A website sold me a "grey import" camera - is this illegal?

superman909

A quick post. Basically an online trader (not a major company), who I won't name until I get an answer, sold me a Canon camera for just under £250, which I know for a fact after receiving it is actually non-UK stock - that is, the seller has clearly imported in stock destined for the USA/CANADA and sold it to me. I know this because 1) the model number 2) they supplied an adapter for the charger. I still got a great deal, seeing as though the price is under the RRP and I was struggling to find the camera new elsewhere (it's now discontinued). However, I know now I won't be covered by the manufacturer's warranty after some research.

Is this illegal practice, and whom should I report the seller to?

(Obviously I will contact the seller in the meantime)

arcon5

Not sure why it would be illegal. At most breach of contract between canon and the seller but that's between them.

Although I thought there was regulations covering uk sellers and types of plugs? Not sure exactly

wealdroam

arcon5 wrote: »

Although I thought there was regulations covering uk sellers and types of plugs? Not sure exactly

Yes there are...
The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

And here is a simple interpretation...
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/tradingstandards/consumersafety/plugs-chargers.htm

ILW

Not illegal, but unlikely the manufacturer will honour any warranty.

pmduk

Where is the website based however? There have been threads complaining about grey import goods, when the customer themselves has bought from overseas.

mo786uk

It is arguable that they should be making it clear from an advertising point of view as the customer will have a reasonable expection they will be UK goods (with a UK plug) and of course a consuemr would expect a UK warranty for electrical items.

terra_ferma

Sometimes even co.uk websites they are in fact bases abroad, it's a trick used to con people who think only UK companies can have UK websites (some countries actually regulate their domains, like Australia, and avoid this confusion).

Pollycat

Is it Pixmania?

A few years ago, I was looking for a new camera and Pixmania came up cheapest.

I did a bit of digging and found out that they supply grey imports - not sure if this is the case all the time or just with certain manufacturers or models.

I don't think it's illegal.