Anyone has similar experiences

[eng01170]

Hi,

Does anyone have similar experiences of shops claiming that Canon Service Centre will charge extra for lens that are from the grey market?

Recently I went to a shop in Sim Lim Square to ask for prices of some lens. I went into one particular shop and approached a salesman. The conversation went something like this:

Me: How much is this lens?
Salesman: $xxxx

Me: Whoa... So expensive. Other shops are selling cheaper
Salesman: Aiya, some people quote to you grey set, others didnt include GST.

Me: Then do you have grey sets? How much does it cost if you have one?
Salesman: No, we dont carry grey sets. Don't want to lose our license.

At this point, i thought it was fair enough.. till he said..

Salesman: Canon wont service your lens should anything happen to the grey set. Why risk?
Me: Even if i am pay to service?

Salesman: Each lens have their own serial no. one, if they see yours is a grey set, they will not service for you one.
Me: I dont get it. I mean, i bring a lens made by Canon to Canon service center (Singapore) to service, they will not service even i am willing to pay?

Salesman: They will charge your more lor.
Me: I dont see the logic.. You mean they have the right to charge more they find out the lens is a grey set? What about those whose warranty has expired? Isn't it equivalent to having no warranty at all? And those who buy second hand?

Salesman: They still can check the serial number one.
Salesman: Aiya, your mind already so fixed already and what i say to you you also wont believe.

-End of Conversation-

 

[drumma]

hah. i think he just wants to con u.

 

[solarii]

Some manufacturers DO indeed charge different repair rates for parallel imported models.

Only thing is I don't believe Canon is one such company. Canon recognises that photographers are gonna bring their stuff all over the world, so if it breaks they wanna get it repaired where they are.

Other manufacturers charge higher repair rates for parallel imports to discourage grey market trading. However, this practice is mainly by brands which are represented by local agents/service agents, and involves products that you don't bring with you when you go overseas. Brands which run their own ship here usually do not practice double standards for repair charges, though they have been known to give priority to local sets in terms of service queues.

When in doubt, you can look up each service centres standard charges. If they have double standards, they'll usually mention it.

 

[solarii]

Also, a grey set refers to a parallel-imported set.

Just because the warranty's expired doesn't make it "grey". A local set for local markets will always remain as a "local set" even if the warranty's expired. And yes the service centre can tell the difference.

I don't believe you have any experience in inventrory management? Every manufacturer tracks serials no.s so they know where they sent what.

So the salesman isn't entirely wrong, though I believe he's mistaken about Canon being one company which practices this.

 

[solarii]

And with regards to service centres not repairing grey market sets, this statement is wrong.

All service centres will do repairs for their brand even if the model isn't sold in Singapore. They will order the parts, make you wait ages and charge you a bomb.

But like you say, if you're willing to pay, they'll do the job. If they don't know how (cos nobody's trained) they'll send it overseas and charge you a fortune.

 

[eng01170]

Wow...

Thanks solarii for sharing your knowledge and insight!