Grey Imports - Simply Electronics

[Michael A]

I purchased a Canon 7D Camera from Simply Electronics, Camera works ok but when i checked serial number i found it was false sent info to Canon UK and received this email back.

Dear Mr. M.A,
Thank you for providing images of your camera and packaging.
From the images provided I am very sorry to inform you that the external serial number displayed on your camera is not a genuine Canon serial number but is a fake/counterfeit serial number. Please note this does NOT mean that the camera itself is counterfeit, just that the serial number is counterfeit.

Fake serial numbers conceal the source of the product. This is usually done in an attempt to conceal the fact that the product is a "parallel" or "grey market" product. Grey market products are products which were put on the market outside of Europe and not intended for the European market. The sale of grey market goods in the UK infringes Canon's trade mark rights and risks a number of other legal implications including Customs and tax offences, improper localisation for the UK market (including for example, low grade or unsafe third party UK power cords, no valid UK/European manufacturer's one year warranty, and ineligibility for European promotions) and breach of European Environmental and Safety requirements.

We have reported this matter to our Anti-Counterfeit Team who will investigate the matter and consider all necessary legal action against the seller. We suggest that you seek a refund from your seller and enlist the help of Trading Standards in doing so as necessary.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further assistance.

Yours sincerely,

Charlotte O'Grady
Canon Services & Support

Be warned that Grey imports from this company may have been tampered with.
They said they would send a courier to pick up the item but would not give any guarantee the they would either refund cost of camera, replace counterfeit camera or return the camera.
I have not let them take the item. Lack of trust.

[pauluk]

Most grey imports have just left the original No on it because it is not illegal so putting on a false one is strange I have a grey import and registered them with no problem maybe the camera is fake.
I also got a 50mm lens from these people which had loose innards so got my money back eventually after going through a long process which is designed to put people off trying to get a refund no plans to use them again .

[Michael A]

Originally Posted by pauluk

Most grey imports have just left the original No on it because it is not illegal so putting on a false one is strange I have a grey import and registered them with no problem maybe the camera is fake.
I also got a 50mm lens from these people which had loose innards so got my money back eventually after going through a long process which is designed to put people off trying to get a refund no plans to use them again .

I haven't used them again. The camera I bought a Canon 7D I have had for four years and apart from the false base plate it has never let me down producing sharp shots time after time. Contacted Canon UK and sent all relevant information they informed me the Camera was Genuine 7D with a counterfeited base plate and that they would look into it. They also said not to return it to were I bought it and as I'd had no issue with performance just to keep on taking pictures which I have done.
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