Thread: How important is a local warranty

In 5 years the D200 never give me problems, the D300s have a hot spot in the sensor after 3 weeks use and was sent for servicing under warranty.
The D200 is a grey import, the D300s is from a Nikon dealer.

So I suppose like everything else. Hit and miss, you don't know what you'll get.
Unfortunately for me I think I would be more comfortable with an Australian warranty.
Bit of a shame with the holiday planned including a few game parks to not have a camera.

You cannot go there without a camera!!
Why you not ger a used D200 which can be your second body for the future>
HERE is one for $ 300

I've just looked at the Nikon prices online for South Africa. They would appear to be about 10-20% higher than the higher end of the Australian pricing (with GST). So I suspect buying it over there might prove expensive.

I agree with Arthur, buy something like a D200 or D90 with the lens you want and then get the D7000 later.

Also remember if you buy a new camera (D7000) in Australia within 30 days of departure you get the GST back under the TRS. So the actual outlay will be ~10% less.

This crowd is very good and can be very well priced for Nikon Australia stuff: Nikon - - Nikon D7000 Body AUSTRALIAN STOCK !!SUPER SPECIAL IN STOCK NOW!!

Also for grey imports you can try DWI.

How about getting it duty free before leaving Australia? Might not be the cheapest method, but it has an australian warranty, and will be cheaper than full aus retail?

The other option will be to rent the camera and lens when you are there.
Have a look HERE

Hi Folks,

Well just to stir things up a little I'll add my 2c worth. That is what I would value Nikon Australia's warranty support at.

Some time ago I purchased a Nikon film body at full retail here in Australia. The camera kept killing the meter batteries @ $15 a battery. Two was enough before I cried foul and sent the camera back for repair/replacement. They had the camera in workshop for two weeks and delivered it back to me two days before I travelled to the UK. They said there was no problem found. Well, yep, you guessed it. New battery installed before flight to UK. Arrived in UK (London) with dead camera battery.

Called Nikon UK and explained problem. They were very apologetic that they couldn't schedule a service slot for a week due to their commitments to support the pro's at Wimbledon. The nice lass I spoke with booked a slot and suggested if I was nearby I should drop the camera in and they would do their best to at least examine it sooner if they had an opportunity.

Next morning I dropped the camera in to them and thought nothing more about it until I returned to my hotel later that same day. Awaiting me was a message from Nikon UK to say the camera had been repaired and was ready for collection.

The problem:- damaged track on PCB in the top of the camera. It took their service technician about 15 seconds to diagnose the problem and less than 5 minutes to replace it! Didn't charge me as it was clearly a defect and therefore warranty - even though I was outside of country of purchase. I'm sure you can imagine the letter the MD of Nikon Australia received from me when I returned home to Australia.

Moral:- I now buy overseas and get Mack worldwide warranties. For example, why should I pay over $6500 retail for a camera I can purchase overseas and land in Australia for less than $5000 (including the shipping, import and GST)?

/begin rant
Basically, Nikon charge far too much in this country for their products and provide only average service to the general user (unless you're a paid up registered professional).

I still love my Nikon cameras (3x D-series bodies) and bits. They do make excellent gear as evidenced by the fact that I've not had cause to have any equipment go back in more recent times. I refuse to be extorted though.
/end rant

This has been my experience only. Your mileage may vary.

For product to here, I'd try DWI or even Cameras Direct.

I'd suggest if you have the time seek the best possible price anywhere in the world and pay for a proper international warranty.

Cheers,
Iain