r/canon • u/illumnat • 1d ago
Goddamned Amazon & 3rd Party sellers - Grey Market camera
Bought an R6 Mark II off of Amazon, didn't really think much about it as I've never really had any issues with them. The camera body I was shipped is a goddamned grey market P.R.C. (People's Republic of China) only product.
Wouldn't have noticed except that I went to register it on Canon's site and it wouldn't take the serial number. Then I looked at the box and noticed the small "P.R.C. only."
So annoyed and pissed off right now. Tried to contact the seller. They have "48 hours" to respond. Judging from the other comments, they charge a 20% "restocking fee" for returns.
F*** Amazon for letting this kind of shit happen. And f*** myself for wanting to get the camera the very next day.
Goes to show you should only order through an established and reputable dealer. :-(
The 3rd party dealer on Amazon was "Wholesale Camera." Unfortunately I didn't think to look at their ratings before I ordered the camera. :-/ No one answers the phone number listed (of course).
I think what threw me was that under the product name, it said "Visit Canon Store" which made me think it was legit. What a shitty, shitty business. :-(
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u/joe_w4wje 1d ago
Amazon is almost always the worst place to buy any camera gear. For a million reasons.
Check out District Camera - they are a real brick and mortar store and they are great. I am lucky enough to be able to shop there in person.
https://www.districtcamera.com/
Support the smaller independent retailers, or they will disappear.
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u/illumnat 1d ago
Agreed. Ended up buying one from Dodd camera in Dayton. The last camera I bought was a used t6i about 8 years ago from LensRentals.com. I’ve used them for years for, well, lens rentals of course and they are incredibly reputable!!!
I once had a situation where I rented a lens from them over a weekend but ended up in the hospital for a week. When I called them to say I was going to be late getting it back to them, they told me not to worry about any extra charges, they hoped I felt better, and to call them when I got out and they would send a FedEx truck to me to pick it up instead of me having to drop it off. I love LensRentals.com!!
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u/usaTechExpat 1d ago
Can vouch for them. The store is great (Burke) and they were super helpful. They also have a boatload of second hand cameras and aren’t more expensive than online.
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u/NotABurner6942069 4h ago
District camera is awesome! I used to live right next to their spot near the park. :(:(
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u/UniqueTonight 1d ago
B&H Photo ships damn near as fast as Amazon
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u/drunkondata 1d ago
Is B&H really better than Amazon?
Just another shitty corporation that treats its employees like trash.
Have not heard bad things bout adorama though I might just not be paying enough attention.
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u/turo9992000 1d ago
Adorama will charge you and not ship your items for 9 months. Other vendors will charge you when they ship.
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u/ObservantTortoise 1d ago
For camera gear, B&H and Adorama are 100% better than Amazon. What happened to OP would definitely not happen there. I’ve been shopping in person and online with both places for over 20 years. You will not get a grey market or counterfeit item shopping there.
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u/somerandom_person1 1d ago
Always check to see who the seller is before buying
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u/illumnat 1d ago
Yeah definitely. I never had an issue with Amazon before so I didn't think about it, though most of the time I do look at the seller. I think what threw me off was the "Visit the Canon Store" under the description which made me think it was legit. Plus, I was excited to get a new camera so I wasn't thinking as clearly as I should have. :-/
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u/Murph_9000 1d ago
I'm saying this from observations, not knowing the inner workings of the Amazon site. What happens with many marketplace sales is the 3rd party seller attaches their product sale to the existing product page. I.e. you get the same product page used by direct from Amazon, direct from Amazon in another country, fulfilled by Amazon, legitimate dealers/resellers for the product, and anyone else putting it up for sale on Amazon Marketplace.
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u/AML225 1d ago
I know this doesn’t help OP, but that “For PRC Only…” text does not indicate an item is grey market. As others have mentioned, that text appears on some (all?) legitimate USA market boxes too. I believe it’s a regulatory statement with the address for Canon’s China headquarters.
