Gray Market Nikon 950 Warning

(Posted to rec.photo.digital)

We've already gotten some calls from folks who want the "english" version of the Coolpix 950 software and documentation. . Obviously somebody has shipped a small quantity of these cameras to the US from Japan to grab some quick dollars (too bad that customs didn't nail them).

Only products purchased in the USA or South America are covered under the Nikon USA warranty. If you happen to purchase a Japanese Vintage Coolpix 950, you'll find that you have no warranty coverage and without a valid US purchase receipt, the USA Nikon Technical Support Office will not be able to ship a software CD.

Make sure any camera you do purchase has an original US warranty card enclosed. US products ship with software and cables, many of the European Subsidiaries and Japan, Ship sans software and cables. Euro cameras also have PAL video output, which is the reason that our friends in Europe and Australia don't see these products for a good month after they hit the USA.

The first folks to get actual production cameras will be the USA Office support and sales staff. These will be the cameras opened for inspection as we've reported on Steve's Digcams.

Obviously there will be a pretty big splash on Nikontechusa.com when the stuff actually arrives

We normally monitor, but don't post info on this newsgroup, but given the situation is ripe for some folks to take advanatge of the demand for the new camera and hurt the consumers we felt that this info should be made available now. Buying by credit card is always the safest. If you have a "debit card" better check with your bank, as they don't afford the same protection as a credit card. A debit card transaction is treated as if were a real check, in some cases cash.

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