International warranty.....

I

indigo

Well-known member
Looking to almost certainly get an HPX250 as soon as its released here in the UK via an authorised Panasonic UK agent. Dealer is telling me that if all goes well its going to be early October.

I'm due to fly out firstly to Toronto (Canada) then down through the US for 6-8 weeks starting in mid October.

I'm VERY mindful that I'm going to have a not only brand new camcorder but also one that hasn't been extensively used/tested by the great unwashed in the field.

if and that a very big IF.... there ARE problem whats the deal with regards having a European (HPX250) Panasonic device in the US or Canada that needs warranty work doing to it?

I remember a year or 2 ago reading here (via Jan?) that Panasonic were really hot on Grey Imports and would require the item to be sent back to its 'home' market for repairs etc.

Haven't completely decided if i would take the HPX250 over my HVX for this trip but can anyone give an insight into what might happen if the worse came to the worse and warranty work was required?

Any Americans had issues in Europe? how did Panasonic deal with it.
Cheers
 
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I live in Australia so it will be cheaper for me to fly to the UK and get one, than it probably will be to get one here (isn't that ridicules:furious3:, Sony don't do that bigger markup ). Because of that I sent an E-mail a while back and asked Panasonic in the UK if I would have to send it back there to be repaired, and they said yes I would :(
Also, don't forget the power -
UK = 230V 50Hz
US/CAN = 120V 60Hz
So you have to get a Voltage Converter. But they don't cost much
 
Phil, thanks for the reply..... I'm happy to buy the camera here in the UK just that when I go travelling is the warranty worth the paper its written on?

The voltage thing isn't a problem. I travel with lots of UK stuff like my MacBook Pro and have no problems.

I hear you regarding the AUS price.... was in South Africa recently and was quite shocked at the prices.... was told SA is a long way from anywhere! Anyway I refuse to buy Adobe software (as do lots of us Brits) because of the truly CRIMINAL mark-ups over US$ prices.
 
Where you are in the world at the time of the breakdown should be irrelevant, especially if you will be purchasing the camera from a store with a world export option. It's just that the camera will have to be sent to its original place of purchase (at your own expense), for them to then check and pass on to Panasonic if need be. Once it is repaired or replaced it will be sent back to the address of your choosing (at your own expense). It has to be that way. Panasonic in the UK told me I would even get the Extended Warranty providing I sent it back there. Because you would be paying for the shipping anyway, you could always send it home or to a friend for them to take it in, if you are really concerned. Then how would anyone even know where you are in the world?
A problem you may run into though, is that with all the movement across continents, God knows how long the turnaround could be :undecided
 
Or in other words the Panasonic 'world wide' warranty isn't worth the paper its written on :(

My UK bought Macbook Pro developed a fault... the London Regents Street Apple store agreed their was a problem. Vancouver Apple Store agreed it was a warranty issue. San Fransisco Apple Store offered to fix it but wouldn't have the parts in time. NY ended up fixing it. THATS an international warranty.

Yet again its the customer that gets screwed because Panasonic CHOOSES to have a pricing policy that creates a grey market. It really sucks :(
 
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