Protect your pamasko: Why should you be wary about buying grey market gadgets?

The attractive offerings from grey market sellers this season may come with big risks, so you better be careful.

File photo: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max

Better safe than sorry, protect your pamasko

In reality, many people would want to have their hands on the latest gadgets as soon as they are available. Of course, these new devices come with a price, but some look for "alternatives" to not be left behind. 

One of those with very attractive offerings is the grey market. Gadgets sold here may be cheaper but the lower costs come with higher risks. 

Here are some reasons why you should not engage with sellers from the grey market:

1. Lack of official warranty - Since gadgets from this market are not carried by the official store, they do not come with an official warranty. This means that consumers will have to shoulder the extra expenses if the device breaks down or malfunctions. 
2. Imitation merchandise - Gray market devices are often linked with counterfeit products, meaning that may lack authenticity and could potentially be an inferior version of the original product.
3. Lack of customer support - Since devices here are not sold by authorized sellers, consumers may not have access to manufacturer-provided customer support or technical assistance.
4. Compatibility challenges - These devices may lack updates crucial for proper functionality, as they did not officially pass through the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for proper permits. This can result in compatibility issues with other devices or programs, limiting the device's overall functionality.
5. Potential legal Implications - Non-compliance with safety standards or regulations may render these devices illegal for use in certain countries. Moreover, there is also the violation of intellectual property rights for selling gray market devices.
6. Scarce parts availability - Repairing damaged grey market devices would be challenging since the parts are not accessible through authorized channels. This would lead to extended waiting times and increased costs.
7. Other sellers may scam you - We've seen a lot of Redditors at r/Tech_Philippines and other social media platforms telling stories that they have been scammed by some sellers from Facebook Marketplace and even some "known" stores selling iPhones and other gadgets delaying the delivery of the items by months and even years.

Aside from these, buying in official stores ensures you get your hands on an AUTHENTIC PRODUCT. Official sellers can also offer different modes of payment for the consumer’s convenience. 

Related: Reasons why you should buy Xiaomi at official stores

From a macroeconomic point of view, the grey market does not boost the country's economy. We are also not sure if grey market sellers pay the right taxes or fees since, technically, there is a high chance that their products are smuggled. 

There are two ways a phone is considered to be smuggled: One, there is no receipt from the Bureau of Customs that shows import taxes were paid, and two there is no National Telecommunications Commission sticker, which means the device fee was paid and that the device is registered with the agency.

Remember that gadgets from overseas must go through the BOC and NTC before they can be legally sold in the Philippines. 

It's always better to be safe than spend your hard-earned money on risky (even if you know the risks) products like grey market devices. 

What do you think about this?