printing industry (by day) and we also have many gray market machines and as long as people know its a grey market product and make that choice then more power to them (or should I say more charge service to us :2vrolijk_08
.fastfinger
Well-known member
I just bought a printer from Amazon because I like the one I had same model, even bought the first one from them. When I got the box I noticed no book (yes I get a real book with it complete US version printer certain model) and allot of French on the box. Yep it was a grey market model. So Now I look very carefully at what I buy from them and what company is selling it. As for cameras there are other vendors beside B&H, here is where I bought mine from. Don't go off there web price, if you call they are very helpful family owned business. They matched the other retailers on price.
I work in the printing industry (by day) and we also have many gray market machines and as long as people know its a grey market product and make that choice then more power to them (or should I say more charge service to us :2vrolijk_08
The only good was Amazon took responsibility and took the camera back. But they still list the AC90 and do not share that fact that it's gray market and I think that is wrong. It actually ended up being less expensive at B&H and I got Sony Vegas 12 Pro with the purchase for only $100.
I guess I should mention then, I live in U.S., purchased from B&H, certainly don't think I purchased a grey market item from them, but there was no book nor was there a card. I did receive the AC90 within a day or two from when it went on sale, paid a higher price as I recall it dropped I think $100 almost immediately, if any of that matters. The item states it is made in Japan, came double boxed and certainly didn't appear to have been opened at any point. Love the camera, but no book was included with it.
Barry_Green
Moderator
If you got one of the first ones, there should be a postcard in the box. Dig through all the manuals and whatnot; the first couple of months' shipments went out before the book was ready, so they included a postcard that you fill out and mail in. If you have an authorized USA unit, it has to be in there...
I'm sorry, yes it was in there, postage paid card to Fiercely Independent Films, Spring Tx. Sending it off now. Thank you.
fastfinger
Well-known member
Just got my U.S. unit from B&H. A postcard for the book was included.
Just got my ac-90 from B & H Photo. The book was NOT in the box, you must send a card in the mail to reiceve the free book "The AC90 Book" by Barry Green. I'm glad I can send for the book, but a bit disappointed it wasn't actually IN the box. I wanted to read the book first before I touch the camera. Kinda hard not to play with the camera just a bit waiting for Barry's book.
Jan_Crittenden
Veteran
Ditto what Barry said. There has to be a card there. If you cannot find it, please send me a Private Message with your serial number and we'll track down what happened.
Best,
Jan
Best,
Jan
Barry_Green
Moderator
The postcards are usually fulfilled within about three days of when I receive them, and shipped UPS ground, so I would guess that most folks receive theirs within a week. The book is in the box in the most recent shipments, it was just the first few months' production which have the postcard.
Thank you very much! I answered previously that I found the card, apologize for being wrong. Yes, it was there, sent card in few days ago.
Sincerely,
Tom
The postcard is stuffed-away in the cardboard accessory holder. Rip the carboard holder apart. You will find the card.
Barry_Green
Moderator
There's a number of them headed to www.amazon.com right now. I don't know if Canadian owners will be able to order from there or not, but -- if you've been able to order books from amazon.com before, then you should be able to get this one too.
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