Nikon users in the U.S. will probably be familiar with B&H Photo in New
York. I ordered my F5 (and other equipment totaling around $5000) from
them in early September. The order arrived about a week and a half later.
Everything arrived in good condition as promised, except for one thing:
the F5 did not come with a warranty card or owner's manual. Since I had
specifically ordered Nikon USA for full warranty coverage, the lack of a
warranty registration card bothered me immediately.
I called B&H and they said it was a mistake. They would have to secure a
new warranty card from Nikon, who is notoriously slow about such things,
and they would send it to me with a manual.
Three months later I have still received nothing. I've called B&H several
times, sent them letters, and faxed them. Each time I've been told that
they would send out the papers as soon as possible. This morning I called
Nikon. The representative was very nice about the whole thing, but he said
that the warranty card is the only proof I have that I in fact purchased
Nikon USA and not grey market. He further said that what B&H has done is
frankly illegal and that they must provide the warranty paperwork or I
should return the camera immediately. Nikon has filed a dealer complaint
which could affect B&H's status.
After speaking to Nikon, I called B&H again. I went through the whole
story again and was told that thay had mailed the papers on November 1.
Didn't I receive them? No, I did not. I told them that what they did was
illegal and that if I do not have the warranty card and manual within one
week, I am sending the camera back and filing a complaint. They said they
would send it out today.
Why they could (supposedly) send out the papers today, when they've always
needed weeks of time before is a bit strange, but I think their whole story
is bogus. I suspect that they slipped me a grey market F5 at the full
Nikon USA price. I should have just sent the whole camera back immediately
when I did not find the warranty in the box. I'm going to give them one
more week. If the warranty does not arrive as promised within that time, I
am going to send the camera back and get my credit card company involved.
I will also likely file a consumer complaint against them and inform Nikon
of the lack of resolution.
If you're considering doing business with B&H, you might want to go
elsewhere.