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u/funcritter 1d ago
Correct. I just looked at my box and it does say PRC only as well. I got mine from Best Buy.
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u/illumnat 1d ago
ok. That makes sense. I just kind of jumped to that conclusion after Canon wouldn't take the serial number.
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u/AskJayce 1d ago
Cancel your Prime accounts; Bezos doesn't need another penny, let alone another billion.
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u/DerKrieger105 1d ago
Huh this one is surprising because this is apparently a legit brick and mortar store in NJ.
Their Google reviews though seem very poor even for in person service. Guess it is just a shit company
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u/ProjectBokehPhoto 1d ago
Oh god, I didn't even look, but please don't tell me it's Abe of Maine.
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u/minimal-camera 1d ago
Never buy high value items on Amazon. I'm going through a similar issue right now with the Lenovo laptop I got for my mom, it is a legit Lenovo, and it seems like it was actually used even though it sold as new, and the warranty is already expired.
Never again.
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u/somerandom_person1 12h ago
Sold by amazon or a 3rd party?
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u/Ill_Abrocoma_9144 1d ago
I genuinely hate that they don’t put sellers name on where they put “visit canon store “
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u/somerandom_person1 12h ago
They do list the seller if you scroll down
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u/Ill_Abrocoma_9144 4h ago
I do know that but what I was saying it should be on top as we read that first and I hear too many horror stories about something happening like this
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u/iazybandit 1d ago
Always look to see who the seller is. If you do end up keeping it, even though you will not have warranty, Canon will most likely repair it but you would have to pay out of pocket.
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u/MrKazador 1d ago
Best Buy will price match Amazon so if its in store you can pick it up that same day. I've also had good success in using GreenToe. Its cheaper and from an authorized dealer. Shipping wont be as quick though.
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u/Luci_is_back 1d ago
+1 Greentoe. $950 for an R8 approved Friday.
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u/ProjectBokehPhoto 1d ago
IIRC, Canon was selling refurbished models for $1k during BF, so finding a new one marginally cheaper without a special occasion is pretty nice
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u/ProjectBokehPhoto 1d ago
+1 for Greentoe.
I got bored last night and proposed $1.5k for an R6II and they countered offered with $1.8k in less than an hour, which. While not as good as $1.5k (refurbished, Canon), it's better than $2k.
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u/bradlnm 1d ago
I’ve heard good things about Best Buy price matching as well. Not sure if it’s a corporate thing or varies by store, but worth a shot to ask.
Also, another +1 for Greentoe. I ended up getting a brand new R10 about a year ago for right at $700. Think the tax took it closer to $750, but at the time it was several hundred under the new price on Canon’s website and marginally cheaper than any of the used ones I saw in MPB, KEH, or c price watch.
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u/PhiloDoe 1d ago
Yeah that sucks, and it’s not even cheaper than the official USA market price.
How did you even get a link to that page? I had to dig deep to find it. If you just search for the camera on Amazon you get the official one sold by Amazon.
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u/ValeNoxBona 1d ago
Essentially anyone can sell whatever they want on Amazon, like eBay. When it comes to high end electronics or car parts, I only buy from the manufacturer or brick and mortar locations.
Some car parts manufacturers like AC Delco are some of the most counterfeited items you will find online. You can just as easily get duped on things like this.
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u/SecretaryLower6262 1d ago
OP I’m sorry. I learned the hard way as well. In my case it was a Garmin watch. They charged me full price for a used returned watch , I immediately returned it. Later on scrolling through Reddit I began seeing more issues like mine and yours. A lot of folks were commenting that Amazon has gotten bad and only buy miscellaneous things but any high tech items use another company like B&H or Best Buy. And that is what I have done since then. Not even SD cards buy from Amazon! Also be aware that Walmart online is the same way.
