I've had like a 17 lens EF system through 5 generations of bodies, 3-lens Contax G2, 3-lens Mamiya 7, SL66, and a nice Leica M6 outfit, since the mid-90s. I haven't EVER been able to use a warranty on any of it. The only malfunctions I've had are due to dropping Leicas, which isn't covered. Nothing else has ever broken.
Consider that your cheaper purchase was a secondhand body, and that it certainly won't have come with the 3 year UK/EU/US warranty and 14 day return that Panamoz provide. They are a very highly regarded company - just look at the hundreds of positive reviews on TrustPilot.
Occasionally people will buy a dud (dead-on-arrival) camera, in which case most countries have legislation to ensure that you can get the item replaced if you return it undamaged and with original packing within a 7, 14 or 28 day period. So it makes sense to buy from the cheapest and most reliable seller you can find. In my experience, when shipping to the UK, that is usually Panamoz, but prices will of course vary from country to country, depending on local tax laws etc.
Just checked out that website and the prices are wildly variable! Some bargains, some things more expensive than elsewhere. They do have the best price I've seen for the 100-500 though.
OK, sure, used, but with <1000 shutters on it. I've had probably up to 5 cameras and 25 lenses at once, over the last quarter century, and worked professionally for 3-4 years in there near the beginning.
I bought new for 360,050 yen, BUT that also resulted in store points worth 10% of the lens price, so in effect I paid 332,145yen, which is 2032 quid. So, about 20% less than Panamoz.
In addition, for lenses there is the problem of quality because of copy variation. I thoroughly test each lens I buy new or used, and sometimes the centering or optical quality is unacceptable. If I buy new on-line or used from MPB or WEX, I know I can send them back, and occasionally I have done.
Copy variation can occur with bodies too, as illustrated by the R5 situation in which a percentage of users have experienced freezes/lock-ups, while others have been fortunate to have escaped them. To further illustrate, several Nikon Z9 owners have reported that the mechanical "protective" shutter has jammed closed. It certainly pays to thoroughly test bodies during the statutory no-questions-asked "cooling down period", and to send the camera back if there are any concerns.
I think you're confused?
Entoman, you cannot even understand the simplest of posts, such as the one earlier where I was discussing a new lens and you chided me for buying a used camera. It was only two sentences, and had a photo of a lens. But this still was too complicated for you. So yes, you're not the kind of careful person who should be in the used market.
I don't know how prices compare, but (in the UK) MPB prices are often more expensive than buying new from grey exporters.
If you are incapable of understanding that I'm just trying to help people by sharing my experiences, then there is no point in continuing a discussion with you.
I've seen you post about this "grey" market camera/lens thing a lot....it's something I'm not familiar with...
Gray market products are new, OEM items imported through unofficial channels and sold by non-authorized dealers. There are gray market sellers in the US. It's not just a photo gear thing, musical instruments, etc., are sold gray market. In general, it means the item does not have warranty coverage. Having said that, Canon USA has typically performed warranty repairs on such items, provided you have proof of purchase from the seller (to show you're within the warranty period).
