D200 on eBay (Australia) for $2399 - Thoughts?

[Hybrid]

Hello All,

Not sure if this is the best place to post this but I came across this earlier:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Nikon-D200-D ... dZViewItem

D200 for $2399 with International Warranty (I didn't think Nikon gave these sorts of warranties on camera bodies?).

What do you all think? A little too good to be true?

Cheers,

Stephen

[Geoff]

I have also been looking at this for a while.
I am pondering that if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.

[NikonUser]

My concern would be:

Why do they have a 'private' feedback list?

EDIT: Just clicked on the link... .plenty of negative feedback there!!

Paul

[sirhc55]

Most of their other cameras are brought in from the US - I would most categorically say that these are grey units.

[johndec]

D200 for $2399 with International Warranty (I didn't think Nikon gave these sorts of warranties on camera bodies?).

That means Maxwells wont hellp you if you have a problem

[shutterbug]

pay another $200 you get maxwell stock

[Hybrid]

Thanks guys - the private feedback list is definitely suspicious and while they seem to have a lot of positive sales, it's a worry to see that many negatives and not know what the story is...

@johndec - So in other words, there is no such thing as a true international warranty if Maxwell's won't touch it?

Of course the question is, how much extra is it worth paying to have Maxwell's look at it...? Hmm... Tough one.

[Hybrid]

pay another $200 you get maxwell stock

Well, I'm going to NZ in a just under month's time so I might do that and get the GST back from the TRS. Then again, if the other camera has GST on it also, it theoretically could allow the same thing...

I just wish Maxwell's didn't have such a monopoly on Nikon gear.

[sirhc55]

Hybrid - you will need some form of purchase receipt to get back TRS and you will not get that from this ebayer IMO

[Onyx]

It's a pre-order for delivery by end Jan...

Also don't immediately discount the seller's claims of an international warranty (at the same time don't read it as though the following is precisely the case): it could theoretically be possible thru one of the third party vendors that sells aftermarket warranties on electronic items (including cameras), and which could possibly have international coverage.

[Hybrid]

sirhc55 - Good point. I've sent a question asking about a tax receipt and also about the warranty and who provides it (and where exactly I'd have to send the camera). This is what it says on the ebay page: "THIS IS NOT A SELLER OR DEALER WARRANTY. It is a contractual warranty in your name and you will NOT have to send the equipment abroad for servicing or repair."

Onyx - I noticed that it was a pre-order and that's another issue - I really want to have the camera before I go to NZ... Hopefully I'll get an answer to my question about the international warranty soon.

Cheers,

Stephen

[Glen]

Whats wrong with Birddog? Great backup from someone we all know for a very modest premium.




Many people talk about Ebay as if it was a brand with reputation behind it, but in some cases you are purchasing from someone with a notebook on their lap in the loungeroom. In this case the guy can't even keep all his clients happy, glad I am not one!

[johndec]

Thanks guys - the private feedback list is definitely suspicious and while they seem to have a lot of positive sales, it's a worry to see that many negatives and not know what the story is...

@johndec - So in other words, there is no such thing as a true international warranty if Maxwell's won't touch it?

Of course the question is, how much extra is it worth paying to have Maxwell's look at it...? Hmm... Tough one.

Maxwells cast iron policy is that if it isn't official stock distributed by them, they will not service or repair it under warranty.

[Hybrid]

Whats wrong with Birddog? Great backup from someone we all know for a very modest premium.

Nothing at all I just always try to cover all options when making a major purchase and I was curious about this one... I wasn't seriously considering it. Interestingly I see 2 more of been sold since I posted this thread...

johndec - thanks for confirming that...

Cheers,

Stephen

[Glen]

Stephen, a great idea to check all options.

The reason for my comments was I had a drink recently with a girl who used to work for the PR company who worked for Ebay, she said the number one job was to promote Ebay followed very closely by reassuring people Ebay was safe as there was so many bad news stories about Ebay. She acknowledged there are thousands of complaints and scams every week, which just to be clear, is only a small proportion of sales, but these are real problems and real scams.

Her job was to present Ebay as a safe brand like Myers or David Jones, but in many cases it is no safer than buying from a garage sale. In fact it is less safe than a garage sale, as with a garage sale you know where the individual lives, whilst many hide behind the anonymity of Ebay. Most would laugh if we found out someone purchased their D200 at a garage sale, but in fact it is safer than Ebay!

These are complex electronic devices which are likely to need service. Many cameras here have had needed a repair of some sort. Just to give you an idea, I will start a poll. The problem with Ebay feedback is that it is at the point of arrival, not after one year of supposed warranty. So all it really says is that the item arrived, not how the individual dealt with any warranty problems, say nine months after the sale. Personally, a guy who has any problems just delivering the gear is not someone I want to be dealing with on a warranty problem 50 weeks after he has banked the money.

Sorry for all the information, but in the case of an expensive electronic purchase it is better to be forewarned.

[Hybrid]

Glen,

Thanks for the extra insight and advice - I have now gone completely off the idea of eBay. Just too many risks, as you point out. I also don't think I'll be looking for any garage sales with D200's

I saw the poll you started and have replied to it. It will be interesting to see what the overall results are...

Cheers,

Stephen

[shutterbug]

I am confussed

Why are you even considering the Ebay one when maxwell stock is only $2600

[marc]

by Johndec ...Maxwells cast iron policy is that if it isn't official stock distributed by them, they will not service or repair it under warranty.

