Korean Job Discussion Forums

hepcat · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Location: Daegu

I'm considering a Canon DSLR purchase (currently have a Nikon, want to compare it to a Canon). I may go the grey market or refurb route, to save cash, but....

1) A Korean coworker says that Canon Korea will repair a grey market import (the Japanese warranty kind) for only 10 or 15% of what the repair would have cost had the camera been past the one year warranty period. I am skeptical because: a) he has proved to be something of a b.s. artist in the past; b) he is the only one I have heard this from.
Can anyone confirm or deny this claim with certainty?

1a) Will Canon Japan honor the Japanese warranty of a grey market camera in Korea? That is, can one mail a faulty unit to Japan for repair?

2) Looking at Danawa.com, I noticed the lowest prices are for 리퍼 cameras, generally older model units. Does 리퍼 mean a refurb model (ri-pay = repair)? If so, do refurbs come with any kind of valid warranty?

fizban · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Location: Bucheon

The problem with buying gray market D-SLR equipment is that it is not under warranty in your native country. If the retailer is reputable and has their own warranty system, it could potentially work in the country you bought it in. But most of the time repairs require the camera body or lens to be returned to the manufacturer. Also most warranties like this are only 1 year if at all.

I know in the US, the warranty is 5 years normally. And that a gray market lens will not be honored.

If the price is under $400, it may not be a bad investment, since it's relatively cheap. But for a more complex lens, I'd want the assurance of a non gray market warranty.

hepcat · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Location: Daegu

Yes, this I know.
I was hoping to get a first-hand-experience reply from someone, specific to the Canon situation here in Korea I mentioned above. Oh well...

hanguker · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Location: Korea

I sent in my old a70 that I bought as a Jap-import in Busan. The CCD was loose. They agreed to fix it for free (after 3 years). However, this was a known issue and Canon America was offering to fix it for free outside of the warranty.

demaratus · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:11 pm Post subject:

Yep, as fizban stated above the problem isn't warranty in Korea but it is warranty when you go home. I bought a grey market Canon in Taiwan which has been to-date the best camera I have ever owned. if the price is a lot better than at home go for it. I wouldn't be as comfortable with refurbs though only had bad refurbs.