You might want to re-consider buying from grey imports :(

[jonney_joop]

Is it even remotely possible to create a fake 5dmk3 lol?? u can make fake branded clothes or simple electronics like a phone but even then, any fake electronic device can be spotted a mile away.

And how is it possible to create a fake DSLR ff camera?

Also, Why would DR provide a fake seriel number? what benefits could they possibly get from achieving that?

 

[londonbairn]

I don't believe the serial was faked, I find it a bit odd, I'd be inclined to believe Canon scaremongering.

 

[jonney_joop]

I don't believe the serial was faked, I find it a bit odd, I'd be inclined to believe Canon scaremongering.

Likewise. Why fake it? what can u gain by doing so and also how is it even possible to even program the camera with a new serial and also print and create a official 5d3 box that looks legit it every shape and form?

 

[D.P.]

I would assume that Canon has decided not to repair grey imports, even when charging the customers. They wouldn't make any money repairing them and would much rather you purchases an official UK body.

You buy a grey important then you cannot expect to have it officially repaired in the UK, there are also dubious legal grounds, especially by those companies that circumvent UK VAT.

 

[jonney_joop]

So why doesnt Canon come out clean and say it as it is ie sorry everyone but we cannot repair grey imports no matter the cost and situation.

simple.

but wait, if they do that, they may breach of there own terms and conditions and therefore get screwed over.

sounds like to me Canon is pulling a fast one as it makes a bit of sense to make up some BS saying the serial number is fake(come on we all know that is HIGHLY unlikely that the serial is fake) rather then telling people "sorry we do not accept repairs of all shape and form for u bargain hunters not bending over and coughing up double the price just to buy it in jessops"

 

[Phal]

I would assume that Canon has decided not to repair grey imports, even when charging the customers. They wouldn't make any money repairing them and would much rather you purchases an official UK body.

How can they not make money from repairs? lol... They set the prices so they can pretty much charge what they want.

 

[jonney_joop]

It seems to me D.P is so against grey imports. i do not know why but D.P could you keep your feelings away and try to come and discuss this in a more level head please?

 

[dannyjo22]

This is one guy on the whole of the internet, I will wait until others have issues before I panic. The only HK item I have is a flash from DR. The rest is from kerso with a uk receipt. I will probably avoid DR now until more people have clarified no issues.

 

[D.P.]

How can they not make money from repairs? lol... They set the prices so they can pretty much charge what they want.

Takes time and resources, it is not a particularly profitable avenue in any case. Canon wants to make money by selling cameras, not repairing them, and they definitely don't want to be supporting grey importants.

 

[D.P.]

It seems to me D.P is so against grey imports. i do not know why but D.P could you keep your feelings away and try to come and discuss this in a more level head please?

Why should you care? I don't giving 2 hoots about grey imports, if you want to take the risks then that is your prerogative.

 

[D.P.]

So why doesnt Canon come out clean and say it as it is ie sorry everyone but we cannot repair grey imports no matter the cost and situation.

simple.

but wait, if they do that, they may breach of there own terms and conditions and therefore get screwed over.

sounds like to me Canon is pulling a fast one as it makes a bit of sense to make up some BS saying the serial number is fake(come on we all know that is HIGHLY unlikely that the serial is fake) rather then telling people "sorry we do not accept repairs of all shape and form for u bargain hunters not bending over and coughing up double the price just to buy it in jessops"

Canon have absolutely no legal basis to offer warranty services of grey import goods. Quite the opposite in fact, Canon can legally take measures to prevent grey imports.

 

[jonney_joop]

Why should you care? I don't giving 2 hoots about grey imports, if you want to take the risks then that is your prerogative.

Because for me its difficult to take you seriously along with your opinions. People are likely to read and digest posts from people who have a level head. who see the pros and cons of it all and do not appear on one side or the other

 

[Phal]

Takes time and resources, it is not a particularly profitable avenue in any case. Canon wants to make money by selling cameras, not repairing them, and they definitely don't want to be supporting grey importants.

Yeah, I guess they could refuse to repair any grey 'importants' as you put it but lets hope they're not that stupid eh That kind of decision certainly wouldn't do the brand any favours.

Ultimately they make money wherever you buy the camera so as long as the repairs don't cost them money it doesn't matter. I'm pretty sure they don't lose money on repairs, that's for sure.

 

[jonney_joop]

Canon have absolutely no legal basis to offer warranty services of grey import goods. Quite the opposite in fact, Canon can legally take measures to prevent grey imports.