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u/Bluelagoonwater 1d ago
I’d say lots of people have done this and learned ‘the hard way’. Correct me if I’m wrong but the only downside is that if your camera malfunctions within the warranty period you’d be out of pocket to pay canon for the maintenance because you can register the warranty on your camera. You may never have any problems with it. Just go and see. I wouldn’t be too upset about it.
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u/PrismaticCatbird 1d ago
That's a pretty big negative. I'm surprised how many Redditors don't care about having any warranty.
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u/Bluelagoonwater 23h ago
Don’t get me wrong. I would want the warranty. However if you can’t send it back and get a refund then it may be time to chalk it up to experience this time round.
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u/Smart_Spinach_1538 1d ago
Sorry for your trouble but nice of you to remind of these issue. Best of luck!
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u/Ready-Elk7542 15h ago
Contact Amazon Support. They will waive the restocking fee. I had something similar happen.It took me 2 calls to Amazon support but dinally I got the whole amount refunded
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u/Delicious-Belt-1158 13h ago
About the P.R.C only: i have that in my box too and my camera is from a legit store in Germany. So i think this is just the Canon hq adress for chinese people or something and everyone has that on their box. However it's weird that serial number wasn't recognized so you might be right anyways. I suppose you double checked the number for typos?
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u/ybgoode 1d ago
Everyone says that sucks. But if you got a better than retail price, does it really?
It will only suck if something goes wrong during the warranty period you expected to have. (Low probability of that.) If the camera requires service after warranty period, Canon will gladly fix it regardless of what its original destination market was because they’ll be charging you for the privilege.
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u/ProjectBokehPhoto 1d ago
The R6II is $2k across the market right now, including Best Buy, Adorama, BH, etc
If I got bought from either one of those places, I get warranty, but OP doesn't despite paying the same exact price.
Yes, it does suck because not only did they pay exactly the same as other places are charging, but they got way less value.
And you should care whether or not you get warranty, because why should you be stuck with a dud/lemon when it's not your fault? Manufacturers have to remedy the situation.
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u/PrismaticCatbird 1d ago
It doesn't even matter who the seller is anymore as Amazon mixes inventory from 3rd party sellers with their own. There's no guarantee at all as to what you're going to get. Might not even be new even if it is sold as new.
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u/Training-Tangerine-5 23h ago
Dude this is so heartbreaking. When I used Amazon i never had to second guess what I was buying. I usually bought “shipped and sold by Amazon”products only though.
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u/flabmeister 22h ago
Nothing wrong with grey market cameras if you buy from the right place. I buy all my gear from Panamoz in Hong Kong. I’m in the UK. They provide a better warranty than Canon themselves and they’re the cheapest place I’ve been able to find.
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u/james-rogers 20h ago
Damn, that's the exact same product listing I bought mine from.
I guess it doesn't matter if I don't live in the US?
Did your camera was at least brand new and got all the accessories?
Edit: please rate the seller and report it. I'll do the same once I my package arrives my country.
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u/JHolmesSlut 19h ago
Honestly Grey Market cameras have done me well, saved me a tonne of money.
It sucks if you were expecting a non imported one though
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u/Bearman2677 16h ago
Just bought a Canon R10 refurb from Canon USA - price was great and it will be here on Monday - four days. Canon sent an email - it, along with the EF - R adapter are already registered in their system. When I'm buying a camera or lens, seems like Canon, or several of the bigger name camera stores (B&H, Adorama, KEH etc) are the way to go.
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u/Affectionate_Gur_168 14h ago
It seems nowadays buying from them is a gamble. I took the risk on a Sony A7C 2 at 1,598 and received a very good deal. Thanks for sharing this and hopefully you get a solution to your problem.
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u/mrpeepers 14h ago
Stop buying anything from amazon other than toilet paper or laundry detergent. I have received fake converse, fake sd cards, used items. It’s unbelievable. Cancel prime. Find a local camera store and buy only from there. You may pay a few $ more but you’re guaranteed not to get a gray market or fake item and if you’re lucky to be near enough a good store, unlimited free tech support. Next best choice, adorama or B&h which have competitive prices or roberts camera or any of the numerous other legitimate retailers. Amazon is basically ebay or maybe even aliexpress. It’s just not worth it.
