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Grey markets might not be a real, standalone market, but they do describe real side-effects of a non-conventional supply chain. Take grey market cameras. They'

Grey markets might not be a real, standalone market, but they do describe real side-effects of a non-conventional supply chain. Take grey market cameras. They're are often bought as kits from Asian markets, broken up into lenses and camera bodies and sold on "as new" in western markets but with no support direct from eg Nikon if it goes wrong. Warranty support is from the reseller only. They may ship your unit back to China for support, or repair/replace it at their cost. So no, these are important differences for customers to recognise. Let's keep using it.

dangerface 6y ago
> they do describe real side-effects of a non-conventional supply chain. Thats just the thing they don't there is nothing unconventional about suppliers acting as middlemen and setting their own price. To pretend this is a problem is unconventional and anti consumer.
- oliwarner 6y ago
  No, that's not fair. Most of the products that get imported this way also have local service centres that fulfil warranty claims. The labour is more expensive and often part of a different regional company than the import or manufacturer. I wouldn't import a Ford truck from the US and expect a local Ford garage to meet its warranty obligations here in the UK. There are extraordinary things to consider for the consumer. A label like "grey market" helps. It's not a slight. It's just quicker and easier than saying "this was imported from a distribution channel in another country and will only be serviced in that country".