"Steve Higgins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> posted: > I found out something surprising when I was filling out the warrantee > card on my new 28-105. The serial number starts with a "US". I think > Nikon USA is going to start cracking down on Gray Market items. Yep! I confirmed this with the California Service Manager. I wouldn't necessarily say they are 'cracking down' though. Everyone can benefit from this. I'm sure that Nikon Service receives lenses from US customers claiming that is IS NOT gray market. The customer says that he requested a US version, and that's what he received. This type of situation can get ugly. Most experienced Nikon users know about the warranty slip being required, but I'm sure that some mail order outfits have tried to pull a fast one. As a matter of fact, last year, after I purchased my F5, I ordered an 80-200/2.8 with the rebate from COAST TO COAST. I confirmed again and again that it was a US version WITH the rebate form. I received a GRAY MARKET lens! I spoke to someone in their customer service department and the order did state US. Now, if the order list a certain inventory #, I find it very suspicious that they 'somehow' sent the gray-market version accidentaly. Anyway, I made arrangements for the US version, but when I asked to make sure that they send the rebate slip, they said that the price already reflected the rebate and they were getting the rebate directly from Nikon. By this time, I was so aggravated - I just wanted my lens! After I received my US lens, I called Nikon about the rebate and confirm what Coast To Coast had said about the rebate. They laughed and said that they ONLY give the rebates to the consumer. I sent all sorts of proof of purchase in and ended up getting my rebate anyway! That covers it from the service point of view. From the marketing point of view, Nikon needed to do something that added value to the lens without costing them much, including a price decrease. This is where the extended warranty came from. As a user, I'm glad that Nikon added 'US' to the serial number AND extended the warranty. Oh, I was also informed that this 'extended warranty' is NOT temporary. Until further notice, the extended warranty is standard. -Mike Baranowski P.S. :P~~~~ to Coast To Coast and THANK YOU B&H!
