I have never heard of the "gray market" before?

Question

What is the "gray market?" What's the difference between the "black" market and the "gray market"

Answer 1

The gray market is where genuine goods are offered for sale that do not belong within our country. The cost from overseas is usually less. Take for example:
I buy a Canon camera from a gray market dealer.
The camera is still a Canon camera but say a for spain model
The cameras warranty is not active here in the US.
The camera has a voice output that is supposed to tell me to use the flash and only speaks spanish.
I accept the spanish language limitation and buy the camera.
6 months the film advance motor goes bad I can't get the camera fixed at the US authorized warranty repair facility.
My cost to repair.

Answer 2

The Black Market deals in illegally obtained goods (usually stolen) that the marketeers will sell for whatever price they can get. Gray Market refers to merchandise that is obtained by legal means but is then later sold without the consent of the manufacturer. A good example of this is Rolex watches. Rolex only sells to authorized watch and jewelry dealers in the U.S., but there are people go to Switzerland to buy them and simply turn around and sell them in the U.S. for less than dealer price. They still make a profit since they're a lot cheaper in Switzerland...

Answer 3

Gray market generally refers to something that is not specifically illegal, but is not specifically legal either.

A good example is cars imported from foreign countries that were not originally built to US specifications. The rules have changed significantly over the years but back in the early 1980s it was pretty easy to import a German spec Mercedes to the US and then convert it to US standards. These cars didn't have the DOT/EPA certification label on them but were still "legal" as far as the law at the time was concerned.

Another definition might be were there are conflicts in the interpretation of a law such as the importation of legally prescribed drugs from Canada where precsription drug prices tend to be much lower than in the US.

Answer 4

I've seen the term used In the electronics retail trade, regarding, for example, game consoles and cameras. It refers to items that were manufactured by the company whose name is on the label (Sony, Nikon, etc.), so they're not pirated counterfeits, but were not intended for sale in the U.S. But they're being offered for sale in the U.S. by "gray market" importers/retailers.

The prices may be lower than for white market goods, but the big thing to watch out for is that gray market items typically do not come with a warranty that is valid in the U.S. So you're essentially giving up any warranty protection in return for a lower price.

"Black market" goods would be counterfeit, stolen, or both.

Answer 5

gray market isn't illegal, while black market is. gray market refers to those products that aren't available in the US, but are sold overseas. very common with consumer electronics, such as digital cameras, mp3 players, etc. gray market products are not covered by US warranties and have to be sent to the international warranty centers for repair.

Answer 6

The gray market its the gray Aurea in marketing its not black and white its gray a Lot of European cars shipped over here to U.S. are called gray market cars from the privet sector I hope that answers your Question. if not [e-mail]

Answer 7

The grey market has to do with cars that are purchased in foreign countries by individuals and then imported into the US, as used cars, by those individuals and sold. They do not meet all the standands of cars that were imported through regular channels and sold as new cars.

The black market has to do with items that are sold illegally. A good example would be the booze that was sold during the prohabition days. It was illegal to sell booze.