Gray Market electronics sold as *new* in the U.S.

Ever seen a cheap electronic that seems too good to be true? It probably is, and it is probably sold from one of the many gray market dealers in Brooklyn, NY.

Here are pictures of the run down storefronts that see lots of electronics pass through their alley way gates.
http://donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/

here's the BBB of NY story:
http://www.newyork.bbb.org/reports/businessreports.aspx?pid=44&page=1&...
In this video, I talk about the different between gray market and models specific for the US electronics market and my experience with buying from one gray market dealer, FOTO CONNECTION.

Remember, CAVEAT EMPTOR "Let the Buyer beware"

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Foto
• Connection
• gray
• market
• inferior
• electronics
• international
• HVX200
• camera
• gear
• brooklyn
• new
• york

[sigma1atar]

Fotoconnection is a criminal enterprise. I was ripped off by these people last year.

Beware, many of the sites that appear like complaint websites are run by them!

Report them to the BBB.

[goldenpizza]

spread the word.

[cychen85]

Do you have any side by side photos of the 200a VS 205a? I would love to see the difference...

[goldenpizza]

sorry, dont have any.

[goldenpizza]

Thanks.

[Tykimeister]

I just bought a 40D camera on ebay from Brooklyn, NY. It didn't come with the Canon warranty, but just their store warranty. I'm sure they are selling greymarket cameras, and mine probably is. I just got it this week and I am going to call Canon and see if the serial number is a legit Canon serial number.

How did your chargeback go? How long did you wait tell you did your chargeback and did you get all your money back?

THanks,

Ty

[goldenpizza]

CapitolOne (visa) refused my claim because the say they did not receive my reply (with in 45 days) to the merchant's rebuttal. (I think they buried/trashed it.) I am stuck with a $1075.85 "restocking fee" and am considering small claims court which would have to be do in the borough of Brooklyn.

[DynastyGuy]

Is it just me, or do almost all of these unethical bait and switch companies that I hear about seem to be based in Brooklyn New York?

[cougar310]

dont buy extended warranty from this time2envy. They sold me a 4 yr from REPAIRTECH inc and it isnt worth the paper it is written on. They no longer exist. Called Time2envy and they refered me to another warranty outfit that wants me to ship my camera to them and then split repair costs with them. What a con. not only did they get my money from the warranty, but now Im sure they just might never send back my camera. Im ready to sue...

[knuck57]

Good video!!! More should be brought up on this through the media.  BEWARE of the "Grey Market"

[bwworld]

"If the price is too good to be true, it probably is." Absolutely. However, I don't think you got a grey market product here. However, I've worked in the field...grey goods come off the same assembly line and have the same quality as USA products. The difference is only in the warrantee, and that's a caveat emptor. What you described sounds like you were sold a cheap forgery, which is an outright rip-off.

[netizen777]

Do not buy from Time2Envy!

They lied and cheated. First, they sent me a used camera. Then, they replaced it with a grey market one. Nikon refused to service my camera even a recall... DON'T BUY FROM TIME2ENVY!

[antonpictures]

update: time2envy shipped my item, we will see what happens or if is anything missing in the package.

Package Progress

Location Date Local Time Description

BROOKLYN,

NY, US 07/08/2009 11:12 P.M. DEPARTURE SCAN

07/08/2009 9:55 P.M. ORIGIN SCAN

US 07/08/2009 7:49 P.M. BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

[antonpictures]

I don't know they got this as a threat, I really do want to visit their store and buy more stuff in my next trip to NY.

Then I got a second email:

This e-mail is to notify you that your order # 51854901 has been processed.

Thank you for choosing Time2Envy as the source of your video equipment.

I called the guy, and he said the camera was shipped and I will get it soon.

We'll see. :)

I'm recording all the phone conversations and I will be posting them in video response to this video shortly.

[antonpictures]

I sent an email back and I told them to not try with me the "Broklin Scam" and do the right thing so I can visit them, shake their hand and say thank you for great business.

Next day they sent:

i don't know why you would threaten us with bad feedback and dispute. we did nothing with this order but process and ship. You should have this on Friday. I REALLY don't know why you are so upset - please call us if you are.

Thank you

Support

888 477 1712

[sabrerifle80]

I am also going through the same thing with Time2Envy. I cannot believe this! I am so upset and I cant believe this is happening to so many other people!