How to know black market items?

J

jrod81

Veteran
Hello
I apologize because I simply could not find where to put this on the forum. I figure people selling/buying will be able to help the most so I put it here. So, I am looking to buy a camera and it is going to have to be used due to budget. My question is simply how can I know if the item is fake or black market or whatever it is called? If the buyer has the original receipt that is great, but if not, are there are other options to know?
 
black market = stolen goods.

gray market = foreign import.

You typically won't find "fakes" among high-end electronics. You'll find fake gucci purses and fake rolex watches, but I don't think I've seen a fake DVX yet.
 
IMHO it becomes less of an issue with used gear. The biggest disadvantage to buying grey market is that you get no warranty. That is assuming you buy PAL in countries where that is the standard, NTSC where that is the standard, etc.
 
Until something is wrong and you have to send it to Panasonic for repair and they see that it's a stolen one ;)
You're not legally allowed to buy stolen goods, one has to be slightly careful
 
To answer the original posting, I wonder if Panasonic has a list of serial number (I can imagine they do) of stolen camera.
Maybe you should write them asking if they do so.
From my experience before you buy a camera you will be chatting a bit with the seller and the minute you ask technical question, if the guy can't answer (thief?) that should ring a bell then go ahead and ask for the serial number, if the camera was stolen there is a good chance that it will make him nervous...
Once you get the serial number you can at least Google it and see if something comes up

Hope this help

PS: I was not a thief but got smoked a few times ;)
 
Oddly, I believe he was attempting to offer his opinion on the quality of stolen goods. I also thought he was condoning the patronization of thieves at first.
 
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