Complaint Review: Regency Cameras

I bought a Nikon Coolpix 995 from Regency camera in December, 2001. Camera broke and I sent it to Nikon under warranty. Received a notice back that they were refusing to do anything because Regency is gray market. Regency appears to be out of business or operating under a different name now, so I am out of luck there.

I am going to file this report under NikonUSA also. Are they actually using this authorized dealer concept to try to keep their prices artificially high and discourage competition? Nikon says the way to know camera is legit is if you have an official NikonUSA warranty in the box. Well I did, so who is ripping me off the most? And how is a consumer to know that a company is catagorized gray market?

Sandy
Bonner Springs, Kansas
U.S.A.