Q: What is a gray market?

A: A grey market or gray market is the trade of a commodity through distribution channels which, while legal, are unofficial, unauthorized, or unintended by the original manufacturer.

Gray-market goods are not usually illegal. Instead, they are sold outside normal distribution channels by companies which may have no relationship with the producer of the goods. They then sell it at a price high enough to provide a profit but under the normal market price.


Q: It sounds like the products is the same as the one sold through authorized channels so what is wrong with saving money?

A: If you as a consumer are willing to gamble your money by taking a chance that your equipment is not going to need repair for the duration of the warranty period then there is no problem with saving money. But as we all know these exercise machines are large complex electro-mechanical devices and there is a high probability that you may need some kind of part or repair during the warranty period. Also our experience has been that most users do not read instructions and maintain their equipment properly which increases the chances of a breakdown even more.

As the old saying goes don’t be “penny wise but pound foolish”. It is worth working with an authorized dealer for any future support.


Q: What if I find a dealer from out of town who’s cheaper that the local one would your company still match their price?

A: The answer is YES absolutely, as long as we are comparing apples to apples. However, some manufacturers’ warranty is void if the consumer purchases their product from an out of town dealer. This policy is usually put in place to ensure that the customer receives a prompt and efficient service in a time of need. Some unscrupulous out of town dealers, once they find out that you are too far for them to service, they will discount their product more than they normally do. They do this, because their intention is to make a quick buck only. But when you need support they intend to push you off to the local dealer or the manufacturer for any service, since it is not feasible for them to come out to your home for service. Of course usually local dealers will not support customers who did not purchase from them and almost 90% of all manufacturers rely on their local dealers to provide service. As a result fitness equipment manufacturers, contrary to popular belief, do not have a service company that they can dispatch to your location, nor do they have the power to force the local dealer to service you. After all of this hassle you as a customer will then wish that you had paid that extra whatever to receive better treatment.