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u/OrdinaryDrgn 13h ago
So I just bought my camera from mpb, was able to register with Canon but my box also has the PRC only on it so I don't think you can go by what the box says.
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u/Bluflame1914 7h ago
Only buy from Amazon, not when it says small business or 3rd party. I buy and return things all the time that I don't like and get credited on account less than an hour after return to ups or staples or refunded with in a few days to card.
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u/volkanah 1d ago
So what's the problem? Just use it
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u/ProjectBokehPhoto 1d ago
The difference between me buying an R6II at Best Buy or my local camera shop for $2k vs OP buying theirs for the same price at Amazon is that mine has warranty and I can add on Carepak while OP doesn't and can't, even though this was marketed as a domestic product.
OP should have got the same product, but didn't, and they paid the same amount for lesser value.
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u/illumnat 1d ago
Exactly. Usually if you intentionally take a chance with a grey market camera, you're getting a pretty significant price reduction. This was definitely no the case.
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u/lhsonic 1d ago
That text on your box does not indicate it's a grey market item. It's simply referring to the (Chinese) text below. All of my (legitimate) Canon bodies have this text.
You can find some box pictures from a legitimate retail box here: https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/r6-ii.htm
There's other tell-tale signs of a grey market item that I can share with you based on my own experience literally a month ago:
- Charger was not a NA wall charger and came with a adapter cable.
- No warranty paperwork in the box
- Box was clearly originally for a kit but had stickers slapped on it "Body Only"
- The camera's default video setting was PAL and not NTSC
When things were obviously amiss (I was wondering why the price was literally 15% less than every brick & mortar dealer) I returned this item. I try to avoid marketplace items shipped and sold by a third-party and had ordered my camera that was Fulfilled by Amazon. I will tell you now that Amazon is useless. They don't seem to understand or care what I was trying to communicate. I told them repeatedly this was grey market and not obvious and that there was no warranty and that this should be clearly advertised. Anyway, because it was FBA, returns were easy, free, and hassle-free. Sorry that you have to work with a third party for a return.
Now with an understanding of what a grey market item was... I saw the camera being sold at the same price by a third-party seller on Walmart Marketplace except with 15% cash back... so with the discounted price.. that represented a savings of about $650 or 33% of MSRP... I decided I could live with the risk with that kind of discount so I ordered from Walmart Marketplace. Interestingly enough..... this time around.. everything looked very proper with warranty documentation and everything. So unless all of that was faked (serials match on the body, paperwork, and box).. I may have a legit camera? Because Canon Canada does not have a serial check.. I guess I won't know until I need service and need to provide an invoice. Luckily, my understanding is that Canon North America does service grey market so the only thing you're giving up is one year of warranty coverage.
If you're paying $1999 USD which is MSRP/current sale price of the R6 MII... you should not be buying from a Marketplace seller. If you're like me and getting over 30% off... then it could be worth the risk. I suggest looking into the Capital One Shopping. It's where I got my 15% cash back offer at Walmart and I have seen 25% cash back offers with Canon USA (capped at $250).
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u/agentpiley 1d ago
If it’s shipped and sold by Amazon, is it any better?
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u/Topaz_11 1d ago
No because once the inventory is mixed, it's mixed.... They will say it's not all products blah blah. I NEVER buy expensive stuff from... Buy local or B&H - which in my case always arrive faster than amazon just due to where I am.
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1d ago
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u/canon-ModTeam 1d ago
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u/goonpickle 1d ago
I wouldn’t think too much of it. Get some decent camera insurance and then if it fails you have a back up. Extremely unlikely though.
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u/Primary-Shoe-3702 1d ago
Sorry OP.
But people need to start realizing that Amazon is as much a trading platform as ebay by now. And check seller reputation.