Grey market *stuff*

[Koing]

Anyone bought anything from online or from a shop and later found out it was *grey market* stuff?

I did. I bought a WD 160Gb SE drive and needed to rma it. I go to the WD site and go to fill in the form. It checks out that my drive isn't valid? I think wtf? I phone them up, which to note they don't have an office in England but it is in Amsterdam...

The guy on the end of the phone was very helpful so WD CSR++ from me. He basically told me the company who I bought it from (ebuyer) bought the HD from asia and sells it here to make a bit more money on it.

P!ss's me off as it delays my rma and I will not be buying from them ebuyer again.

I would have been more p!ssed had WD said they said I was SOL as I bought it from a dodgy site. But clearly ebuyer is a big enough site.

Koing

 

[Koing]

^

 

[fumbduck]

huh?

so you CAN rma it now? but what?

and ebuyer.com is based in asia?

 

[dartworth]

I had this happen to a couple of WD 120GB SE HDs that I bought from NewEgg. I had the drives for a couple of months and was going to sell them. I ran the info to check how long they were under warranty.

I ran the info at WD's site and it said they were not valid. I contacted WD and they told me I was out of luck.:|

I contacted NewEgg and explained the situation and they said they would honor the 3 year warranty...I never had to use it but, I really didn't like the whole situation.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: dartworth
I had this happen to a couple of WD 120GB SE HDs that I bought from NewEgg. I had the drives for a couple of months and was going to sell them. I ran the info to check how long they were under warranty.

I ran the info at WD's site and it said they were not valid. I contacted WD and they told me I was out of luck.:|

I contacted NewEgg and explained the situation and they said they would honor the 3 year warranty...I never had to use it but, I really didn't like the whole situation.

Yeah man it is kind of lame really. The situation is sorted out now but more hassle then it should be.

Originally posted by: fumbduck
huh?

so you CAN rma it now? but what?

and ebuyer.com is based in asia?

I can rma it now. But I had to call up WD and get it done instead of just online. And finding out my HD wasn't meant for the uk. It was meant to be for asia.

Not the sort of thing you'd want when rma stuff back.

Koing

 

[bozack]

This happens alot in the luxury goods market so I am somewhat familiar with it, however I have never heard of it in the computer parts industry....

generally what will happen is that someone will either 1. go to a country with a low currency exchange and buy a product to sell in their country or sell it where they can make a profit...

or more common

2. someone will not only buy from another country, but will also buy in mass quantities scoring a large discount then they will sell in the market that is more favorable with re. profit returns.

Often times people in the luxo goods market know they are getting something grey since it does not come with a warranty, but generally the discount will more than offset this cost....I have bought a few high end pens grey and saved a good deal of money...good that WD is working it out for you though as I know most companies wouldn't

 

[jagr10]

Maybe this explains the rediculously low prices at some stores? If everyone is selling something for $90 and you see 1 store selling the same thing for $70 then most likely it's not the real deal.

 

[dpm]

You do have to take your chances with ebuyer - they've got a horrible reputation for customer service, and some of their stuff is clearly too cheap...

I got a cheap mouse from them once (just a basic 2 button and scrollwheel piece of beige plastic), and was surprised to find that the right button didn't work. Took it apart to find the switch had been soldered on the wrong way round. Also the cheap cases they sell are appalling. And, no matter which shipping option you select, they send it the same damn way, they just let it sit in their warehouse a few days if you choose the cheap option.

Still, they are cheap, and i'll buy from them again, so i guess they aren't *that* bad.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: dpm
You do have to take your chances with ebuyer - they've got a horrible reputation for customer service, and some of their stuff is clearly too cheap...

I got a cheap mouse from them once (just a basic 2 button and scrollwheel piece of beige plastic), and was surprised to find that the right button didn't work. Took it apart to find the switch had been soldered on the wrong way round. Also the cheap cases they sell are appalling. And, no matter which shipping option you select, they send it the same damn way, they just let it sit in their warehouse a few days if you choose the cheap option.

Still, they are cheap, and i'll buy from them again, so i guess they aren't *that* bad.

I didn't know about there reputation and was just trying to see what they were like. They were fast and the price was the same as other places. Just wanted to see if they did any better or something.

I'm just glad WD are sorting it out for me. I'll stick to dabs and overclockers for my stuff from now on. No ebuyer stuff.

Koing