How is Z6ii sale volume compared to Z6?
"RE: How is Z6ii sale volume compared to Z6?"
Tue 17-Nov-20 08:46 AM
Eric Bowles
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Gray market products are typically sourced in Asia where currency and list prices can be cheaper at times. They are imported to the US and duties are paid. But the net price is usually 5-10% cheaper.
Nikon USA - the official distributor in the US - is bypassed completely. Not only does Nikon USA handle sales, but they also handle third party repair support, dealer support, warranty work, and service. The price reflects the cost of supporting that network. So if you are buying a gray market product, you are bypassing the contribution that supports warranty repairs, dealer networks, repair shop parts (if available at all), etc.
Third party repair shops still will repair Nikon gear. NikonUSA no longer provides them with parts and support, but those shops are able to buy parts in Asia and the parts are typically OEM parts or quality suppliers.
Nikon stopped supporting authorized repair shops because they were using a loophole to undercut Nikon pricing. The repair shop would quote a repair to their customer using the standard Nikon Repair pricing. Then they could send the camera to Nikon Repair for service, and Nikon would return it to them repaired and with a warranty. The Authorized shop would get a discount of 20% on the repair. Then they would charge the customer full price for the repair - pocketing the 20% without doing anything more than handling the money and shipping. I've seen the invoice. Sometimes Nikon Repair contracted the repair to a third party. I know there is one within a couple of miles of Nikon's Melville office. But - Nikon USA and their repair shop were on the hook for all warranty work or rework on these repairs - and the Authorized shops made a nice profit.