We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
‘Grey imports’
Options
Comments
-
silvercar said:silvercar said:keepitlegal said:Cymruchris, I’ve never knowingly bought any grey imports and although there’s savings to be made, I wouldn’t ever buy a grey import. That’s just how I am.
I also didn’t get a better price from the retailer, in fact it was slightly more expensive than the same model cameras in their other stores.
They can however restrict goods from being imported into the EU for sale so grey imports refer to such goods.
(Bar any changes that Brexit may have had on this issue for the UK).
Even before Brexit, brands would put major barriers in the way of companies selling their products outside the countries that they had given a franchise for. If the licensed distributor for country X isn’t involved in the sale of those brands in country X, but the distributor for country Y is selling them directly or indirectly into country Y than the franchisee for country Y is losing out. I would call that grey exports. They are great because they aren’t black market and they aren’t white market as they aren’t licensed for sale in that country.
A fizzy drinks company can’t prevent their German, French or Greek can of drink being sold in another EU country therefore for all intents and purposes their territory isn’t Germany, France or Greece, it’s the EU. There is no ambiguity or “grey” in the matter, the law is clear.I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.0 -
Update.
I wrote a complaint and emailed it to the company’s HQ, received a reply the same day, I was told it would be passed to the area manager who would contact me, that was over two weeks ago. Today I have emailed the CEO directly, copied in my original complaint, so hopefully I’ll hear something tomorrow, but I’m not holding my breath!0 -
silvercar said:silvercar said:silvercar said:keepitlegal said:Cymruchris, I’ve never knowingly bought any grey imports and although there’s savings to be made, I wouldn’t ever buy a grey import. That’s just how I am.
I also didn’t get a better price from the retailer, in fact it was slightly more expensive than the same model cameras in their other stores.
They can however restrict goods from being imported into the EU for sale so grey imports refer to such goods.
(Bar any changes that Brexit may have had on this issue for the UK).
Even before Brexit, brands would put major barriers in the way of companies selling their products outside the countries that they had given a franchise for. If the licensed distributor for country X isn’t involved in the sale of those brands in country X, but the distributor for country Y is selling them directly or indirectly into country Y than the franchisee for country Y is losing out. I would call that grey exports. They are great because they aren’t black market and they aren’t white market as they aren’t licensed for sale in that country.
A fizzy drinks company can’t prevent their German, French or Greek can of drink being sold in another EU country therefore for all intents and purposes their territory isn’t Germany, France or Greece, it’s the EU. There is no ambiguity or “grey” in the matter, the law is clear.0 -
Update.
I was promised over two weeks ago, that the area manager would be in touch, I heard nothing so yesterday I email the CEO directly, I've returned the camera today, I've been told I will receive a full refund and be given a gift voucher to spend in their shop.
As this matter is hopefully concluded, I think it's only fair to not name the company involved.Thanks to all who gave me input to help clear this matter up.
Keepitlegal0 -
tightauldgit said:silvercar said:silvercar said:silvercar said:keepitlegal said:Cymruchris, I’ve never knowingly bought any grey imports and although there’s savings to be made, I wouldn’t ever buy a grey import. That’s just how I am.
I also didn’t get a better price from the retailer, in fact it was slightly more expensive than the same model cameras in their other stores.
They can however restrict goods from being imported into the EU for sale so grey imports refer to such goods.
(Bar any changes that Brexit may have had on this issue for the UK).
Even before Brexit, brands would put major barriers in the way of companies selling their products outside the countries that they had given a franchise for. If the licensed distributor for country X isn’t involved in the sale of those brands in country X, but the distributor for country Y is selling them directly or indirectly into country Y than the franchisee for country Y is losing out. I would call that grey exports. They are great because they aren’t black market and they aren’t white market as they aren’t licensed for sale in that country.
A fizzy drinks company can’t prevent their German, French or Greek can of drink being sold in another EU country therefore for all intents and purposes their territory isn’t Germany, France or Greece, it’s the EU. There is no ambiguity or “grey” in the matter, the law is clear.I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.5K Spending & Discounts
- 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards