What's a UK warranty worth to you?

[chris]

I've been scouring the used sites for a 40-150 f2.8 this last week, and have found the differences in prices between new and used quite interesting

New £1100 with full manufacturers warranty.
New grey import £905, sellers warranty.
Used £700-800, no warranty or seller's warranty if from a shop.

So at around £200 increments what's the sensible buy?
I have no qualms about buying used, but at perhaps £150 more does grey make sense? Or do you like the comfort of buying new UK stock and the knowledge you're supporting UK businesses?

My choice will be entirely decided on budget at the time, and I would be happy with any of the options really.

[Walti]

My own purchasing record shows either new UK or second hand, for some reason I have an aversion to supporting grey importers! Can’t quantify why, other than they are benefitting from cheating somehow.

Others on here have grey imports and no issues even when there have been faults with the products.

[BDennis]

If you are concerned over warranty / repair costs, I got my 300 F4 repaired last year when it fell apart out of warranty and it was a fixed price repair at £184.

For the 40-150 f2.8 the only issue I had so far is the lens hood falling apart with the release of springs and ball bearings into the wild. I think a new one is about £40 but it is still covered under warranty.

So I would be tempted to save the money and keep some ££ on hand for any potential issues. It might depend on if Olympus UK will repair a grey import lens with no warranty for the fixed price costs they have - I don’t see why not.

[BDennis]

BTW Olympus were doing a 10% off voucher code during the lockdown for their UK online store. They post it in the comments on their Facebook videos like the ones with Clare Harvey-May (e.g. the one on 25th April). I am not sure if it is OK to post these codes here or if there is a policy for that (maybe in the members only area?).

[chris]

It's actually on offer at £1049 on the Olympus site too, that's £50 less than the retailers! Wonder if the discount code would still apply!

[E1derful]

If you sign up to David Tiplings newsletter.
He will send you a 10% off code for the Olympus shop.

[chris]

Thanks, will do

[Mazdaman]

It's a personal choice but I have bought grey several times over the years and also bought used from UK suppliers. My last purchase was from Panamoz who I have used before and would buy again if the price is a reasonable saving

My take on grey Vs UK sourced equipment is the same when buying a new car would you happly pay list price? If we are honest to ourselves the answer is no we would want discount service enhancements free mats etc

It's your money and you should feel free to spend it how you like 😊

[moggi1964]

I bought my new camera and lens from a grey importer hdewcameras who have a good history (used to run small electrical shops in Surrey and remain based there) and the service was professional, fast and the warranty gave me confidence.

Not everyone agrees but I think I would rather my money went to a small independent UK grey import retailer than a large UK store. Each to their own of course

[Tram]

Last camera I bought was a Panasonic, they had a promotion going which gave a three years manufacturers warranty.
Seemed like a good deal, John Lewis give two years a standard on cameras and lenses.
Usually buy from a UK retailer, last couple of things were used at a good price with 12 months warranty

[timboo]

I own 4 lenses 2 of which were bought second hand.
2 brand new from UK retailers. Incidentally one of my new purchases was the 40-150 with 1.4 teleconverter from SRS several years back. The price gap between it and a grey importer was around £250.
When spending anything post the thousand price bracket I prefer new with warranty. My 2 lenses second hand were the 60mm macro and a Sigma portrait lens. Second hand saved just over £100 per lens but figured that it was worth the saving especially as this forum is very good for honest descriptions of equipment offered.
Like others have said don’t think there is a right or wrong answer it depends on what your over riding priority is. I prefer peace of mind for more expensive lenses and my camera.

[chris]

You're right about the forum, that's one of the benefits of this community. Buying off a long standing member on here, I'd be 100% confident I wasn't knowingly getting ripped off.

[drmarkf]

Yes, when possible I buy used from a long-standing member here, or used from one of the well-established U.K. suppliers who give a warranty (eg LCE, Wex etc).

Personally I will not support a commercial operation who gives purchasers a lower ‘grey’ price and enriches themselves while avoiding legitimate U.K. taxes that support our NHS, police force etc.

Your choice.