Rubbish!
Have had my D70s checked out. NO PROBS and no cost

[RICPIC]

i've done OK on Ebay; bought most of my stuff there and saved some money. the catch is, as spoken about earlier, that warrantys are pretty useless, you just have to cop that.

i'm looking at the $2399 D200. When feedback for the cameras they've already sold (delivery late January) comes in we'll see. but by then the D70 that i'm hoping to offload to offset cost will be worth 30% less

[Glen]

Ricpic, when you get to 50 meaningful posts and post an image you are eligible to purchase at members prices

[Hybrid]

I am confussed

Why are you even considering the Ebay one when maxwell stock is only $2600

Like I said to Glen, I'm just investigating all options - I always do for large purchases and so far, so good... Also, with "only" $200 saved, I could buy a CF card or two.

I'm interested to hear contrary information about Maxwell's... Maybe it just depends on the day and who you get. Just keep trying until you get the answer you want  PS Glen - only 1 more post and a photo to go for me

Cheers,

Stephen

[johndec]

by Johndec ...Maxwells cast iron policy is that if it isn't official stock distributed by them, they will not service or repair it under warranty.

Rubbish!
Have had my D70s checked out. NO PROBS and no cost

What is the first digit of the serial number of your D70s

[marc]

2(023290)
Was purchased from HK

[johndec]

2(023290)
Was purchased from HK

I conceed. You've done well if it was a grey import. If you purchased it in HK and had a HK receipt that may be a different story as they could backcharge Nikon for any warranty work done.

[Hybrid]

A follow up to this thread now that the auction has ended (and all D200's appear to have been sold) - the e-mail I sent asking about the warranty and tax received no reply, which is not a good sign. If they don't reply to a sales enquiry, I wouldn't hold out much hope for them replying to a problem after the fact.

Thanks everyone for your input on this... I'm almost certainly going to get a Maxwell stock D200 - just a matter of finding someone that has one for a reasonable price before I go to NZ.

Cheers,

Stephen

[Glen]

Stephen, no reply because once you read the answer you wont buy anyway. If you are smart enough to ask you will know what the answer means. Glad you were saved any hassle.

[sirhc55]

I purchased both my D70 and D2Hs through eBay - if you are aware of warranty issues on grey imports then it is not a problem.

Any product that is not imported by the official distributor is deemed grey. You will always know what products are grey on eBay by their pricing

[Hybrid]

Stephen, no reply because once you read the answer you wont buy anyway. If you are smart enough to ask you will know what the answer means. Glad you were saved any hassle.

Thanks Glen, I think you're absolutely right

I purchased both my D70 and D2Hs through eBay - if you are aware of warranty issues on grey imports then it is not a problem.

Any product that is not imported by the official distributor is deemed grey. You will always know what products are grey on eBay by their pricing

I'm curious to know what your experience has been buying grey - what do you do when (if?) your cameras need to be repaired under warranty? Just send them back their country of origin? No problems?

The reason I'm interested to know is that the other purchase I hope to make is the 70-200VR and I'm still undecided as to whether or not I should go grey...

Cheers,

Stephen

[Onyx]

Any product that is not imported by the official distributor is deemed grey.

Precisely Chris. And with all the negativity flung at Maxwells for their exorbitant price gounging tactics, I wonder why when given cheaper alternatives people still insist on lining Maxwells' pockets with their hard earned dollars. It won't bring any changes to the status quo if we complain any louder about their prices but still keep supporting the monopoly.

Like Marc, I've had my D70 repaired by Maxwells under warranty. It was definitely not purchased from a Maxwell distributor.... not one item in my posession is.

[ipv6ready]

Any product that is not imported by the official distributor is deemed grey.

Precisely Chris. And with all the negativity flung at Maxwells for their exorbitant price gounging tactics, I wonder why when given cheaper alternatives people still insist on lining Maxwells' pockets with their hard earned dollars. It won't bring any changes to the status quo if we complain any louder about their prices but still keep supporting the monopoly.

Like Marc, I've had my D70 repaired by Maxwells under warranty. It was definitely not purchased from a Maxwell distributor.... not one item in my posession is.

as for buyng grey why not.. even on the off chance you have to pay GST/Duty its still cheaper.

Secondhand its usually way cheaper then maxwell stock when factoring a return airmail if required for repairs. buy from refutable sellers!!!

But always remember you can have peace of mind buying grey from Birdy as well

[ipv6ready]

2(023290)
Was purchased from HK

I conceed. You've done well if it was a grey import. If you purchased it in HK and had a HK receipt that may be a different story as they could backcharge Nikon for any warranty work done.

Same with my D100. Warranty repair for a US Camera out of Warranty

I guess its luck

[Glen]

Buying Grey is a different thing to buying from Ebay. I would suggest that if the price differential is enough grey is worth it. Presently in the case of the D200, I would suggest that $200 isn't enough.

If one has a large, not known repair come up and Maxwells decide not to honour (as you are at the mercy of their good graces) your warranty, $200 would quickly get eaten up in DHL bags to point of origin.

It is really up to each individual to decide what is a large enough margin to be worthwhile to purchase grey. One school of thought proposed on this board before suggested buying bodies in aus and lenses grey, as bodies are more likely to require adjustment or service.

[Hybrid]

It is really up to each individual to decide what is a large enough margin to be worthwhile to purchase grey. One school of thought proposed on this board before suggested buying bodies in aus and lenses grey, as bodies are more likely to require adjustment or service.

I'm beginning to agree with this thinking. For one thing, the price differential seems to be higher on lenses and also the lenses are less likely to need repair or service...

Cheers,

Stephen