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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Nikon Lens - How to tell if it's gray market?
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 12/31/2009 10:15:03 AM · #1
I put a bid in on a Nikon Fisheye lens on ebay...but now I am wondering if it's gray market. I pm'd the owner, and he just said he bought it in the US, so he presumes it's US.

Serial number is 347259. I looked on this site, but I can't make sense of it for this lens (a 10mm F2.8 DX ED Fisheye).

Plus, I'm not sure that's going to tell me if it's gray market, stolen, etc.

Can anyone offer any advice?
 12/31/2009 10:27:58 AM · #2
I think it should have US before the serial number US 347259
 12/31/2009 10:38:58 AM · #3
Doesn't look like he's listing the more recent 10.5/2.8 fish. Perhaps because it's a DX lens? Looks to me like he may be only listing FX lenses.
Whether it's gray market or not might be of no importance. It's probably only important if you expect to be able to obtain service under warranty. Otherwise, the gray market lens is identical to the ones intended for sale directly in the US market. It's likely only Nikon knows what SNs were earmarked for US vs. other markets. I doubt they physically mark them differently.

ETA: Does he have a receipt, or any of the original packaging? If so, then it's almost certainly not stolen.

Message edited by author 2009-12-31 10:39:52.
 01/02/2010 01:18:02 AM · #4
Thanks.

I got outbid on that anyway...I almost had it for 575, my max, but it was sold for $580.

I found another one tonight and jumped on a "buy it now" for $500. It had a three day money back, and was listed as "almost new". I sent them some questions, but then decided that it was such a good price I'd lose it if I waited for answers. I hope I don't regret that! But it's at least $660 new now.
 01/02/2010 01:24:48 AM · #5
I doubt you'll regret $500. My friend bought that same lens just a few months ago for over $700 (CDN). They gave him a decent deal on it too.
 01/02/2010 10:31:13 AM · #6
We'll see! I did get a response from him after I purchased..he says it's in excellent condition, but he bought it a month ago from someone else! I was a bit taken aback by that: the ad read: "You are bidding on a near new almost unused Nikon fisheye lens."

So I've sent him some more questions even though I already "bought it". At least he gave a money back guarantee.

He gave the serial number as 322687. Anyone know how to check it's not stolen, and maybe the age?

Message edited by author 2010-01-02 10:32:06.
 01/02/2010 11:00:09 AM · #7
US lenses start with "US" and Canadian lenses just have a number...

you can always call Nikon Canada during business hours and give them the serial number... they can do a lookup of any repairs on it and maybe check if it has been flagged or soimething ? worth a try... =)

You will LOVE that lens! I snagged a deal on one of them on ebay for $445 Cdn a little over a year ago and LOVE it!!
 01/02/2010 03:26:31 PM · #8
Well I started questioning him, and all seemed well except that I told him to hold of shipping an extra day, so I could check the serial number. In his favor, he did offer me my money back in the beginning when I called him on the fact that he said it was "almost new". But I still wanted the lens.

But then he seemed to get cold feet about his offering a 3-day return policy. He kept telling me he wanted to cancel the transcation, so finally I let him. I figured it either could have been cold feet about the return (he said he didn't want to wait, he wanted to buy another lens), or worse for me, maybe something wasn't right.

In any case, now I lost the lens at that price. :(
 01/02/2010 04:12:15 PM · #9
good move... if anyone on ebay seems questionable, don't deal with them...
 01/02/2010 04:36:13 PM · #10
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Well I started questioning him, and all seemed well except that I told him to hold of shipping an extra day, so I could check the serial number. In his favor, he did offer me my money back in the beginning when I called him on the fact that he said it was "almost new". But I still wanted the lens.

But then he seemed to get cold feet about his offering a 3-day return policy. He kept telling me he wanted to cancel the transcation, so finally I let him. I figured it either could have been cold feet about the return (he said he didn't want to wait, he wanted to buy another lens), or worse for me, maybe something wasn't right.

In any case, now I lost the lens at that price. :(


there are always more "fisheye's in the sea".....you'll find another
 01/02/2010 04:59:55 PM · #11
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Well I started questioning him, and all seemed well except that I told him to hold of shipping an extra day, so I could check the serial number. In his favor, he did offer me my money back in the beginning when I called him on the fact that he said it was "almost new". But I still wanted the lens.

But then he seemed to get cold feet about his offering a 3-day return policy. He kept telling me he wanted to cancel the transcation, so finally I let him. I figured it either could have been cold feet about the return (he said he didn't want to wait, he wanted to buy another lens), or worse for me, maybe something wasn't right.

In any case, now I lost the lens at that price. :(


At least you can brag about the one that got away:) I think you did the right thing, if you have any doubt buying from Ebay, run away. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. I think the seller was hoping a dope would buy it without question, he was wrong, a dope bought it with too many questions:)) j/k
 01/02/2010 05:31:49 PM · #12
Nobody brought this up, but if it's out of warranty why would you care anyway. USA or Gray Market are the same product.
 01/02/2010 07:30:00 PM · #13
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Well I started questioning him, and all seemed well except that I told him to hold of shipping an extra day, so I could check the serial number. In his favor, he did offer me my money back in the beginning when I called him on the fact that he said it was "almost new". But I still wanted the lens.

But then he seemed to get cold feet about his offering a 3-day return policy. He kept telling me he wanted to cancel the transcation, so finally I let him. I figured it either could have been cold feet about the return (he said he didn't want to wait, he wanted to buy another lens), or worse for me, maybe something wasn't right.

In any case, now I lost the lens at that price. :(


This post is not directed at you nshapiro, I am just using the stated subject matter to show another side.
If it appears to be the case please accept my apologies.

Let's put the shoe on the other foot - the sellers.
I both buy and sell on Ebay and have 100% feedback.
I am currently going through a chargeback by someone who came and collected my goods (and absolutely loved them) and now I find that PayPal has held my money due to an unauthorised transaction - yes, I'm being scammed (check my threads to read the story - still awaiting outcome).

Don't buy the goods unless you want them.
If you have questions ask them BEFORE purchasing (once you have pushed the BUY button, you are OBLIGATED to purchase the item).
Before purchasing ask to see more pics of the lens, ask to see shots taken with the lens with data, etc etc
Check the sellers feedback.
Make sure you are comfortable with the feedback the seller has on his site.
If you had purchased the item and were now asking lots of crazy questions and then even suggesting that the lens is stolen, etc,
I, as a seller, would want out of the sale also.
I wouldn't need a dispute with PayPal because you have found that the copy of the lens you received is just a fraction less sharp than your mates, etc.

I had always thought I needed to be careful when purchasing goods to ensure that I wasn't being scammed.
Now, after much research, I find that some of the biggest scamming is done buy buyers.

Did you know that even after you have sold something to someone they can claim back through PayPal and PayPal will go to your account and withdraw the funds from your account for the amount disputed. This could merely be $20 or it could be $1,500. You cannot stop them as you gave them access to your account (both savings or creditcard). After much reading I have now taken all funds from the account that PayPal can access.

It's not always the seller that is the scammer!!!

Those both buying and selling on Ebay and using PayPal beware!!!
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