Shady Lane Retailers, Manufacturers, ePay, AudiogoN, Paypal or whatever. Buying and selling advice.

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Some questions about your interesting and helpful (if somewhat inflammatory!) post

Posted by JoshT (A) on November 16, 2009 at 08:11:44

In Reply to: RE: JB/MSS/Etc posted by otari on November 14, 2009 at 22:01:48:

I don't know much about the gray market.

When I lived in Manhattan, I recall avoiding the stores that sold products at a steep discount with only the "international warranty" because I had read that that meant no warranty. It was not an ethical decision, but just a risk allocation decision.

I did buy a Mont Blanc pen and pencil set at Staples years ago, because the price was so much lower than at authorized dealers. Staples was open about not being an authorized Mont Blanc distributor. They would not sell actual Mont Blanc ink, and the serial numbers were rubbed off of their pens. I gathered that was "gray market", but didn't really think about it. I do not think Staples is still doing this, but it's been years since I've even looked at a pen display case anywhere.

So, what exactly is the gray market? Is any sale of a product by a dealer who is not an authorized dealer the gray market? Are there different levels of gray market?

I can see the points you make, but just because it may be common practice, and because a rogue authorized dealer is also involved, does not make it "right" to do what these types of unauthorized dealers are doing. It does still hurt the company and those dealers who are not involved in such conduct.

On the other hand, I agree with you that any discount seeker (I'll avoid the use of the term skinflint :-) since I think all purchasers resort to such practices on occassion) should be prepared to accept the risk when entering into such a transaction, and should not act shocked that certain protections do not come with it.

And yet, since I don't really understand the gray market, I think it's possible that the OP below didn't either. I would have been surprised to have seen a serial number rubbed off if I had bought something from Mr. Boey's outfit. Until now.

Oh, and one other question I hope you can explain to me: Why do these authorized dealers go this "back dooring" route? Why not just offer a special deal to regular customers on the pieces they cannot sell at the price that MSS and others offer? It would seem to be illegal price fixing for a manufacturer to prevent that, but then I am not an expert in anti-trust law.

I found your post very informative, and would appreciate your thoughts on my questions and comments.
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