My Nikon Warranty?

deadman_uk · 25 Nov 2011 at 01:48

I purchased a Nikon D5100 (body only) from amazon.co.uk with a marketplace vendor. My camera arrived today and I noticed it came from Hong Kong. There is both a Chinese and English manual inside. There is a warranty card inside also stating it's from Nikon HK and that I have 1 year warranty for my camera. Before I purchased, I researched Nikons warranty for UK residents and found out if I register the DSLR online via this website within 30 days of purchase, I would have a 2 year warranty:

https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/23727

I would like to register for the 2 year warranty but the website says and I quote:

The camera or kit must have been distributed by Nikon UK & Republic of Ireland.

Does this mean I don't get the 2 year warranty? I have lived in the UK all my life and purchased on Amazon UK. Where do I stand?

Snapshot · 25 Nov 2011 at 06:53

It's simple: you didn't purchase a camera distributed by Nikon UK so it doesn't qualify for the 2-year warranty. Neither is your 1-year warranty with Nikon UK; if it fails it will have to go back to HK. If it wasn't obvious you were buying a grey import you should take it up with Amazon.

deadman_uk · 25 Nov 2011 at 07:02

Snapshot said:
It's simple: you didn't purchase a camera distributed by Nikon UK so it doesn't qualify for the 2-year warranty. Neither is your 1-year warranty with Nikon UK; if it fails it will have to go back to HK. If it wasn't obvious you were buying a grey import you should take it up with Amazon.

No where on the Amazon marketplace does it say it was a Hong Kong import but if I were to read the seller feedback, some people have mentioned it was from Hong Kong but they were happy with the seller and his service.

I have spoken to the seller and he says the camera comes with a 1 year international warranty. He insists that if it fails within 1 year, that I can take it to a Nikon service center under the international warranty. I told him I thought the international warranty only covers accessories like lens and not cameras. Who is correct? me or him?

I don't want to take it to Amazon yet, as the seller is very friendly and is providing me with good service. I will leave this for later. He says if I leave him positive feedback, he can give me an extra 1 year dealer warranty for free but how would I know if he would honour this? He has also offered me a refund if I were to return the camera, but I don't wish to do this.

D.P. · 25 Nov 2011 at 09:03

Snapshot said:
It's simple: you didn't purchase a camera distributed by Nikon UK so it doesn't qualify for the 2-year warranty. Neither is your 1-year warranty with Nikon UK; if it fails it will have to go back to HK. If it wasn't obvious you were buying a grey import you should take it up with Amazon.

This to be honest. Nikon Don't have an international warranty on camera bodies AFAIK. If you experience a problem you send it back to HK. You could try sending it to Nikon UK and explain the situation, I have heard people that managed to get minor things fixed under warranty with international camera purchased in the UK but Nikon is in no way obliged to cover a foreign camera.

The moral of the story? Buy from a reputable UK dealer. The website that sounds like a quick warehouse is very good, and one that sound like a Harrison tweed jacket. Even Amazon themselves is usually very good.

deadman_uk · 25 Nov 2011 at 09:12

I did purchase from Amazon UK, and thought I was getting a UK camera... I am very disappointed. Thanks all for your replies.

K.C. Leblanc · 26 Nov 2011 at 13:22

deadman_uk said:
I did purchase from Amazon UK, and thought I was getting a UK camera... I am very disappointed. Thanks all for your replies.

You didn't though, you bought through the market place and the seller has offered you a refund. If you want a UK camera send it back and buy one somewhere else.

deadman_uk · 26 Nov 2011 at 21:25

K.C. Leblanc said:
You didn't though, you bought through the market place and the seller has offered you a refund. If you want a UK camera send it back and buy one somewhere else.

He said if I need a warranty, to post it to Hong Kong and he will get the warranty sorted for me. He said he would pay postage costs. He also said he can give me a 1 year dealer warranty but not sure how much worth that is. I trust him and I am happy with the camera, I think I will keep it.