If you bothered reading this link to the thread you will come to the conclusion that it is nothing about honouring a warranty. its about asking canon to fix a 5d3. simple as that.

This is why it is ideal to have a level head instead of entering this forum already with hatred and anger and just throwing a lot of hot air into the subject matter.

 

[jonney_joop]

Yeah, I guess they could refuse to repair any grey 'importants' as you put it but lets hope they're not that stupid eh That kind of decision certainly wouldn't do the brand any favours.

Ultimately they make money wherever you buy the camera so as long as the repairs don't cost them money it doesn't matter. I'm pretty sure they don't lose money on repairs, that's for sure.

Exactly. Each canon camera sold worlwide gets pocketed to Canon. How did DR get the camera in the first place? for free? of course not, they bought the stock from guess who?

Canon.

Only Canon make a 5d3. no one else lol

 

[Raymond Lin]

I would assume that Canon has decided not to repair grey imports, even when charging the customers. They wouldn't make any money repairing them and would much rather you purchases an official UK body.

You buy a grey important then you cannot expect to have it officially repaired in the UK, there are also dubious legal grounds, especially by those companies that circumvent UK VAT.

I'll reword that for you...

How shall I put it?

This isn't new, and it isn't limited to cameras, this is all over the consumer market. It is how companies control a product to a particular region.

Take DVD and Bluray for example. There is a reason they have region codes in the first place. So they can control release dates to a particular part of the world and they know it won't work in another part of the world.

Now, here is the sticking point that just popped into my head.

Is this limited to UK or Europe?

Can a camera bought in say....Switzerland be repaired here?

Because if they say no then they have a problem. Article 34 of the ECT (Treaty of Rome I think...) specify the free movement of goods (and workers). It is how the Polish can come here to work and how we can go buy a house in Spain. So they can't refuse repair a product that they manufactured that is bought within the EU.

What does that bring us? Well, I know DR is not in Europe but if they limit their warrant to UK only then who's to say they honour those that bought in Europe?

So it seems the only way out is say that the serial is fake, since clearly the camera isn't fake and to be honest, there is no reason to put a fake serial on a real camera, unless you steal a lorry load of goods out of Canon's factory and tried to get rid of it on the black market.

So it seems to me, bit of a long shot, that Canon is using this as a tactic to control their product to a specific region. They want to control the sales of their product, the import and export.

I guess they don't take too kindly of you buying it online from the far east and save a lot of money in the process thus removing money away from their Canon UK operation (not Canon Asia). They may not take the same stance if your story is that you got it whilst on Holiday.

I may be talking rubbish but its just a thought.

 

[Nexus]

I think Canon don't really care themselves, as like somebody else pointed out, they make money either way. The sticking point for Canon is the retailers they licence to sell their products, they have a duty to try and ensure that the sellers in each region aren't undercut. If you are going to impose loads of terms and conditions, you have to be seen to be doing something about them.

Personally, I think that regardless of whether Canon UK will fix it or not, you are still going to get your camera fixed. It might mean sending it elsewhere or back to HK, but retailers like Digital Rev make lots of money from abroad, so need to be able to get what they sell repaired. If Digital Rev couldn't offer that or didn't care, it would soon get out. I'm not aware that has happened.

 

[Hodders]

Its not canon charging silly rrp its just uk vat. Uk prices at about 2250 equals about 1875 ex vat. So no real difference.

As a vat registered photo studio there is no point in me not buying a uk camera. Plus cps is really useful when you earn real money from your cameras.

 

[An Exception]

Perhaps people should ask Canon to officially comment.
If Canon refuse to repair any products even outside of warranty, just because the origin of the products isn't within the UK or Europe then that is a pretty big deal.

 

[D.P.]

If you bothered reading this link to the thread you will come to the conclusion that it is nothing about honouring a warranty. its about asking canon to fix a 5d3. simple as that.

This is why it is ideal to have a level head instead of entering this forum already with hatred and anger and just throwing a lot of hot air into the subject matter.

I really don't understand what your problem is, i really have absolutely zero care what so ever on the subject, no least because it is Canon and is about the UK (I shoot Nikon and live in the US). I have nothing to gain, no personal opinion or interest on the matter.

As i said earlier in the thread, Canon don't have to touch a grey market camera at all. They only have to repair or replace defective cameras to the extent of the UK LAW and their advertised warranty. The cameras linked to in the OP was not purchased within the UK so Canon UK have no duty to do anything, whether they will even when paid is entirely up to them.

Canon are loosing profits they may be trying crack down on grey imports, not servicing grep import gear would be one way of persuading people not to buy grey imports.